Chemical Engineering Commons^™

Liposomes-Encapsulating Double-Stranded Nucleic Acid (Poly I:C) For Head And Neck Cancer Treatment, Vidit Singh, Anna Chernatynskaya, Lin Qi, Hsin Yin Chuang, Tristan Cole, Vimalin Mani Jeyalatha, Lavanya Bhargava, W. Andrew Yeudall, Laszlo Farkas, Hu Yang

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Polyriboinosinic acid-polyribocytidylic acid (Poly I:C) serves as a synthetic mimic of viral double-stranded dsRNA, capable of inducing apoptosis in numerous cancer cells. Despite its potential, therapeutic benefits, the application of Poly I:C has been hindered by concerns regarding toxicity, stability, enzymatic degradation, and undue immune stimulation, leading to autoimmune disorders. To address these challenges, encapsulation of antitumor drugs within delivery systems such as cationic liposomes is often employed to enhance their efficacy while minimizing dosages. In this study, we investigated the potential of cationic liposomes to deliver Poly I:C into the Head and Neck 12 (HN12) cell line to induce …

Novel Modified Polyethersulfone High Temperature And Low Humidity Fuel Cell Membrane: Experimental And Simulation Study, Mohammed K. Al Mesfer, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan, Mohd Danish, Mumtaj Shah

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Present Study Focuses on Synthesizing a High-Temperature Stable Membrane Working under Low Relative Humidity (RH) by Aminating the Traditional Polyethersulfone Polymer with Aniline for Fuel Cell Applications. a Condensed-Phase Optimized Molecular Potentials for Atomistic Simulation Studies Force Field-Based Molecular Dynamics Simulation Was Used to Explore the Microscopic Properties and Transport of Water and Hydronium (H3O+) Ions Across the Electrolyte at Varied Temperatures and RHs. COMSOL Calculates Oxygen and Hydrogen Concentrations after Examining the Polymer–ion Interaction with the Radial Distribution Function (RDF). the High H3O+ Diffusion Coefficient of the Aniline-Treated Membrane Shows the Benefit of the Modification. the RDF Confirmed …

Robust Triso-Fueled Pebble Identification By Digit Recognition, Roshan Kenia, Jihane Mendil, Ahmed Jasim, Muthanna Al-Dahhan, Zhaozheng Yin

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Nuclear Power Plays a Vital Role in Providing Reliable and Clean Energy to Fulfill Increasing Demands in Electricity Worldwide. It Continues to Be an Essential Source of National Power Supply as Growing Concerns About Fossil Fuel Depletion, Global Warming, and Emissions Require Utilizing Sustainable Energy Sources. One Area Contributing to the Growth of Nuclear Power is the Development of Reactors that Have Enhanced Protection and Security, Thermal Efficiency, and Design. Reactor Efficiency Can Be Studied by the Burnup that Occurs When a TRISO-Fueled Pebble is Inserted into the Nuclear Core and Subsequently Removed. the Levels of Burnup Are Measured based …

Molecular Imaging Nanoprobes And Their Applications In Atherosclerosis Diagnosis, Huari Kou, Hu Yang

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Molecular imaging has undergone significant development in recent years for its excellent ability to image and quantify biologic processes at cellular and molecular levels. Its application is of significance in cardiovascular diseases, particularly in diagnosing them at early stages. Atherosclerosis is a complex, chronic, and progressive disease that can lead to serious consequences such as heart strokes or infarctions. Attempts have been made to detect atherosclerosis with molecular imaging modalities. Not only do imaging modalities develop rapidly, but research of relevant nanomaterials as imaging probes has also been increasingly studied in recent years. This review focuses on the latest developments …

Injectable Dendrimer Hydrogel Delivers Melphalan In Both Conjugated And Free Forms For Retinoblastoma, Remy C. Cooper, Juan Wang, Hu Yang

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We report the successful synthesis of an injectable dendrimer hydrogel (DH) carrying melphalan, a clinical drug for retinoblastoma treatment, in both conjugated and free forms. Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer generation 5 (G5) is surface-modified with an acid-sensitive acetal-dibenzocyclooctyne linker and then undergoes azide-alkyne cycloaddition with melphalan-PEG-N3 conjugate to form G5-acetal-melphalan. During the DH gelation between G5-acetal-melphalan and PEG-diacrylate, free melphalan is added, resulting in a hydrogel (G5-acetal-melphalan-DH/melphalan) that carries the drug in both conjugated and free forms. Melphalan is slowly released from G5-acetal-melphalan-DH/melphalan, with the conjugated melphalan released more quickly at pH 5.3 due to acid-triggered acetal bond cleavage. The formulation's …

