The joys (and sorrows) of interdisciplinary research:
Nature's secrets at solid-fluid interfaces
Susan L.S. Stipp and the NanoGeoScience Research Group
Nano-Science Center, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
stipp@nano.ku.dk
We use nanotechniques to understand the interactions between natural solids and fluids (water,
oil, air, CO2, etc.) and then apply the new knowledge to solve society's challenges. Some
examples are: ensuring clean water, storing waste safely, converting CO2 to mineral form to make
it stable for millennia, squeezing more oil from spent reservoirs and understanding the mysteries of
biomineralisation. Sometimes we contribute insight into the risks of volcanic ash and offer
interpretations for the Mars missions. Our work combines experiment and theory, profiting from
input by physicists, chemists, mineralogists, geoscientists, engineers and mathematicians.