Chemical Engineering Commons^™

Enhancing In Vitro Production Of Exotic Proteins Utilizing Linear Dna Templates, Savannah Herdegen, Dr. Brad Bundy

Journal of Undergraduate Research

[Final report posting is embargoed pending publication.]

New Capabilities In Large-Scale Models In Computational Biology, Casey Abbott, Dr. John Hedengren

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Advances in biomedical research have lead to an increase of experimental data to be interpreted in the context of reaction pathways, molecular transport, and population dynamics. Kinetic modeling is one way employed to interpret this data and is used in the pharmaceutical industry in developing clinical trials for new medications [1]. One collection of kinetic models is built on the System Biology Markup Language (SBML). Many of these models have detailed reaction metabolic pathways that describe biological systems, including cause and effect relationships in the human body. While simulations of these biological systems have been successfully applied for many years, …

An Alternative Method To Prepare Cobalt Catalysts Using Salt Precursors, Trevor Seegmiller, Dr. Calvin Bartholomew

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is the process for converting syngas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen) into liquid fuels such as gasoline and diesel. A cobalt or iron catalyst is required for the process. Cobalt catalysts have the highest effectiveness and stability in FTS; however, they are more expensive due to higher materials cost as well as the time-consuming and complex processes generally associated with manufacture.

Development Of A Fuel-Efficient Stove To Reduce Particulate Emissions, Geoffrey Lemon, Dr. Randy Lewis

Journal of Undergraduate Research

According to the World Health Organization, one of the leading causes of death in developing countries is respiratory disease, caused by inhalation of particulates from cooking stoves.¹ With this challenge in mind, our team of interdisciplinary engineering students worked for over two semesters on designing and implementing a more effective stove for the people in Matinga, Peru. With the help and feedback of faculty members and other teams within our Global Engineering Outreach class, we chose to design a modified “rocket stove.” This design was chosen to more completely combust the fuel, producing a much cleaner burning fire.

Gold Nanoparticle Conjugation With A2 Protein In Vlp For Symmetrical Alignment, Matthew Burnham, Dr. Brad Bundy

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A Virus-like Particle (VLP) is a nanostructure composed of many coat proteins. They differ from real viruses in that they are synthesized to be non-infectious. VLPs have many useful applications in vaccines, drug delivery, gene therapy, and material science¹. Last year, I attempted to create a high resolution image of the VLP Q-beta. This was to be accomplished by making modifications to the virus’ structure after its creation. Conjugating a gold nanoparticle to the Q-beta VLP-A2 protein complex would, in theory, provide a site of orientation and allow us to image the VLP (Figure 1). Although the goal …

Scaffold Design Of A Novel Nano-Particle For Single-Target Imaging, Chad Varner, Dr. Brad Bundy

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project has been to help develop a novel nano-imaging particle. Current methodologies have limitations that preclude them from being used for nanometric (1-500nm) imaging processes in living organisms. These include, but are not limited to, low signal to noise ratios, limited target specificity, and bio-incompatibility. To further the possibilities available for nano-imaging, we have attempted to create a scaffold, or framework, for a biocompatible nanoparticle that is capable of imaging specific targets in living systems.

Cell-Free Protein Synthesis Extract Preparation Methods, Troy Holland, Dr. Brad Bundy

Journal of Undergraduate Research

My ORCA project proposed to test and optimize various low capital cost cell lysis methods, while leaving the internal cell machinery intact and viable for cell-free protein synthesis research. Our cells of interest were a strain of the bacterium E. coli, and their cellular machinery consists of the chemicals and enzymes they use in their every-day life processes, including (and of particular interest to us) the synthesis of proteins. These proteins have an almost limitless number of potential applications in medicine, food services, and chemical production, so the various methods of protein synthesis are of significant importance, both financially, and …

Sensor Application Of Poly (Ethylene Glycol) Diacrylate Hydrogels Chemically-Anchored On Polymer Surface, Zhan Gao, Chang-Soo Kim, David B. Henthorn

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We demonstrate a device process combining two photo patternable polymers, poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG)-diacrylate-based-hydrogel and epoxy-based photoresist SU-8, to implement an optofluidic bioanalytical platform through a surface anchoring technique. As an exemplary sensor application, optical dissolved oxygen sensors are fabricated and their performance characterized. The PEG-rich hydrogel is used as a matrix material for the immobilization of oxygen-responsive fluorophore, dichlorotris (1, 10-phenanthroline) ruthenium (II) hydrate. This hydrogel is chemically anchored on the surface of negative-tone photoresist, SU-8, through a free radical reaction in which 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone served as the surface bound photo initiator. The sensor exhibits a reversible Stern-Volmer …

