Chemical Engineering Commons^™

Catalytic Hydropyrolysis Of Beetle Killed Trees For The Production Of Transportation Biofuels, Oluwanisola Makinde, Fernando L.P. Resende, Michael Asama, Demian F. Gomez

Jasper Department of Chemical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

We conducted catalytic hydropyrolysis of beetle-killed trees: Pine, Ash tree, and Redbay in a micro-pyrolyzer (Py/GC–MS) and investigated the performance of heterogeneous catalysts like HZSM-5, NiMo-HZSM- 5, and NiRe-HZSM- 5. We also investigated the effects of temperature, catalyst-to- biomass ratio, and hydrogen pressure on product yield. Our findings reveal that aromatic yields increase with temperature and catalyst-to- biomass ratio but decline at higher hydrogen pressures; additionally, higher catalyst acidity enhances both total hydrocarbon production and selectivity toward C7–C8 aromatics, with each feedstock exhibiting distinct optimal conditions. The type of metal doped on the HZSM-5 zeolite plays an important role in …

Made On Mars: Design And Manufacturing Of Structural Polymer-Regolith Composites, Pailey M. Vitale

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Human exploration of Mars is constrained by harsh environmental conditions and the prohibitive cost of transporting materials from Earth. Long-term sustainability requires the local production of mechanical and structural components using resources available on Mars, thereby minimizing payload mass. This project investigates polymer–regolith composites derived from atmospheric CO₂ and mineral-rich regolith as a pathway toward in-situ manufacturing. These composites, when compatible with additive manufacturing, could replace imported plastics, enable on-demand fabrication, and support closed-loop recycling systems. The objective is to design and evaluate polymer–regolith composites that maintain mechanical integrity and environmental resistance under Martian conditions, including extreme temperature swings, radiation …

Energy Efficient Windows Using Pvme, James S. Bronstrup

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This Honors Project aims to improve window energy efficiency using the thermoplastic polymer PVME (polyvinyl methyl ether), which displays temperature-dependent transparency that can be adjusted by mixing it with water and salt to reduce heat transfer through a window. The objective is to determine the optimal PVME water-salt ratios for placement inside a windowpane, evaluate energy savings compared to a traditional argon-filled window, and compare estimated costs. A small-scale model will test different concentrations for various climates, with heat transfer measured by temperature indicators via a LabQuest. Building on research by Yang Zhou at Nanyang Technological University, who used a …

Microscopic Insights On Shear Rheology Of Polyampholyte Ionomers Via Molecular Simulations, Kyle Vonscio

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Ionomers are polymers that contain a small fraction of charged groups. The ionic attraction of charged groups allows ionomers to act similarly to crosslinked polymers. Depending on the strength of electrostatic interactions and structure of the ionomers, different dynamics and rheological responses can be observed. With moderate attraction between ions, these noncovalent crosslinks can be broken when heated, allowing ionomers to flow and show the strength of a crosslinked network at low temperatures. Nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations will be performed under shear in the xy-plane and the macroscopic rheology and conformation of the polyampholyte ionomer will be determined. The …

Determining Critical Micelle Concentrations Of Standard Surfactants And Rhamnolipids, Kathryn E. Kunz

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

My proposed project will study the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of rhamnolipids using the pendant-drop and drop-weight methods. First, the critical micelle concentrations of ionic and nonionic common surfactants will be tested. Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) will be used as an ionic surfactant and Tween 20 will be used as a nonionic surfactant. The critical micelle concentrations will be determined using the pendant-drop and drop-weight methods. The experimental results from the standard surfactants compared to their accepted values will be tested to assist with determining a more suitable approach. Completing the tests will provide a better understanding of critical micelle …

Analyzing The Effect Of Network Properties On Self-Assembly Of Polymer Grafted Nanoparticles In Vitrimer Nanocomposites, Tyler Eakin

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project aims to show the how polymer grafted nanoparticles behave in a vitrimer composite network. The effect of varying the network parameters such as the grafting density, the volume fraction of nanoparticles, and the ratio of polymer chain length : graft chain length will be studied. The assemblies formed by the polymer grafted nanoparticles will be visually analyzed and assigned one of 5 possible conformations. A phase diagram of grafting density vs network chain length / graft length will be constructed. The phase diagram will provide valuable insight into how nanoparticle self-assembly can be manipulated through changing network parameters

Effects Of Hofmeister Ions On Lower Critical Solution Temperatures Of Poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide) And Poly(Vinyl Methyl Ether), Joseph Joaquin

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The goal of this study is to compare how four different Hofmeister anions (Cl-, SCN-, F-, and I-) affect the Lower Critical Solution temperature (LCST) on two thermo-responsive polymers: poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAAM) and poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME). pNIPAAm is commonly used in the environmental applications such as monitoring, oil-water separations, or antifouling materials, and in medical industry from drug delivery to tissue engineering. When pNIPAAM or PVME reaches a temperature above their LCST, they become hydrophobic, and the polymer chains coiled, leading to their aqueous solutions turn opaque. PVME exhibits a similar LCST as that of pNIPAAM, so it can be …

