uf che viewbook 2015

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

2 0 1 5D E P A R T M E N T

V I E W B O O K

2

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO PROVIDE THIS BROCHURE WITH INFORMATION A BO UT our depar tment and it s excit ing graduate program. Our depar tment is among the largest and

highest ranked Chemical Engineering programs in the southeastern region. Our renowned faculty

includes several Distinguished Professors, Fellows of professional societies including: The Ameri-

can Institute of Chemical Engineers, The American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineers,

The American Physical Society, The Electrochemical Society, and The American Vacuum Society and

recipients of the highest teaching awards bestowed by the University of Florida: the Teacher-of-the-

Year Award and the Academy of Distinguished Teaching Scholars.

Our research and educational activities are not hindered by Departmental or College boundaries, as

many of our faculty either lead or are active members of multidisciplinary centers, such as the Flori-

da Energy Systems Consortium, the Institute of Cellular Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, and

the Nanoscience Institute for Medical and Engineering Technology. We are located within a short walk

to the UF College of Medicine, the Emerging Pathogens Institute, the UF Cancer & Genetics Research

Complex, and the UF Clinical & Translation Science Institute, which facilitate fruitful research collabo-

rations for our faculty with research interests in the life sciences.

While the University of Florida, with its exceptional faculty and resources and picturesque campus,

provides a wonderful academic environment, the quality of life in the city of Gainesville and the sur-

rounding community is second to none. Serving as the cultural, educational, and commerce center of

beautiful North Central Florida, Gainesville is only an hour from both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf

of Mexico and less than two hours from Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa.

- Richard Dickinson - Department Chair

WELCOME TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA.

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA Department of Chemical Engineering

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING TENURE-TRACK AND RESEARCH FACULTY

3

21 FACULTY MEMBERS ENGAGED IN GRADUATE

RESEARCH AND TEACHING

UNIVERSITY & COLLEGE INFORMATION

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

04

06

DMITRY KOPELEVICH

ANTHONY LADD

TANMAY LELE

RANGA NARAYANAN

MARK ORAZEM

CHANG-WON PARK

FAN REN

CARLOS RINALDI

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

JASON BUTLER

ANUJ CHAUHAN

OSCAR CRISALLE

JENNIFER CURTIS

RICHARD DICKINSON

HELENA HAGELIN-WEAVER

PENG JIANG

LEWIS JOHNS

12

13

14

15

18

19

16

17

SPYROS SVORONOS

YIIDER TSENG

SERGEY VASENKOV

JASON WEAVER

KIRK ZIEGLER

28

29

30

31

32

DAVID HIBBITTS34

NEW FACULTY MEMBER

TODAY, WITH APPROXIMATELY 56,000 STUDENTS, UF IS THE SIXTH LARGEST UNIVERSITY IN THE UNITED STATES. UF HAS 16 COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS OFFERING MORE THAN 100 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS.

T H E C O L L E G E

T H E U N I V E R S I T Y

THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING IS THE LARGEST PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL at the University of Florida, the second largest of all the colleges, and one of the three largest research units. There are over 270 faculty members in 10 academic departments, which offer bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in 17 disciplines, including aerospace, agricultural, biomedical, chemical, civil, coastal and oceanographic, computer and information science, computer engineering, electrical, environmental, industrial and systems, materials sci-ence, mechanical, nuclear and radiological engineering and medical physics, as well as interdisciplinary studies.

The engineering student body of more than 8,000 includes over 5,500 undergraduates and nearly 3,000 on-campus gradu-

ate students. The college grants about 2,200 degrees annually, including 180 PhD degrees.

In 2012-2013, annual research expenditures exceeded $60 million. A signif icant amount

of interdisciplinary research is conducted through centers such as the Florida Insti-

tute for National Security, the Florida Institute for Sustainable Energy, the Nanoscience Institute for Medical and Engineering Technology, the Institute for Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine and the Institute for Computa-tional Engineering.

The Graduate School coordinates more than 200 graduate programs. Professional degree programs include dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine and law.

As a land-grant university identif ied by the Morrill Act of 1862, UF has a special focus on engineering, as well as agriculture, with a mandate to deliver the practical benefits of university research throughout the state. To meet this goal, UF has over 100 interdisciplinary research centers, bureaus and institutes on campus. UF is ranked among the nation’s top research universities and is one of only 17 public, land-grant universities that belong to the Association of American Universities.

The university employs approximately 4,000 faculty members and more than 7,000 administrative, professional and support employees. In addition to the 2,000- acre main Gainesville campus, UF has research centers, extension operations, clinics and other facilities and affiliates in every Florida county.


The University of Florida is the oldest and largest of Florida’s

11 state universities.

5

6

IN ADDITION, WE RECENTLY COMPLETED OUR 10,000 SQUARE-FOOT CHEMICAL ENGINEERING STUDENT CENTER, WHICH HOUSES THE STUDENT ADVISING

CENTER, THE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION AND AMPLE STUDENT COLLABORATION SPACE. THIS FACIL-

ITY WAS 100% FUNDED BY OUR GENEROUS ALUMNI.

OUR DEPARTMENT IS HOUSED IN OUR FOUR-STORY, 51,000-SQUARE-FOOT

BUILDING, MUCH OF WHICH IS DEVOTED TO RESEARCH.

7

T H E D E PA R T M E N T H A S 2 1 FAC U LT Y M E M B E R S E N G AG E D I N G R A D UAT E R E S E A R C H A N D T E AC H I N G .

Their interests span a wide range of topics including bioengineering, nanotechnology, complex f luids, advanced

materials processing and surface and interfacial phenomena. This diversity of interests is reflected in the types of

graduate courses available at both the department and the col-

lege, allowing our students excellent opportunities to obtain a

broad background in chemical engineering.

Listed in this brochure are the present members of the graduate

faculty, with a brief description of their major areas of research.

Please contact them directly via e-mail for more details con-

cerning their research programs. Many are leading members

or directors of special university centers such as the NSF Engi-

neering Research Center for Particle Science and Technology,

the Center for Surface Science and Engineering and the Florida

Energy Systems Consortium.

Our annual funding level from contracts and grants typically

exceeds 4.5 million dollars. Support for our programs comes

from federal agencies such as NSF, NIH, NASA, DOE, a variety

of Defense agencies and non-profit organizations such as the

American Chemical Society and the Gas Research Institute.

The department’s emphasis is on the fundamentals that aca-

demic work traditionally provides as the basis for commercial

development and manufacturing. The relevance of our research

studies is demonstrated by industrial funds from a large number

of chemical, aerospace, defense and semiconductor companies

that also complement the support we receive from government

funding agencies.

MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE – THESIS OPTION

Completion of this program is possible in 16 months, and the usual duration ranges from 16 to 24 months. The principal requirements for the M.S. degree are 30 semester hours and a research thesis approved by the student’s supervisory committee. These credits include:

1. Twelve graduate semester hours in the basis of chemical engineer-ing courses (Mathematical Basis, Continuum Basis, Molecular Basis, and Chemical and Bio Lab). Molecular Basis can be replaced with an Elective for students on Applied Track.

2. Six credits of Chemical Engineering Science courses, including at least one course in reaction engineering, bioengineering, or kinetics.

3. Up to six semester hours of supervised research.

Students must submit a final thesis and pass an oral thesis-defense examination.

MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE – NON-THESIS OPTION

This program is designed for completion in 12 months, although some students prefer longer durations. The MS-Non Thesis provides an op-portunity to develop an in-depth knowledge of chemical engineering fundamentals, to emphasize a specific specialization area and to ac-quire basic experience in research or industrial practice through a short internship. The principal requirements are 30 credits of courses includ-ing an option for 7 credits of research work in a laboratory or of work in an industrial internship. The core course requirements for this program are identical to that for the MS-Thesis. A final thesis document is not required but a written report on a project, internship or a contemporary Chemical Engineering topic is required for graduation.

All new students for the MS program are admitted to the non-thesis option at the time of admission and some are converted to the the-sis option upon approval by the Research Advisor and the Director of Graduate Programs.


P R O G R A M S O F S T U DY

Graduate student professional and social life is enhanced by the chemical engineering’s graduate student soci-ety, GRACE (GRaduate Association of Chemical Engineers). One of GRACE’s many activities is organizing the annual Graduate Student Research Symposium, where students have an opportunity to present and discuss their research with each other, the faculty and visiting industrial representatives.

T H E D E P A R T M E N T

8

The department offers research assistantships and/or fellowships to all admitted Ph.D. students and some M.S. students. Financial assis-tance decisions are made at the time of admission, or shortly after. For Fall-term admission, the following items should be submitted by January 15 for full consideration. Late applications may be considered under exceptional circumstances.

DOCUMENTS TO BE SENT TO THE OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS:

1. On-Line Admission Application (http://www.admissions.ufl.edu start.html)2. Application fee (application fee waived for domestic applicants)3. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended4. Official GRE scores from ETS5. Official English Language Test (TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB) scores for international applicants

DOCUMENTS TO BE SENT TO THE CHEMICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT:

1. Graduate fellowship / assistantship application2. Statement of Purpose (unless submitted on-line)

3. Three recommendation letters (unless submitted on-line)4. Photocopy of official transcripts (copy of the original sent to Office of Admissions)5. Photocopy of GRE and English Language Test scores (copy of the original sent to Office of Admissions)6. A resume no longer than two pages (optional)

All relevant forms and more detailed information can be found on the university’s web page: http://www.admissions.ufl.edu/grad/.

UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSIONS

GPA≥3.0

International Students:

(1) GRE verbal ≥140 and(2) TOEFL≥550 (CBT≥213, IBT≥80) or IELTS≥6.0 or MELAB≥77

ETS codes for submission of GRE & TOEFL scores: 5812 (UF), 1001 (ChE Dept).

The GPA and GRE scores of accepted students are typically significantly higher than the minimum requirements.

ASSISTANTSHIPS

Graduate assistantships pay very attractive stipends plus tuition and are awarded to students for research duties. Graduate students who receive assistantships and have completed more than one year of study are generally expected to serve as teaching assistants for two terms. If satisfactory progress is maintained (3.0 GPA or better, and satisfactory grades in thesis and assistantship work) and funds are available, support is continued till graduation.

Research constitutes the most important focus of graduate work. New graduate students are encouraged to begin research as soon as pos-sible. Early in the Fall semester, the faculty make available descriptions of their research projects. In the weeks that follow, students consult with the faculty members and become better acquainted with the research in the department. The students then indicate their preferences for individual advisors. The assignments are then made based on the preferences expressed by the students.

