Chemical Engineering Commons^™

An Integrated Approach For Phytate Degradation And Recovery Of Myo-Inositol And Phosphate As Valued-Added Products From The By-Products Of Corn Ethanol Industry, Jun Dang

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Theses and Student Research

An integrated process was developed to hydrolyze the phytates in light steep water (LSW) and to simultaneously isolate inorganic phosphate (Pi) and myo-inositol products. The proposed integrated process is helpful in resolving the environmental and nutritional concerns in the use of corn gluten feed (CGF) in the animal diets. This process comprised of partial and total hydrolysis of LSW and intermediate anion exchange separation technique. The phytates in LSW were initially degraded to negatively charged myo-inositol phosphates (InsP₂ - InsP₅). The optimized experimental parameters for the partial hydrolysis of LSW were determined to be 2 h hydrolysis …

The Effects Of Electricity Pring On Phev Competitiveness, Shisheng Huang, Bri-Mathias S. Hodge, Farzad Taheripour, Joseph F. Pekny, Gintaras V. Reklaitis, Wallace E. Tyner

PPRI Digital Library

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) will soon start to be introduced into the transportation sector, thereby raising a host of issues related to their use, adoption and effects on the electricity sector. Their introduction has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector, which has led to government policies aimed at easing their introduction. If their wide-spread adoption is set as a target it is imperative to consider the effects of existing policies that may increase or decrease their adoption rate. In this study, we present a micro level electricity demand model that can gauge the effects …

Process To Produce High Surface Area Nanoparticle Vanadium Phosphorus Oxide Catalyst And Product Derives Thereof, Yun Hin Taufiq-Yap, Ali A. Rownaghi

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An improved process to produce high surface area nanoparticle vanadium phosphorus oxide catalysts comprises the steps of reducing vanadium-containing compounds in an alcohol solution selected from the group consisting of isobutanol and benzyl alcohol and any combination derives thereof under reflux for 4 to 6 hours to form a suspended mixture; reacting dopants and phosphorus-containing compounds to the suspended mixture under reflux for 30 minutes to 3 hours to form precursors of the vanadium phosphorus oxide catalysts; drying the formed precursors; and calcining the dried precursors in a flow of gaseous n-butane/air mixture at 400 to 460° C. to form …

Doug Ruthven And Jorg Karger: Their Individual And Collective Contributions To The Field Of Zeolite Science And Engineering, Dhananjai B. Shah

Chemical & Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Prof. Doug Ruthven and Prof. Jörg Kärger are two giants in the field of zeolite science and engineering. Over their academic careers encompassing almost forty years each, they have contributed significantly to the advancement of fundamental understanding of adsorption and diffusion in zeolites as well as their industrial applications. The author, in the beginning of his academic career, had an opportunity to spend two years as a post-doctoral fellow in Prof. Ruthven’s laboratory at the University of New Brunswick (1975–1977). This experience actually motivated me to spend my academic career in working in the field of zeolite adsorption and …

Fibronectin For Use In Hemostatsis And Wound Stabilization In Trauma, Mohammed Halhouli

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Theses and Student Research

Exploring the phase during wound healing when fibrinogen (FBG) and fibronectin (FN) interact forming a small thin layer for cells to migrate and proliferate at the injury site is necessary for the primary building blocks and initial stages of skin recovery. The aim of this thesis is to illustrate that administrating a reasonable amount of (FN) and FBG, in a semi-organizational technique, to the wound site will encourage cell population and ECM formation, as well as, improve the wound healing process. WE hypothesized that FBG and FN interactions will configure the construction of dermal cells and their final fate to …

Surface Hydration: Principles And Applications Toward Low-Fouling/Nonfouling Biomaterials, Lingyan Liu, Jie Zheng

Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering Faculty Research

Surface resistance to nonspecific protein adsorption, cell/bacterial adhesion, and biofilm formation is critical for the development and performance of biomedical and analytical devices. Significant needs and efforts have been made in the development of biocompatible and bioactive materials for antifouling surfaces, but much of the work retains an empirical flavor due to the complexity of experiments and the lack of robust theoretical models. In this review, two major classes of nonfouling materials (i.e. hydrophilic and zwitterionic materials) and associated basic nonfouling mechanisms and practical examples are discussed. Highly hydrated chemical groups with optimized physical properties of the surface, along with …

