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Full-Text Articles in Chemical Engineering

Natural Gas Hydrate Production And Co2 Storage Via Clathrate Hydrates: Challenges And Opportunities, Abdirahman Hassan Mohamed, Aliyu Adebayo Sulaimon, Haylay Tsegab, Bhajan Lal, Stefan Iglauer, Muhammad Ali Dec 2026

Natural Gas Hydrate Production And Co2 Storage Via Clathrate Hydrates: Challenges And Opportunities, Abdirahman Hassan Mohamed, Aliyu Adebayo Sulaimon, Haylay Tsegab, Bhajan Lal, Stefan Iglauer, Muhammad Ali

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

One of the most demanding environmental and economic challenges of this era is that of supplying the increasing global energy demand while reducing and neutralizing the CO2 footprint. In this regard, the provision of a secure and diversified energy supply and the sequestration of CO2 into geological formations are currently of great significance. However, the buoyant nature of CO2 under the temperature and pressure conditions of typical geological sites leads to the risk of CO2 leakage, and thus necessitates long-term monitoring. Therefore, the hydrate-based sequestration of CO2 beneath oceanic sediments has become a desirable alternative to conventional geologic sequestration in …


Robust Hybrid Tree-Based Machine Learning-Assisted Optimization Of Well Parameters To Reduce Asphaltene Precipitation Risk In Oil Fields, Malek Jalilian, Madani, Alireza Keshavarz, Stefan Iglauer, Abbas Khaksar Manshad, Amir H. Mohammadi Dec 2026

Robust Hybrid Tree-Based Machine Learning-Assisted Optimization Of Well Parameters To Reduce Asphaltene Precipitation Risk In Oil Fields, Malek Jalilian, Madani, Alireza Keshavarz, Stefan Iglauer, Abbas Khaksar Manshad, Amir H. Mohammadi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Asphaltene precipitation is a persistent flow-assurance issue in carbonate oil wells, leading to increased intervention frequency and production losses. This study utilizes multi-decade surveillance and operational data from a mature carbonate field (1983–2023) to train and optimize five tree-based models: Decision Tree, Random Forest, Extra Trees, Gradient-Boosting Decision Tree, and CatBoost, employing a Tree-Structured Parzen Estimator. These models, constrained by operational parameters, were integrated to identify optimal settings that can minimize the frequency of asphaltene precipitation and the subsequent cleanups. The novelty of this research lies in the direct integration of interpretable tree ensembles with an optimizer that adheres to …


Characterization Of Droplet Size And Their Distribution Using Low Operating Conditions In A Rotary Bell Cup Spray-Field Via Shadowgraph, Murad Ali Channa, Mehdi Khiadani, Yasir M. Al-Abdeli Dec 2026

Characterization Of Droplet Size And Their Distribution Using Low Operating Conditions In A Rotary Bell Cup Spray-Field Via Shadowgraph, Murad Ali Channa, Mehdi Khiadani, Yasir M. Al-Abdeli

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study characterises droplet size and distribution across axial (x/D) and radial (r/D) locations in the spray field of a rotary bell-cup atomizer under low operating conditions. Shadowgraph was used to measure droplet size and distribution at 16 dimensionless locations in both directions. Two low rotational-speed ranges, 3–3.5 krpm (case I) and 8–8.5 krpm (case II), were achieved using shaping-air of 30–100 L/min under turning-air of 50 and 60 L/min, respectively, at a constant flow rate of 0.5 L/min. The Sauter mean droplet diameter ranged from ∼ 45–98 µm in case I and narrowed to ∼ 45–85 µm in case …


Lithium Titanate-Functionalized Mixed Matrix Polymer Membrane For High-Performance Osmotic Energy Conversion, Rockson Kwesi Tonnah, Yasaman Boroumand, Milad Razbin, Mostafa Vahdani, Amir Razmjou, Mohsen Asadnia Nov 2026