MASTER OF ENGINEERING DEGREE

A student with a B.S. degree in biology, chemistry, physics, mathemat-ics, or another branch of engineering may obtain a graduate degree in Chemical Engineering by meeting the necessary academic require-ments and taking selected undergraduate courses. Students intending to obtain a professionally oriented M.E. degree would normally com-plete their undergraduate requirements in 1-2 semesters. The graduate course requirements of 30 credits of coursework require another 3-4 semesters. The M.E. students can apply for conversion to the MSNT or MS-Thesis program after satisfactory completion of the undergradu-ate courses.

PH.D. DEGREE

The Ph.D. degree plan is primarily a research program. The granting of the degree is based essentially on general proficiency and distinctive attainments in Chemical Engineering and particularly on the

demonstrated ability to conduct an independent investigation as exhib-ited in the doctoral dissertation. Briefly, the formal requirements for the Ph.D. degree are:

1. Maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher with B- or higher in all Basis courses.

2. Successful completion of written and oral examinations for advancement to candidacy. The written examination is comprised of the candidate’s objectives and achievements towards his/her doctoral dissertation. The oral examination is based on the written part and related areas. The oral section also includes the Qualifying Examination to test the student’s breadth of knowledge in Chemical Engineering fundamentals.

3. Preparing a dissertation based on original research.

4. Passing the final examination based on the dissertation.

5. The graduation requirements include 90 credits including at least 30 credits in coursework. Details and minor changes in any of these requirements will be given upon the student’s arrival.

F I N A N C I A L A S S I S TA N C E

A S S I S TA N T S H I P S


CORE COURSES

Mathematical Basis of Chemical Engineering Molecular Basis of Chemical Engineering Continuum Basis of Chemical Engineering CHE ELECTIVES

Transport Phenomena Heat and Mass Transfer Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics Electrochemical Engineering Advanced Control

Thermodynamics Advanced Thermodynamics Phase and Chemical Equilibria

Reaction Engineering and Design Reactor Design and Optimization Chemical Kinetics Surface Science and Catalysis

Process Engineering and Design Computer Control of Processes Advanced Separation Processes Process Optimization

LAB COURSES

Chemical and Biological Lab Unit Operations Management Lab Semiconductor Device Fabrication Lab SPECIAL TOPICS

Electronic Materials Processing Interfacial Phenomena Biochemical Engineering Biomedical Engineering Polymer Processing Advanced Numerical Analysis Several other special topics

9

ENTREPRENEURSHIP, LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION

The following courses offered by the Engineering Innovation Institute (ELI) are available to all ChE graduate students. The ELI is instilling a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in students through experiential and cur-ricular based education that focuses on delivering key creativity, innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship skill sets.

Engineering LeadershipEngineering Innovation Engineering Entrepreneurship / Entrepreneurship for EngineersPrinciples of Ethical Engineering Practice Engineering Project Management Divergent Thinking

G R A D U AT E C O U R S E S The Department of Chemical Engineering offers a large selection of graduate courses. The most frequently offered courses are listed below.

In addition, students take courses offered by other departments in the College of Engineering and the University.

M E E T

T H E

F A C U LT Y

12

JASON E. BUTLER, PROFESSOR

Ph.D., 1998, University of Texas at [email protected]

Dynamics of Complex Fluids, Suspension and Multiphase Fluid Mechanics, Polymer Dynamics, Microfluidic Flows of Complex Materials

Selected Publications

Braden Snook, Levi M. Davidson, Jason E. Butler, Olivier Pouliquen and Elisabeth Guazzelli, “Normal stress differences in suspensions of rigid fibres,” Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 758, 486-507, 2014.

Jason E. Butler, “Suspension dynamics: moving beyond steady,” Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 752, 1-4, 2014.

Bloen Metzger, Phong Pham and Jason E. Butler, “Irreversibility and chaos: Role of lubrication interactions in sheared suspensions,” Physical Review E, 87, 052304, 2013.

Braden Snook, Elisabeth Guazzelli and Jason E. Butler, “Vorticity alignment of rigid fibers in an oscillatory flow: Role of confinement,” Physics of Fluids, 24, 121702, 2012.

Rahul Kekre, Jason E. Butler and Anthony J.C. Ladd, “The role of hydrodynamic interactions in the migration of polyelectrolytes driven by a pressure gradient and an electric field” Physical Review E, 82, 050803(R), 2010.

Simulation of the vorticity alignment of a suspensions of rods caused by an

oscillatory shearing flow.

M Y R E S E A R C H G R O U P I S G E N E R A T I N G I N S I G H T S A N D S O L U T I O N S T O problems regarding the transport of complex fluids using experimental, computa-

tional, and theoretical methods. Complex fluids, which encompass suspensions of particulates, emulsions, polymer solutions, and more, serve important roles in a

wide range of industries as well as emerging technologies. Efficient control and processing of these fluids requires predictive capabilities that, in most cases, are lacking, as they often demonstrate nonlinear dynamics that create unex-pected and intriguing observations.

Some specific examples from our work are described:

M A C R O M O L E C U L A R T R A N S P O R T I N M I C R O F L U I D I C S

Microfluidic, or lab-on-chip, technologies have the potential to significantly improve medical diagnostic capabilities and accelerate advances in biological

and biochemical research. Realizing this promise requires the ability to manipulate, and hence model, macromolecular motion within these small devices. As one effort, we

have been examining transport dynamics of DNA, a polyelectrolyte, through electrodeless channels. The work has demonstrated new and unexpected methods that can be harnessed

to control the cross-stream distribution of DNA using a combinations of pressure gradients and elec-tric fields. We are validating our model of this phenomenon through rigorous comparison of experimental results and simulations while simultaneously investigating technological applications.

S U S P E N S I O N R H E O L O G Y A N D D Y N A M I C S

Suspensions of particles in viscous fluids are found in everyday materials such as concrete, in industrial advanced technologi-cal applications, and even in natural processes. Consequently, advances in evaluation in the transport properties and predictive capabilities for the dynamics will have a widely distributed impact through improved ability to rationally design processes. Some recent work in our group is focused on assessing the precise origin of irreversibilities in non-colloidal suspensions of spheres; these irreversibilities can cause, as one example, suspensions to demix during rheological testing and create inaccurate estimates of viscosities. Much of our work examines suspensions of rod-like particles, where coupling of the orientational dynamics with the flow field and center-of-mass motion creates truly complex results.

Powell, KC, Chauhan, A, “Interfacial Ten-sion and Surface Elasticity of Carbon Black (CB) Covered Oil-Water Interface”, Langmuir, 2014, 30(41), 12287-12296.

Kapoor, Y, Bengani, L. Tan, G, John, V, Chau-han, A, “Aggregation and transport of Brij surfactants in hydroxyethyl methacrylate hydrogels”, Journal of Colloids and Interface Science, 2013, 407, 390-396.

Bengani, L, Hsu, K-H, Gause, S, Chauhan, A, “Contact lenses as a platform for ocular drug delivery”, Expert Opinion on Drug De-livery, 2013, 10(11), 1483-1496.

Cave, G, Harvey, M, Shaw, T, Damitz, R, Chauhan, A, “Comparison of Intravenous Lipid Emulsion, Bicarbonate, and Tailored Liposomes in Rabbit Clomipramine Toxic-ity”, Academic Emergency Medicine, 2013, 20(10), 1076-1079.

Hyun-Jung J, Abou-Jaoude, M, Carbia BE, Plummer, C, Chauhan, A, “Glaucoma Therapy by Extended Release of Timolol from Nanoparticle Loaded Silicone-Hydro-gel Contact Lenses”, Journal on Controlled Release, 2013, 165, 82–89.

Bengani, L, Chauhan, A, “Extended delivery of Anionic Drug by Contact Lens Loaded with Cationic Surfactant”, Biomaterials, 2013, 34, Issue 11, 2814–2821.

ANUJ CHAUHAN, PROFESSOR & ASSOCIATE CHAIR

Ph.D., 1998, City University of New [email protected]


O U R G R O U P I S I N T E R E S T I N G I N E X P L O R I N G P R O B L E M S AT T H E I N T E R FA C E O F materials design, interfacial phenomena and transport. Currently a majority of our efforts

are focused on ophthalmic biomaterials and pharmaceutical formulations. In each case, our goal is to integrate the fundamentals into the application driven research to solve

problems of immense societal interest.

OPHTHALMIC BIOMATERIALS

We are interested in various ophthalmic biomaterials including puncta plugs, fornix inserts, contact lenses and drug eluting devices for both anterior and posterior segment diseases. We are currently designing contact lens coating to improve the lubricity and wettability, which are correlated to the comfort. Additionally we are exploring delivery of ophthalmic drugs via contact lenses

for several diseases with a focus on glaucoma therapy and cystinosis treatment for children. The contact lens based delivery is motivated by the deficiencies of

eye drops including low bioavailability of 1-5% and poor compliance particularly for diseases that require instillation of multiple eye drops each day. We have proven

that contact lenses deliver about 50% of the drug payload to the cornea and can be designed to release drugs for extended periods of a week to a month. Our approach for

tailoring the drug release profiles to the specific indication includes dispersing or self-assembling nanoparticles or nanobarriers into the contact lenses. With our novel approaches,

the release durations and amounts can be tailored in a wide range from a few hours to weeks, com-pared to an hour from commercial contact lenses. We have recently designed systems that can achieve a 2-week efficacy with 4-day lens wear. Our research in this area is at the interface of materials design, colloidal and interfacial phenomena, transport, and physi-ology. The in vitro experiments are accompanied by mathematical modeling and animal experiments, to be followed by human trials.

I NTE R FACI A L A N D CO LLO I DA L P H E N OM E N A

Our group is interested broadly in interfacial phenomena relevant to a wide range of problems including emulsion stabilization, adsorption, self-assembly, precipitation, nanoparticle formation, protein adsorption, and drug stabilization and delivery. Our cur-rent emphasis is on designing kinetically stable macroemulsions for pharmaceutical application particularly intravenous delivery of drugs that have a narrow therapeutic window. We have designed kinetically stable systems that are stable for at least a few years using biocompatible surfactants for intravenous delivery of propofol. The animal studies show comparable pharmacodynamics to the commercial formulations and in vitro studies suggest that our formulations should reduce the pain that frequency accompanies propofol administration. Our group is also designing liposome based overdose treatment therapies. Animal studies with our liposo-mal formulation show excellent detoxification potential superior to Intralipid, which is the current state of the art. Other areas of interest include drug delivery, adsorption of drugs and proteins in contact lenses, design of novel sunscreens to minimize transport of toxic chemicals into the skin, designing liposomal systems for drug overdose therapy, ocular physiology and transport.

N A N OM A N U FAC TU R I N G

Nanomaterials development in a key research area for us and we are very interested in scalable production of nanomaterials for various applications. We are focusing on designing a wide range of nanomaterials to match the needs of the specific applications including microemulsions, liposomes, polymeric particles, nanorods, nanocrystals, etc. We are also interested in dispersion of the nanostructures in hydrogel based devices to achieve the desired material and transport properties.