Thermal Management Of Adsorption-Based Biogas Upgrading Systems Via Incorporation Of Phase-Change Materials, Kyle Newport, Khaled Baamran, Ali A. Rownaghi, Fateme Rezaei

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Thermal management of adsorption columns is necessary to maintain their effectiveness while reducing the energy requirements of the overall separation process. In this work, we aimed at investigating the suitability of blending adsorbents with phase-change materials (PCMs) to adjust the thermal profile of a biogas upgrading column. A commercially available PCM (Nextek 28D) in quantities of 10, 20, and 30 wt. % was blended with zeolite 13X in two configurations, namely, traditional pellets and 3D-printed monoliths. The use of different structures allows for better analysis of thermal profiles and assessment of the effectiveness of the PCM in a packed bed …

Hydrogen Production From Microbial Electrolysis Cells Powered With Microbial Fuel Cells, Dina Aboelela

Biochemical Engineering

No abstract provided.

The Racial Disparities Of The Gamma-Secretase/Notch Pathway And Inhibition In Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Jobin Joseph

Dissertations and Theses

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) continues to be a formidable challenge in oncology, characterized by its aggressive phenotype and limited treatment options. Alarming racial disparities in TNBC outcomes persist, with underrepresented populations experiencing disproportionately higher rates of mortality and poorer prognoses. This master's thesis aims to delve into the molecular intricacies that contribute to these disparities, with a specific focus on gamma secretase activity, a key regulator of cellular processes.

The research methodology encompasses a multi-faceted approach, amalgamating clinical data analysis with extensive in vitro and in vivo experimentation. The study employs cutting-edge molecular profiling techniques and gene expression analysis …

Hydrodynamics Of Drops And Particles Driven By Marangoni And Diffusiophoretic Forces, Subramaniam Chembai Ganesh

Dissertations and Theses

This study investigates the hydrodynamics of particles and drops driven by forces generated by an asymmetrical physical and chemical surrounding environment. In the first part, a novel colloidal motor design driven by surface tension forces is proposed, utilizing an active Janus particle encapsulated in an immiscible liquid drop to form a compound drop/particle. Marangoni forces induced by asymmetric solute adsorption at the liquid-liquid interface of the drop propels the compound system. The propulsion speeds of the motor are analyzed for various relative sizes and configurations of the Janus particle and the encapsulating drop and the effects of varying the transport …

The Effect Of Nanoconfined Liquid Properties On The Water-Responsive Behavior Of Bacterial Cell Walls, Seungri Kim

Dissertations and Theses

Water-responsive (WR) materials have the ability to mechanically swell and shrink in response to changes in relative humidity (RH). These WR materials are used by many biological systems to perform essential tasks; for example, pinecones use WR materials to release their seeds in dry environments, and wheat awns open and close to propel seeds into the soil, driven by daily RH changes. The WR actuation of some biomaterials is extremely powerful, for example Bacillus subtilis cell walls display record-high actuation energy and power densities of 72 MJ m^-3 and 9.1 MW m^-3, surpassing those of all existing …

Descriptive Statistical Analysis Of Experimental Data For Wettability Alteration With Smart Water Flooding In Carbonate Reservoirs, Muhammad Ali Buriro, Mingzhen Wei, Baojun Bai, Ya Yao

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Smart water flooding is a promising eco-friendly method for enhancing oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs. The optimal salinity and ionic composition of the injected water play a critical role in the success of this method. This study advances the field by employing machine learning and data analytics to streamline the determination of these critical parameters, which are traditionally reliant on time-intensive laboratory work. The primary objectives are to utilize data analytics to examine how smart water flooding influences wettability modification, identify key parameter ranges that notably alter the contact angle, and formulate guidelines and screening criteria for successful lab design. …

Lessons Learned From Laboratory Study And Field Application Of Re-Crosslinkable Preformed Particle Gels Rppg For Conformance Control In Mature Oilfields With Conduits/Fractures/Fracture-Like Channels, Baojun Bai, Thomas P. Schuman, David Smith, Tao Song

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This Paper Surveys the Role of Re-Crosslink able Preformed Particle Gels (RPPG) in Addressing Conformance Challenges within Mature Oilfields. Despite Widespread Preformed Particle Gel (PPG) Application in 15,000+ Wells, their Limitations in Sealing Fractures and Conduits Prevalent in Mature Reservoirs Have Driven the Development of RPPG Formulations. Synthesized in Various Sizes from Micrometer to Millimeter Levels, These Environmentally Friendly RPPGs Are Tailored for Diverse Reservoir Conditions. Findings Showcase the Successful Laboratory-Scale Creation and Upscaling of RPPG Products, Offering Adaptability to Temperatures from 20 to 175°C, Customizable Sizes, Swelling Ratios (5 to 40 Times), and Re-Crosslinking Times Spanning Minutes to Days. …

Would Self-Supported Fracture Contribute To The Hydrocarbon Production In Shale Reservoir Besides Proppant-Supported Fracture, Y. Sun, G. Li, S. Zeng, J. Wu, J. Liu, M. Xu, C. Dai, Baojun Bai

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

During hydraulic fracturing in deep shale gas reservoirs, it is difficult to pump proppants long distances, and self-supported fractures are formed at the far and upper ends of the fractures. The self-supported fracture could hold the fracture space by its surface structure again fracture closure. However, it faces various aspects of impairment during shale gas reservoir development, which affect its conductivity. Among the impairment, long-term production results in a decline of bottom hole pressure, which will compact the fracture space, and self-supported fractures without proppant are more sensitive than those with proppant. In this paper, we conducted a series of …

Functionalized Microfiltration Membranes For Aerosol Capture To Chloro-Organic Degradation, Rollie George Mills

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

The environmental remediation of water and air sources is a challenging field, due to widespread contamination, pollutant variety, and efficiency of existing treatment options. Remediation of certain pollutants, such as per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFAS), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and viral aerosols, has shown promise via adsorptive, degradative, or filtration-based processes, each with their respective advantages and limitations. Membrane technology is one option that has exhibited considerable pollutant removal from environmental sources via reverse osmosis (RO) filtration, but is limited by low permeabilities and lack of pollutant detoxification. With the support of NIEHS and NSF, the functionalization …

Molecular Understanding And Design Of Deep Eutectic Solvents And Proteins Using Computer Simulations And Machine Learning, Usman Lame Abbas

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have emerged as excellent extractants. A major challenge is the lack of an efficient tool to discover DES candidates. Currently, the search relies heavily on the researchers’ intuition or a trial-and-error process, which leads to a low success rate or bypassing of promising candidates. DES performance depends on the heterogeneous hydrogen bond environment formed by multiple hydrogen bond donors and acceptors. Understanding this heterogeneous hydrogen bond environment can help develop principles for designing high performance DESs for extraction and other separation applications. This work investigates the structure and dynamics of hydrogen bonds in hydrophobic DESs …

Development Of Glutathione-Responsive Disulfide-Containing Poly(Beta-Amino Esters) With Varied Hydrophilicity And Acrylate Functionality, Anastasiia Aronova

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Smart biomaterials are becoming promising for therapeutic deliveries due to their ability to respond to changes in the environment. Redox-responsive hydrogels are a promising type of smart polymer that can swell and degrade according to cellular oxidative stress levels. Glutathione, abundant in cells, is crucial in redox-responsive biomaterials, serving as a key reactive molecule. This study explored the degradation kinetics of glutathione-responsive poly(β-amino ester) (PBAE) polymers created through a single-step Michael addition. We examined how disulfide content influences the degradation kinetics of these PBAE networks. Additionally, we investigated how the hydrophilicity and functionality of acrylate affect the degradation of disulfide-containing …

Engineering Mussel Foot Protein 5 (Mfp5) For Enhanced Adhesive Performance In Tendon And Bone Repair, Ziyue Zhu

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

This study explores the development of Mussel Foot Protein 5 (MFP5) bioadhesives to improve tendon-to-tendon and tendon-to-bone adhesive outcomes. MFP5, known for its underwater adhesive properties, was synthesized using recombinant techniques and optimized through coacervation and cross-linking. Adhesion tests demonstrated the superior performance of the optimized MFP5 adhesive on the tendon and bone samples. Improved protein concentration testing and purification methods enhanced MFP5 yield and consistency. Future research will focus on further standardization, exploring alternative purification methods, and evaluating the adhesive's performance in animal models. This study lays a foundation for developing robust MFP5-based bioadhesives, potentially revolutionizing surgical repair techniques …

In Vitro Assessment Of The Anti-Biofilm Effectiveness Of Copper And Zinc Enhanced Borate Bioactive Glass Using Processed Microscopic Images, Sarah Fakher, David J. Westenberg

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

The escalating burden of nosocomial infections presents a formidable challenge to healthcare systems worldwide, leading to increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and elevated healthcare costs. These infections are often resistant to conventional antibiotic therapies due to their association with biofilms which contribute to the persistence and resistance of pathogens. In addressing the challenge of biofilm-associated nosocomial infections, borate bioactive glasses (BBGs) have emerged as promising biomaterials. Doping these glasses with antimicrobial metals could potentially harness their antibacterial properties to prevent biofilm formation. This study undertakes a rigorous evaluation of the anti-biofilm efficacy of copper and zinc-doped BBGs by employing processed …