Multiscale Modeling Of Enzyme-Catalyzed Methanol Production By Particulate Methane Monooxygenase, Katherine K. Bearden

Doctoral Dissertations

In this work, the conversion of methane to methanol by the particulate Methane Monooxygenase (pMMO) enzyme is investigated using a multi-scale modeling approach. This enzyme participates in carbon cycling and aids in the removal of harmful atmospheric methane, converting it to methanol. The interaction between pMMO and a neighboring enzyme that is present in the same organism is studied, and the unknown pMMO active site is elucidated and tested for methane oxidation towards the production of methanol.

Fundamental knowledge of pMMO's mechanism is not fully understood. Understanding how this enzyme works in nature will provide information towards designing efficient synthetic …

Ipads In The Science Laboratory: Experience In Designing And Implementing A Paperless Chemistry Laboratory Course, Tiffany Hesser, Pauline Schwartz

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Faculty Publications

In the fall of 2012, 20 General Chemistry Honors students at the University of New Haven were issued the new iPad 3 to incorporate these devices both in the classroom and the laboratory. This paper will focus on the integration of the iPad into the laboratory curriculum while creating a paperless experience, an environment where no paper would enter or be used for the laboratory over the course of the year. Specific apps were chosen that would allow for an easy transition of course materials into an electronic format. After a transition period for the students and instructor, the overall …

Analysis Of Hole Lifetime In Soi Mosfet Single-Photon Detector, Dedy Septono Catur Putranto, Wei Du, Hiroaki Satoh, Atsushi Ono, Purnomo Sidi Priambodo, Djoko Hartanto, Hiroshi Inokawa

Makara Journal of Technology

Hole lifetime in the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) singlephoton detector was evaluated by the analysis of drain current histograms for different light intensities and substrate voltages. It was found that the peaks in the histogram corresponding to the larger number of stored holes grew as the gate bias decreased. This was attributed not to the increased light absorption efficiency or collection efficiency of the photo-generated holes, but to the prolonged hole lifetime presumably caused by the higher transverse electric field inside the body of SOI MOSFET.

Extended Color Gamut For Flexographic Printing, Gaurav Dinesh Sheth

Masters Theses

The advancement in technology and the necessity to satisfy the increasing quality requirements has aroused the need for use of extended color gamut in flexographic printing. The information about extended gamut inks and ink systems is not easily available therefore, it is essential to define ink sets and color sequences that will produce optimal results in the flexographic printing process. The results were produced by evaluating color gamut volumes obtained by printing with four color process inks, and additional ink sequences, as well as by evaluating other print parameters that provide evidence in support of the research work. Special focus …

Analyzing The Function Of Cartilage Replacements: A Laboratory Activity To Teach High School Students Chemical And Tissue Engineering Concepts, Julie N. Renner

Faculty Scholarship

A cartilage tissue engineering laboratory activity was developed as part of the Exciting Discoveries for Girls in Engineering (EDGE) Summer Camp sponsored by the Women In Engineering Program (WIEP) at Purdue University. Our goal was to increase awareness of chemical engineering and tissue engineering in female high school students through a laboratory activity that incorporated a number of National Research Council learning objectives for science and engineering. This manuscript describes the context of the activity, detailed instructions to perform the activity, and a summary of the feedback. As a result of the activity, participants knew more about the chemical engineering …

Biodiesel Reactor Design With Glycerol Separation To Increase Biodiesel Production Yield, Budy Rahmat, Imas Siti Setiasih, Roni Kastaman

Makara Journal of Technology

The study consisted of reactor design used for transesterification process, effect of glycerol separation on transesterification reaction, determination of biodiesel quality, and mass balance analysis. The reactor was designed by integrating circulated pump/stirrer, static mixer, and sprayer that intensify the reaction in the outer tank reactor. The objective was to reduce the use of methanol in excess and to shorten the processing time. The results showed that the reactor that applied the glycerol separation was able to compensate for the decreased use of the reactant methanol from 6:1 to 5:1 molar ratio, and changed the mass balance in the product, …

Development Of Seebeck-Coefficient Measurement Systems Using Kelvin-Probe Force Microscopy, Kazutoshi Miwa, Faiz Salleh, Hiroya Ikeda

Makara Journal of Technology

Thermoelectric device is investigated by a number of researchers in order to enhance the thermoelectric efficiency. It is known that the efficiency can be improved by quantum effect. However, it is difficult to measure the thermoelectric characteristics of nanometer-scale structures. Thus a new measurement method is expected to be developed. We propose to apply Kelvin-probe force microscopy (KFM) to characterization of thermoelectric materials. KFM can locally observe surface potential of Fermi energy of a sample without touching the sample surface. In the present paper, we estimate the Seebeck coefficient of thin Si-on-insulator layers using KFM.