Lithium Titanate-Functionalized Mixed Matrix Polymer Membrane For High-Performance Osmotic Energy Conversion, Rockson Kwesi Tonnah, Yasaman Boroumand, Milad Razbin, Mostafa Vahdani, Amir Razmjou, Mohsen Asadnia

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Reverse electrodialysis (RED) offers a promising route to harvest osmotic energy from salinity gradients, yet practical implementation is hindered by the lack of scalable, high-performance ion-selective membranes that combine efficient ion transport with mechanical robustness and environmental sustainability. Here, we report a mixed matrix membrane composed of polyethersulfone (PES), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and lithium titanium oxide (Li₂TiO₃, LTO) that addresses these challenges through biomimetic ion transport channels. The strategic integration of LTO nanoparticles introduces ion-exchange sites and oxygen-rich PES ether linkages to create preferential cation transport pathways that mimic biological ion channels. This mixed matrix design delivers over three-fold cation conduction, …


Green Lithium Extraction From Alkaline Brines Using A Dibenzoylmethane Octanol System, Maryam Gonbadi, Shayan Abrishami, Ozra Gholipour, Ana Vafadar, Amir Razmjou Oct 2026

Green Lithium Extraction From Alkaline Brines Using A Dibenzoylmethane Octanol System, Maryam Gonbadi, Shayan Abrishami, Ozra Gholipour, Ana Vafadar, Amir Razmjou

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The escalating global demand for lithium necessitates the development of efficient, selective, and environmentally sustainable extraction technologies from brine resources. This study presents a novel solvent extraction system employing dibenzoylmethane (DBM) as a lithium-selective β-diketone chelating extractant and 1-octanol as a biodegradable diluent for lithium recovery from alkaline salt lake brines. The effects of critical process parameters, including aqueous phase pH, extractant concentration, and total dissolved solids (TDS), on lithium extraction efficiency and selectivity were systematically investigated. Under optimized conditions (pH 12, 0.3 M DBM in 1-octanol), the system achieved a single-stage lithium extraction efficiency of 80.8% with exceptional separation …


A Review Of Natural Hydrogen Generation From Iron-Rich Rocks: Mechanisms, Influencing Factors, Techniques, And Knowledge Gaps, Kaveh Moghanirahimi, Lionel Esteban, Marina Pervukhina, Muhammad Arif, Stefan Iglauer, Alireza Keshavarz Oct 2026

A Review Of Natural Hydrogen Generation From Iron-Rich Rocks: Mechanisms, Influencing Factors, Techniques, And Knowledge Gaps, Kaveh Moghanirahimi, Lionel Esteban, Marina Pervukhina, Muhammad Arif, Stefan Iglauer, Alireza Keshavarz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Natural hydrogen has emerged as a promising clean energy resource with significant potential for large-scale subsurface production. Among the various geological sources, water–rock interactions involving iron-bearing rocks are among the most extensively studied pathways for natural hydrogen generation. This study provides a comprehensive review of hydrogen production from iron-rich lithologies, including mafic and ultramafic rocks, iron oxides, iron carbonates, and peralkaline granites. The fundamental mechanism involves the reduction of water coupled with the oxidation of ferrous iron to ferric iron under anoxic conditions. Key processes, including serpentinization, magnetite alteration, and siderite decomposition, are critically evaluated using experimental and modelling data. …


Numerically Evaluating The Effect Of Pin Geometries On Interlayer Material Mixing And Thermo-Mechanical Characteristics During Additive Friction Stir Deposition (Afsd), Numan Habib, Ana Vafadar, Ferdinando Guzzomi Oct 2026

Numerically Evaluating The Effect Of Pin Geometries On Interlayer Material Mixing And Thermo-Mechanical Characteristics During Additive Friction Stir Deposition (Afsd), Numan Habib, Ana Vafadar, Ferdinando Guzzomi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD) is an additive manufacturing technique used to fabricate large-sized components layer-by-layer in a solid state, below the melting temperature. Poor interlayer mixing between subsequent layers results in a lack of mechanical interlocking, leading to low-strength components. The role of pin design plays a crucial role in fabricating high-strength components, requiring a comprehensive understanding of thermo-mechanical behaviour and flow pattern in the deposition zone. In this study, five different pin geometries are presented and investigated using a three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. A user-defined function (UDF) was used to calculate strain- and temperature-dependent viscosity. …


Rheology Modifiers For Water-Based Slurry Pipeline Transportation: Overview, Efficiency, And Intensification, Ahmed Alalou, Mohammed El Asri, Ahmed Boulahna, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan Oct 2026

Rheology Modifiers For Water-Based Slurry Pipeline Transportation: Overview, Efficiency, And Intensification, Ahmed Alalou, Mohammed El Asri, Ahmed Boulahna, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Owing to their cost-efficiency and eco-friendliness, water-based slurry pipelines are the state-of-the-art technology for the transportation of several types of solids such as coal, fly ash, petcoke, iron ore, phosphate rock and other minerals. This review comprehensively examines the effect of numerous commercial dispersants and novel chemical additives that are used as rheology modifiers to enhance the slurryability and fluidity of solid-water slurries at high solids loading. Several key performance parameters such as the rheological characteristics (shear stress, apparent viscosity, yields stress, and flow behavior), the potential stability, surface tension and contact angle that highlight the efficiency of the rheology …


Graphene Oxide–Driven In Situ Bismuth Reduction Enables Highly Efficient Electroreduction Of Co2 To Formic Acid, Hao Feng, Bohong Zhang, Jie Huang, Xinhua Liang Oct 2026

Graphene Oxide–Driven In Situ Bismuth Reduction Enables Highly Efficient Electroreduction Of Co2 To Formic Acid, Hao Feng, Bohong Zhang, Jie Huang, Xinhua Liang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

To enable large scale efficient electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to formic acid (HCOOH), it is important to develop catalysts that can be operated in a wide potential window with good stability. Herein, we successfully synthesized Bi2O3 catalyst supported on graphene oxide (GO) and graphene (G) and found that Bi2O3/GO catalyst had a better overall performance than Bi2O3/G. The Bi2O3/GO catalyst demonstrated an outstanding CO2RR performance with a greater than 90% faradaic efficiency (FE) across a wide applied potential window …


Experimental Investigation Of Internal Flow Structures And Permeate Flux Behaviour In Direct Contact Membrane Distillation, Ali Kandi, Mehdi Khiadani, Yujie Yuan, Abdellah Shafieian Sep 2026

Experimental Investigation Of Internal Flow Structures And Permeate Flux Behaviour In Direct Contact Membrane Distillation, Ali Kandi, Mehdi Khiadani, Yujie Yuan, Abdellah Shafieian

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Understanding internal hydrodynamics of Direct Contact Membrane Distillation (DCMD) is crucial for desalination performance and mitigating temperature polarization. Despite its importance, quantitative experimental characterization of hydrodynamics governing boundary-layer development and transport enhancement within DCMD channels remains limited. This study presents the first spatially resolved Particle Image Velocimetry PIV measurement of velocity fields inside a smooth, actively operating flat-sheet DCMD channel, linking observed hydrodynamic structures to permeate flux. Two-dimensional velocity fields were captured at different streamwise positions for feed flow rates ranging from 0.7 to 4 L·min−1, enabling analysis of flow evolution and turbulence characteristics relevant to mass transfer. The results …


Waste Heat Driven Direct Contact Membrane Desalination Coupled With Reverse Brayton Cycle: Techno-Economic Analysis And Multi-Objective Optimization, Erfan Ghamati, Mehdi Khiadani, Barun K. Das Sep 2026

Waste Heat Driven Direct Contact Membrane Desalination Coupled With Reverse Brayton Cycle: Techno-Economic Analysis And Multi-Objective Optimization, Erfan Ghamati, Mehdi Khiadani, Barun K. Das

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This research examines the integration of a reverse Brayton cycle (RBC) used in a hydrogen liquefaction plant with a direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) system for waste heat recovery and freshwater production. Waste heat from RBC compressors is used to run the DCMD plant, with parametric analysis evaluating the effect of feed Reynolds number, permeate mass flow rate, module length and pinch temperature of heat exchangers on thermal and economic performance of the hybrid system. Both parallel and series multi-stage DCMD configurations are compared with higher feed and permeate flow rates enhancing the temperature polarisation coefficient and permeate flux. A …


Phosphate Removal By Spent Low Temperature Shift Catalyst Through Process Optimization And Mechanistic Study, Fatma A. Hashem Eng., Abeer M. Shoaib Prof., Walaa Omar Dr., Mai H. Roushdy Sep 2026

Phosphate Removal By Spent Low Temperature Shift Catalyst Through Process Optimization And Mechanistic Study, Fatma A. Hashem Eng., Abeer M. Shoaib Prof., Walaa Omar Dr., Mai H. Roushdy

Chemical Engineering

Natural water bodies become eutrophic due to phosphate pollution from industrial and agricultural sectors. This research addresses waste disposal and water pollution at the same time by recycling spent low-temperature shift catalyst (LTSSC) from the fertilizer industry as a sustainable phosphate adsorbent. High surface area (247±5 m2/g), mesoporous structure, and many metal oxide sites (CuO 49%, ZnO 32.2%, and Al2O₃ 13.9%) were shown by characterization using XRF, XRD, BET, SEM–EDX, FTIR, particle size analysis, and zeta potential. Under optimum conditions (contact time 1.64 h, dose 5 g/L, initial concentration 9.58 mg/L, stirring 278 rpm), Response Surface Methodology optimization achieved 92.95±2.8% …


Recent Advances In Thermal Performance Improvement Of Parabolic Trough Solar Collectors Using Magnetic Nanofluids And Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Fluid, Taha Baig, Syeda Laraib Tariq, Furqan Jamil, Qamar Abbas, Hassan Bin Shahid, Hafiz Muhammad Ali Sep 2026

Recent Advances In Thermal Performance Improvement Of Parabolic Trough Solar Collectors Using Magnetic Nanofluids And Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Fluid, Taha Baig, Syeda Laraib Tariq, Furqan Jamil, Qamar Abbas, Hassan Bin Shahid, Hafiz Muhammad Ali

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Among various available types of sustainable energy sources, the role of solar energy is vital due to its safety and low cost. Multiple rigs have been designed to use solar energy to generate steam, where the parabolic trough solar collector (PTSC) is a prominent example. Numerous numerical and experimental studies have been conducted to date to improve the thermal effectiveness of PTSCs. These studies include using hybrid nanofluids, insert types, magnetic nanofluids and supercritical carbon dioxide. The current paper provides a review of these studies, including an in-depth discussion section, an account of remaining challenges, and suggestions for future directions. …


Microbial Risk Assessment And Mitigation For Underground Hydrogen Energy Storage In Salt Caverns: A Multidisciplinary Investigation, Adnan Aftab, Silvia J. Salgar Chaparro, Muhammad Ali, Quan Xie, Ali Saeedi, Alireza Keshavarz, Mohammad Sarmadivaleh Sep 2026

Microbial Risk Assessment And Mitigation For Underground Hydrogen Energy Storage In Salt Caverns: A Multidisciplinary Investigation, Adnan Aftab, Silvia J. Salgar Chaparro, Muhammad Ali, Quan Xie, Ali Saeedi, Alireza Keshavarz, Mohammad Sarmadivaleh

