Engineering Commons^™

Effect Of Temperature On Physicochemical Properties Of Plasticized Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose K100–Carbopol 934 Films Containing Propylene Glycol As Plasticizer, Braja Bihari Panda, Rudra Narayan Sahoo, Amit Kumar Nayak

Makara Journal of Science

This paper studies the effect of different temperatures on different important physicochemical characteristics of plasti-cized hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) K100-Carbopol 934 films containing propylene glycol (as a plasticizer), such as the rheology, thickness, folding endurance, tensile strength, elongation, and in vitro swelling with diffusion ki-netics. Rheology of HPMC K100-Carbopol 934 blend dispersions containing propylene glycol (before film casting) demonstrates that the flow is shear thinning and pseudoplastic. In the study of in vitro swelling, the relaxation-controlled transport is the predominant process of solvent diffusion into these plasticized HPMC K100–Carbopol 934 blend films under study. The results suggest that the solvent transport …

The Interplay Between Endothelial Glycocalyx Maturity And Both The Toxicity And Intracellular Uptake Of Charged Nanoparticles, Claire A. Bridges, Lu D. Fu, Jonathan A. Yeow, Xiaojing D. Huang, Miriam D. Jackson, Rhiannon P. Kuchel, James D. Sterling, Shenda M. Baker, Megan S. Lord

Business and Information Technology Faculty Research & Creative Works

Nanoparticles are widely studied for delivering treatments to target tissues, but few have reached clinical use. Most nanoparticles encounter blood vessels on their way to target tissues. The inner surface of these vessels is lined with endothelial cells covered by a glycocalyx, an extracellular matrix rich in anionic glycans. The role of the glycocalyx in nanoparticle interactions is not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that endothelial cells need extended culture times to synthesize a mature glycocalyx. Our research shows that branched polyethyleneimine functionalized gold nanoparticles bind to endothelial cells expressing either a developing or mature glycocalyx, with the interaction involving …

Damage Behavior In Unidirectional Cfrp Laminates With Ply Discontinuity, M.J. Mohammad Fikry, K. T. Tan, Yutaro Arai, Ryo Inoue

University Research

This study presents a comprehensive quantitative investigation into the material properties and damage behavior of unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced plastic laminates with ply discontinuities. Laminates with varying resin gap lengths were evaluated. In situ edge observations and X-ray computed tomography were employed to assess the damage processes in the area of the ply discontinuity. These methods examined initially occurring cracks, secondary cracks, and delamination. Some unexpected cracking behavior was observed in this study. For instance, initial cracks were observed to form not at the interface but at a distance from the resin–ply interface, likely due to a constraint condition caused …

Enhancing Mucus Flow And Clearance By Grafting Zwitterionic Hydrogel Films To Luminal Surfaces, Ryan Horne, Caleb Escudero, Morgan Ellerman, C. Allan Guymon, Marlan Hansen

Faculty Publications

Objective

To determine the effects of zwitterionic hydrogel films on mucus contact angles, flow, and stasis with respect to medical polymer surfaces, both flat and tubular.

Methods

A zwitterionic hydrogel thin film was photografted onto medical rubber surfaces and compared against non-zwitterionic hydrogel thin films and untreated surfaces to determine its impact on mucus contact angles, mucus flow on sheets and tubes, and mucus plugging.

Results

Zwitterionic and conventional hydrogel films significantly reduce the mucus contact angles and the tilt required to initiate mucus flow on sheets and in tubular systems. Preliminary experiments show that these films may also shorten …

Mg And Fe Co-Doped Perovskites For The Electrochemical Oxidative Coupling Of Methane In Solid Oxide Electrolyzers, Luke H. Denoyer

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

More efficient usage of shale gas reserves and natural gas resources will allow for higher olefin yields and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) is a direct pathway for converting methane to ethylene at temperatures >700 °C. The OCM process is typically regulated via the choice of catalyst, reactor conditions, temperature range and gas mixing. The electrochemical oxidative coupling of methane (E-OCM) is a modification to the OCM reaction by controlling the oxygen content via externally applied potentials to an SOEC. Perovskite oxide catalysts are useful for E-OCM due to their flexible bond networks and desired …

