Research team
Expertise
I am Dr. Prajwal Lamichhane, a dedicated researcher currently working as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Antwerp. My expertise lies in non-thermal plasma technology and its transformative potential in materials science, plasma catalysis, and environmental applications. Throughout my academic journey, I have investigated the multifaceted roles of plasma—ranging from tailoring surface properties to developing sustainable solutions for chemical conversion and pollutant degradation. My PhD research focused on the design and characterization of plasma sources, enabling me to explore three interconnected domains: 🔬 Surface Modification – Engineering material interfaces to achieve functional properties such as wettability, adhesion, and biocompatibility. ⚛️ Plasma Catalysis – Leveraging plasma-activated environments to drive selective and energy-efficient chemical transformations. 💧 Pollutant Degradation – Applying plasma processes for the breakdown of persistent organic pollutants in wastewater, contributing to innovative environmental remediation strategies. At Antwerp, my postdoctoral research is part of the FOD Economy-funded T-REX project, where I study plasma-adjusted catalysts for CO₂ conversion in dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactors. The goal is to uncover new fundamental insights into how catalyst composition and discharge behavior affect conversion, selectivity, and energy efficiency—especially using dry reforming of methane (CO₂/CH₄) as a model reaction.