“We want to look at functional materials and understand how they work - in catalysis, the environment, and even in old oil paintings.”
Research focus: Catalysis, Spectroscopy, X-ray physics, Environmental analysis, Data mining & Chemometrics
Florian Meirer is Associate Professor in the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis research group at Utrecht University. The group develops and works with various spectro-microscopic techniques to study (functional) nanomaterials in various fields such as catalysis and environmental analysis. In particular, in heterogenous catalysis, Florian focuses on understanding mass transport in catalyst bodies by X-ray microscopy, Super-resolution Localization Microscopy, and diffusion simulations. Projects from environmental analysis and data mining include exploring decision support systems for conservators treating old oil paintings by correlating hyperspectral imaging methods as well as studying nanoplastics and their impact on the environment.
Concerning the latter, as a member of the UPlasticS3 network, Florian Meirer is involved in research into so-called nanoplastics, which are very difficult to detect with conventional techniques. Using highly specialised techniques, the team is able to measure these minuscule particles, down to less than a thousandth of the width of a human hair. Aims are to also measure type and age of these particles to understand how they form and interact with the environment. The group is currently working on detecting nanoplastics also in tissue and blood, which is especially challenging. If this becomes possible it will help not only in detecting the plastic itself, but also in assessing any toxicological effects.
Fields of interest:
- Heterogenous Catalysis
- Spectro-microscopy
- Tomography & Network analysis
- Environmental analysis
- Data mining & chemometrics