Department of Chemical Engineering FACULTY

Ophthalmic Biomaterials, Interfacial and Colloidal Phenomena, Nanomanufacturing

13

14

OSCAR CRISALLE, PROFESSOR

Ph.D., 1990, University of California, Santa [email protected]

Process Modeling, Robust Control Design for Uncertain Systems, Predictive Control, Virtual Sensors, Green and Renewable Energy Optimization, Fuel Cells

O U R R E S E A R C H F O C U E S O N T H E A N A LY S I S A N D D E S I G N O F A D V A N C E D control systems, with applications to chemical-processing and energy-generation

industries. Our guiding philosophy is to establish new theoretical foundations, and validate advances through computer simulation studies and experimental

implementations. The applications include energy production systems and fuel cells, the manufacture of integrated microelectronic and photovoltaic devices, and the development of on-line measurement instrumentation.

C O N T R O L S C I E N C E

We design controllers that deliver high performance in spite of the presence of modeling uncertainty. Ongoing research seeks the synthesis of robust

multivariable controllers predictive-control, variable-structure control, and frequency-domain techniques, including our formulation of a robustness metric

we call Nyquist Robust Stability Margin.

V I R T U A L S E N S O R S

Often critical process variables needed for diagnostics and control cannot be meas-ured because of the inability to place a physical sensor inside constrained geometries. Our

group designs software sensors that estimate the value of inaccessible measurements using mathematical models and data from installed at other locations. The technology involves Kalman and Luenberger observers, as well as integral observers that can preserve accuracy even under conditions of data uncertainty.

F U E L C E L L S

We are developing direct methanol fuel cells designed to serve as long lasting power supplies for small electrical appliances. Our group conducts first-principles fuel cell modeling work to serve as the basis for designing real-time control manipulations that optimize operations and ensure high system performance. The goal is to develop green and renewable energy production technologies that can effectively address society’s growing need for a sustainable energy infrastructure.


“Systematic Approach for Modeling Methanol Mass Transport on the Anode Side of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells”, by M.A. R. Biswas, Shyam P. Mudiraj, W.E. Lear, and Oscar D. Crisalle, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, (2014), 1-17.

“An Ammonia-Water Mixture Properties Correlation for Efficient Two-Phase Computations”, by David U. Johnson, William E. Lear, Oscar D. Crisalle, and S.A. Sherif, HVAC&R Research, Vol. 19, No. 2, (2013) 113-124.

“Critique and Improvement of an One-Dimensional, Semi-Analytical Model of a Direct Metha-nol Fuel Cell,” by Cheng Chan Kuo, William E. Lear, James H. Fletcher, and O. D. Crisalle, Jour-nal of Fuel Science and Technology, Vol. 9, No. 5, (2012) 054501-1-054501-10.

“Generalized Predictive Control Incorporating a Battery of Observers for a PEM Fuel Cell Sys-tem”, by Vikram Shishodia and Oscar D. Crisalle, Annual Meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Nashville, TN (2009).

“Uncertain Homogenous Bilinear Systems: A Variable-Structure Control Approach", by Saleh Al-Shamali, Oscar D. Crisalle, and Haniph A. Latchman, American Control Conference, Min-neapolis, MN (2006) 4706-4711.


15

JENNIFER CURTIS, DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR

& ASSOCIATE DEAN, RESEARCH & FACILITIES

Ph.D., 1989, Princeton [email protected]

Fluidization, Particle Technology, CFD and DEM Modeling for Particulate Flows

P A R T I C U L A T E F L O W S A R E P R E V A L E N T A C R O S S A D I V E R S E R A N G E O F industr ia l and geophysical process es. E xamples include pharmaceutical pro-

cesses, conveying l ines for transpor ting minerals, ores, food and agricultural produc t s, f luidized bed reac tors, debris f lows and sediment transpor t .

N O N - I N T R U S I V E M E A S U R E M E N T S O F F L U I D - S O L I D F L O W S U S I N G L A S E R D O P P L E R V E L O C I M E T R Y ( L D V ) .

Currently, fundamental predictive models for fluid-particle flows are for processes operating exclusively in either the inertia-dominated regime or the macro-viscous regime. One key limitation impeding the development of fundamental models in the “transitional” regime—between the inertia domi-

nated and macro-viscous regimes is the lack of detailed, non-intrusive flow measurements. Hence, this research involves LDV experimentation in a unique,

pilot-scale, slurry flow loop. By varying the flow velocity, particle concentration and particle size, we span the range of particulate flow regimes.

E F F E C T O F P A R T I C L E S H A P E O N G R A N U L A R F L O W

Virtually all solid handling operations involve non-spherical particles, and the influence of particle shape on particle flow behavior is significant. However, most fundamental studies of par-

ticulate material undertaken to date involve spherical particles. Hence, the present work aims at developing constitutive relations for the particle-phase stress, needed in continuum-based models, incorporating the effect of particle shape. In order to develop such relations, we investigate the flow of particles of different shapes via DEM.

C F D S I M U L A T I O N O F R O C K E T E X H A U S T I N T E R A C T I O N W I T H L U N A R S O I L

Debris transport due to rocket plume impingement onto lunar soil can cause significant damage to spacecraft and other surround-ing equipment during lunar landing operations. Hence, the liberation of dusty lunar soil is potentially the highest risk facing lunar exploration system architectures. In order to mitigate this problem, we are developing a continuum-based, two-phase flow simula-tion model, in collaboration with CFD Research Corporation, to predict the severity and range of dust and debris transport and to design debris impact mitigation strategies. Our model is validated by cratering experiments conducted on both earth and on NASA’s “Vomit Comet”.


Effect of Particle Shape on Granular Flow

Y. Guo and J. Curtis, “Discrete Element Method Simulations for Complex Granular Flows” (Invited), Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics, 47, 21-46 (2015).

D. Rangarajan, T. Shiozawa, Y. Shen, A. Yu and J. Curtis, “Influence of Operating Parameters on Raceway Properties in a Blast Furnace using a Two-Fluid Model”, I&EC Research, 53, 4983-4990 (2014).

P. Bunchatheeravate and J. Curtis, “Deposition of Non-Spherical Particles in Bifur-cating Airways”, Pharmaceutical Development and Technology, 19, 942-951 (2014).

Y. Guo, C. Wassgren, B. Hancock, W. Ketterhagen, and J. Curtis, "Granular Shear Flows of Flat Disks and Elongated Rods without and with Friction," Physics of Fluids, 25, Article 06334, 25 pages (2013).

S.B. Kuang, C.Q. LaMarche, J. Curtis, and A. B. Yu, “Discrete Particle Simulation of Jet-Induced Cratering of a Granular Bed”, Powder Technology, 239, 319-336 (2013).

16

RICHARD DICKINSON, PROFESSOR & DEPARTMENT CHAIR

Ph.D., 1992, University of [email protected]


Wu J, Kent IA, Shehar, N, Chancellor, TJ, Mendonca, A. Dickinson, RB, and TP Lele. Actomyosin Pulls to Advance the Nucleus in a Migrating Tissue Cell. Biophys J. 106 (1) 7-15. (2014).

Shekhar, N, S Neelam, J Wu, AJC Ladd, RB Dickinson, TP Lele. Fluctuating Motor Forces Bend Growing Microtubules. Cell Molec Bioeng 6: 120-9 (2013).

J Wu, G Misra, RJ Russell, AJC Ladd, TP Lele, RB Dickinson Effects of dynein on microtubule mechanics and centrosome positioning Mol Biol Cell 22 (24), 4834-4841 (2011).

D Breitsprecher, AK Kiesewetter, J Linkner, M Vinzenz, TEB Stradal, JV Small, U Curth, RB Dickinson, J Faix Molecular mechanism of Ena/VASP-mediated actin-filament elongation. EMBO J 30 (3), 456-467 (2011).

RB Dickinson. Models for actin polymerization motors. J Math Biol 58 (1-2), 81-103. 2009.

O U R R E S E A R C H I S I N T H E A R E A O F M O L E C U L A R / C E L L U L A R bioengineering. We apply engineering principles to student the behavior of living

cells or other small-scale biological systems. Using a combination of engineer-ing modeling/analysis, quantitative experimentation, together with the tools of molecular cell biology, we seek to better understand the relationship between cell function and the physical and molecular properties of cells and their envi-ronment. Our projects are typically in collaboration with experts in microscopy cell biology.

F O R C E G E N E R AT I O N BY I N T R AC E L L U L A R B I O P O LY M E R S

Livings cells have a cytoskeleton comprised of semi-flexible filaments (actin microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments), which determine the

cell’s mechanical properties and, through their interactions with molecular motors, are responsible for for cell movements and intracellular force generation. In one area

of focus, we study the reaction/diffusion processes involved filament assembly that lead to cellular protrusions during cell crawling and propel intracellular pathogens such as Listeria

monocytogenes. We are also investigating how the molecular motor protein complex dynein generat-ing force on microtubules moves the nucleus and allows the cell to locate its center. Another area of interest is to understand the dynamics and mechanical properties of muscle-like actin filament bundles called stress fibers in non-muscle cells.

F O R C E G E N E R AT I O N O N T H E N U C L E U S

Cell behavior depends strongly on the chemical and mechanical properties of its environment. For example, stem cells cultured on compliant materials will differentiate to cells of the tissue type that has similar rigidity. Mechanical cues change gene expression in a process called “mechanotransduction”, which often involves transmission of force from the outside to the cell to the nucleus. One current focus is to understand how these forces are transmitted to generate stresses on the nuclear surface that result in shape changes and positioning of the nucleus.

Biomolecular Motors and Cell Motility, Biomedical Device-Centered Infections, Adhesion-Mediated Cell Migration

17

HELENA HAGELIN-WEAVER, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Ph.D., 1999, Royal Institute of Technology, [email protected]


Heterogeneous Catalysis, Nanoparticle Oxide Shapes, Atomic Layer Deposition, Surface Characterization, Renewable Energy Applications

Ronghui Zhou, Evan W. Zhao, Wei Cheng, Luke M Neal, Haibin Zheng, Ryan E. Quinones, Helena E Hagelin-Weaver, and Clifford R. Bowers, “Parahydrogen Induced Polarization by Pairwise Replacement Catalysis on Pt and Ir Nanoparticles,” Accepted for publication in J. Am. Chem. Soc., DOI: 10.1021/ja511476n.

Trenton W. Elkins, Björn Neumann, Marcus Bäumer, and Helena E. Hagelin-Weaver, “Effects of Li Doping on MgO-Supported Sm2O3 and TbOx Catalysts in the Oxidative Coupling of Methane,” ACS Catalysis 4 (2014) 1972-1990.

