Biochemical and Biomolecular Engineering Commons^™

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 …

Development Of Pilot Plant For Bio-Ethanol Processing, Emrod Elisante

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The paper outlines achievements obtained in developing a pilot bio-ethanol plant at the Department of Chemical and Mining Engineering (CME), University of Dar es Salaam. The pilot plant consists of: 30 L inoculums tank; 1,700 L fermenter; 1,500 L/day distillation column; and ancillary equipment. The prototype is a platform intended to be used for technology demonstration and research by graduate and undergraduate students studying the production of bio-ethanol using traditional and non-traditional raw materials like coffee mash, cashew fruit, and sisal inulin. The equipment has been developed using locally available engineering resources and the distillation column with 18 sieve tray …

Synthesis Of Pegylated Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes By A Photoinitiated Graft From Polymerization, Pu Zhang, David B. Henthorn

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A considerable amount of research has been devoted to carbon nanotubes because of their unique electrical, mechanical, optical, and chemical properties. Here, in this report, we introduce a novel, simple ultraviolet initiated "graft from" polymerization method to synthesize PEGylated carbon nanotubes. This grafting procedure significantly enhanced nanotube aqueous dispersibility and long-term stability in solution. Mass of grafted polymer chains was easily modulated by adjusting polymerization reaction time, and nanomaterials containing up to 80% polymer by weight were synthesized. Nanotube morphology was characterized by SEM, TEM before and after the functionalization. in addition, the covalent bonding of polymer chains to the …

Influence Of Morphology And Processing On Xps Characterisation Of Sro-Ca-Zno-Sio2 Glass, F. R. Laffir, A. W. Wren, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A study was conducted to demonstrate the influence of morphology and processing on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) characterization SrO-Ca-ZnO-SiO₂ glass. The glass formulation being investigated was originally synthesized for developing a novel glass polyalkenoate cement (GPC). High resolution photoelectron spectra of Zn 2p, Ca 2p, Sr 3d, Si 2p, O 1s, and C 1s were recorded for the different forms of glass. It was observed that there was preferential enrichment of Zn²⁺ with an increase in the proportion of NBO for the investigated BT101 glass. The relative atomic concentration of Zn in BT101 glass was high and resulted …

Rapid Diagnosis Of Tuberculosis In A Peripheral Setting, Elsje Pienaar

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Tuberculosis is an ancient and worldwide epidemic affecting millions of people in mainly the developing world, killing almost 2 million people in 2008. Current diagnostic techniques are outdated and have proven insufficient to control the disease. Smear microscopy has poor sensitivity and culture is slow to yield results. Modern diagnostic techniques are making great strides in shortening time to result but are restricted by two qualities: 1) prohibitively high costs prevent implementation in resource poor areas, and 2) equipment and technician requirements limit application to centralized laboratories. There exists a divide between new technologies and the people that need them …

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Analysis: Lessons Learned From Stationary Power Generation Final Report, Scott E. Grasman, John W. Sheffield, Fatih Dogan, Sunggyu Lee, Umit O. Koylu, Angie Rolufs

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study considered opportunities for hydrogen in stationary applications in order to make recommendations related to RD&D strategies that incorporate lessons learned and best practices from relevant national and international stationary power efforts, as well as cost and environmental modeling of pathways. The study analyzed the different strategies utilized in power generation systems and identified the different challenges and opportunities for producing and using hydrogen as an energy carrier. Specific objectives included both a synopsis/critical analysis of lessons learned from previous stationary power programs and recommendations for a strategy for hydrogen infrastructure deployment. This strategy incorporates all hydrogen pathways and …

Synthesis Of An Endothelial Cell Mimicking Surface Containing Thrombomodulin And Endothelial Protein C Receptor, Karl E. Kador

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Synthetic materials for use in blood contacting applications have been studied for many years with limited success. One of the main areas of need for these materials is the design of synthetic vascular grafts for use in the hundreds of thousands of patients who have coronary artery bypass grafting, many without suitable veins for autologous grafts. The design of these grafts is constrained by two common modes of failure, the formation of intimal hyperplasia (IH) and thrombosis. IH formation has been previously linked to a mismatching of the mechanical properties of the graft and has been overcome by creating grafts …

Mechanical Properties Of Hydroxyapatite-Zirconia Compacts Sintered By Two Different Sintering Methods, Declan J. Curran, Thomas J. Fleming, Mark R. Towler, Stuart Hampshire

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Microwave sintering is traditionally employed to reduce the sintering temperature required to densify powder compacts. The effect of microwave heating on hydroxyapatite (HA)-zirconia (ZrO₂) green bodies has been investigated in order to understand how microwave energy may affect the physical and mechanical properties of the resultant densified composites. Laboratory synthesised nano-sized HA and a commercial nano-sized ZrO₂ powder have been ball milled to create mixtures containing 0-5 wt% ZrO₂ loadings. Compacts were microwave sintered at either 700, 1000 or 1200°C with a 1 h hold time. Comparative firings were also performed in a resistive element furnace …