An Automated Phenotype-Driven Approach (Geneforce) For Refining Metabolic And Regulatory Models, Dipak Barua, Joonhoon Kim, Jennifer L. Reed

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Integrated constraint-based metabolic and regulatory models can accurately predict cellular growth phenotypes arising from genetic and environmental perturbations. Challenges in constructing such models involve the limited availability of information about transcription factor-gene target interactions and computational methods to quickly refine models based on additional datasets. In this study, we developed an algorithm, GeneForce, to identify incorrect regulatory rules and gene-protein-reaction associations in integrated metabolic and regulatory models. We applied the algorithm to refine integrated models of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium, and experimentally validated some of the algorithm's suggested refinements. The adjusted E. coli model showed improved accuracy …

The Effect Of Ionic Dissolution Products Of Ca-Sr-Na-Zn-Si Bioactive Glass On In Vitro Cytocompatibility, S. Murphy, A. W. Wren, Mark R. Towler, D. Boyd

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Many commercial bone grafts cannot regenerate healthy bone in place of diseased bone. Bioactive glasses have received much attention in this regard due to the ability of their ionic dissolution products to promote cell proliferation, cell differentiation and activate gene expression. Through the incorporation of certain ions, bioactive glasses can become therapeutic for specific pathological situations. Calcium-strontium-sodium-zinc-silicate glass bone grafts have been shown to release therapeutic levels of zinc and strontium, however the in vitro compatibility of these materials is yet to be reported. In this study, the in vitro cytocompatibility of three different calcium-strontium-sodium-zinc-silicate glasses was examined as a …

Comparison Of Antibacterial Properties Of Commercial Bone Cements And Fillers With A Zinc-Based Glass Polyalkenoate Cement, A. W. Wren, N. M. Cummins, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Postoperative infection following invasive surgical procedures is a significant cause for concern, particularly in spinal reconstructive surgery. The objective of this study is to compare the antibacterial efficacy of a novel zinc-based glass polyalkenoate cement (Zn-GPC) based on 0.04SrO-0.12CaO-0.36ZnO- 0.48SiO₂ glass, to a number of commercially available bone cements and fillers including Simplex P + Tobramycin (S_Tob), Spineplex (S_pine) and Novabone Putty (N_Put). The agar diffusion test was performed on each material against Escherichia coli, Staphlococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphlococcus Aureus. S_Tob was found to produce large inhibition zones in each …

Identification Of An Archaeal Presenilin-Like Intramembrane Protease, Celia Torres-Arancivia, Carolyn M. Ross, Jose Chavez, Zahra Assur, Georgia Dolios, Filippo Mancia, Iban Ubarretxena-Belandia

Publications and Research

Background: The GXGD-type diaspartyl intramembrane protease, presenilin, constitutes the catalytic core of the c-secretase multi-protein complex responsible for activating critical signaling cascades during development and for the production of b-amyloid peptides (Ab) implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. The only other known GXGD-type diaspartyl intramembrane proteases are the eukaryotic signal peptide peptidases (SPPs). The presence of presenilin-like enzymes outside eukaryots has not been demonstrated. Here we report the existence of presenilin-like GXGD-type diaspartyl intramembrane proteases in archaea.

Methodology and Principal Findings: We have employed in vitro activity assays to show that MCMJR1, a polytopic membrane protein from the archaeon Methanoculleus marisnigri JR1, …

Design Of A Conditioner For Smoothing Wind Turbine Output Power, Murali Bottu, Mariesa Crow, A. Curt Elmore

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

As a result of wind speed intermittency, highly variable wind power output can adversely impact local loads. We propose a conditioner to smooth the variable wind power by utilizing the energy of an ultracapacitor. The conditioner is based on a single phase voltage source inverter (VSI) connected between the grid interconnection point and the ultracapacitor. The shunt VSI injects or absorbs active power from the line to smooth the wind power by utilizing the short term storage capabilities of the ultracapacitor. The ultracapacitor is connected to the DC link through a DC-DC converter, which maintains the voltage of the DC …

