Chemical Engineering Commons^™

Transport Phenomena With Reactions In Drug Delivery: Towards A Quantitative Description, Xianjie Qiu, Parthasakha Neogi

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A Distributed System Called a Krogh Cylinder is Used Here to Quantify the Transport of a Solute from the Capillary into the Extravascular Tissue. the Capillary Network is Broken Down into Cylindrical Cells, Each Containing a Capillary and an Appropriate Amount of Extravascular Tissue. the Flow in the Cylinder Model Has Two-Dimensional Velocities, Which Are in the Axial and Radial Directions. All Parameters of the System, together with the Geometric Ones, Have Been Included in the Model. for a Given Bioavailability, the Uptakes of Reactive and Nonreactive Solutes Have Been Obtained. Very Large or Massive Molecules Have Been Considered. the …

Dual Crosslinked Poly(Acrylamide-Co-N-Vinylpyrrolidone) Microspheres With Re-Crosslinking Ability For Fossil Energy Recovery, Jingyang Pu, Baojun Bai, Jiaming Geng, Na Zhang, Thomas Schuman

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Microspheres have been proposed to be applied in controlling wastewater production for mature oilfields and migrating leakage for gas and nuclear waste storage. However, it remains challenging for stacked microspheres to maintain strong blocking ability in micron-sized small pores or fractures. in this study, a novel microsphere was developed with comprehensive properties including high deformability and long re-crosslinking time upon tunable swelling ratio for the applications. a dual covalent and physical crosslinking strategy was used to develop novel microspheres reinforced by a hydrogen bond (H-bond, between pyrrole ring and amide group) and coordination bond (between chromium acetate (CrAc) and carboxyl …

A Comparison Of Optical Measurement Methods For The Growth Of S. Cerevisiae, Jackson Black

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Genetic engineering of living organisms provides the opportunity to express and harvest different proteins from cell surfaces. Yeast (S. cerevisiae) is one such organism and is capable of being grown on an industrial scale. Cellular concentration is an important parameter to monitor while fermentation processes are underway, in order to control the environment inside the growth medium and maximize yields. Spectrophotometry is a conventional method for measuring concentration, but is limited by a narrow absorbance range, and the need for on-site periodic sampling. A continuous method of measurement, as provided by Bug Labs BE2100 non-invasive biomass monitor, would …

Battery Design, Construction, And Characterization For Small Motor Use Focusing On Anodic Zinc For Electron Flow, Amber Veach

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis explores the construction, characterization, and application of anodic zinc batteries for powering a small electric motor for the ChemE Car competition. Two zinc galvanic cell batteries were studied: zinc-carbon and zinc-air batteries. Prototype batteries were constructed and tested for voltage, amperage, and power production. In the zinc-carbon trials, a 3:1 mixture of manganese dioxide and graphite was determined to be the best cathode for power production. The size which allowed for sufficient power while maintaining the smallest footprint on the car was a zinc can six cm tall and two cm in diameter. Analysis of paper zinc-air battery …

Interactions And Phenomena Between Disodium Cromoglycate And Polyelectrolytes, Brandon Tipton

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The interactions between polyelectrolytes and oppositely charged macroions have been widely studied, but few reports have been made on the interaction between chromonic mesogens and polyelectrolytes. Here, we report on the formation of liquid crystalline coacervates achieved by the liquid-liquid phase separation of an aqueous solution of negatively charged liquid crystal and polycations. As well as the occurrence of tactoids that form in the absence of these interactions. The liquid crystal that is experimented with is disodium cromoglycate, better known as DSCG. This acts as a negative charge that is paired with a variety of positively charged polyelectrolytes. The first …

Probing The Structure Of Water On Surfaces: From Water Absorption To Ice Nucleation, Jiarun Zhou

All Dissertations

Water, essential for all life forms, is the most abundant, simple, yet mysterious molecule in the world. This molecule, consisting of only three atoms, behaves in unexpectedly different ways with the change of environment. In the past, studies of water under different conditions (temperature, pressure, on the surfaces, with confinement) have been conducted using experimental and computational methods. However, the influence of a given environment on water properties is yet to be fully understood. This dissertation studies water at complex interfaces (surfaces with various chemistry and physics properties) in both the liquid and crystalline states. Various heterogeneous systems used to …

Investigation Of Light Management Strategies And Photochemistry Of Si/Tio2 Tandem Microwire Slurries For Solar Hydrogen Generation., Saumya Gulati