Optimization Of Environmental Conditions To Maximize Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Through Algal Growth, Kenneth M. Karcher

Theses and Dissertations

The micro-alga Chlorella vulgaris was cultivated under a variety of environmental conditions in various culture media solutions to assess and optimize growth rate and biomass productivity. Efforts during this work investigated growth parameters at the micro-scale in an air-lift bubble system with the goal of interpreting performance characteristics that can be applied to a larger serpentine tubular Photo-bioreactor. Maximum growth rates and biomass yields were 0.65 d^-1 and 2.003 g biomass/L and achieved in seven days using urea in de-ionized water under a 24:0 Photoperiod (Light:Dark). Additionally, growth rates and biomass yields of 0.65 d^-1 and 1.964 g …

Effects Of Preparative Parameters On The Structure And Performance Of Ca-La Metal Oxide Catalysts For Oil Transesterification, Shuli Yan, Manhoe Kim, Siddharth Mohan, Steven O. Salley, K.Y. Simon Ng

National Biofuels Energy Laboratory

The effects of preparative parameters on the surface basicity, composition, and transesterification activities of several Ca-La metal oxide catalysts were investigated. Four different preparation methods: ammonia-ethanol-carbon dioxide precipitation, physical mixing, impregnation, and co-precipitation, were studied. It was found that the ammonia-ethanol-carbon dioxide precipitation method resulted in the highest BET specific surface area, base strength and base site concentration. Moreover, catalyst surface composition and basicity are a function of calcination temperature, precipitants, pH, and molar ratio of Ca to La in precursor solution, and storage conditions. XRD, XPS, basicity and BET tests revealed that catalyst structure and dispersion of Ca species …

Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics Modeling Of Coupled Biochemical Cycles In Living Cells, Yaşar Demirel

Yaşar Demirel Publications

Living cells represent open, nonequilibrium, self organizing, and dissipative systems maintained with the continuous supply of outside and inside material, energy, and information flows. The energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate is utilized in biochemical cycles, transport processes, protein synthesis, reproduction, and performing other biological work. The processes in molecular and cellular biological systems are stochastic in nature with varying spatial and time scales, and bounded with conservation laws, kinetic laws, and thermodynamic constraints, which should be taken into account by any approach for modeling biological systems. In component biology, this review focuses on the modeling of enzyme kinetics …

Response Surface Optimization Of Crystal Violet Decolorization By Pellets Of Pyncnoporus Sanguineus., Siti Suhana Sulaiman

Student Works (2010-2019)

Ligninolytic enzymes of white-rot fungi have broad specificities and have been implicated in transformation and mineralization of organo-pollutant with chemical structure similar to lignin e.g. synthetic dyes. This study was carried out to optimize selected parameters for decolorization of Crystal violet by Pycnoporus sanguineus in shake flasks. The parameters studied were initial dye concentration (ppm), agitation speed (rpm) and process time. They were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Subsequent to the optimization, the decolorization process was scaled up in stirred tank reactor (STR). Effect of different geometry of impellers on the decolorization process was studied. Curved blade and angled …

Targeted Polymeric Biomaterials For The Prevention Of Post Surgical Adhesions, John M. Medley

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Despite recent advances in surgical technique and the development of numerous therapeutic agents, the formation post surgical adhesions (PSA) continues to cause complications for many patients. In this research, we have employed a rational system to develop a novel treatment to address this clinical need. Based on an understanding of the biochemical events that lead to PSA formation, a series of targeted polymeric biomaterials was designed to interrupt the fibrin gel matrix propagation and suppress PSA formation.

Using group transfer polymerization, a series of well controlled block copolymers of polyacrylic acid and poly(ethylene glycol-methacrylate) based materials was synthesized. Subsequent functionalization …

Evaluation Of Two Novel Aluminum-Free, Zinc-Based Glass Polyalkenoate Cements As Alternatives To Pmma Bone Cement For Use In Vertebroplasty And Balloon Kyphoplasty, Gladius Lewis, Mark R. Towler, Daniel Boyd, Matthew J. German, Anthony W. Wren, Owen M. Clarkin, Andrew Yates

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Vertebroplasty (VP) and balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) are now widely used for treating patients in whom the pain due to vertebral compression fractures is severe and has proved to be refractory to conservative treatment. These procedures involve percutaneous delivery of a bolus of an injectable bone cement either directly to the fractured vertebral body, VB (VP) or to a void created in it by an inflatable bone tamp (BKP). Thus, the cement is a vital component of both procedures. In the vast majority of VPs and BKPs, a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) bone cement is used. This material has many shortcomings, notably …