Uncertainty Propagation And Sensitivity Analysis For Constrained Optimization Of Nuclear Waste Vitrification, Lagrande Gunnell, Xiaonan Lu, John D. Vienna, Dong-Sang Kim, Brian J. Riley, John Hedengren

Faculty Publications

The vitrification of high-level waste (HLW) by heating a mixture of glass-forming chemicals (GFCs) with the waste can be improved using a constrained optimization problem. This study explores how different uncertainty propagation (UP) methods implemented with the optimization process can affect the glass formulation of nuclear waste glasses. UP is the effort of propagating uncertain inputs through a system to understand and quantify output distributions. Uncertainty intervals are crafted from output distributions to inform the optimization algorithm. UP is often implemented with Monte Carlo (MC) sampling for large nonlinear systems, which can be difficult to implement within a constrained optimization …

Understanding Ionic Transport In Perovskite Lithium-Ion Conductor Li3/8Sr7/16Ta3/4Hf1/4O3: A Neutron Diffraction And Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study †, Danyi Sun, Nan Wu, Yeting Wen, Shichen Sun, Yufang He, Ke Huang, Cheng Li, Bin Ouyang, Ralph E. White, Kevin Huang

Faculty Publications

Solid-state Li-ion electrolytes (SSEs) are essential for the development of next-generation solid-state Li-metal batteries and new Li-extraction electrochemical cells. Among these, the perovskite-type SSE Li3/8Sr7/16Ta3/4Hf1/4O3 (LSTH) has garnered attention for Li-extraction applications, owing to its outstanding chemical and thermal stability and high ionic conductivity. However, its precise crystal structure and Li-ion transport mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. This study addresses these gaps by employing neutron diffraction to resolve LSTH's crystallography and machine learning force field (MLFF) based MD simulations to elucidate ionic transport mechanisms. A single-phase LSTH, synthesized via the sol–gel method, exhibits a room-temperature bulk conductivity of 0.418 mS cm−1 …

Experimental Study For Improving Oil Recovery Using Organic Alkaline And Nano-Silica For An Egyptian Oil Field, Attia Attia, Mohamed Sadek Hamedi Al, Mayar Abdelrahman Hassan Eng.

Petroleum Engineering and Gas

The oil and gas industry continually seeks innovative methods to enhance hydrocarbon recovery due to the declining productivity of conventional techniques. Current recovery methods, such as water flooding and chemical flooding, often face limitations like high interfacial tension, unfavorable wettability, and reduced mobility of oil, especially under harsh reservoir conditions of high salinity. To address these challenges, this study explores the implementation of nanotechnology in enhanced oil recovery (EOR), focusing on the distinct and unique properties of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles, particularly SiO2, were chosen for their ability to significantly decrease interfacial tension, alter wettability, and improve oil mobility. SiO2 nanoparticles exhibit …

Solid-State Crystallization Of Zeolites And Their Use In Plastic Upcycling Applications, Yixin Liao

Doctoral Dissertations

Plastics have been an irreplaceable component of modern technology as well as everyday life. They have brought much convenience to us with their characteristics of great malleability, durability, and stability. The versatile and low-cost nature of plastics also enables their wide engagement in many modern industries including automobile, medical, communication as well as aerospace. Polyethylene (“PE”), made from polymerization of ethylene, is one of the most widely used plastics in the world. Being cheap, flexible, and long-lasting, they are extensively used in the packaging industry, especially for plastic bags and other sorts of containers. However, the durability of plastics, on …

In-Situ Microstructural Evolution And Deformation Mechanisms Of Metastable Beta Titanium Fabricated By Laser Powder Bed Fusion Under Flexural Stress, H. Y. Ma, J. C. Wang, Y. J. Liu, Y. H. Li, Y. S. Zhang, X. C. Liu, L. C. Zhang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Compared to other loading conditions, studies on deformation mechanisms of additive manufacturing (AM)-produced β-type Ti alloys under bending remain limited. This study investigates a metastable β-type Ti–25Nb–3Zr–3Mo–2Sn (TLM, wt.%) alloy fabricated via laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) during in-situ three-point bending. In-situ observations using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and ex-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging during bending provided evaluation of microstructural changes and deformation mechanisms. These mechanisms are characterized by dislocation slip, {332}<113>β deformation twin, α" phase, and ω phase formation during plastic bending stage. The {112}<111> slip system dominates in the compression …