Recognition System Of Indonesia Sign Language Based On Sensor And Artificial Neural Network, Endang Supriyati, Mohammad Iqbal

Makara Journal of Technology

Sign language as a kind of gestures is one of the most natural ways of communication for most people in deaf community. The aim of the sign language recognition is to provide a translation for sign gestures into meaningful text or speech so that communication between deaf and hearing society can easily be made. In this research, the Indonesian sign language recognition system based on flex sensors and an accelerometer is developed. This recognition system uses a sensory glove to capture data. The sensor data that are processed into feature vector are the 5-fingers bending and the palm acceleration when …

Growth Of Crsi2 Nanostructures Using Crcl2 Powder On Si Substrates, Wen Li, Meng Erchao, Tomoji Matsushita, Shingo Oda, Daisuke Ishikawa, Kaito Nakane, Hirokazu Tatsuoka

Makara Journal of Technology

Chromium disilicide (CrSi2) nanostructures were grown by the exposure of Si (111) substrates to CrCl2 vapor in an argon gas flow at atmospheric pressure without using any metal catalyst. Dependence of the growth condition on the structural property was investigated. Hexagonal-shaped CrSi2 microrods were grown at 750 °C with 0.05 g of CrCl2. As the quantity of CrCl2 increased to 0.1 g, the bundle of CrSi2 nanowires with microrods and web-liked CrSi2 nanostructure with turning angles were grown at 750 °C and 700 °C, respectively. The preliminary discussion on the growth mechanism of CrSi2 micro- and nanostructures was carried out.

Electromagnetic Simulation For Thz Antenna-Coupled Microbolometers Operated At Room Temperature, Makoto Aoki, Masanori Takeda, Norihisa Hiromoto

Makara Journal of Technology

Room-temperature terahertz (THz) detectors with higher performance are necessary for utilizing the THz wave in various sensing, spectroscopy and imaging, but even the best ones in the present are still insufficient for the practical applications. This issue is essential especially in the region around 1 THz at which there exists a large technology gap between microwave and middle-infrared. Therefore, we study to develop an antenna-coupled microbolometer to achieve a high-performance THz detector operated at a room-temperature for sensing at around 1 THz frequency wave. In this paper, we present several important features and results obtained from electromagnetic simulations, which help …

Performance Optimization Of Microbial Fuel Cell (Mfc) Using Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Rita Arbianti, Tania Surya Utami, Heri Hermansyah, Deni Novitasari, Ester Kristin, Ira Trisnawati

Makara Journal of Technology

Electrical energy needs in Indonesia are expected to continue to rise. The use of petroleum as a source of energy still dominates, although oil reserves in Indonesia are increasingly being depleted. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative sources of sustainable energy, such as microbial fuel cell (MFC). In this study, Lactobacillus bulgaricus was used as an electricity producer in a dual-chamber MFC reactor. We investigated the maximum electrical energy by varying the bacterial optical density (OD), the operational time of MFC, the reactor volume, the electrolyte solution, and the configuration of MFC reactor. In this study, the maximum …

Biological Pretreatment Of Oil Palm Frond Fiber Using White-Rot Fungi For Enzymatic Saccharification, Euis Hermiati, Sita Heris Anita, Lucky Risanto, Dyah Styarini, Yanni Sudiyani, Achmad Hanafi, Haznan Abimanyu

Makara Journal of Technology

Oil palm frond is one type of lignocellulosic biomass abundantly and daily available in Indonesia. It contains cellulose which can be converted to glucose, and further processed to produce different kinds of value –added products. The aim of this research is to study the effects of biological pretreatment of oil palm frond (OPF) fiber using Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Trametes versicolor on the enzymatic saccharification of the biomass. The OPF fiber (40-60 mesh sizes) was inoculated with cultures of the two fungi and incubated at 27 °C for 4 weeks. The samples were taken after 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks …