Chemical Engineering Commons^™

Modulation Of Leukocyte Infiltration And Phenotype In Microporous Tissue Engineering Scaffolds Via Vector Induced Il-10 Expression, R. Michael Gower, Ryan M. Boehler, Samira M. Azarin, Christine F. Ricci, Joshua N. Leonard, Lonnie D. Shea

Faculty Publications

Biomaterial scaffolds are central to many tissue engineering strategies as they create a space for tissue growth and provide a support for cell adhesion and migration. However, biomaterial implantation results in unavoidable injury resulting in an inflammatory response, which can impair integration with the host and tissue regeneration. Toward the goal of reducing inflammation, we investigated the hypothesis that a lentiviral gene therapy-based approach to localized and sustained IL-10 expression at a scaffold could modulate the number, relative proportions, and cytokine production of infiltrating leukocyte populations. Flow cytometry was used to quantify infiltration of six leukocyte populations for 21 days …

Magnetic Janus Particles And Their Applications, Bin Ren

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Magnetic properties are important since they enable the manipulation of particle behavior remotely and therefore provide the means to direct a particle’s orientation and translation. Magnetic Janus particles combine magnetic properties with anisotropy and thus are potential building blocks for complex structures that can be assembled from a particle suspension and can be directed through external fields. In this thesis, a method for the fabrication of three types of magnetic Janus particles with distinct magnetic properties is introduced, the assembly behavior of magnetic Janus particles in external magnetic and electric fields is systematically studied, and two potential applications of magnetic …

Evaluation Of Electrocoagulation For The Removal Of Chromium (Vi) From Brackish Groundwater, Shaima S Hamdan

Theses

Electrocoagulation (EC) has been evaluated for the removal of Cr (VI) from brackish groundwater using three different bench-scale EC reactors, namely batch stirred tank reactor (BSTR), continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) and a continuous electrocoagulation column (ECC). Batch EC process was experimentally examined at room temperature and the results indicated that Fe-Fe electrode pair was the most efficient arrangement and was able to achieve 100 % Cr removal at an electrocoagulation time of 5 minutes, a current density of 7.94 mA/cm², and pH of 8. A kinetic study of batch EC was then performed using both pseudo-first-order and …

Multiphase Hydrodynamics And Distribution Characteristics In A Monolith Bed Measured By Optical Fiber Probe, Yuan Zhou, Milorad P. Dudukovic, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan, Hui Liu

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Optical Fiber Probe Has Been for the First Time Applied to Investigate the Hydrodynamics and Gas-Phase Distribution at High Gas/liquid Ratios in a Two-Phase Flow Monolith Bed with 0.048 M Diameter and 400 Cpsi. Local Hydrodynamic Parameters Including Gas Holdup, Bubble Frequency, Bubble Velocity, and Bubble Length in Single Channels Were Measured by 16 Inserted Single-Point Optical Fiber Probes within the Bed under a Nozzle as the Liquid Distributor. the Following Findings Are Reported. (1) the Optical Fiber Probe Can Be Used as an Efficient and Convenient Technique for Measuring Local Hydrodynamic Parameters Inside the Channels of a Monolith …

Enhanced Glt-1 Mediated Glutamate Uptake And Migration Of Primary Astrocytes Directed By Fibronectin-Coated Electrospun Poly-L-Lactic Acid Fibers, Jonathan M. Zuidema, María C. Hyzinski-García, Kristien Van Vlasselaer, Nicholas W. Zaccor, George E. Plopper, Alexander A. Mongin, Ryan J. Gilbert

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Bioengineered fiber substrates are increasingly studied as a means to promote regeneration and remodeling in the injured central nervous system (CNS). Previous reports largely focused on the ability of oriented scaffolds to bridge injured regions and direct outgrowth of axonal projections. In the present work, we explored the effects of electro spun microfibers on the migration and physiological properties of brain astroglial cells. Primary rat astrocytes were cultured on either fibronectin-coated poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) films, fibronectin-coated randomly oriented PLLA electro spun fibers, or fibronectin-coated aligned PLLA electro spun fibers. Aligned PLLA fibers strongly altered astrocytic morphology, orienting cell processes, actin …

Hydrodynamic And Mass Transport Properties Of Microfluidic Geometries, Thomas F. Leary