A Concept Of Producing Aluminum In-Situ On The Moon Through Molten Salt Electrolysis, Jacob N. Ortega, Jeffrey Smith, Fateme Rezaei, David Bayless, William Schonberg, Daniel Stutts, Daoru Han

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a concept of producing aluminum in-situ on the lunar surface, namely, the Lunar In-Situ Aluminum Production through Molten Salt Electrolysis (LISAP-MSE) method developed at Missouri University of Science and Technology. This paper aims to demonstrate the use of electro-deoxidation to reduce aluminum oxide (i.e., alumina) into aluminum and oxygen gas via electrolysis in a molten salt bath for the production of aluminum on the Moon. It is shown that with a steady supply of hydrogen chloride, this in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) method could supply several necessary materials consumed in the electro-deoxidation process except hydrogen chloride to produce …

Descriptive Statistical Analysis Of Experimental Data For Wettability Alteration With Smart Water Flooding In Carbonate Reservoirs, Muhammad Ali Buriro, Mingzhen Wei, Baojun Bai, Ya Yao

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Smart water flooding is a promising eco-friendly method for enhancing oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs. the optimal salinity and ionic composition of the injected water play a critical role in the success of this method. This study advances the field by employing machine learning and data analytics to streamline the determination of these critical parameters, which are traditionally reliant on time-intensive laboratory work. the primary objectives are to utilize data analytics to examine how smart water flooding influences wettability modification, identify key parameter ranges that notably alter the contact angle, and formulate guidelines and screening criteria for successful lab design. …

Beneficiation Of Lunar Regolith Simulants Through Electrostatic Sieving And Magnetic Separation, Peter Bachle, Jeffrey Smith, Fateme Rezaei, David Bayless, William Schonberg, Daoru Han

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In the light of future development of lunar structures, in-situ feldspar beneficiation is imperative for metal extraction. This research incorporates the tandem use of electrostatic sieving and magnetic separation for collecting a specific size range and mineral composition from lunar soil that optimizes subsequent chemical processing. While earlier works focused on silt-sized particles, this work expands that range up to medium-grained sand with a greater variety of potential lunar regolith compositions. This work shows that a 2.5 kV, 7 Hz to 30Hz frequency, single-phase square wave can lift silt and fine sand for collection. This lifting is successful directly from …

Kinetic Modeling Of Electrostatic Sieving For Lunar Regolith Beneficiation: Case Studies, Easton Ingram, Emmanuela Amen Eze, Jeffrey Smith, Fateme Rezaei, David Bayless, William Schonberg, Daoru Han

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A new kinetic particle modeling framework was developed to investigate electrostatic transport of lunar regolith particles with applications to the concept of electrostatic sieving. The new approach is based on kinetic particle dynamics and includes major modules of sampling the particle size distribution, solving electric fields, and tracking motion of charged dust grains. Case studies for a concept of electrostatic sieving were chosen to validate the new model. The simulation achieved similar yields reported in previous works, which served as validation of the model. The new model is computationally efficient and could serve as a design, analysis, and optimization tool.

Evaluation Of Novel Preformed Particle Gel System For Conformance Control In Mature Oil Reservoirs, Abdulaziz Almakimi, Ahmed Ben Ali, Ibnelwaleed A. Hussein, Baojun Bai

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

To address challenges associated with excessive water production in mature oil reservoirs, this study introduces a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-based material as a novel preformed particle gel (PPG) designed to plug excessive water pathways and redistribute the subsequent injected water toward unswept zones. Through microwave-assisted grafting copolymerization of CMC with acrylamide (AM), we successfully generated multi-sized dry particles within the range of 250–800 µm. Comprehensive analyses, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), have confirmed the chemical composition and morphology of the resulting carboxymethyl cellulose-grafted crosslinked polyacrylamide (CMC/PAMBA). Swelling kinetics and rheology tests were conducted to confirm the …

Triphlapan: Predicting Hla Molecules Binding Peptides Based On Triple Coding Matrix And Transfer Learning, Meng Wang, Chuqi Lei, Jianxin Wang, Yaohang Li, Min Li

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) recognizes foreign threats and triggers immune responses by presenting peptides to T cells. Computationally modeling the binding patterns between peptide and HLA is very important for the development of tumor vaccines. However, it is still a big challenge to accurately predict HLA molecules binding peptides. In this paper, we develop a new model TripHLApan for predicting HLA molecules binding peptides by integrating triple coding matrix, BiGRU + Attention models, and transfer learning strategy. We have found the main interaction site regions between HLA molecules and peptides, as well as the correlation between HLA encoding and binding …

