SERGE STOLL

Senior LecturerAnalytical and Biophysical Environmental Chemistry (CABE)

Mailing Address:

Department of Inorganic, Analytical, and Applied ChemistryUniversity of Geneva, Sciences II30, Quai Ernest-Ansermet1211 Geneva 4, SwitzerlandPhone: +41 22 702 6427 (direct)Phone: +41 22 702 6053 (secretary)Fax: +41 22 702 6069Email: serge.stoll@cabe.unige.chWeb: http://www.unige.ch/cabe/stoll/

Short Resume

Serge Stoll received in 1992 his PhD in Physical Chemistry by working on colloid coagulation processes in the group of Professor Pefferkorn at the University Louis Pasteur, France. After joining Professor Buffle's research group in 1994 in the departement of analytical, inorganic and applied chemistry at the University of Geneva, he became a senior scientist. In 1999 he was promoted senior lecturer, teaching environmental, soft-condensed and analytical chemistry to undergraduate and graduate students. He has coauthored more than 40 publications in referred journals and was chosen for his work to represent Switzerland in 1998 at the CERC3 Workshop on Colloidal Synthesis and Characterisation, Bristol UK.

Teaching Activities

Main emphasis lies on courses in colloid and polymer chemistry, which include introductory to advanced courses for students, and courses for professionals. He further participate in teaching of general chemistry within the chemistry curriculum, and of advanced courses on environmental chemistry.

Research Interests

The fate and transport of contaminants, such as trace metal elements and pesticides, introduced by rivers or by atmospheric inputs in waters by human activities, needs to be understood to evaluate their long-term impacts on the ecosystems as well as their influences and effects on biota. Numerical modelling using state-of-the-art techniques is performed in Serge's group to understand the factors controlling the structure, diffusion, aggregation and sedimentation of colloids and biopolymers. In particular dynamic modelling (Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics) is used to understand the association of large biopolymers and polyelectrolytes with colloids (inorganic particles, micelles, metal ions) as well as the evolution of aggregates and their sedimentation rates. In all cases a major goal is to relate molecular and supramolecular processes to macroscopic ones. This fundamental research is being applied within environmental chemistry and for industrial process control such as the rational design of flocculants used in water treatment.

Key References

''The mechanisms and kinetics of the fragmentation of colloidal aggregates'', L.Ouali, S. Stoll, E. Pefferkorn, in Fragmentation Phenomena, E. Pefferkorn eds., World Scientific, Singapore (1995).

"Multidimensional Statistical Properties of Simple Sampling Chains in the Continuum", S. Stoll, J. Dayantis and J. Buffle, Macromolecular Theory and Simulations, Vol. 8, P. 119 (1999).

''A Generalized Description of Aquatic Colloidal Interactions'', J. Buffle, K. J. Wilkinson, S. Stoll, M. Filella and J. Zhang, Environmental Science and Technology, 32, 2887-2899 (1998).

''Monte-Carlo Simulations of hydrophobic Polyelectrolyte. Evidence of complex configurational transitions'', P. Chodanowski, S. Stoll, J. Chem. Phys., Vol 111, 6969 - 6081 (1999).

"The study of Environmental Biopolymers by Mathematical Modeling and Single Molecule Detection Techniques", S. Stoll, K. Starchev, K. Wilkinson, P. Chodanowski, E. Balnois, X. Leng and J. Buffle, Chimia 55, 190-195 (2001).

"Polyelectrolyte Adsorption on an Oppositely Charged Spherical Particle. Chain Rigidity Effects", S. Stoll and P. Chodanowski, Macromolecules, vol 35, 9556-9562 (2002).