Chemical Engineering Commons^™

Lignin Yield Maximization Of Lignocellulosic Biomass By Taguchi Robust Product Design Using Organosolv Fractionation, Anton Friedrich Astner

Masters Theses

Lignin, a byproduct of the organosolv pretreatment process using lignocellulosic biomass from switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) is currently being explored for its potential use in the production of value-added chemicals and biobased polymers. Pretreatment is one of the most expensive processing steps in cellulosic biomass conversion. Optimization of the process is one of the major goals of the biomass-toethanol conversion process. Taguchi Robust Product Design (TRPD) provides an effective engineering experimental design method for optimizing a system and designing products that are robust to process variations. Given the results of several preliminary …

Predicting Enzyme Targets For Optimization Of Metabolic Networks Under Uncertainty, David Christopher Flowers

Masters Theses

Recently, ensemble modeling was applied to metabolic networks for the sake of predicting the effects of genetic manipulations on the observed phenotype of the system. The ensemble of models is generated from experimental wild-type flux data and screened using phenotypic data from gene overexpression and knockout experiments, leaving predictive models. The need for data from multiple genetic perturbation experiments is an inherent limitation to this approach. In this investigation, ensemble modeling is used alongside elementary mode analysis to attempt to predict those enzymatic perturbations that are most likely to result in an increase in a target yield and a target …

Modulation Of Bone And Nerve Cell Behavior Using Biodegradable Polymer Networks, Lei Cai

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation presents novel biodegradable and photo-crosslinkable building blocks to achieve polymer networks with controlled surface chemistry, stiffness, and topographical features for investigating cell-material interactions and targeting hard and soft tissue engineering applications. Chapter I reviews the recent progress in polymeric gel systems and how their physical properties can be tailored to regulate cell functions and satisfy the clinical needs. Chapter II presents a facile method to synthesize photo-crosslinkable poly(epsilon-caprolactone) acrylates (PCLAs) and reveal tunable cell responses to photo-crosslinked PCLAs. Chapter III investigates the mechanism of colorization in preparing crosslinkable polymers by reacting hydroxyl-containing polymers with unsaturated anhydrides or acyl …

The Synthesis And Characterization Of Novel Group 13 Nanostructured Building Block Heterogeneous Silicate Catalysts, Joshua G. Abbott

Doctoral Dissertations

A building block approach and sequential addition methodology were utilized to prepare heterogeneous silicate catalysts containing atomically dispersed group 13 metal (B, Al, Ga) centers. The octa(trimethyltin) silsequioxane, Si8[sub]O12[sub](OSnMe3[sub])8[sub], was used as the building block for the synthesis of these materials. Reaction of the building block with a variety of group 13 metal chlorides led to the formation of cross-linked matrices. All prepared materials were characterized by gravimetric analysis, gas absorption, IR, and NMR. In addition, aluminum and boron samples where characterized by 27[sup]Al and 11[sup]B solid state NMR, and gallium samples were studied using x-ray absorption techniques.

Studies found …

Utility Of 1,2,4-Triazoles As Catalysts For Orr In Fuel Cells, Chinmay Nagesh Dabke

Masters Theses

The Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) taking place at the cathode of a fuel cell is catalyzed by Platinum due to its high activity and good stability in the acidic polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) environment. Due to its prohibitive cost and limited reserves, it is not practical to use Pt as the catalyst for mass commercialization. By taking inspiration from nature, we have devised a series of catalysts which will help in replacing Platinum at the cathode in commercial fuel cells. To gauge the activity of various ligands, metal salts and carbon surfaces, adsorbed experiments were carried out and …

Fault Diagnosis Via Univariate Frequency Analysis Monitoring: A Novel Technique Applied To A Simulated Integrated Drive Generator, Brian Keith Bailey

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to develop a fault detection and diagnostic method that would be able to detect and isolate seeded faults in data that was generated from a simulated integrated drive generator. The approach to the solution for this problem is summarized below.

A novel approach for the detection and diagnoses of an anomaly due the occurrence of a fault within a system has been developed. This innovative technique uses specific characteristics of the frequency spectrum of a univariate signal to monitor system health for abnormal behavior due to previously characterized component failure.

A fault detection and …

Capturing More Light: Phycobilisome Characterization For Increased Hydrogen Production Efficiency, Paul Abraham Willard

Masters Theses

Alternative energy and biofuels are a growing area of research. The demand for more and clean energy is ever increasing, but the current technology is inefficient, expensive, and incapable of meeting the demands of the current market. Hydrogen is a potential future fuel, as it is both clean and renewable, but its formation through conventional means is costly and inefficient. Photosynthesis can be utilized for the formation of hydrogen, which can then serve as a convenient and renewable biofuel. Photosynthetic hydrogen evolution is observed in vitro, but the current photosystem design is not very versatile and optimized to use …

Sustainability Analysis Of Personal Transportation For Near Urban Commuting, Theodore Ansink, Matthew Atchley, Virginia Browning, Yue Cao, Michelle Everett, James Hall Jr, William R. Henson, Eugene Ng, Michael Picklesimer, Justin Ridenour, Scott Teeters, James Wilson

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Gas To Liquids (Gtl), Andrew David Hix, Mark Moore, Rachel Kendall, Rachel Svoboda, William Maningas

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.