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in salt caverns is a promising solution for large-scale renewable energy storage, but its long-term stability may be compromised by hydrogenotrophic microorganisms such as sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB). This study integrates global salt basin analysis, numerical modelling, and laboratory experiments to assess microbial risks associated with the hydrogen storage. We evaluated salt deposits across six continents, reviewed microbial communities in seawater sources commonly used for the leaching, and simulated SRB behaviour under varying hydrogen concentrations. Experiments using both commercial SRB strains and indigenous consortia from Western Australia revealed minimal microbial activity under hypersaline, low-carbon conditions. These findings …


Probe Cytotoxic And Oxidative Stress Effects Of Nanoplastics On Caco-2 Cells: Insights From Raman Spectroscopy And Machine Learning, Bryan Gustafson, Negar Kosari, Emily Brothersen, Morgan Mosher, Anhong Zhou Aug 2026

Probe Cytotoxic And Oxidative Stress Effects Of Nanoplastics On Caco-2 Cells: Insights From Raman Spectroscopy And Machine Learning, Bryan Gustafson, Negar Kosari, Emily Brothersen, Morgan Mosher, Anhong Zhou

Biological Engineering Student Research

Nanoplastics and microplastics have become an increasing ecological and health concern due to their widespread presence in the environment and food chain. In this study, Caco-2 cells were used as an in vitro model of the human intestinal epithelium to investigate the cytotoxic effects of polystyrene nanoparticles and microparticles of varying sizes, concentrations, and surface modification. Oxidative stress and apoptosis were evaluated following particle exposure. Raman spectroscopy, combined with machine learning analysis, was employed to detect and characterize biochemical alterations in the cells. Several peak ratios were selected to cluster data depending on size. A correlation between apoptosis and both …


Synergistic Reinforcement Of Lignin–Chitosan Hydrogels Using Vanillin As A Sustainable Green Crosslinker, Moses Ayitey-Adjin Jr., Mohammad Jahid Hasan, Jeremy Erb, Kishore Chand, Garry S. Crosson, Kenya Crosson, Esteban Ureña-Benavides, Erick Salvador Vasquez-Guardado Aug 2026

Synergistic Reinforcement Of Lignin–Chitosan Hydrogels Using Vanillin As A Sustainable Green Crosslinker, Moses Ayitey-Adjin Jr., Mohammad Jahid Hasan, Jeremy Erb, Kishore Chand, Garry S. Crosson, Kenya Crosson, Esteban Ureña-Benavides, Erick Salvador Vasquez-Guardado

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

While bio-based hydrogels derived from lignin and chitosan are promising sustainable adsorbents, their practical application is hindered by poor mechanical stability. This study addresses this limitation by synthesizing lignin-chitosan hydrogels using vanillin as a green, bio-derived crosslinker via a facile solution-casting method. The formation of imine (Schiff base) linkages between the aldehyde groups of vanillin and the primary amines of chitosan was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy (C = N stretching at ~ 1602 cm− 1). SEM and TGA results demonstrated a reduction in the pore size of the crosslinked hydrogel and an enhanced residual thermal mass. Rheological and …


Percolation-Induced Thermo-Rheological Transitions In Biobased Graphene Nanoplatelet Nanofluids, Abiodun A. Saka, Tobechukwu K. Abor, Anthony C. Okafor, Monday U. Okoronkwo Aug 2026

Percolation-Induced Thermo-Rheological Transitions In Biobased Graphene Nanoplatelet Nanofluids, Abiodun A. Saka, Tobechukwu K. Abor, Anthony C. Okafor, Monday U. Okoronkwo

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Biobased lubricants with thermally responsive rheology are increasingly needed for high-efficiency mechanical systems. Graphene nanoplatelet (GnP) nanofluids in vegetable oils are promising candidates, yet their percolation-driven thermo-rheological transitions remain insufficiently understood. In particular, the coupled concentration–temperature landscape controlling network-mediated flow transitions has not previously been established. Here, surfactant-free GnP nanofluids were prepared in high-oleic soybean oil (HOSO) at concentrations of 0.025–2.15% v/v (ϕ), and their rheological response was mapped between 25°C and 80 °C under steady-shear and oscillatory conditions. Below the percolation threshold (ɸ ≤ 0.1% v/v), the nanofluids exhibit near-Newtonian behavior, moderate reversible viscosity enhancement, and classical Arrhenius-type temperature …