Artificial Intelligence And Internet Of Things Integration In Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: A Smart Synergy, Reshma Kodumuru, Soumavo Sarkar, Varun Parepally, Jignesh Chandarana

Michigan Tech Publications

Background: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with the internet of things (IoTs) represents a significant advancement in pharmaceutical manufacturing and effectively bridges the gap between digital and physical worlds. With AI algorithms integrated into IoTs sensors, there is an improvement in the production process and quality control for better overall efficiency. This integration facilitates enabling machine learning and deep learning for real-time analysis, predictive maintenance, and automation—continuously monitoring key manufacturing parameters. Objective: This paper reviews the current applications and potential impacts of integrating AI and the IoTs in concert with key enabling technologies like cloud computing and data analytics, …

Environmental Life Cycle Assessment Of Class A Biosolids Production Using Conventional And Low-Cost, Low-Tech Processes At Small Water Resource Recovery Facilities, Janna Brown, Robert Handler, Jennifer G. Becker, Eric Seagren

Michigan Tech Publications

Producing Class A biosolids that can be distributed or land-applied without restriction is a beneficial way to reuse wastewater treatment solids. For small water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) in particular, low-cost, low-tech (LCLT) processes may be an appealing alternative to conventional technologies for producing Class A biosolids, such as processes to further reduce pathogens (PFRPs). Conventional Class A biosolids treatment processes tend to be energy-intensive and involve complex equipment and operations. However, a systematic comparison of the overall sustainability of conventional processes and LCLT alternatives for producing Class A biosolids to aid decision makers in selecting treatment processes is not …

Characterization, Performance, And Toxicological Assessment Of Polysulfone-Sulfonated Polyether Ether Ketone Membranes For Water Separation Applications, Muhammad Usman Yousaf, Lucca Madeo Cortarelli, Nerissa I. Jebet, Jason M. Unrine, Nirupam Aich, Olga V. Tsyusko, Isabel C. Escobar

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

The removal of small molecular weight charged compounds from aqueous solutions using membrane remains a challenge. In this study, polysulfone (PSf)- and sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK)-based membranes were fabricated via non- solvent induced phase separation process (NIPS) using N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP) as solvent and water as non-solvent. Membranes were characterized structurally and morphologically, followed by toxicity assessment conducted before and after filtration, both with and without annealing at various pH values to evaluate potential leaching of trapped solvent from the membrane pores. Additionally, membrane performance was characterized using binary mixtures of cationic and anionic dyes. The results demonstrated selective filtration …

Computational Study Of The Separation Of Aromatic/Aliphatic Mixtures Using Ionic Liquids, Brian Seth Christa, Brooks D. Rabideau

Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Posters

Aromatic hydrocarbons are a valuable product in many industrial processes. Separating aromatic compounds from solutions of mixed hydrocarbons is notoriously expensive and inefficient, particularly in solutions with less than 20 wt% aromatics. Ionic liquids (ILs) are salts that remain liquid at room temperature and exhibit extremely promising properties such as negligible vapor pressure and high thermal stability. The tunable nature of ILs, arising from the interchangeability of ions, is a promising attribute for the use of ILs in difficult separation processes. This study involves the separation and adsorption between aromatic and aliphatic compounds with various ILs to study the selectivity …

Thermal Stability Analysis Of Aqueous Ionic Amines For Sustainable Co2 Capture, Li Hua Zang, Keegan Everitt, Kevin West, Brooks D. Rabideau, Breanna Dobyns, James Davis

Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Posters

In closed air cabin atmospheres such as those of spacecraft, CO₂ accumulation jeopardizes crew respiratory function and may gradually affect sensitive equipment, making effective air revitalization critical. Traditional CO₂ capture methods like monoethanolamine (MEA) efficiently capture CO₂ but suffer from high volatility, leading to solvent loss and unpleasant odor, as well as corrosion and degradation, requiring frequent replacement. These flaws demand eco-friendly, durable alternatives. This study addresses these limitations by exploring a series of aqueous ionic amines (AIAs), salts similar to MEA in CO₂ capture efficiency but with improved thermal stability—crucial for preventing degradation under high regeneration temperatures and prolonged …

