Rate My Professor Lorena Del Castillo

Dr. Lorena Del Castillo serves as a Lecturer in the School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences within the College of Sciences at Adelaide University. Her research specializations include colloid and interfacial science, with a focus on surface forces such as thin film drainage and bubble interactions. She conducts fundamental and applied studies in minerals processing, including leaching investigations and the synthesis and characterisation of model mineral systems. Dr. Del Castillo explores applications of interfacial science in food systems and advances materials science through the preparation, development, and characterisation of functional materials, notably magnetic ceramic materials like ferrites and orthoferrites, as well as BSCCO superconductors. Additionally, she utilizes x-ray and nuclear techniques for materials characterization. Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD students, she actively contributes to education by coordinating Nuclear and Radiation Physics 3 (PHYSX302) at Adelaide University and has previously taught courses such as NASC 3015 Atomic, Nuclear, and Radiation Science, PHYS 1007 Applied Physics 1, PHYS 1017 Physics for Medical Radiation 100, and PHYS 2004 Applied Physics 4 at the University of South Australia.

Dr. Del Castillo's scholarly output features key publications in prominent journals. Notable works include 'The influence of pH on the interfacial behaviour of Quillaja bark saponin at the air-solution interface' (Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 2019, with Ulaganathan et al.), examining surfactant behavior at interfaces; 'Mobile surface charge can immobilize the air/water interface' (Langmuir, 2019, with Carnie and Horn), investigating charge effects on interfaces; 'Leaching gold by reactive flow of ammonium thiosulfate solution in high aspect ratio channels: rate, passivation, and profile' (Hydrometallurgy, 2017, with Kotova et al.), addressing gold extraction processes; 'Variation of local surface properties of an air bubble in water caused by its interaction with another surface' (Langmuir, 2016), analyzing bubble surface changes; 'Microstructure of a granular amorphous silica ceramic synthesized by spark plasma sintering' (Journal of Microscopy, 2016, with Röding et al.); 'Coalescence map for bubbles in surfactant-free aqueous electrolyte solutions' (Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 2011, with Horn and Onishi); 'Inhibition of bubble coalescence: effects of salt concentration and speed of approach' (Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2011); and 'Effect of disjoining pressure on terminal velocity of a bubble sliding along an inclined wall' (Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2011, with Del Castillo et al.). These contributions advance understanding in interfacial phenomena, minerals processing, and materials properties.