Analysis Of Sessile Drop And Captive Bubble Contact Angle Measurements On Metallic And Hydrophobic Surfaces, Jack H. Darnell

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Contact angle measurements are widely used to characterize surface wettability and determine changes in surface energy, yet the choice of measurement technique can significantly influence the results. This study compares the sessile drop and captive bubble methods for measuring contact angles of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solutions on carbon steel, stainless steel, and a hydrophobic wafer. Additionally, the time‑dependent wetting behavior of water, SDS, polysorbate 20 (commercial name Tween 20), and rhamnolipids on a hydrophobic wafer was evaluated over a five‑minute period. Results show that the sessile drop method consistently produced higher contact angles than the captive bubble method on …

Surface Immobilization Of Stimuli-Responsive Polymers Using A Network Of Aminopropyltriethoxysilane, Walter Bungard, Ryan Nixon

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The goal of this honors project is to develop a cost-effective and accessible method for entrapping stimuli-responsive polymers onto solid substrates using aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The entrapment network process will first be replicated on glass or silicon using APTES and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), involving spin coating and thermal annealing to chemically bond the polymer to the substrate. Once validated, the method will be applied to other stimuli-responsive polymers, including thermo-responsive, electroactive, and pH-sensitive types, with APTES as a control. For each sample, film stability, responsiveness, and surface behavior will be evaluated using contact angles, optical microscopy, and spectroscopic analysis, followed by statistical evaluation. …

Effects Of Coupling Agents On An Epoxy Coating And Consequent Corrosion Resistance Of Carbon Steel, Breck A. Mooney

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project will include the determination of how coupling agents affect corrosion resistance on select carbon steel when combined with a polymer coating. This research will explore 2 different silane coupling agents: 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and 3-glycidoxypropyl-trimethoxysilane (GPTMS). 1 polymer coating, Bispenol A diglicidyl ether (BADGE), will be explored as well. These coatings will be applied to select carbon steels in various ratios to determine their effects on corrosion.

Development Of A Signature Model For Predicting Normal Boiling Point Using Machine Learning, Mackenzie Karabin

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The goal of this project was to utilize the Signature molecular descriptor to construct a predictive model for computing the normal boiling point using a 4856-compound dataset. The final model intends to be applied to screening compounds whose experimental normal boiling point values are not readily available. Compounds were deconstructed into their height-1 atomic Signatures, resulting in 225 unique descriptors for the dataset, which were used as independent variables for creating the model. Machine learning (ML) techniques were employed to evaluate the applicability and accuracy of different ML models for predicting normal boiling point using the Regression Learner App in …

Computer-Aided Molecular Design To Identify More Environmentally Friendly Pfas, Melvin M. Keita

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The goal of this project is to inversely design alternatives to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) using Computer-Aided Molecular Design (CAMD). PFAS, also described as “forever chemicals”, have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s. PFAS can be found in drinking water, food, food packaging, waste sites, and other sources. Exposure to different PFAS can lead to increased risks of some cancers, immune effects, and reproductive effects. Pulling from existing data, this project will use quantitative structure-property relationships (QSPRs) to design PFAS alternatives that possess optimal properties to prevent adsorption into drinking water and other potential sources …

C. Difficile Detection Method For First Responder Glove Application, Alli N. Senedak

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Clostridioides Difficile (C. diff) is a Anaerobic Gram-positive bacillus that is capable of spore formation, making it difficult to control its spread and duration in clinical environments. This phenomenon can provide danger to first responders, healthcare workers, and patients. The goal of this project is to create a biosensor capable of detecting C. diff in a clinical setting that can be applied to a glove apparatus. The project will involve the use of C. diff aptamers activated on the surface of an electrode. Once surface activation has been verified via surface analysis, the electrodes will be exposed to C. diff …

Brrbox, Shawn J. Myers, Lane Cline, Michael Davis, Christian Secrest

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This report details the project known as “The BRRBOX”, a reusable, insulated thermoelectric cooler developed to keep internal temperatures at refrigeration levels or cooler for at least 48 hours. The cooler will track its internal temperature during this period and be able to give the data at the end of its delivery cycle to keep up with food and pharmaceutical standards during delivery. The BRRBOX uses Peltier-based cooling alongside vacuum insulation panels and fans to achieve efficient thermal control. An onboard microcontroller will monitor temperature, record the data, and adjust the cooling output to minimize power consumption. The box will …

A Probabilistic Approach To Multiscale Simulation: Evaluating Machine-Learned Backmapping Models Of Diphenylalanine, Sage Paschall