Effect Of Pre-Adsorbed Species On High-Pressure Adsorption Of Methane In Zeolite 5a Using Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (Gcmc) Simulations, Kanhamardi Lao, Brooks D. Rabideau

Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Posters

Natural gas upgrading, which removes impurities from methane (CH4), is essential for industrial applications, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) production and power generation, as well as for residential use. Removing non-hydrocarbon impurities such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N2), and water vapor (H2O), among others, along with separating heavier hydrocarbon gases from raw natural gas, is required to achieve high- purity methane and prevent pipeline corrosion. Zeolite 5A is a microporous aluminosilicate material with a pore size of approximately 5 Å, containing sodium and calcium cations that balance the framework’s negative charge. Its structure offers high thermal stability and a …

Thermophysical Properties Of Aqueous Amine Salts For Closed Air Cabin Revitalization, Mahmud R. Yusuf, Isabela Flores, Ben Hines, Li Hua Zhang, Seth Christa, Brooks D. Rabideau, Kevin West, Breanna Dobyns, James Davis

Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Posters

Carbon dioxide (CO2) capture plays a crucial role in closed cabin air revitalization, however current CO2 capture technologies pose several issues. Traditional amine solutions, such as monoethanolamine, are commonly used in CO2 capture on the International Space Station but face drawbacks including high volatility, thermal degradation, and unpleasant odor. To overcome these challenges, amine salt solutions have emerged as promising alternatives. Amine salt solutions have reduced environmental impact, lower corrosion potential, and improved CO2 loading capacity, making them a more efficient and sustainable replacement. Knowing these physical properties are critical for modeling and optimizing a scrubbing process that employs these …

Development Of Ex-Situ Accelerated Chemical Stress Test Protocol For Common Anionic Exchange Membrane Chemistries, Michael D. Friend, Michael D. Friend

Master's Theses

The development of sustainably produced hydrogen fuel (“green hydrogen”) is key for the transition to clean energy sources. Green hydrogen is produced via water electrolysis. As with many clean energy sources, one of the major barriers for scaling water electrolysis is cost. A newer category of water electrolysis is Anionic Exchange Membrane (AEM) water electrolysis. AEM electrolysis systems have the potential to cost less as they do not require the expensive precious metal catalysts the current high preforming Proton Exchange Membrane water electrolysis technologies do. However, AEM lifetimes must be long enough to be cost competitive and AEM chemical durability …

Methodology Of Automated Control Of Situations In Structurally Complex Systems With Recycled Flows, Khusan Zokirovich Igamberdiev Academician, Madina Mirxalilovma Fozilova

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

This article discusses the methodology of automated management of situations in structurally complex systems with recycled flows. The need to develop a correct model for effectively controlling such systems based on scientific principles of analysis and decision-making is substantiated. Particular attention is paid to modeling, optimizing, and using digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to improve the accuracy and efficiency of management decisions. The principles of decomposition, multi-criteria optimization, and linguistic models of fuzzy correspondence are described, which can be used in conditions of uncertainty and complexity of industrial facilities.

Joint Estimation Of The State And Parameters Of Dynamic Control Objects Based On The Maine Estimator, Yulduz Abdurakhmanova

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

The issues of constructing an adaptive joint estimation of the state and parameters of dynamic control objects using the Maine estimator are considered. There are various variants of the extended filter, and a variant based on iterations between parameter and state estimates was used in the work. In this version of the extended Kalman filter, the problem of joint parameter and state estimation is solved in such a way that parameter estimation is performed before state estimation. Then, the parameter values are used to assess the state. In this case, further iterations between the state vector estimation and the parameter …

Determination Of Chemical And X-Ray Phase Analysis Of Carbon-Containing Material, Sh.T. Juraev, B.F. Muxiddinov, U.T. Tailakov