Characterization Of Antibody Repertoires Developed From Naive And Recall Responses, Nicholas C. Curtis

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Adaptive immunity, comprised in part by the antibody repertoire, is the cornerstone of our ability to remain healthy amongst the plethora of pathogenic challenges we encounter daily. Despite the importance of understanding antibody repertoire development, much remains unknown about the composition and evolution of circulating antibodies in response to viral challenges. To better understand antibody repertoire development, we profiled the serum antibody repertoire using a combination of next-generation sequencing and serum antibody proteomics in the predominantly naïve response against SARS-CoV-2 spike and the recalled response to influenza hemagglutinin. The response to SARS-CoV-2 spike in four convalescent individuals was diverse (consisting …

Determination Of Spore Viability In Concrete Across Several Factors Using Most Probable Number, Samuel Boyer

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

To determine the lowest concentration of spore added to polyurethane-cement composite (PUCCO) particles that can still germinate after curing in concrete. This research project is a small addition to the larger research project being undertaken by Mirza Mohammed Rashiduzzaman for his Masters. The larger project involves the use of fungal spores added in concrete to act as a self-healing component when cracks form in the concrete structure over time. These spores are suspended in a protective oil and loaded into small, hardened sponge-like PUCCO cubes to act as growth points when water and air can reach the PUCCO in the …

Effect Of Various Irrigation Protocols And Antioxidant Application On Bonding Performance Of Two Adhesive Systems To Coronal Dentin, Nada Omar, Haidy N. Salem, Ahmed Abdou, Lamiaa M. Moharam

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Background: The aim was to evaluate the effect of different irrigation protocols and antioxidants application on the shear bond strength (SBS) of two different adhesive systems to deep coronal dentin at different temperature. Material and Methods: One hundred and twenty human premolar teeth were cut longitudinally in two halves, then the prepared specimens were allocated into four main groups according to the irrigation protocols; Distilled water (control), Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) + Ethylenediamine Tetra-acetic Acid (EDTA), and NaOCl + Editronate (HEDP), two subgroups according to irrigation solutions temperature; 4°C and 37°C, two divisions according to grape seed extract (GSE) application (with …

Continuous, Platform Purification Of Viral Products Using Aqueous Two-Phase Extraction, Natalie M. Nold

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Cell and gene therapies, a ground-breaking class of drugs that can heal genetic diseases and cure cancer, often have treatment costs over $1 million. Most cell and gene therapies are delivered using virus-based delivery vectors, which are incredibly expensive to manufacture. Liquid chromatography is the favored method of viral vector purification since it is easily scalable and can be functionalized to purify by biospecificity, charge, hydrophobicity, or size. However, chromatography-based purification processes are highly expensive and usually only recover 20-50% of the viral vectors. There is currently no platform purification strategy for viral vectors due to differences in their surface …

Optimizing Diabetes Diagnostics: Electrophoretic Separation And Detection Of Hemoglobin A1c With Boronate, Rixlie Fozilova

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Diabetes affects 537 million people worldwide, while 136 million Americans have diabetes or prediabetes; roughly 22.6% of individuals are undiagnosed. Diabetes is the inability to regulate blood sugar levels. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is glycosylated hemoglobin and indicates average blood sugar levels over the past three months.

We adapted the selective boronic acid binding to the HbA1c sugar moieties from boronate affinity chromatography and translated it into a portable microchip paper-based electrophoresis platform. We explored a range of boronate concentrations at a steady voltage and sample volume to determine the optimal HbA1c binding and subsequent electrophoretic separation. A pH above 11 …

Machine Learning And Metabolic Model Guided Crispri Reveals A Central Role For Phosphoglycerate Mutase In Chlamydia Trachomatis Persistence, Niaz Bahar Chowdhury, Nick Pokorzynski, Elizabeth A. Rucks, Scot P. Ouellette, Rey A. Carabeo, Rajib Saha

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Faculty Publications

Upon nutrient starvation, Chlamydia trachomatis serovar L2 (CTL) shifts from its normal growth to a non-replicating form, termed persistence. It is unclear if persistence is an adaptive response or lack of it. To understand that transcriptomics data were collected for nutrientsufficient and nutrient-starved CTL. Applying machine learning approaches on transcriptomics data revealed a global transcriptomic rewiring of CTL under stress conditions without having any global stress regulator. This indicated that CTL’s stress response is due to lack of an adaptive response mechanism. To investigate the impact of this on CTL metabolism, we reconstructed a genome-scale metabolic model of CTL (iCTL278) …