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Microfluidic geometries allow direct observation of microscale phenomena while conserving liquid volumes. They also enable modeling of experimental data using simplified transport equations and static force balances. This is possible because the length scales of these geometries ensure low Re conditions approaching the Stokesian limit, where the flow profile is laminar, viscous forces are dominant and inertial forces are negligible. This work presents results on two transport problems in microfluidic geometries. The first examines the heterogeneous binding kinetics in a microbead array, where beads with different chemical functionalities are sequentially captured in a well geometry over which analyte solution is …

Discrete Element Method Based Scale-Up Model For Material Synthesis Using Ball Milling, Priya Radhi Santhanam

Dissertations

Mechanical milling is a widely used technique for powder processing in various areas. In this work, a scale-up model for describing this ball milling process is developed. The thesis is a combination of experimental and modeling efforts.

Initially, Discrete Element Model (DEM) is used to describe energy transfer from milling tools to the milled powder for shaker, planetary, and attritor mills. The rolling and static friction coefficients are determined experimentally. Computations predict a quasi- steady rate of energy dissipation, Ed, for each experimental configuration. It is proposed that the milling dose defined as a product of Ed and milling …

A Progress Report On The Ultrasound Enhancement Of Antibiotic Action On Streptococcus Pneumoniae, Michael Le Bras, Dr. William G. Pitt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Previous studies show that using antibiotic treatment together with ultrasound enhances the bactericidal effect of antibiotics on many bacterial species (6). The purpose of this research project is to apply these techniques to Streptococcus pneumoniae and the antibiotics ampicillin and gentamicin sulfate. The effectiveness of ampicillin and gentamicin sulfate coupled with the application of ultrasound on S. pneumoniae is the focus of this study.

Development Of Stable Silica Washcoats For Monolithic Substrates, Ethan A. Mastny, Dr. Calvin H. Bartholomew

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The objective was to develop an efficient procedure for depositing silica washcoats onto cellular, ceramic monoliths while ensuring that the silica maintains its desired properties of surface area and pore structure and is stable against erosion. Catalyst coated ceramic monoliths find application in automotive emissions control and other areas of pollution abatement.

The Effect Of Material Choice On Thromboembolism, Peter M. Crapo, Dr. Kenneth Solen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Stroke, heart attack, or other severe medical problems may arise when platelet aggregates block a patient’s blood vessels. These aggregates form when blood is exposed to foreign surfaces in biomedical equipment. When blood is first exposed to a foreign surface, platelets adhere to the surface. A cluster of platelets on the surface is called a thrombus. Thrombi grow as more platelets adhere, and the momentum of passing fluid or other causes may dislodge them. Dislodged thrombi are called emboli, and the entire process is called thromboembolism. Thromboembolism cannot be entirely avoided in blood-contacting devices, such as artificial organs.

Ultrasound-Activated Delivery Of Doxorubicin From Polymeric Micelles To Breast Cancer Cells, Philip D. Blood, Dr. William G. Pitt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A major limitation to the effectiveness of cancer chemotherapy is the toxic side effects it has on normal tissues. Thus, it would be highly advantageous to develop a form of treatment that allows higher doses of drugs to be delivered to tumors without increasing the amount of drug absorbed by healthy tissues. To this end, various controlled drug delivery systems are being devised which aim to preferentially target cancerous tissue.

Low-Frequency Ultrasound Increases Outer Membrane Permeability Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa And Escherichia Coli, Christopher M. Runyan, Dr. William G. Pitt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Our lab has investigated the use of low-frequency ultrasound as an adjuvant to antibacterial therapy. We have found that ultrasound can increase killing of certain combinations of antibiotics with bacteria. Ultrasound at very low frequencies, alone, may kill bacteria; however, these frequencies are harmful to other living tissues and can not be used in a clinical setting. While ultrasound does not kill bacteria at slightly higher frequencies, it can enhance antibiotic killing, a phenomenon known as the “bioacoustic effect.”