Experimental Thermal-Hydraulic Performance Enhancement Of A Parabolic-Trough Solar Collector Using 3d-Printed Propeller-Shaped Turbulators, Shayan Pourhemmati, Barun Kumar Das, Majid Tolouei-Rad, Abdellah Shafieian Aug 2026

Experimental Thermal-Hydraulic Performance Enhancement Of A Parabolic-Trough Solar Collector Using 3d-Printed Propeller-Shaped Turbulators, Shayan Pourhemmati, Barun Kumar Das, Majid Tolouei-Rad, Abdellah Shafieian

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This experimental study investigates the thermal-hydraulic performance of a parabolic trough collector (PTC) equipped with propeller-shaped turbulators, which were 3D printed and installed along the absorber tube to enhance convective heat-transfer by increasing flow mixing. Nine turbulator configurations were tested by varying the blade angle (β = 22.5° and 45°, and β = 67.5°) and the number of turbulators (Nt = 6, 12, and Nt = 18) over a Reynolds number range of 1000 to 6000. To ensure a rigorous and unbiased comparison, all experiments were conducted under identical operating conditions, including a constant inlet temperature and a constant Reynolds …


Enhanced Transdermal Immunization Via Solid-In-Oil Nanodispersions Incorporating Dendritic Cell-Targeting Peptide, Md Samiul Islam, Md. Shahin Ekka Sarker, Yoshirou Kawaguchi, Rie Wakabayashi, Noriho Kamiya, Muhammad Moniruzzaman, Masahiro Goto Jul 2026

Enhanced Transdermal Immunization Via Solid-In-Oil Nanodispersions Incorporating Dendritic Cell-Targeting Peptide, Md Samiul Islam, Md. Shahin Ekka Sarker, Yoshirou Kawaguchi, Rie Wakabayashi, Noriho Kamiya, Muhammad Moniruzzaman, Masahiro Goto

Publications and Research

Transdermal immunization represents a promising needle-free alternative to conventional vaccination. However, efficient antigen delivery and robust immune activation remain major challenges. In this study, a solid-in-oil (S/O) nanodispersion system comprising a dendritic cell-targeting peptide (HR8), ovalbumin (OVA), and an adjuvant was developed for transdermal immunization. The HR8 peptide along with OVA was successfully incorporated into an S/O nanodispersion with an optimal hydrodynamic diameter of particles (< 200 nm) and exhibited stable physical properties for up to 90 days. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated enhanced antigen delivery with insignificant skin irritation in C57BL/6N mice. Moreover, in vivo transdermal immunization studies demonstrated that the addition of the HR8 peptide enhanced OVA-specific IgG responses (~1.5-fold). Notably, the HR8 peptide also promoted an approximately 2.5-fold increase in IgG2c levels, suggesting a shift toward a more T helper type 1-biased immune response, as reflected by an increased IgG2c/IgG1 ratio. Overall, these findings demonstrate that the incorporation of HR8 peptide into an S/O nanodispersion enables efficient transdermal antigen delivery and improved immunogenicity, highlighting its potential as a simple, non-invasive, and patient-friendly immunization strategy.


Instructional Slides From Molten Salt Electrochemistry Symposium (Moses) 2026, Devin Rappleye, Carlos Mejia, Alex Peroff Jul 2026

Instructional Slides From Molten Salt Electrochemistry Symposium (Moses) 2026, Devin Rappleye, Carlos Mejia, Alex Peroff

Faculty Publications

This instructional slide set was developed for the 2026 Molten Salt Electrochemistry Symposium (MoSES) as an introduction and review of fundamental electrochemical concepts and methods used in molten salt systems. The material is intended for students, researchers, and practitioners seeking to better understand and interpret electrochemical measurements in high-temperature molten salts.