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

This paper presents a chemical and X-ray diffraction study of the solid fraction obtained from the thermal-oxidative pyrolysis of waste tires. The study covers the analysis of the composition of rubber products before and after pyrolysis at a temperature of 750-850 °C. A chemical analysis of the gaseous, liquid and solid phases of pyrolysis products was also carried out. The ignition temperatures of gaseous products, their percentage content, as well as the optimal boiling temperatures of the resulting condensates were determined. X-ray analysis showed that the solid carbon residue consists of calcite (7.50%), amorphous carbon (87.24%), ankerite (Ca(Mg, Fe)[CO_{3 …}

Dеvеlоpmеnt Аnd Simulаtiоn Оf Аutоmаtiс Tеmpеrаturе Соntrоl Sуstеms Fоr Sоlаr Drуеrs, Sarvar Rejabov, Botir Shukurillayevich Usmonov, Komil Usmanov

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

Thе utilizаtiоn оf sоlаr еnеrgу in thе drуing оf аgriсulturаl prоduсts is соnsidеrеd signifiсаnt duе tо its еnеrgу еffiсiеnсу аnd еnvirоnmеntаl friеndlinеss. Hоwеvеr, trаditiоnаl drуing mеthоds fасе сhаllеngеs in mаintаining stаblе tеmpеrаturе аnd humiditу lеvеls, whiсh саn lеаd tо rеduсеd prоduсt quаlitу аnd dесrеаsеd prосеss еffiсiеnсу. Tо аddrеss thеsе issuеs, thе implеmеntаtiоn оf аutоmаtiс соntrоl sуstеms is еssеntiаl. In dеvеlоping аn аutоmаtiс tеmpеrаturе соntrоl sуstеm fоr sоlаr drуеrs, thе hеаt аnd mаss trаnsfеr prосеssеs wеrе prесisеlу mоdеlеd. Thе primаrу pаrаmеtеrs оf thе drуing prосеss, suсh аs prоduсt tеmpеrаturе аnd mоisturе соntеnt dуnаmiсs, wеrе еxprеssеd thrоugh mаthеmаtiсаl еquаtiоns. PID аnd Fuzzу …

Modeling Of Analog-To-Digital Converter In Signal Processing, Ravshan Aliev, A.U. Djalilov

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

This article is devoted to the study of the modeling process of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) that process signals, one of the main parts of control system elements and devices. As we know, ADCs are an important part of modern control systems. During the research, the main stages of analog signal conversion were analyzed, i.e. discretization, quantization, coding. A classification of analog-to-digital conversion methods was made and the advantages and disadvantages of each were identified. Also, the characteristics and parameters of ADC were studied, their impact on ADCs performance was evaluated, and it was determined that certain characteristics should be taken …

Principles And Models Of Construction Of Linear Motion Actuators With Holonomic Structure For Intelligent Robot Movement, Matyokubov Nurbek Rustamovich, Temurbek Omonboevich Rakhimov, Yusupov Bekmurod Bayotovich

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

This article is devoted to the principles and models of building linear motion actuators with holonomic structure for the movement of intelligent robots. Also, the classification of the elements of the linear movement performance according to their interconnections and technical characteristics, taking into account their physical characteristics, was seen. A morphological matrix of the construction of holonomic structured linear motion performance elements based on the classification according to the considered technical specifications is presented. The given morphological matrix of linear motion actuators serves to develop new actuators for intelligent mechatronic and robotic systems. Based on the morphological matrix of the …

Application Of An Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System To Control The Wastewater Treatment Process, Jaloliddin Abdurazzakovich Eshbobaev, Bakhodir Tajiddinovich Khamidov, Marcos Torices Fallanza

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

This study explores the application of an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) for controlling wastewater treatment processes using ion-exchange resins. It addresses the critical challenges of water scarcity and pollution by enhancing the regulation of water hardness (H) and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). Using a pilot laboratory device and experimental data from the mixed wastewater of the Kungrad Soda Plant in Uzbekistan, an ANFIS model was developed in MATLAB to automate process control. The model leverages water hardness and TDS as input parameters to regulate the water flow rate by servo valve opening degree, ensuring precise and efficient treatment. Compared …