Trenton W. Elkins, Helena E. Hagelin-Weaver, “Oxidative coupling of methane over unsup-ported and alumina-supported samaria catalysts,” Applied Catalysis A 454 (2013) 100-114.

Justin J. Dodson, Luke M. Neal, Helena Hagelin-Weaver, “The influence of ZnO, CeO2 and ZrO2 on nanoparticle-oxide-supported palladium oxide catalysts for the oxidative coupling of 4-methylpyridine,” Journal of Molecular Catalysis A 341 (2011) 42-50.

Samuel D. Jones, Luke M. Neal, Michael L. Everett, Gar B. Hoflund, Helena E. Hagelin-Weav-er, “Characterization of ZrO2-promoted Cu/ZnO/nano-Al2O3 methanol steam reforming catalysts,” Applied Surface Science 256 (2010) 7345-7353.

W E W O R K O N H E T E R O G E N E O U S C A T A LY S T D E V E L O P M E N T I N M Y laboratory and our ultimate goal is to obtain a fundamental understanding of these

catalysts at the atomic level. Our approach is to prepare well-defined hetero-geneous catalysts using nanoparticle oxides with various shapes and sizes as

supports and use different methods, including conventional precipitation-deposition and incipient wetness impregnation as well as atomic layer deposi-tion, to deposit active metals onto these supports. Since different shapes of nanoparticle oxides expose different surface facets, the use of these materials allows us to investigate how the active metal-support interactions vary with surface facets, and how this ultimate affects the catalytic activities. Further-

more, the fraction of corner and edge sites (relative to terrace sites) increases with decreasing particle size. Therefore, by varying the size of the nanoparticle

oxides, we can investigate the effects of coordinatively unsaturated sites (i.e. corner and edge sites) of the support on the active metal. The use of atomic layer

deposition of metal (or metal oxide) onto these nanoparticle oxides will provide bet-ter control over the metal particle size on the support.

O U R R E S E A R C H I N V O L V E S S Y N T H E S I S O F A S H A P E - A N D S I Z E - S E L E C T E D nanoparticle oxides, active metal deposition onto the nanoparticle oxides using different methods,

and catalyst characterization using a number of analytical techniques to determine how the particle size and shape of the oxide support influence the active metal and thus also the catalytic activities and selectivities. The analytical techniques include for example; Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area measurements, chemisorption of probe molecules (such as carbon monoxide or hydrogen) to determine active metal surface area, temperature programmed reduction and oxidation (TPR and TPO) experiments to determine reduction-oxidation (redox) properties, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to determine electronic structure and surface chemical composition, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine support particle sizes and shapes, as well as particle sizes and size distribution of active metals on the support, and x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements to determine crystal structures and crystallite sizes.

W E F O C U S M A I N LY O N E N V I R O N M E N T A L LY F R I E N D LY, E N E R G Y - R E L A T E D R E A C T I O N S

Our projects include catalyst development for hydrogen production via catalytic steam reforming of methanol (for proton ex-change membrane {PEM} fuel cell applications), C-H activation and C-C coupling of aromatic compounds, oxidative coupling of methane (methane to higher-value chemicals), Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of diesel fuel from biomass-derived synthesis gas (CO+H2), and thermochemical water-splitting using solar energy.

High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images obtained from CeO2 nano-octahedra onto which a thin layer of Al2O3 have been depos-ited using atomic layer deposition (left) and copper particles have been deposited using a microemul-sion technique (right).


18

PENG JIANG, PROFESSOR

Ph.D., 2001, Rice [email protected]


W E A R E B R O A D LY I N T E R E S T E D I N D E V E L O P I N G N E W C H E M I C A L , P H Y S I C A L , engineering and biological applications related to self-assembled nanostructured ma-

terials. Our current research is focused on the following four topics:

S E L F - A S S E M B L E D P H O T O N I C C R Y S T A L S A N D P L A S M O N I C C R Y S T A L S

Photonic crystals and plasmonic crystals offer unprecedented opportunities for the realization of all-optical integrated circuits and high-speed opti-cal computation. Our group is developing a number of scalable colloidal self-assembly technologies to control, manipulate, and amplify light on the sub-wavelength scale. We are also involved in the fabrication, characteriza-tion, and modeling of a large variety of functional nanooptical and plasmonic

devices enabled by the bottom-up approaches.

B I O M I M E T I C B R O A D B A N D A N T I R E F L E C T I O N C O A T I N G S

By mimicking the nanostructured antireflection layer on the cornea of a moth and the water-shedding coating on the wings of a cicada, we are developing self-cleaning

broadband antireflection coatings for a wide spectrum of applications ranging from highly efficient solar cells and light emitting diodes to high-sensitivity spectroscopy for

space exploration. Once again, we are interested in scalable nanomanufacturing technologies that can be inexpensively applied to large areas.

N O V E L S T I M U L I - R E S P O N S I V E S H A P E M E M O R Y P O LY M E R

By integrating scientific principles drawn from two disparate fields—the fast-growing photonic crystal and shape memory poly-mer (SMP) technologies, we have developed a new type of shape memory polymer (SMP) that enables unusual “cold” program-ming and instantaneous shape recovery triggered by applying an external pressure or exposing to an organic vapor at ambient conditions. These new stimuli-responsive SMPs differ greatly from currently available SMPs as they enable orders of magnitude faster response and room-temperature operations for the entire shape memory cycle. We are now exploring the broad applica-tions of these smart materials in detecting Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) materials and aerospace morphing structures.

S M A R T W I N D O W C O A T I N G S F O R E N E R G Y - E F F I C I E N T B U I L D I N G S

Windows are typically regarded as a less energy efficient building component and they contribute about 30 percent of overall building heating and cooling loads. We are developing a transformative dynamic window technology that enables dynamic and independent control of visible and NIR light and eliminates expensive transparent conductors in the final devices. The innova-tive dynamic windows are inspired by the mature heat pipe and photonic crystal technologies, which have been widely used in controlling the flow of heat and light, respectively.

Self-Assembled Photonic Crystals and Plasmonic Crystals, Biomimetic Broadband Antireflection Coatings, Novel Stimuli-Responsive Shape Memory Polymers, Smart Window Coatings for Energy-Efficient Buildings

Dou. X.; Chung.P. Y.; Dol, J.L; Jiang, P. “Surface Plasmon Resonance -Enabled Antibacterial Digital Versatile Discs”, Applied Physics Letters, 2012, 100, 063702.

Dou.X.; Chung.P.Y.; Do.l J. L; Jiang, P.* “Surface Plasmon Resonance and Surface-Enhanced Ramon Scattering Sensing Enabled by DigitalVersatile Discs”, Applied Physics Letters, 2012, 100, 041 I 16.

Yang, H.T.; Jiang. B.; Jiang, P.* “Vapor Detection Enabled by Self-Assembled Colloidal Photonic Crystals. Journal of Colloid ond interface Science”, 2012, 370, 11-18.

Phillips. B.M.; Jiang, B.; Jiang. P.* “Biomimetic Broadband Antireflection Gratings on Solar-Grade Mul ticrystalline Silicon Wafers,” Applied Physics Letters. 2011, 99, 191103.

Fang.Y.; Yang, H. T.; Jiang P.; Dlott. D. D.* “The Distribution of Enhance ment Factors In Close-Packed and Non-Close-Packed Surface Enhanced Raman Substrates. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy”, 2012, 43, 389-395.

LEWIS JOHNS, PROFESSOR

Ph.D., 1964, Carnegie Mellon [email protected]


“Subcritical-Supercritical Crossover in Solidification”, Journal of Crystal Growth 311 3511 (2009).

“The Rayleigh-Taylor Instability of a Surface of Arbitrary Cross Section”, Physics of Fluids 23 012108 (2011).

“Stabilizing the Rayleigh-Taylor and the Saffman-Taylor Problems by Heating”, I&EC Research 50 13250 (2011).

“The Effect of Domain Perturbations on the Critical Condition for Steady State Thermal Explosions”, I&EC Research 50 13244 (2011).

“Miscible Displacement in Bounded Fluid Layers: Branching Beyond Critical”, European J. of Mechanics B. Fluids 32 (2012) 91.

Fluid Mechanics, Stability of Phase Boundaries

M Y W O R K I N V O L V E S T H E S T A B I L I T Y O F P H A S E B O U N D A R I E S as one phase displaces another. Other areas of interest are electro-deposition, solidification, precipitation and other related phenomena.


19

GATOR

Great to be a

20

DMITRY KOPELEVICH, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Ph.D., 2002, University of Notre [email protected]


D. I. Kopelevich, “One-dimensional potential of mean force underestimates activation barrier for transport across flexible lipid mem-branes”. J. Chem. Phys., 139, 134906 (2013).

Y. N. Ahn, G. Mohan, and D. I. Kopelevich, “Collective degrees of freedom involved in absorption and desorption of surfactant molecules in spherical non-ionic micelles”, J. Chem. Phys. 137, 164902 (2012).

A. Gupta, A. Chauhan, and D. I. Kopelevich, “Molecular Transport across Fluid Interfaces: Coupling between Solute Dynamics and Inter-face Fluctuations”, Phys. Rev. E, 78, 041605 (2008).

G. Mohan and D. I. Kopelevich, “A Multi-Scale Model for Kinetics of Formation and Disintegration of Spherical Micelles”, J. Chem. Phys. 128, 044905 (2008).

E. R. May, A. Narang, D. I. Kopelevich, “Role of molecular tilt in thermal fluctuations of lipid membranes”, Phys. Rev. E 76, 021913 (2007).

Self-Assembled Surfactant Systems, Stability of Biomembranes, Transport in Self-Assembled Systems

O U R R E S E A R C H F O C U S E S O N T H E O R E T I C A L A N D C O M P U T A T I O N A L investigation of transport phenomena and non-equilibrium processes in nanoscale

systems. We apply molecular dynamics and multi•scale simulations, as well as theo-retical tools, to various nanoscale systems whose understanding is of significant

scientific and technological importance.

S E L F - A S S E M B L E D S U R F A C T A N T S Y S T E M S

Surfactants (or amphiphiles) are molecules that contain both hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments. In aqueous solutions, surfactants spontaneously self-assemble into a variety of microstructures that find use in numerous

applications, including drug delivery vehicles and templates for advanced nanostructured materials. In addition to their industrial uses, self-assembled

structures of amphiphilic molecules, such as lipid bilayers, are building blocks for various biological systems. In all of these systems, the dynamics of self-

assembly and transitions between different self-assembled struc tures plays an important role. Our goal is to understand molecular mechanisms of these transitions.

Currently, we are investigating several systems, including formation and break-up of spherical micelles and dynamics of lipid membranes.