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The intermittent nature of the Sun makes it difficult to use it as a primary source of electricity and often needs to be supplemented by electricity from the grid which comes from fossil fuels. This motivates the need for solar energy storage. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting has been explored as a means to convert solar energy into hydrogen (and oxygen), which can be stored as fuel. The current method of coupling PV and electrolyzer units has been widely commercialized, however, the cost of H₂ generated is far from the target of $1/kg set by the DOE under the Energy EarthShot …

Dual Crosslinked Poly(Acrylamide-Co-N-Vinylpyrrolidone) Microspheres With Re-Crosslinking Ability For Fossil Energy Recovery, Jingyang Pu, Baojun Bai, Jiaming Geng, Na Zhang, Thomas P. Schuman

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Microspheres have been proposed to be applied in controlling wastewater production for mature oilfields and migrating leakage for gas and nuclear waste storage. However, it remains challenging for stacked microspheres to maintain strong blocking ability in micron-sized small pores or fractures. In this study, a novel microsphere was developed with comprehensive properties including high deformability and long re-crosslinking time upon tunable swelling ratio for the applications. A dual covalent and physical crosslinking strategy was used to develop novel microspheres reinforced by a hydrogen bond (H-bond, between pyrrole ring and amide group) and coordination bond (between chromium acetate (CrAc) and carboxyl …

Repeated Low-Level Blast Exposure Alters Urinary And Serum Metabolites, Austin Sigler, Jiandong Wu, Annalise Pfaff, Olajide Adetunji, Paul Ki-Souk Nam, Donald James, Casey Burton, Honglan Shi

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Repeated exposure to low-level blast overpressures can produce biological changes and clinical sequelae that resemble mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). While recent efforts have revealed several protein biomarkers for axonal injury during repetitive blast exposure, this study aims to explore potential small molecule biomarkers of brain injury during repeated blast exposure. This study evaluated a panel of ten small molecule metabolites involved in neurotransmission, oxidative stress, and energy metabolism in the urine and serum of military personnel (n = 27) conducting breacher training with repeated exposure to low-level blasts. The metabolites were analyzed using HPLC—tandem mass spectrometry, and the Wilcoxon …

Detection Of Toxic Aldehydes In Aerosols Of Electronic Cigarettes., Ellie Bess Reed

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Over the past decade, use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has increased in the younger generations of the United States. With the broad range of flavors and devices distributed on the market, American youth are prime marketing targets for the e-cigarette industry. To create a more regulated market, research of this thesis has been conducted on newer generations of e-cigarette “MOD” devices to examine how e-cigarette battery power output and coil temperature, concentrations of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, added flavorings (strawberry, mango, and menthol), and the presence of nicotine affect generation of aerosol particles and aldehydes in aerosols emitted by …

The Study Of Corrosion On Additive-Manufactured Metals., Braydan Daniels

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the corrosion mechanisms between wrought and additive-manufactured (3D-printed) copper and stainless steel. The experimental procedure consisted of measuring the open circuit potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, linear sweep voltammetry, Tafel analysis, surface topology, and scanning electron microscopy for each metal within salt water, tap water, sulfuric acid, and synthetic body fluid (excluding copper in synthetic body fluid).

Overall, printed stainless steel was more corrosion-resistant than wrought stainless steel in tap water and synthetic body fluid based on OCP, LSV, and surface topology results. Additionally, printed copper was more corrosion-resistant than wrought …

Electrodialysis Process For The Simultaneous Treatment Of Reject Brine And Capture Of Carbon Dioxide, Jawad Mustafa

Dissertations

Desalination plants are highly efficient in producing desalinated water for potable applications. However, the process also generates reject brine, which is highly concentrated saline water. In order to produce 1 liter of potable water using desalination, approximately 1.5 liters of reject brine is generated. The disposal of reject brine presents a significant challenge for the desalination industry. Typically, this waste product is discharged into the sea, causing environmental damage, and polluting marine life. Moreover, certain countries heavily rely on desalination to meet their potable water needs, which results in the emission of greenhouse gases. As desalination plants consume a significant …

Waste Biomass-Derived Ultraporous Functionalized Superactivated Hydrochars For Hydrogen Storage And Carbon Capture, Al Ibtida Sultana

Theses and Dissertations

Accelerating world population and simultaneous growth in economic race has resulted in parallel rise of waste generation where the necessity of mitigating the climate change, via transitioning towards a clean energy economy and minimization of greenhouse gas from atmosphere, is in urgent need of attention. Hence, the objectives of this dissertation comprised of firstly upcycling waste biomass into low-cost and effective adsorbent material such that, secondly, its surface could be tailored by modulating its synthesis conditions (hydrothermal carbonization and chemical activation) to be developed into ultraporous and functionalized adsorption medium in order to, thirdly, assess its application as adsorbents for …