Topics include electrochemical thermodynamics, kinetics, mass transfer, electrode potentials, cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry, chronoamperometry, square-wave voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and common approaches for analyzing electrochemical data. Emphasis is placed on building physical intuition, understanding underlying assumptions, recognizing common experimental artifacts, and connecting electrochemical signals to real chemical and transport …


Upar-Guided Dendrimer Gel Nanoparticles Reprogram Inflammation To Stabilize Atherosclerotic Plaques, Hsin Yin Chuang, Huari Kou, Yue-Wern Huang, Hu Yang Jul 2026

Upar-Guided Dendrimer Gel Nanoparticles Reprogram Inflammation To Stabilize Atherosclerotic Plaques, Hsin Yin Chuang, Huari Kou, Yue-Wern Huang, Hu Yang

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Atherosclerosis is characterized by lipid deposition, chronic inflammation, and apoptosis within the arterial wall, leading to plaque progression and instability. Current lipid-lowering therapies fail to fully address residual cardiovascular risk driven by local inflammation and cell death. Here, we report the development of uPA-functionalized, rapamycin-encapsulated dendrimer nanoparticles (G5PM-uPA/RA) that preferentially accumulate in urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR)-enriched atherosclerotic plaque, including macrophage- and apoptosis-rich lesion microenvironments. G5PM-uPA/RA was constructed by cross-linking reaction-enabled flash nanoprecipitation in a custom-made multi-inlet vortex mixer, followed by thiol-maleimide conjugation of uPA for uPAR-guided targeting. The nanoparticles demonstrated uniform morphology, favorable stability, and efficient rapamycin loading. In …


Purification And Concentration Of Model Viruses Using Single-Pass Tangential Flow Filtration, Luis Alberto Mejía-Manzano, Lynn M. Manchester, Grace Wallis, Kan Wang, Bruce Lee, Michael Betenbaugh, Caryn Heldt Jul 2026

Purification And Concentration Of Model Viruses Using Single-Pass Tangential Flow Filtration, Luis Alberto Mejía-Manzano, Lynn M. Manchester, Grace Wallis, Kan Wang, Bruce Lee, Michael Betenbaugh, Caryn Heldt

Michigan Tech Publications

The vaccine and viral vector industry is growing at an accelerated rate. To improve harvest and purification processes, the development of continuous membrane-based operations, such as normal flow filtration (NFF) and single pass tangential flow filtration (SPTFF) for concentration were explored. This work was conducted using two model viruses, non-enveloped porcine parvovirus (PPV) and enveloped Suid herpesvirus (SuHV). The viruses are in the same family as the gene therapy vectors adeno associated virus and herpes simplex virus, respectively. SPTFF design started with batch TFF for membrane selection. Hollow fiber membranes with a 100 and 300 kDa molecular weight cut off …


Impact Of Capillary Imbibition On Development Of Unconventional Oilfields: A Five-Year Review, Yihang Xiao, You, Yongming He, Han Xu, Lei Wang, Yujie Yuan Jul 2026

Impact Of Capillary Imbibition On Development Of Unconventional Oilfields: A Five-Year Review, Yihang Xiao, You, Yongming He, Han Xu, Lei Wang, Yujie Yuan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The imbibition process, which is characterized by the displacement of non-wetting phase by wetting phase in porous media, plays a crucial role in enhancing oil recovery of unconventional reservoirs. However, due to the complex nature of reservoir characteristics and fluid properties, existing research on this phenomenon presents contradictory conclusions and interpretations. This paper aims to fill this knowledge gap by providing a comprehensive review of the fundamental concepts, primary mechanical factors, and critical influences in oil-water imbibition. Primary mechanisms, including capillary, viscous, gravitational, hydrostatic, inertial, capillary back, dead end, and osmotic forces, are analyzed in terms of their key roles …