A Molecular Dynamics Study On The Transport Of A Charged Biomolecule In A Polymeric Adsorbent Medium And Its Adsorption Onto A Charged Ligand, Enrico Riccardi, Jee-Ching Wang, Athanasios I. Liapis

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The transport of a charged adsorbate biomolecule in a porous polymeric adsorbent medium and its adsorption onto the covalently immobilized ligands have been modeled and investigated using molecular dynamics modeling and simulations as the third part of a novel fundamental methodology developed for studying ion-exchange chromatography based bioseparations. To overcome computational challenges, a novel simulation approach is devised where appropriate atomistic and coarse grain models are employed simultaneously and the transport of the adsorbate is characterized through a number of locations representative of the progress of the transport process. The adsorbate biomolecule for the system studied in this work changes …

A Spectroscopic Investigation Into The Setting And Mechanical Properties Of Titanium Containing Glass Polyalkenoate Cements, A. W. Wren, A. Kidari, N. M. Cummins, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Titanium (Ti) implants are extensively used in a number of biomedical and dental applications. This work introduces Ti into the glass phase of a zinc-based glass polyalkenoate cement (GPC) and investigates changes in handling and mechanical properties considering two molecular weight polyacrylic acids (PAA), E9 and E11. Considering the handling properties, the working time (T_w) increased from 50 s_E9, 32 s_E11 (BT 101, Ti-free) to 169 s_E9, 74 s_E11 with TW-Z (highest Ti content), respectively. The setting time (T_s) increased from 76 s_E9, 47 s_E11 (BT 101) …

A New Methodology For Hydrodynamic Similarity In Bubble Columns, Ashfaq Shaikh, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Bubble Columns Are Widely Used in Chemical, Petrochemical, and Biochemical Industries for Various Processes Such as Alkylation, Oxidation, Chlorination, Wet Oxidation of Effluents, Etc. a New Hypothesis for Hydrodynamic Similarity that Can Be Subsequently Used for Scale-Up of Bubble Column Reactors Was Proposed. This Hypothesis Was Evaluated using Advanced Diagnostic Techniques. the Conditions of Similarity Where overall Gas Holdup and Radial Gas Holdup Profiles Were the Same, and Mismatch Where overall Gas Holdup Was the Same But Gas Holdup Radial Profiles Were Different, Were Identified. the Condition that Two Systems Must Operate in the Same Flow Regime to Be Hydrodynamically …

Local Gas Holdup In A Draft Tube Airlift Bioreactor, Hu Ping Luo, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Airlift Column Bioreactors Are Gas-Liquid Contact Devices Characterized by a Rising Channel and a Down Flow Channel Due to Gas Holdup Differences in These Two Channels. Local Gas Holdup Distribution Strongly Affects the overall Gas-Liquid Flow Dynamics in Airlift Columns. in This Work, Local Gas Holdup Distributions in a Draft Tube Airlift Column Covering Both Bubbly Flow and Churn-Turbulent Flow Regimes Have Been Studied using Computed Tomography (CT) Technique as Well as Conventional Techniques. the Radial and Axial Evolutions of the Gas Holdup Distribution Will Be Discussed, Together with the Effects of Superficial Gas Velocity and Geometry Parameters. the Obtained …

A Genome-Wide Analysis Reveals No Nuclear Dobzhansky-Muller Pairs Of Speciation Genes Between S. Cerevisiae And S. Paradoxus, But Suggests More Complex Incompatibilities, Katy Kao, Katja Schwartz, Gavin Sherlock

Faculty Publications

The Dobzhansky-Muller (D-M) model of speciation by genic incompatibility is widely accepted as the primary cause of interspecific postzygotic isolation. Since the introduction of this model, there have been theoretical and experimental data supporting the existence of such incompatibilities. However, speciation genes have been largely elusive, with only a handful of candidate genes identified in a few organisms. The Saccharomyces sensu stricto yeasts, which have small genomes and can mate interspecifically to produce sterile hybrids, are thus an ideal model for studying postzygotic isolation. Among them, only a single D-M pair, comprising a mitochondrially targeted product of a nuclear gene …

Sst: Integrated Fluorocarbon Microsensor System Using Catalytic Modification, M. Clayton Wheeler