S T A B I L I T Y O F B I O M E M B R A N E S

One of the common causes of cell death is disruption of the cellular membrane. Therefore, understand ing mechanisms of mem-brane instability is important in various biomedical applications. For example, improvement of antimicrobial agents (e.g., peptides) which efficiently kill bacteria by destabilizing their mem branes may lead to development of medications which do not promote antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. On the other hand, reduction of toxicity of various industrial products calls for the develop-ment of materials which do not destabilize cellular membranes on contact. Our current research is focused on investigation of stability of the major constituent of cellular membranes (lipid bilayers) to perturbations created by manufac tured nanoparticles (such as fullerenes and carbon nanotubes) and surfactant molecules.

T R A N S P O R T I N S E L F - A S S E M B L E D S Y S T E M S

The process of mass transfer across surfactant-covered microemulsion interfaces and lipid bilayers plays an important role in numerous applications, including separations, reactions, drug delivery, and detoxification. We investigate the molecular mecha-nisms of solute transport across an interface composed of tightly packed amphiphilic molecules and assess various factors that affect this transport.

ANTHONY LADD, PROFESSOR



Complex Fluids, Soft Matter and Transport Phenomena

M. Arca, X. H. Feng, A. J. C. Ladd, and J. E. Butler./Capillary-assembled straight microfluidic devices. RSC Advances, 4:1083-1086, 2014.

P. Szymczak and A. J. C. Ladd. /Reactive infiltration instabilities in rocks. Part 2. Dissolution of a porous matrix. J. Fluid Mech., 738:591-630, 2014. doi: 10.1017/jfm.2013.586.

N. Shekhar, S. Neelam, J. Wu, A. J. C. Ladd, T. P. Lele, and R. B. Dickinson /Fluctuating motor forces bend growing microtubules.Cell Mol. Biol., 6:120-129, 2013.doi:10.1007/s12195-013-0281-z.

P. Szymczak and A. J. C. Ladd. /Interacting length scales in the reaction-infiltration instability. Geophys. Res. Lett., 40:3036-3041, 2013. doi:10.1002/grl.50564.

P. Szymczak and A. J. C. Ladd. /Reactive infiltration instabilities in rocks. Fracture dissolution. J. Fluid Mech., 702:239-264, 2012. doi: 10.1017/jfm.2012.174.

O U R R E S E A R C H F O C U S E S O N T H E D Y N A M I C S O F S Y S T E M S A T T H E micron scale; colloids, polymers, and other soft matter. The research com-

bines the scientific disciplines of statistical mechanics and fluid dynamics with advanced computing to elucidate the key physical processes that underlie laboratory observations and measurements. Areas of application include sta-tistical physics, biophysics and geophysics.

D I S S O L U T I O N A N D B R E A K T H R O U G H I N N A R R O W F R A C T U R E S

The origin of underground cave systems, such as those at Mammoth Moun-tain, Kentucky has been investigated for over 100 years. In the 19th cenrury,

Lyell realized that subterranean caverns were the result of dissolutionby weakly acidic solutions of atmospheric C02. However, models for the dissolution pro-

cess suggest that water flowing through limestone formations is very quickly saturatedd with calcium ions, over distances of the order of centimeters. Neverthe-

less, limestone caverns extend for kilometers; Mammoth cave in Kentucky has nearly 400 miles of pas sages. So how does the dissolution get so deep? The answer until recently

has been described in terms of changes in chemical kinetics; in natural calcite the reaction rate decreas es by orders of magnitude near saturation.

Paradoxically, this promotes dissolution since the undersaturated solution can penetrate deeper into the fractured rock. Although this is an appealing and wideIy accepted resolution of the cave formation paradox, it turns out to be the wrong explana tion. Recently, Piotr Szymczak and I realized that there is auniversal instability in the equations for fracture dissolution, so that a dis-solution front is always unstable. This provides a more effective means to promote dissolution than changes in chemical kinetics and has a profound effect on how long it takes for breakthrough (when the fracture opens along its whole length) to occur. This work was recently reported in Science News and also selected as an Editor’s Choice by Science magazine.


21

UF ranks #7 Best public colleges in America by The Business Journals

TANMAY LELE, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Ph.D., 2002, Purdue University [email protected]


Supramolecular Complex Assembly, Physical Control of Cell Behavior, Nanobiotechnology

C E L L M E C H A N I C S

We are studying the molecular mechanisms of force generation in the cell cy-toskeleton with a (current) focus on nuclear forces. We employ techniques like

femtosecond laser ablation, micromanipulation and photoactivation for ma-nipulating the cellular force balance. We are also interested in how cells sense and respond to micro-environmental mechanical cues and how cytoskeletal forces are altered in pathologies like cancer and muscular dystrophies.

C E L L A N D T I S S U E E N G I N E E R I N G

New technologies for controlling cell and tissue function are an important focus. We are developing novel materials for controlling cell adhesion, new

methods to apply mechanical forces to cells and to micropattern intracellular structure.

Q U A N T I T A T I V E C E L L B I O L O G Y

We have developed new methods for analyzing protein binding interactions in living cells using a combination of mathematical modeling and fluorescence-based methods. We contin-

ue to refine these methods and apply them for developing a quantitative understanding of intracel-lular processes.

“Actomyosin pulls to advance the nucleus in a migrating tissue cell”, Wu J, Kent IA, Shekhar N, Chancellor TJ, Mendonca A, Dick-inson RB, Lele TP. Biophysical Journal. 2014 Jan 7;106(1):7-15. doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2013.11.4489.

“Effects of dynein on microtubule mechanics and centrosome positioning”, Wu J, Misra G, Russell RJ, Ladd AJ, Lele TP, Dickin-son RB. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 2011 Dec;22(24):4834-41. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E11-07-0611. Epub 2011 Oct 19.

“Actomyosin tension exerted on the nucleus through nesprin-1 connections influences endothelial cell adhesion, migration, and cyclic strain-induced reorientation”, Chancellor TJ, Lee J, Tho-deti CK, Lele T. Biophysical Journal 2010 Jul 7;99(1):115-23. doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2010.04.01.

“Sarcomere mechanics in capillary endothelial cells”, Russell RJ, Xia SL, Dickinson RB, Lele TP. Biophysical Journal 2009 Sep 16; 97 (6):1578-85. doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2009.07.017.

“Sarcomere length fluctuations and flow in capillary endothelial cells”, Russell RJ, Grubbs AY, Mangroo SP, Nakasone SE, Dickin-son RB, Lele TP. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken). 2011 Mar; 68 (3):150-6. doi: 10.1002/cm.20501. Epub 2011 Feb 3.

2x The College of Engineering has twice the average number of inventions produced per research dollar invested.

22

RANGA NARAYANAN, DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR

Ph.D., 1978 Illinois Institute of [email protected]


Interfacial Instability, Pattern Formation with Applications to Materials Science, Life Support and Space Enabling Operations

W. Batson, F. Zoueshtiagh and R. Narayanan, “Two-frequency excitation of single-mode Faraday waves”, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 764, pp 538 - 571, (2015).

W. Batson, F. Zouesthiagh and R. Narayanan, “The Faraday threshold in small cylinders and the sidewall non-ideality”, Jour-nal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 729, pp 496-523, (2013).

W. Guo, G. Labrosse and R. Narayanan, “The Application of Chebyshev-Spectral Method in Transport Phenomena”, Springer-Verlag (2013).

E. K Uguz and R. Narayanan, “Instability in Evaporative Binary Mixtures, Part I- The Effect of Solutal Marangoni Convection”, Phys Fluids 24, p. 094101, (2012).

E. K Uguz and R. Narayanan, “Instability in Evaporative Binary Mixtures, Part II- The Effect of Rayleigh Convection”, Phys Fluids 24, p. 094102, (2012).

T R A N S P O R T O F H E A T A N D M A S S A N D M O M E N T U M A R E O F T E N a c c o m p a n i e d by spatial and temporal pattern formation. Understanding the

cause of pat tern formation is pivotal as this research has application to the pro-cessing of materials on earth and under microgravity conditions.

I N T H E A R E A O F I N S TA B I L I T I E S , I T I S T H E G O A L O F T H E P R E S E N T research to examine the physics of the spontaneous generation of spatial patterns in processes that involve solidifica tion, electrodeposition and free-surface convection. The pattern formation is associated with instabilities of a parent state as a control parameter is changed. Other processes of interest

that involve instabilities are shearing flows with viscous dissipation of heat and oscillatory flows where flow reversal is the cause of non-rectilinear patterns.

T H E M AT H E M AT I C A L M E T H O D S U S E D I N O U R R E S E A R C H A R E R E L AT E D to bifurcation theory, non -linear energy methods and perturbation techniques.

The experimental methods involve flow sensing by infrared imaging, shadowgraphy and electrochemical titration.

S T U D I E S A R E A L S O B E I N G C O N D U C T E D I N T R A N S P O R T P H E N O M E N A A S applied to regenerative life support. In this regard, the effect of pulsatile flow on mass and heat transfer is being investigated with the objective of enhancing transport and separation of species. In addi tion, these studies have application to biomedical fields such as transport in the lungs.


5x The College of Engineering has five times the U.S. average of startups launched per research dollar invested.

23

24

MARK ORAZEM, PROFESSOR

Ph.D., 1983, University of California, [email protected]


E N E R G Y S Y S T E M S

A combined experimental and modeling approach is being used to facilitate an in-depth understanding of the physical processes that control degradation and

failure of lithium-ion battery systems. The objective is to use impedance spec-troscopy to identify conditions that precede failure of lithium batteries. The failure modes under investigation include the effects of temperature, overcharge, and over-discharge.

A P P L I C A T I O N S O F E L E C T R O C H E M I C A L E N G I N E E R I N G

A series of research projects illustrate the application of electrochemical engineering to systems of practical importance. A combined experimental and

modeling approach is being used to improve understanding of internal and external corrosion of pipelines used for transportation of oil and natural gas. Electrokinetic

phenomena are being exploited to enhance separation of water from dilute suspensions of clay associated with phosphate mining operations.

E L E C T R O C H E M I C A L I M P E D A N C E S P E C T R O S C O P Y

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is an experimental technique in which sinusoidal modulation of an input signal is used to obtain the transfer function for an electrochemical system. In its usual application, the modulated input is potential, the measured response is current, and the transfer function is represented as an impedance. The impedance is obtained at different modulation frequencies, thus invoking the term spectroscopy. Through use of system-specific models, the impedance response can be inter-preted in terms of kinetic and transport parameters. Through an international collaboration with scientists and engineers from France, Italy, and the United States, work is underway to improve the understanding of how impedance can be interpreted to gain insight into the physics and chemistry of such diverse systems as batteries, fuel cells, corroding metals, and human skin. Current projects include impedance of enzyme-based sensors for biological systems and development of impedance-based sen-sors to detect failure of segmentally constructed bridges.

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, Energy Systems, Corrosion, Mathematical Modeling

Dragline at a Florida Phosphate mine, part of an operation producing fertilizer. A process under develop-

ment using an electric field to provide rapid removal of solids from a dilute waste stream may greatly reduce the

environmental impact of the process.