Catalytical Performance Of Heteroatom Doped And Undoped Carbon-Based Materials, Jahangir Alom, Md Saif Hasan, Md Asaduzaman, Mohammad Taufiq Alam, Dalel Belhaj, Raja Selvaraj, Md Ashraf Hossain, Masoumeh Zargar, Mohammad Boshir Ahmed

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Developing cost-effective, eco-friendly, efficient, stable, and unique catalytic systems remains a crucial issue in catalysis. Due to their superior physicochemical and electrochemical properties, exceptional structural characteristics, environmental friendliness, economic productivity, minimal energy demand, and abundant supply, a significant amount of research has been devoted to the development of various doped carbon materials as efficient catalysts. In addition, carbon-based materials (CBMs) with specified doping have lately become significant members of the carbon group, showing promise for a broad range of uses (e.g., catalysis, environmental remediation, critical chemical production, and energy conversion and storage). This study will, therefore, pay attention to the …

A Molecular Dynamics Study Of Structural Modifications Of Perarylphosphonium Based Ionic Liquids On The Melting Point, Johnathan Anderson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

Several perarylphosphonium based mesothermal ionic liquids (ILs) have been shown to be stable at high temperatures for prolonged periods of time and with high heat capacities making them good candidates for use in many processes such as usage as a heat transfer fluid, as an absorbent for separation of aromatics from aliphatics, and as a solvent for high temperature reactions. Many, however, have melting points above 100^o C, limiting their use. Recently, it was shown that the melting point of an IL can be lowered by simply increasing the dipole moment of the cation or by structurally rigidifying the …

Measuring Plume Concentration Variations Under Neutral Atmospheric Conditions, Daniel Williams

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Hazardous gases are increasingly becoming a large safety concern as the world continues to grow and industrialize. The modeling of when hazardous gases breach containment is an extremely important objective of consequence assessment planning and response. To improve the understanding of the variability inherent in passive gas releases, a test program to demonstrate the variability of gas concentration measurements at different location in a passive gas plume released from an area source in the ultra-low speed wind tunnel at the Chemical Hazards Research Center. A Flame Ionization Detector was used to measure the concentration of the source cloud. Methane was …

Lignin Copolymer Property Prediction Using Machine Learning, Collin Larsen

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Lignin, an abundant biopolymer, is a waste byproduct of the paper and pulp industry. Despite its renewable nature and potential applicability in various products, such as plastics and composites, the development of lignin-based materials has been impeded by the cumbersome, Edisonian process of trial and error. This research proposes a novel approach to forecasting the properties of lignin-based copolymers by utilizing a recurrent neural network (RNN) based on the Keras models previously created by Tao et al. Example units of modified lignin were synthesized via esterification and amination functional group modifications. To increase the efficiency and accuracy of the prediction …

Estimating Toxic Load From Finite-Duration Contaminant Releases In Wind Tunnel Experiments, Patrick B. Jones

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

When gaseous contaminants are released into the atmosphere said contaminants form clouds that travel in the prevailing wind direction. An individual caught in the downwind path of one such cloud will accumulate a dosage, or toxic load, of said contaminant that is dependent on a multitude of environmental factors. This thesis quantifies unpredictability – or variation – in toxic load measurements using downwind concentration data captured from finite-duration gaseous contaminant releases conducted at set conditions in the Chemical Hazards Research Center ultra-low speed wind tunnel.

Finite-duration releases can be divided into two categories – time-limited steady releases and puffs – …

Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Milk Production In The Us, Cailey Cooper

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Life cycle assessment is performed to determine the environmental impacts of the life cycle of a product. In this study, the greenhouse gas emissions from milk production in the United States were calculated using a cradle-to-gate analysis. The dairy industry has a noticeable impact on the total greenhouse gas emissions in the US. Performing life cycle assessment provides information about the main emission sources in the life cycle which can spark innovative changes to reduce these emissions. The life cycle assessment was performed using the openLCA software and ReCiPe impact assessment methodology. The results indicated that 1.28 kg of carbon …

Heat Transfer From Plates, Leanza Trevino

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this honors thesis is to create an experiment for the CHEG Lab I course. This is a continuation of work done by Alexa Moreno. She created an experiment to model free convection of a horizontal plate. In this report, free and forced convection of a vertical and horizontal plate, respectively are modeled. This report explains the motivation for creating this heat convection experiment, the results of performing the experiment, and provides recommendations for future work on this experiment. Lab handouts are included in the Appendix.