Waste Not, Want Not, Mary Cragun, Dr. William Hecker

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The treatment of wastewater or sewage is a multi-step process. One of the steps involves the treatment of the organic mass collected during the treatment process. There are several different methods of treating this organic mass or sludge. At the Springville Wastewater Treatment Facility, the sludge is decomposed under anaerobic conditions into simpler forms of organic solids for safe disposal. Two different types of bacteria are used to decompose the sludge. The products of the sludge decomposition are methane, carbon dioxide, water, and simpler organic solids. The amount of methane produced by the bacteria depends on the system used and …

A Stable Coating For Silica Supported Fisher-Tropsch Catalysts, Nathan M. Cluff, Dr. Calvin Batholomew

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Our daily lives are dependent upon petroleum. This is evident in the fact that 26.4% of the United States’ energy consumption is used directly for transportation in the form of liquid fuels.1 To prevent shortages in gasoline, jet fuel, home heating oil, and other petroleum products, alternatives will be needed to supplement the rising world demand. As a citizen that will raise a family during a time when alternative energy sources will need to be implemented, I have a keen interest in how we will meet our energy needs and where we will get those resources. One alternative is the …

Synthesis Of Carbon Nitrides From Carbon Dioxide, Yun Hang Hu

Michigan Tech Patents

Provided are methods of converting carbon dioxide to carbon nitrides. In a first reaction, carbon dioxide may be reacted with metal nitrides, such as Li.sub.3N, to form carbon nitrides in a fast and exothermic reaction. Also provided are methods of using product metal cyanamides from the first reaction to subsequently generate additional carbon nitrides.

Deactivation Of V2o5-Based Catalysts Used In The Selective Catalytic Reduction Of Nox, Aaron Nackos, Dr. Calvin H. Bartholomew

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Nitric oxides (NO and NO2, or NOx for short) are significant contributors to photochemical smog and acid rain and are mainly produced from automobile emissions and from coal combustion used to generate electric power. Because of these issues, the EPA will require by the year 2004 that NOx emissions from coal-fired plants in this country meet strict pollution limitations—up to a 90% reduction in the amount of NOx currently allowed to be released by the EPA (Belden 41).

Laboratory Design And Construction For Catalyst Characterization, Kenneth G. Crowther, Dr. Larry Baxter

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In the midst of industrial development we sometimes fail to foresee problems that may arise from current, seemingly economical, methods of production. One oversight in many industries ranging from Power to Caprolactam production is nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions that damage our bodies and limit visibility. NOX are highly reactive molecules that are responsible for the formation of ground level ozone, acid aerosols, acid rain, and photochemical smog; all which pose a threat to the health of humans and other living things. This problem, however, is finally noticed. Government legislation is going into effect that is reducing the amounts of NOX …

Environmental Stress Cracking Of Glassy Polymers, Parthasakha Neogi, Gholamreza Zahedi

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

When a glassy polymer is exposed to an organic solvent, it can crack spontaneously or fail more readily under extension. This is environmental stress cracking. When the solvent diffuses into the polymer, stresses develop because of swelling of the polymer. In addition, fluctuations give rise to stresses, because of the variation in surface tension from changes in the surface concentration of the solute, which is the Marangoni effect. A linear stability analysis is performed to show that such a system is unstable to infinitesimal disturbances. Large tensile stresses arise locally, leading to failures, which will be observed in the interfacial …

A New Software Tool To Environmentally And Economically Evaluate Solvent Recovery In The Pharmaceutical Industry, Eduardo Cavanagh

Theses and Dissertations

The environmental impact reduction and operating costs savings associated with the purification and reuse of solvent waste in the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API's) were investigated. A software toolbox has been developed that combines Aspen Plus(R) process simulation with SimaPro(R) and Ecosolvent life cycle assessment (LCA) databases. The feasibility of a relatively small flexible skid capable of recovering multiple solvent waste streams was evaluated. Fractional distillation and pervaporation were considered to separate binary solvent waste mixtures. Optimum distillation reflux ratio and feed stage were determined to maximize the environmental impact reductions and operating cost savings. The optimum reflux ratio …

Process For The Purification Of Benzphetamine Hydrochloride, Keith Tomazi

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The present invention relates to the economical and separation of benzphetamine hydrochloride and methamphetamine by liquid extraction. An extraction process employing a suitable organic solvent and water at a pH in the range of from about 6 to about 8 provides excellent removal of the methamphetamine by dissolution in the water phase while the benzphetamine dissolves in the organic phase. Simple separation of the two phases results in separation of the two amines.