M. E. Orazem and B. Tribollet, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ, 2008.

M. E. Orazem, editor, Underground Pipeline Corrosion: Detection, Analysis, and Prevention, Woodhead Publishing Limited, Cambridge, UK, 2014.

M. E. Orazem, B. Tribollet, V. Vivier, S. Marcelin, N. Pébère, A. L. Bunge, E. A. White, D. P. Riemer, I. Frateur, and M. Musiani, Interpretation of Dielectric Properties for Materials showing Constant-Phase-Element (CPE) Impedance Response, Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 160 (2013) C215–C225.

Y.-C. Chang, R. Woollam, and M. E. Orazem, Mathematical Models for Under-Deposit Corrosion: I. Aerated Media, Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 161 (2014) C321–C329.

S. Erol, M. E. Orazem, and R. P. Muller, Influence of overcharge and over-discharge on the impedance response of batteries, Journal of Power Sources, 270 (2014) 92–100.

R. Kong and M. E. Orazem, Semi-Continuous Electrokinetic Dewatering of Phosphatic Clay Suspensions, Electrochimica Acta, 140 (2014) 438–446.

25

CHANG-WON PARK, PROFESSOR

Ph.D., 1985, Stanford University [email protected]


P O LY M E R R H E O L O G Y A N D P R O C E S S I N G

Multicomponent flows of polymeric materials are encountered frequently in various industrial applications. Due to the complexity of polymer rheology,

numerous issues involving such flows remain to be understood.

Our study in this area focuses on investigating various multicomponent flows of polymeric fluids through an interplay between process modeling and experiment. The modeling is to establish theoretical bases of various fluid mechanical behaviors observed experimentally. Fundamental under-standing is thereby obtained regarding the influence of polymer rheology and processing conditions on the solid-state properties of various articles

fabricated by such flows. This study not only provides useful information for process improvement, but also contributes to developing new novel process-

ing techniques for polymeric fluids. As a specific application, various methods to fabricate Graded-Index Polymer Optical Fibers (GI-POF) are investigated.

GI-POF is of practical interest as a high bandwidth data transmission medium for local area networks as well as home networks.

M U L T I - P H A S E F L O W S

Multiphase flows are of great importance in numerical industrial applications. Our current interest is in the flow of gas-liquid mixture through a porous medium with a specific focus on a compact reformer system to generate hydrogen from a methanol-water mixture. The compact reformer is to generate hydrogen fuel for portable polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) that are favored as a portable power source for various applications such as aviation, automobile and consumer elec-tronics (laptops, cell phones, camcorders, etc.). Although pure hydrogen is the best fuel for PEMFC, difficulties associated with hydrogen storage and the portability of the storage system make hydrocarbons to be more practical choices as a fuel for small-size mobile applications. Our research in this area is to develop a new design for a micro-reformer to produce hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuels that provides high efficiency in terms of conversion and thermal management, compactness and easy inte-gration with the fuel cell for portability.

C.-W. Park, Omi Kwon, S. S. Hwang and S. Y. Lee, “All-Optical Gigabit Internet Infrastructure in Home/Office Network,” Proc. 9th Int. Conf. on Optical Internet, Jeju, Korea (2010).

C.-W. Park and Omi Kwon, “Modification of RI profile for the reduction of bending loss of a PMMA GI-POF,” Proc. 17th Int. Conf. on Polymer Optical Fibers, San Jose, USA (2008).

C.-W. Park, “Fabrication of GI-POF for high bandwidth data communication,” Proc. Int. Conf. Telecommunications & Multimedia, Herak-lion, Greece (2006).

C.-W. Park, “Manufacture of POF,” Proc. 14th Int. Conf. on Polymer Optical Fibers, Hong Kong (2005).

K. Qin, B. Moudgil and C.-W. Park, “A Chemical Mechanical Polishing Model Incorporating both the Chemcial And Mechanical Effects, ”Thin Solid Films, 446, 277-286 (2004).

Polymer Rheology and Processing


26

FAN REN, DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR

Ph.D., 1991, Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute of [email protected]


Semiconductor Materials and Devices

“Effect of proton irradiation on AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor off-state drain breakdown voltage”, Ya-Hsi Hwang, Shun Li, Yueh-Ling Hsieh, Fan Ren, Stephen J. Pearton, Erin Patrick, Mark E. Law, and David J. Smith, Appl. Phys. Lett., 104, 082106-3 (2014).

“GaN-based light-emitting diodes on graphene-coated flexible substrates”, Gwangseok Yang, Younghun Jung, Camilo Vélez Cu-ervo, Fan Ren, Stephen J. Pearton, and Jihyun Kim, Opt. Express, 22, A812-A817 (2014).

“Effect of low dose y-irradiation on dc performance of circular AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors”, Ya-Hsi Hwang, Yueh-Ling Hsieh, Lei Lei, Shun Li, Fan Ren, Stephen J. Pearton, A. Yadav, C. Schwarz, M. Shatkhin, L. Wang, E. Flitsiyan, L. Chernyak, Albert. G. Baca, Andrew A. Allerman, Carlos A. Sanchez and I. I. Kravchenko, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B. 32, 031203-1-5 (2014).

“Characteristics of gate leakage current and breakdown voltage of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors after post-process annealing”, Lu Liu, Yuyin Xi, Shihyun Ahn, F. Ren, B. G. Brent, S. J. Pearton and I. I. Kravchenko, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B. 32, 052201-1-5 (2014).

“Study on the effects of proton irradiation on the dc characteris-tics of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors with source field plate”, L. Liu, Y.-H. Hwang, Y. Y. Xi, F. Ren, Valentin Craciun, S. J. Pearton, Gwangseok Yang, Hong-Yeol Kim, and Jihyun Kim, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B. 32, 022202-1-7 (2014).

W I D E E N E R G Y - B A N D G A P E L E C T R O N I C D E V I C E S

Wide energy-bandgap electronic devices, typically based on GaN films, have been extensively investigated in recent years due to their unique optical and electronic

properties and exciting potential applications. In particular, visible and ultra-violet lasers and light-emitting diodes have been demonstrated for display and data-storage applications. This effort is part of a consortium chartered with developing the requisite technologies for high power and high breakdown voltage electronics based on GaN materials. Contact metallization, passiva-tion, device integration and characterization studies are routinely per formed using state-of-the-art equipment. This work has been supported by the Office

of Naval Research, the Electric Power Research Institute and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

S E M I C O N D U C T O R D E V I C E P A S S I V A T I O N

This research program aims to develop the basic science and technology of low-tem-perature deposition methods that can provide reliable and reproduc ible passivation for

compound semiconductor devices, such as pseudomorphic AIGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs PHEMTs, GaAs MESFETs, GaAs based HBTs and lnGaAs/InP based HBTs and GaN based devices.

T H E R E A R E T H R E E M A J O R T O P I C S U N D E R I N V E S T I G A T I O N :

(1) Deposition of silicon-nitride based dielectrics using different precursors such as SiH4/NH3, SiH4/N2, SiD4/N2, SiD4/ND3 and hydrogen-free dielectric and incorporation of a D, 0, or N plasma treatment to reduce the occurrence of dangling bonds.

(2) Optimization of the dielectric material quality with different deposition techniques and conditions. The systems considered include conventional plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), down-stream electron cyclotron resonance chemical vapor deposition (ECRCVD), and inductively coupled plasma chemical vapor deposition (ICPCVD).

(3) Characterization of device degradation mechanisms related to deposition techniques, dielectric film quality and the hydro-gen passivation effect.

27

CARLOS RINALDI, PROFESSOR

Ph.D., 2002, Massachusetts Institute of [email protected]


Nanomedicine, Cancer Nanotechnology, Magnetic Nanoparticles, Colloidal Hydrodynamics, Transport Phenomena

N. Iovino, A.C. Bohorquez, and C. Rinaldi, “Magnetic nanoparticle targeting of lysosomes: a viable method of overcoming tumor re-sistance?” Nanomedicine, 9 (7): 937-939, 2014.

I. Torres-Diaz† and C. Rinaldi, “Recent Progress in Ferrofluids Re-search: Novel applications of magnetically controllable and tunable fluids.” Soft Matter, 10 (43): 8584-8602, 2014.

B. Kozissnik, A.C. Bohorquez, J. Dobson, and C. Rinaldi, “Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia: Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities.” International Journal of Hyperthermia, 29 (8): 706-714, 2013.

M. Torres-Lugo and C. Rinaldi, “Thermal Potentiation of Chemo-therapeutics by Inorganic Nanoparticles.” Nanomedicine, 8 (10): 1689-1707, 2013.

M. Domenech, I. Marrero-Berrios, M. Torres-Lugo, and C. Rinaldi, “Lysosomal Membrane Permeabilization by Targeted Magnetic Nanoparticles in Alternating Magnetic Fields.” ACS Nano, 7 (6): 5091-5101, 2013.

M. Creixell,† A.C. Bohorquez, M. Torres-Lugo, and C. Rinaldi, “EGFR-targeted magnetic nanoparticle heaters can kill cancer cells without a perceptible temperature rise.” ACS Nano, 5 (9): 7124-7129, 2011.

M Y G R O U P S T U D I E S T H E B E H A V I O R A N D A P P L I C A T I O N S O F S U S P E N S I O N S of magnetic nanoparticles in applied magnetic fields. This field has seen explosive

growth due to potential in biomedical applications such as magnetic resonance and magnetic particle imaging, biosensors, targeted delivery and triggered release of

drugs, magnetomechanical actuation of cell response, and the ability to deliver magnetic energy at the nanoscale in the form of heat. We combine expertise in synthesis and surface modification of magnetic nanoparticles; physical, chemi-cal, and magnetic characterization; and modeling of the coupling of magnetic, hydrodynamic, and Brownian forces and torques to answer fundamental ques-tions regarding the behavior of magnetic nanoparticle suspensions, understand

their interaction with biological entities, and to develop novel biomedical appli-cations taking advantage of their unique properties.

E N G I N E E R I N G C E L L F A T E T H R O U G H N A N O S C A L E E N E R G Y D E L I V E R Y

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) can be engineered to target specific cells or even cellular components. Under an alternating magnetic field (AMF) they can deliver

energy locally, in the form of shear or heat. This ability to deliver energy at the nanoscale and selectively to targeted cells

or cellular components allows for novel biomedical applications. In one potential application, magnetic nanoparticles can target and destroy cancer by disruption of cellular components. Because traditional cancer treatments can have synergistic effects with thermal treat-ment, their combination with hyperthermia induced by magnetic nanoparticles is promising. My group is interested in understanding how nanoscale energy delivery by magnetic nanoparticles kills cancer cells, with the objective of engineering novel, more effective magnetic nanoparticle-based strategies to treat cancer.