University of Maine Office of Research Administration: Grant Reports

Selective, sensitive, and reliable sensors are urgently needed to detect air-borne halogenated volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This broad class of compounds includes chlorine, fluorine, bromine, and iodine containing hydrocarbons used as solvents, refrigerants, herbicides, and more recently as chemical warfare agents (CWAs). It is important to be able to detect very low concentrations of halocarbon solvents and insecticides because of their acute health effects even in very low concentrations. For instance, the nerve agent sarin (isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate), first developed as an insecticide by German chemists in 1938, is so toxic that a ten minute exposure at an airborne concentration of …

Recombinant Factors For Hemostasis, Jennifer Calcaterra

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Theses and Student Research

Trauma deaths are a result of hemorrhage in 37% of civilians and 47% military personnel and are the primary cause of death for individuals under 44 years of age. Current techniques used to treat hemorrhage are inadequate for severe bleeding. Preliminary research indicates that fibrin sealants (FS) alone or in combination with a dressing may be more effective; however, it has not been economically feasible for widespread use because of prohibitive costs related to procuring the proteins. To meet future demands for hemostatic therapies, FS will likely include recombinant human fibrinogen (rFI) and recombinant human Factor XIII (rFXIII). The underlying …

The Effect Of Adding Organic Polymers On The Handling Properties, Strengths And Bioactivity Of A Ca-Sr-Zn-Si Glass Polyalkenoate Cement, A. W. Wren, N. M. Cummins, A. Coughlan, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This work demonstrates the addition of a number of naturally occurring proteins/polymers to a zinc-based glass polyalkenoate cements (GPCs). Chitin (Chi.), collagen (Col.), cysteine (Cys.) and keratin (Ker.) were added with the intention of improving the bioactivity of this cement. Initial testing involved characterization of the glass with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) before and after sterilization with γ-irradiation. No significant changes occurred as a result of sterilization. Handling properties of the modified cements were not significantly different from those of the control, BT 101 (Working T_w-36_s, and setting time T_s-70 …

Computer Simulation Of A Biomass Gasification-Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Power System Using Aspen Plus, Wayne Doherty, Anthony Reynolds, David Kennedy

Articles

The operation and performance of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack on biomass syn-gas from a biomass gasification combined heat and power (CHP) plant is investigated. The objective of this work is to develop a model of a biomass-SOFC system capable of predicting performance under diverse operating conditions. The tubular SOFC technology is selected. The SOFC stack model, equilibrium type based on Gibbs free energy minimisation, is developed using Aspen Plus. The model performs heat and mass balances and considers ohmic, activation and concentration losses for the voltage calculation. The model is validated against data available in the literature …

A Multi-Objective Evaluation Of Pc Plants With Aqueous Amine Carbon Capture Systems, John Eslick

CO2 Summit: Technology and Opportunity

No abstract provided.

Lifecycle Energy Modeling - Input Into Upstream Design Process, Prasanth Chandrahasan

CO2 Summit: Technology and Opportunity

No abstract provided.

Enhanced Photosynthetic Growth, Biodiesel And Electricity Production Using C. Vulgaris And P. Putida/S. Cerevisiae, Pranabendu Mitra

CO2 Summit: Technology and Opportunity

No abstract provided.

Biofuels And Bio-Based Chemicals: Opportunities & Barriers, Joseph B. Powell

CO2 Summit: Technology and Opportunity

No abstract provided.

Challenges And Opportunities In Developing A Sustainable Biomass Infrastructure, Prabhakar Nair

CO2 Summit: Technology and Opportunity

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of Global Warming Mitigation By White Reflecting Surfaces, Federico Rossi

CO2 Summit: Technology and Opportunity

No abstract provided.

Co2 Conversion To Organic Compounds And Polymeric Precursors, Jussara Lopes De Miranda

CO2 Summit: Technology and Opportunity

No abstract provided.

Sustainable And Innovative Processes For Carbon Capture And Recycling, Manuel Alvarez-Guerra

CO2 Summit: Technology and Opportunity

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Technology In Energy Outlook, Nazeer Bhore

CO2 Summit: Technology and Opportunity

No abstract provided.

Energy Production In A Carbon-Constrained World, George Richards

CO2 Summit: Technology and Opportunity

No abstract provided.