UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #987

Submission information
Submission Number: 987
Submission ID: 19216
Submission UUID: c043ce86-94d3-4a03-af1d-87620ea77b63

Created: Fri, 04/11/2025 - 02:04 PM
Completed: Fri, 04/11/2025 - 02:57 PM
Changed: Fri, 10/10/2025 - 04:05 PM

Remote IP address: 146.201.201.56
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English

Is draft: No
Primary Research Mentor Name Dr Mohd Bilal Khan
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns Bilal
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific? Bilal
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated) mbk23@fsu.edu
Position Title Post Doc
FSU College (if applicable) FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation Florida State University
Headshot (optional) My_image.jpg
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above) Dr Hadi Mohammadigoushki
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns Hadi
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific? Dr
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated) hadi.moham@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable) Dr Jamel Ali
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns Ali
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific? Dr
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated) jali@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Title of the Project ***High Gradient Magnetic Separation of Paramagnetic Particles Around a Ferromagnetic Wires and Spheres
Project Keywords Magnetophoresis, High Magnetic Field Gradient, Magnetic Convection
Are you currently looking for research assistants? No
Number of Research Assistants Needed 6
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s) Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Material Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Physics
Project Location: 1800 E Paul Dirac Drive, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (Close to CoE)
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation?
Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s): In-person
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work? 8
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work? Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Overall Research Project Description Transport and separation processes are fundamental to a wide range of applications, from water purification and resource recovery to environmental protection, biotechnology, and medical diagnostics, among others. Today, many effective and well-established separation approaches exist, including mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, and/or magnetic, each with its own limitations based on the physical properties involved in its working principle. Among various separation techniques, magnetic separation (or magnetophoresis) offers several advantages, including being energetically efficient, environmentally benign, and having high selectivity with minimal wear and tear. Magnetophoresis relies on the principles of magnetism to selectively separate materials based on their magnetic properties. Under the influence of an applied magnetic field, a particle with no net charge, experiences a magnetic force that is directly proportional to the magnetic susceptibility of the particle and the magnetic field gradients. Magnetic materials are categorized into paramagnetic and diamagnetic types based on their magnetic susceptibility (χ), with paramagnetic materials exhibiting positive susceptibility (χ > 0) and diamagnetic materials showing negative susceptibility (χ < 0).

Despite advances in high-gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) for micro- and nano-particles with strong magnetic properties, several challenges remain that hinder a systematic understanding of the transport processes involved. A significant issue is the heterogeneity of the ferromagnetic matrix, which consists of randomly oriented wires. This randomness can lead to spatio-temporal variations in magnetic capture efficiency, complicating accurate modeling of the transport, and fluid flow under an external magnetic field. Additionally, mesh-based systems often encounter clogging issues when processing fine particles, leading to reduced efficiency and operational challenges. To address the complexities of HGMS and gain a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in this process, several studies have focused on the hydrodynamic interactions between magnetic microparticles and a single wire, specifically examining the flow of particles past a magnetized wire. This approach simplifies the system by isolating the behavior of magnetic particles in proximity to a single ferromagnetic element.
To the best of our knowledge, magnetophoresis of weakly paramagnetic and/or diamagnetic nano-particles around a magnetized wires and spheres has not been investigated experimentally or through numerical simulations. In the absence of inertia and hydrodynamic forces (no bulk flow), magnetic forces might be insufficient to overcome diffusive forces for weakly magnetic nano-particles, which could result in a behavior markedly different from that of larger or strongly magnetic particles. The primary aim of this study is to systematically investigate the magnetophoresis of weakly paramagnetic and diamagnetic nanoparticles in high-gradient magnetic fields, focusing exclusively on the competition between magnetic forces and diffusivity. To achieve this, both experiments and numerical simulations will be conducted in a closed cuvette containing a nano-particle suspension and a ferromagnetic wires and spheres over a broad range of parameters, including wire and sphere size, particle concentration, and external magnetic field strength. The spatio-temporal evolution of particle concentration will be measured and compared with detailed multi-physics numerical simulations developed in this study.
Research Tasks 1. The goal is to learn the basics of magnetophoresis.
2. Help in the ongoing research on high-gradient magnetic separation.
3. Conduct the data analysis and help in article writing.
4. Present the work at an undergraduate research conference.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: No prior skills are required for this project. Before starting the work, we will train the students. Moreover, sufficient time will be given to the students to learn the basics of the project.
Mentoring Philosophy A meaningful mentoring relationship is grounded in trust and mutual regard. I strive to foster an engaging and collaborative space where exploration and thoughtful dialogue drive learning. By openly sharing lessons from my own journey—including both achievements and setbacks—I provide authentic insight and context that can guide mentees in shaping their own paths.

I believe in empowering individuals to take responsibility for their projects, which cultivates independence and confidence. Understanding what inspires and energizes each mentee helps me support their momentum and commitment.

Mentoring, to me, is a blend of encouragement and practical exposure—helping mentees apply ideas through hands-on experiences. I aim to create an environment where risk-taking is welcomed and missteps are viewed as valuable opportunities for growth. Through meaningful challenges and consistent support, I guide mentees to build resilience, sharpen problem-solving skills, and evolve into thoughtful, capable individuals ready to contribute meaningfully in their fields.
Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable): https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=7QK-wrIAAAAJ&hl=en
Please add any additional information here (if applicable): The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory is a wonderful place to work and learn the basics of magnetic field-based research. Moreover, the individual can see how any research group is working to produce a meaningful result. The research work with magnetic fields is always fascinating and enjoyable. The skills any undergraduate can learn in our research group are as follows:
1. Handling powerful magnets to perform high-gradient magnetic separation.
2. COMSOL multiphysics software to simulate the magnetophoresis.
3. Basic-to-advanced MATLAB skills to post-process the results.
4. Writing a report based on outcomes.
5. Presentation skills.
6. Group collaboration and time management skills.
Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable? Yes
Roundtable times and Zoom links Tuesday September 3, time: 12 pm
Roundtable Info
  • Day: Wednesday, September 3
    Start Time: 12:00
    End Time: 12:30
    Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/94413373308
Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation Yes
Materials Grant Yes
UROP Poster Presentation Yes
Year 2025
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