P R O B I N G B I O L O G I C A L E N V I R O N M E N T S U S I N G M A G N E T I C N A N O P A R T I C L E S

In this l ine of research we take advantage of the fac t that nanopar ticle rotation is sensit ive to the mechanical proper ties of the environment surrounding the nanopar ticles and to the pres-ence of biomacromolecules that bind to the nanopar ticle sur face. The rotation of col lec tions of magnetic nanopar ticles can be monitored remotely through their magnetization. We apply our fundamental understanding of the coupl ing of magnetic, hydrodynamic and Brownian forces and torques to use magnetic nanopar ticles as nanoscale probes in biological complex f luids.


SPYROS SVORONOS, PROFESSOR



Modeling and Optimization of Biological, Chemical and Particle Processes

A C T I V E P R O J E C T : B I O F U E L P R O D U C T I O N F R O M S A L I N E

C Y A N O B A C T E R I A

Although microalgae provide excellent means of capturing sunlight and atmospheric carbon dioxide, impediments to their widespread utilization are the inability to grow algae in a sustainable manner without large inputs of freshwater and nutrients—and to economically separate valuable products. The research aims to establish a path for the economic production of a biofuel (methane) and an extracellular bioproduct. It utilizes a remarkable cyanobacterium that eliminates the need for fresh water inputs or external

addition of nitrogenous nutrients and avoids expensive purification methods for product recovery. The project is in collaboration with Professor

Pratap Pullammanappallil of the UF Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department and Professor Edward J. Phlips of the UF School of Forest Resources

and Conservation.

Starkey D., Taylor C., Morgan N., Winston K., Svoronos S., and Mecholsky J., Powers, K., and Iacocca, R., “Modeling of continuous self-classifying spiral jet mills part 1: Model structure and valida-tion using mill experiments,” AIChE J., 60, 4086-4095 (2014).

Starkey, D., Taylor, C., Siddabathuni, S., Parikh, J., Svoronos, S., Mecholsky, J., Powers, K. and Iacocca, R., “Modeling of continuous self-classifying spiral jet mills part 2: Powder-dependent parame-ters from characterization experiments,” AIChE J., 60: 4096–4103 (2014).

Yin J., Wang C., Mody A., Bao L., Hung S.-H., Svoronos S.A., and Tseng Y., “ The Effect of Z-Ligustilide on the Mobility of Human Glioblastoma T98G Cells,” PLOS ONE | www.plosone.org, 8, 1-7 (2013).

Geddes CC., Peterson J.J., Mullinnix M.T., Svoronos S.A., Shan-mugam K.T., and Ingram L.O., “Optimizing cellulase usage for improved mixing and rheological properties of acid-pretreated sugarcane bagasse,” Bioresour. Tech., 101, 9128-9136 (2010).

Lee D.-U., Woo S.-H., Svoronos S.A. and Koopman B, “Influence of alternating oxic/anoxic conditions on growth of denitrifying bacte-ria,” Water Research, 44, 1819-1824 (2010).

28

DID YOU KNOW?

YIIDER TSENG, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Ph.D., 1999, Johns Hopkins [email protected]


Interactomics, Systems Biology Approaches and Molecular Biomechanics

G R O U N D E D I N S C I E N C E A N D E N G I N E E R I N G F U N D A M E N T A L S , R E S E A R C H in my laboratory focuses on combining new engineering principles with advanced life

science methods for the purpose of developing a systematic, quantitative and inte-grative way to understand fundamental biological phenomena ar the molecular

and cellular levels. My research has implications on tissue engineering, wound

repairs, microorganism invasions and disease states such as cancer metastasis.

M Y R E S E A R C H L A B O R A T O R Y A D D R E S S E S T H E F O L L O W I N G :

(1) Developing high-throughput methods to establish the complete interac-tome of the recently discovered bacterial cytoskeleton. After identifying the

regulators of the cytoskeleton, we will be able to pursue new molecular strate-gies to pre vent bacterial invasion processes.

(2) Combining micromanipulation and systems-biology approaches to elucidate the distribution and function of lipids in cellular processes. The technique of total

internal reflection microscopy, combined with cellular engineering, helps understand the relationships between spatial and temporal micro-heterogeneity of the cell mem-

brane and the roles of lipids in regulating cellular activities.

(3) Applying in vivo multiple-particle tracking microrheology to study cell-mechanical phenomena where force plays an essential role. The focus is on the effect of forces on the regulation of drug delivery, viral infection and bacterial invasion.

Wu, P.H., Hale, C.M., Chen, W.C., Lee, J. S., Tseng.Y. and Wirtz, D. “High-throughput Ballistic Injection Nanorheology to measure Cell Mechanics”, Nature Protocol 7(I): 155-70 (2012).

Wu, P.H., Hung, S.H., Ren, T., Shih, I.M. and Tseng, Y., “Cell Cycle dependent Alternation in NACI Nuclear Body Dynamics and Mor-phology”, Physical Biology 8:015005 (2011).

Wu, P. H., Agarwal, A., Hess, H., Khargonekar, P.P, and Tseng, Y., “Analysis of Video-based Micro scopic Particle Trajectories using Kalman Filtering”. Biophysical Journal 98: 2822-2830 (2010).

Wu, P. H., Nelson, N. and Tseng, Y., A General Method for Improv-ing Spatial Resolution by Optimization of Electron Multiplication in CCD Imaging”, Optical Express 18(5): 5199-5212 (2010).

Wu, P. H., Arce.S.H., Burney, P.R., and Tseng, Y., “A Novel Approach to High Accuracy of Video-Based Microrheology”. Biophysical Journal 96: 5103-5111 (2009).


29

The College of Engineering’s graduate program ranks #23 among public universities in the US News & World Report, 2013.

30

SERGEY VASENKOV, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Ph.D., 1994, Russian Academy of [email protected]


Transport in Porous Membranes, Single-file Diffusion, Separations of greenhouse Gases, Dynamics in Catalysts and Diffusion in Ionic Liquids

F U N D A M E N T A L S O F D I F F U S I O N I N M E M B R A N E S A N D C A T A LY S T S W I T H a hierarchy of pore sizes. Obtaining a fundamental understanding of gas transport

in a broad range of microscopic length scales inside porous solids is important for fabrication of transport-optimized porous membranes, sorbents and catalysts.

A new diffusion NMR technique, which was introduced by Vasenkov’s group in collaboration with the National Magnet Lab, allows performing studies of gas transport on sub-micrometer and micrometer length scales in real-life membranes and catalysts. Relating microscopic transport properties obtained by this technique with the corresponding macroscopic transport properties measured by standard permeation techniques reveals the factors controlling the

rate of macroscopic transport of light gases in membranes and catalysts. Such studies have been recently performed for transport of carbon dioxide, methane,

ethane and ethylene in novel carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membranes and for transport of carbon dioxide in samaria/alumina aerogel catalysts.

S I N G L E - F I L E D I F F U S I O N I N N A N O T U B E S

Diffusion studies of gaseous sorbates in systems of one-dimensional nanochannels are of high fundamental interest and also of high relevance for a number of applications including

molecular separations, nanofluidics and catalysis. Confinement of sorbate transport to one-dimension can lead to anomalous single-file diffusion (SFD), i.e. diffusion under conditions when molecules cannot pass one another in narrow channels. In Vasenkov’s group, an application of high field and high gradient diffusion NMR enabled observation of SFD for gaseous sorbates. These studies revealed unique features of SFD in confined gas mixtures. New knowledge obtained in these studies can potentially lead to the development of a novel strategy for highly-selective separations of gas mixtures under SFD conditions.

T R A N S P O R T I N M I X T U R E S O F R O O M T E M P E R AT U R E I O N I C L I Q U I D S A N D C O2M O L T E N S A L T S T H A T A R E L I Q U I D

at temperatures around room temperature are known as room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). These materials show large sorption capacities for light gases such as carbon dioxide. As a result, RTILs are attractive materials for potential applications as gas separating agents and catalytic reaction media. In the group of S. Vasenkov a newly developed diffusion NMR technique was used to obtain first record of self-diffusivities of carbon dioxide inside RTILs by any type of microscopic technique. An application of the diffusion NMR and exchange NMR techniques to the so-called “task specific” ionic liquid that chemically complexes with carbon dioxide allowed observing exchange between the reacted and unreacted states of CO2 on the millisecond time scale. These techniques were also used to investigate how the diffusion process of ions and CO2 is modified by this exchange process.

Hazelbaker, E. D.; Budhathoki, S.; Wang, H.; Shah, J.; Maginn, E. J.; Vasenkov, S. “Relationship between Diffusion and Chemical Exchange in Mixtures of Carbon Dioxide and an Amine-Functionalized Ionic Liquid by High Field NMR and Kinetic Monte Carlo Simulations.” The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 5 (2014) 1766-1770.

Dvoyashkin, M.; Bhase, H.; Mirnazari, N.; Vasenkov, S.; Bowers, C. R. “Single-File Nanochannel Persistence Lengths from NMR.” Analytical Chemistry 86 (2014) 2200-2204.

Dvoyashkin, M.; Wang, A.; Vasenkov, S.; Bowers, C.R. “Xenon in l-Alanyl-l-Valine Nanochannels: A Highly Ideal Molecular Single-File System.” The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 4 (2013) 3263-3267.

Mueller, R.; Zhang, S.; Neumann, B.; Bäumer, M.; Vasenkov, S. Self-diffusion of carbon dioxide in samaria/alumina aerogel catalyst using high field NMR diffu-sometry. J. Chem. Phys. 139 (2013) 154703.

Mueller, R.; Kanungo, R.; Kiyono-Shimobe, M.; Koros, W. J.; Vasenkov, S. Diffusion of ethane and ethylene in carbon molecular sieve membranes by pulsed field gradient NMR. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 181 (2013) 228-232.

31

JASON WEAVER, PROFESSOR

Ph.D., 1998, Stanford [email protected]


O U R R E S E A R C H F O C U S E S O N A D V A N C I N G T H E M O L E C U L A R - L E V E L

understanding of chemical reactions occurring on solid surfaces. Such reactions are fun-damental to heterogeneous catalysis and semiconductor processing, yet remain poor-

ly understood at the molecular level. My students and I investigate surface chemical reactions using a wide array of analysis methods based on ultrahigh vacuum (UHV)

surface chemistry and physics, including methods that provide information about surface reaction kinetics, adsorbed intermediates, atomic-scale surface struc-ture and the chemical states of adsorbed molecules and atoms of the solid. We also make rigorous comparisons between our experimental data and predictions of molecular simulations, and find that this approach is a powerful way in which to identify the elementary processes governing surface chemical reactions.

