Alex D. Nikolov

Alex D. Nikolov is a Research Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology, affiliated with the Armour College of Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Sofia (1979) and a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Sofia, Bulgaria (1969). His research focuses on colloidal particle self-assembly in confined geometries, structural transitions in thin films, and interfacial phenomena with applications in materials science and industrial processes.

Key research areas include colloidal particle layering in liquid films, foam/emulsion stability mechanisms, and spontaneous surfactant spreading on hydrophobic surfaces. Notable industrial applications include developing water-in-diesel emulsions tested by Caterpillar and antifoam agents used in nuclear waste treatment. His experimental and computational work bridges fundamental physics with practical engineering solutions.

Publications span topics like Marangoni-driven spreading, structural forces in confined colloids, and phase transitions in two-dimensional systems. Collaborations include work with Caterpillar, Westinghouse Savannah River Co., and academic partners like the University of Chicago. His lab, located in Perlstein Hall, focuses on interfacial phenomena with state-of-the-art analytical tools.

Grants and industry partnerships have supported development of advanced materials and process technologies. His work integrates chemical engineering principles with soft matter physics to address challenges in energy, environmental, and food industries.