2026 Research Poster Competition

Diphenylalanine (FF) has demonstrated the tendency to form several nanostructures, a subset of which are electrically conductive and have exciting potential applications in biotechnology and nanoelectronics. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this self-assembly process remain largely ambiguous. Atomistic-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations allow for the evaluation of atomic-level interactions crucial in understanding the driving thermodynamic forces behind self-assembly, but are too computationally expensive to span the necessary timescale to observe the self-assembly process in action. Coarse-grained (CG) models allow for simulation at the appropriate timescale but come at the cost of vital atomistic detail. It is therefore important to develop …

Rubric Enhanced Assessment Of Coursework And Teaching (React): Using Portfolios And Rubrics In An Engineering Classroom To Refocus From Grades To Learning, Nathan Lee Galinsky

2026 Scholarly Teaching Conference: Poster Session Papers

The goal of using rubrics in an engineering classroom is to make grading clearer for students and to enhance the learning efforts. Point based grading of work leaves students looking for the correct numerical solution or choice without thinking about their assumptions, process, or approximations. A rubric dissects grading to include the entire solution procedure emphasizing key steps in a solution procedure. Students also don’t have to wonder where partial credit will be focused or what emphasis a solution will be graded on when using rubrics. By combining the rubric assessment techniques with portfolios, students will be empowered to feel …

Photocatalytic Degradation Of Cephalexin, Amoxicillin, And Phenol Red Using A Green-Synthesized Folic Acid–Zno–Bi2o3 Nanoporous System, M. Sarani, Haghighi, P. Tamaddon, A. Najafidoust, P. Faghani-Eskandarkolaei, N. Sattarahmady

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The persistent presence of pharmaceutical pollutants like amoxicillin (AMX) and cephalexin (CPX), and industrial dyes such as phenol red (PR) in wastewater poses serious ecological and public health risks, including antibiotic resistance. It necessitates efficient and low-cost remediation technologies. Photocatalysts employing innovative and engineered nanomaterials such as bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures exhibit considerable potential for eliminating pollutants. This study focused on the photodegradation of AMX, CPX, and PR utilizing green-synthesized folic acid–ZnO–Bi2O3 nanoparticles (F-Zn-Bi NPs) under visible light irradiation. Characterization of the synthesized photocatalyst was conducted using various techniques of powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD), field emission …

Improving Modeling Of Corrosion Products In The Primary Circuit Of Light Water Reactors Through The Experimental Determination Of Crud Characteristics, Sri Saravana Konganapuram Narasimma Bharathi

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

High-temperature water flowing through the coolant circuits in pressurized water reactors (PWRs) creates a harsh environment, deteriorating these materials. This corrosion results in the formation of oxide layer(s) primarily composed of nickel ferrites, iron oxides, nickel oxides, and other nickel-iron-chrome spinel oxides. Being exposed to fluid with high flow rates and pressure, these oxide layers can be eroded, resulting in particulate fouling due to the release of corrosion products (Chalk River Unidentified Deposits, CRUD) into the coolant circuit. When CRUD subsequently deposits on fuel surfaces, it negatively affects the fuel performance (heat transfer and fuel failure); in addition, the particles …

Nanostructured Cathode Catalysts For Aem Electrolysis: From Catalyst Design To Degradation And Hydrogen Dynamics, Yamini Kumaran

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) presents a promising pathway toward cost-effective and sustainable hydrogen production by integrating the chemical robustness of alkaline systems with the compact, zero-gap design of proton exchange membrane electrolyzers. However, the widespread implementation of AEMWE is limited by the availability of highly active and durable platinum-group-metal (PGM)-free catalysts and by an incomplete understanding of their degradation behavior under realistic operating conditions.

This dissertation focuses on the development, characterization, and mechanistic investigation of nanostructured MoNi₄–MoO₂-based electrodes for efficient and stable hydrogen generation under alkaline and membrane-integrated environments. MoNi₄–MoO₂ nanorods …

Sustainable Textiles Through Electrospinning: Addressing Environmental Challenges, Nicole Sharples, Omid Doustdar, Miguel Carmona‐Cabello, Shayan Abrishami, Jose M. Herreros, Ali Sadaghiani, Karl D. Dearn

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The textile industry, known for its significant environmental footprint, faces growing pressure to adopt sustainable practices. This review identifies the textile industry’s sustainability challenges and examines electrospinning as a promising technology to mitigate its environmental impact. Electrospinning enables the production of nanofibers with enhanced properties suitable for various textile applications, offering potential solutions to reduce resource consumption and waste generation. This review discusses the current uses of electrospinning in textile manufacturing and analyses emerging trends in textile recycling, emphasising the role of electrospinning in transforming waste textiles into value-added products. Prospects for advancing electrospinning techniques to achieve efficient textile recycling …