G R O W T H A N D S U R F A C E C H E M I S T R Y O F O X I D E T H I N F I L M S

We are investigating the growth and chemical properties of oxide thin films that develop on the surfaces late transition metals during oxidation catalysis. This work

is motivated by findings that metal oxide layers form on metallic catalysts that are operating in oxygen-rich environments, and that such oxide layers can play a decisive

role in determining catalytic performance. In our research, we produce oxide thin films in UHV by oxidizing metallic surfaces using beams of plasma-generated oxygen atoms. This

approach allows us to investigate oxide films under well-controlled conditions, and thereby gain detailed insights for understanding the growth and surface chemical properties of oxides that are central to several catalytic applications, such as the catalytic combustion of natural gas, exhaust gas remediation in automobiles, fuel cell catalysis and selec-tive oxidation processes. We also investigate the catalytic behavior of oxide thin films using in situ synchrotron-based techniques, which affords comparisons between the results of our model UHV studies and the behavior of working catalysts. Key topics on which we have focused include the mechanisms for Pt and Pd oxidation and the adsorption and activation of small molecules, particularly alkanes, on well-defined Pt and Pd oxide surfaces. Our work has provided new understanding of the surface chemical properties of late transition-metal oxides, and continues to clarify the microscopic origins of the reactivity of this important class of materials.

C A T A LY S I S B Y D O P E D O X I D E S

We are also studying oxidation chemistry on rare earth oxide surfaces. Our main goals are to determine fundamental structure-reactivity relationships of rare earth oxide surfaces and develop methods for tuning the oxide selectivity toward promoting partial vs. complete oxidation reactions. We are particularly interested in understanding how to modify these surfaces to achieve high selectivity toward the oxidative coupling of methane to C2 products, while avoiding complete oxidation. We are exploring how metallic dopants influence the reducibility and catalytic properties of rare earth oxides. The ultimate aim is to establish rational strategies for modifying catalytic performance by incorporating metallic dopants into the structure of a host oxide.

Surface Chemistry of Metals and Metal Oxides, Reaction Kinetics and Catalysis and Oxide Thin Films

“CO oxidation on PdO(101) during temperature programmed reaction spectroscopy: Role of oxygen vacancies”, F. Zhang, L. Pan, T. Li, J. Diulus, A. Asthagiri and J.F. Weaver, J. Phys. Chem. C 118 (2014) 28647–28661.

“Oxidation of a Tb2O3(111) thin film on Pt(111) by gas-phase oxygen atoms”, W. Cartas, R. Rai, A. Sathe, A. Schaefer and J.F. Weaver, J. Phys. Chem. C 118 (2014) 20916–20926.

“Intrinsic ligand effect governing the catalytic activity of Pd oxide thin films”, N.M. Martin, M. Van den Bossche, A. Hellman, H. Grönbeck, C. Hakanoglu, J. Gustafson, S. Blomberg, N. Johanson, Z. Liu, S. Axnanda, J.F. Weaver, and E. Lundgren, ACS Catal. 4 (2014) 3330-3334.

“Alkane activation on crystalline metal oxide surfaces”, J.F. Weaver, C. Hakano-glu, A. Antony and A. Asthagiri, Chem. Soc. Rev. 43 (2014) 7536-7547.

“Surface chemistry of late transition metal oxides”, J.F. Weaver, Chem. Rev. 113 (2013) 4164-4215.


32

KIRK ZIEGLER, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Ph.D., 2001, University of Texas at [email protected]


Nanomaterial Interfaces

N E A R LY A L L N A N O M A T E R I A L A P P L I C A T I O N S R E Q U I R E A N I N T E R F A C E with other materials, including, for example, polymers in composites, electrodes in

devices, pharmaceuticals in drug delivery, body fluids and cells in bioimaging and biosensors, or analytes in chemical sensors. Our group focuses on developing a

fundamental understanding of interfaces in nanoscale systems, which can have far-reaching implications to various fields of nanotechnology. The goal is to manipulate interfaces to dictate the nanostructures that are fabricated and to control reactions and transport at the surface of the nanostructures. Once these interfaces can be controlled and manipulated, it will be possible to fabricate nanomaterials with novel functionality, improving their integration and performance in several applications.

M A N I P U L A T I N G I N T E R F A C E S

The ultimate objective is to compensate for poor interfaces and create new functionality by manipulating the interface. The manipulation of these interfaces

can alter the wettability, interaction of nanomaterials with matrices, and their stability to environmental effects. For example, the organization of highly-ordered

arrays of nanoparticles is typically disturbed once the temperature is raised due to agglomeration and Ostwald ripening. These changes limit the organization and dimensions of

nanowires that are subsequently fabricated from the nanoparticles. Figure 1 shows that we can alter these interfaces to yield thermally-stable surfaces. In the field of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), we have exploited the natural sensing capabilities of the nanotubes to help us characterize the localized environment surrounding them. The ability to characterize the surface of SWCNTs has enabled the development of processes to alter the surfactant structure surrounding the nanotube, providing more stable suspensions, better fluorescence intensities, selective adsorption onto surfaces, and reduced toxicity.

C O N T R O L L I N G R E AC T I O N S A N D T R A N S P O R T AT S U R FAC E S

Nanotechnology offers significant promise to improving the performance of solar cells, batteries, and supercapacitors because of the large surface area and unique properties of nanomaterials. However, designing these devices requires exceptional control of the chemical and electronic processes that occur at interfaces. Since many of the atoms in nanostructures exist on the surface, their reaction and transport properties depend strongly on the interface. Our group develops nanomaterial interfaces that help control biological function or accessibility, enhance the collection of photons, improve charge transport, yield better heat transfer, and generate more plasma.

“Modification and enhancement of cryogenic quench-ing heat transfer by a nanoporous surface,” H. Hu, C. Xu, Y. Zhao, R. Shaeffer, K.J. Ziegler, and J.N. Chung. Int. J. Heat Mass Tran., 80, 636-643 (2015).

“Comparing electron recombination via interfacial modifications in dye-sensitized solar cells,” L. Li, S. Chen, C. Xu, Y. Zhao, N.G. Rudawski, and K.J. Ziegler. ACS Appl. Mater. & Interfaces, 6, 20978-20984 (2014).

“Interactive forces between SDS-suspended single-wall carbon nanotubes and agarose gels,” J.G. Clar, C.A. Silvera-Batista, S. Youn, J.-C. J. Bonzongo, and K.J. Ziegler. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 135, 17758-17767 (2013).

“An interfacial and bulk charge transport model for dye-sensitized solar cells based on photoanodes consisting of core-shell nanowire arrays,” J.J. Hill, N. Banks, K. Haller, M.E. Orazem, and K.J. Ziegler. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 133, 18663-18672 (2011).

“Eliminating capillary coalescence of nanowire arrays with applied electric fields,” J.J. Hill, K. Haller, B. Gelfand, and K.J. Ziegler. ACS Appl. Mater. & Interfaces, 2, 1992-1998 (2010).

THE NEW ENGINEER IS

A L E A D E R

I N N O V A T I V E

I N T E R D I S C I P L I N A R Y

E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L

THE NEW ENGINEER IS

DAVID HIBBITTS, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR


Heterogeneous Catalysis, Kinetic Studies, Density Functional Theory, Catalyst Synthesis and Characterization

HIBBITTS’ RESEARCH GROUP Hibbitts’ research group will combine kinetic and isotopic experiments with state-

of-the-art density functional theory calculations to achieve an atomic-level understanding of heterogeneous catalysis. His Ph.D. studies were at the University

of Virginia (advised by Matthew Neurock) where he learned computational catalysis and from there he did a Post-Doc at the University of California at Berkeley (advised by Enrique Iglesia) where he used a combination of theory and experiments to study the production of fuels from carbon monoxide and hydrogen (Fischer-Tropsch synthesis).

C A T A LY S T M A T E R I A L S

The desired shif t in the global energy economy from petroleum-based fuels to renewable resources will be made possible through the design of catalysts,

including electro- and photo-catalysts. These catalyst materials enable the ef f icient conversion of feedstocks derived from biomass, natural gas, and other

emerging resources into value-added fuels and chemicals. Key to the development of such catalysts is an understanding of how they behave at the molecular level,

leading to structure-function relationships which improve catalytic processes and guide catalyst discover y.

Hibbitts’ research group will combine multiple techniques to study a variety of chemical conversions of biomass and shale gas to attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the use of supported noble metal and zeolite catalysts. In addition to his research endeavors, Hibbitts is teaching a course in Molecular Understanding of Catalysis available to graduate Ph.D. and Master’s students. The course will cover a wide range of topics in heterogeneous catalysis, including synthesis, characterization, kinetic and isotopic studies, as well as the use of density functional theor y and other computational methods in the area of catalysis.

Bhushan Zope, David Hibbitts, Matthew Neurock, Robert Davis. “Reactivity of the Gold-Water Interface during Selective Oxidation Catalysis.” Science. 330. 74–78. 2010. doi:10.1126/science.1195055

Mei Chia, Yomaira Pagan-Torres, David Hibbitts, Qiaohua Tan, Hien Pham, Abhaya Datye, Matthew Neurock, Robert Davis, James Dumesic. “Selective Hydrogenolysis of Polyols and Cyclic Ethers over Bi-Functional Surface Sites on Rhodium-Rhenium Catalysts.” Journal of the American Chemical Society. 133. 12675–12689. 2011. doi:10.1021/ja2038358

David Hibbitts, Brett Loveless, Matthew Neurock, and Enrique Iglesia. “Mecha-nistic Role of Water on the Rate and Selectivity of Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis on Ru Catalysts.” Angewandte Chemie, Int. Ed. 125. 12499–12504. 2013. doi:10.1002/anie.201304610

David Hibbitts, Romel Jimenez, Masayuki Yoshimura, Brian Weiss, and Enrique Iglesia. “Catalytic NO activation and NO–H2 reaction pathways.” Journal of Catalysis. 319. 95–109. 2014. doi:10.1016/j.jcat.2014.07.012

David Hibbitts and Enrique Iglesia. “Prevalence of Bimolecular Routes in the Activation of Diatomic Molecules with Strong Chemical Bonds (CO, NO, O2 , N2) on Catalytic Surfaces.” Accounts of Chemical Research. 48. 1254–1262. 2015. doi:10.1021/acs.accounts.5b00063


Au nanoparticles rapidly catalyze oxidation reactions, including those of biomass-derived glycerol to form glyceric acid, a chemical pre-cursor to polymers.

glycerol

glyceric acid

POWERING THE NEW ENGINEER.

WELCOME OUR NEW FACULTY MEMBER

34


POWERING THE NEW ENGINEER.

d

SEE YOURSELF HERE

1030 Center Drive Gainesville, FL 32611

P: 352.392.0881 F: 352.392.9513

http://www.che.ufl.edu

UF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

designed by Monique Phears

uf che viewbook 2015

Documents