Processing Parameter-Performance Nexus In 3d Printing Of Nanostructured Chiral Photonics, Kyle George, Nader Taheri-Qazvini, Peter D. Olmsted, Monirosadat Sadati

Faculty Publications

Precisely crafted hierarchical architectures found in naturally derived biomaterials underpin the exceptional performance and functionality showcased by the host organism. In particular, layered helical assemblies composed of cellulose, chitin, or collagen serve as the foundation for some of the most mechanically robust and visually striking natural materials. By utilizing structured materials in additive manufacturing techniques such as extrusion-based 3D printing, the intrinsic deformation process can be used to implement bottom-up design of printed constructs, offering the potential to create intricate macroscale geometries with embedded nanoscale functionality. In this study, comprehensive rheological and rheo-optical characterization of structurally colored, photocurable liquid crystalline …

Self-Thickening Materials Derived From Phenylpropanoid Ene Reactions, Atanu Biswas, Huai N. Cheng, Bret Chisholm, Ryan Beni, Zengshe Liu, Karl Vermillion, Michael Appell, Kelton Forson, Omar El Seoud, Carlucio R. Alves, Roselayne F. Furtado

Chemistry Faculty Research

In this work, we report the observation of uncatalyzed ene reactions between several phenylpropanoid compounds and diethyl azodicarboxylate (DEAD). For allylbenzene, the reaction produces the ene product at molar ratios of up to 1:2 of allylbenzene to DEAD. At higher levels of DEAD, more complex reactions are observed. For the reaction between methyl eugenol and DEAD, similar ene reaction products have been found. However, the reaction of eugenol with DEAD is more complex; in addition to the ene reaction, other reactions happen at the same time. Most of the structures of the resulting products have been elucidated using NMR spectroscopy …

Determining The Limitations Of Class F Fly Ash Compared To Class G Cement In Hydrocarbon Wells Application, Youssef Helmy

Theses and Dissertations

Cement is a material commonly used in multiple applications in different industries. Among the industries that uses cement is the oil and gas industry. API (American Petroleum Institute) Class G cement that is the most incorporated form of cement used in the cementation of oil and gas wells to provide several forms of protection and stabilization for the casings. However, Class G cement is contested in terms of efficiency, costs, and environmental awareness against Class F fly ash geopolymers by researchers. This research aims to explore the potential limitations that fly ash geopolymer might have for its use in the …

Probing Ion-Blocking Electrode Rigs For Ionic Conductivity In Hybrid Solid Polymer Electrolytes, Kyra Glassey, Gabriela Roman-Martinez, Liliana Delatte, Thomas Burns, Monirosadat Sadati, Paul T. Coman, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

Solid electrolytes are critical for structural batteries, combining energy storage with structural strength for applications like electric vehicles and aerospace. However, achieving high ionic conductivity remains challenging, compounded by a lack of standardized testing methodologies. This study examines the impact of experimental setups and data interpretation methods on the measured ionic conductivities of solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs). SPEs were prepared using a polymer-induced phase separation process, resulting in a bi-continuous microstructure for improved ionic transport. Eight experimental rigs were evaluated, including two- and four-electrode setups with materials like stainless steel, copper, and aluminum. Ionic conductivity was assessed using electrochemical impedance …

Super-Resolution Imaging Reveals Resistance To Mass Transfer In Functionalized Stationary Phases, Ricardo Monge Neria, Muhammad Zeeshan, Aman Kapoor, Tae Kyong John Kim, Nichole Hoven, Jeffrey Pigott, Burcu Gurkan, Christine Duval, Lydia Kisley

Faculty Scholarship

Chemical separations are costly in terms of energy, time, and money. Separation methods are optimized with inefficient trial-and-error approaches that lack insight into the molecular dynamics that lead to the success or failure of a separation and, hence, ways to improve the process. We perform super-resolution imaging of fluorescent analytes in five different commercial liquid chromatography materials. Unexpectedly, we observe that chemical functionalization can block more than 50% of the material’s porous interior, rendering it inaccessible to small-molecule analytes. Only in situ imaging unveils the inaccessibility when compared to the industry-accepted ex situ characterization methods. Selectively removing some of the …