Dimpled Surfaces For Thermal Performance Enhancement In Solar Collectors, Furqan Jamil, Baig, Amna Adil, Aasia Farrukh Jul 2026

Dimpled Surfaces For Thermal Performance Enhancement In Solar Collectors, Furqan Jamil, Baig, Amna Adil, Aasia Farrukh

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

With escalating environmental concerns, solar energy is a feasible approach to support a sustainable environment, considering the pressing need to move away from fossil fuels. Optimizing solar collector’s efficiency improves energy capture and lowers carbon emissions. One innovative technique is to the surface of solar collectors. The heat transfer is greatly increased by adding such tiny indentations, encouraging turbulence in the incoming working fluid. The article reviews the effect of dimples on the efficiency of various collector applications, including flat plate collector, solar water heaters, solar air collectors, parabolic trough solar collectors, photovoltaic thermal systems, desalination, and many others. The …


Pfas Quantification Using Solid Phase Extraction And Low Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (Spe-Nmr), Nicholas N.A. Ling, Ghasemi, Ella Shilliday, Masoumeh Zargar, Einar Fridjonsson, Michael L. Johns Jul 2026

Pfas Quantification Using Solid Phase Extraction And Low Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (Spe-Nmr), Nicholas N.A. Ling, Ghasemi, Ella Shilliday, Masoumeh Zargar, Einar Fridjonsson, Michael L. Johns

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that are highly resistant to biodegradation. Due to their bioaccumulation, long-term persistence, and adverse human health effects, they have been classified as organic pollutants. The leaching of PFAS into water sources has resulted in their detection in global drinking water supplies. To mitigate adverse health effects and minimise environmental damage, regulations regarding maximum allowable PFAS concentrations in water have been imposed. Traditional PFAS in water quantification methods, such as liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), have intrinsic limitations that pose challenges in such PFAS analysis. …


Comparative Catalytic Pyrolysis Of Wheat Straw For Enhanced Bio-Oil Production, Nourhan H. Khashaba, Noura F. Abdelsalam, Hany A. Elazab, Mamdouh A. Gadalla, Thokozani Majozi, Fatma H. Ashour Jul 2026

Comparative Catalytic Pyrolysis Of Wheat Straw For Enhanced Bio-Oil Production, Nourhan H. Khashaba, Noura F. Abdelsalam, Hany A. Elazab, Mamdouh A. Gadalla, Thokozani Majozi, Fatma H. Ashour

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Catalytic fast pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass is a promising thermochemical route for producing renewable biofuels and value-added chemicals. Many African countries have abundant underutilized agricultural residues whose reuse can improve waste management while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This study used wheat straw as a representative residue to examine how two catalysts—zinc oxide (ZnO) and cement kiln dust (CKD)—affect bio-oil yield and quality. Bench-scale experiments were performed in a fixed-bed reactor under an inert nitrogen atmosphere at 500–600 °C. Each catalyst was tested separately at loadings from 0 to 7 g per 500 g of biomass to evaluate impacts on …


Establishing Sustainability As A Material Property In An Introduction To Materials Science And Engineering Course (Poster), Caitlin Adams Jul 2026

Establishing Sustainability As A Material Property In An Introduction To Materials Science And Engineering Course (Poster), Caitlin Adams

Faculty Publications - Chemical Engineering

No abstract provided.


Review And Development Of An Explicit Machine Learning Model For Pollutant Gas Solubility In Ionic Liquids As Green Solvents, Amir Dashti, Farid Amirkhani, Mojtaba Raji, John L. Zhou, Ali Altaee, Ali Braytee, Brett Turner, Hossein Ali Khonakdar, Amir Razmjou Jun 2026

Review And Development Of An Explicit Machine Learning Model For Pollutant Gas Solubility In Ionic Liquids As Green Solvents, Amir Dashti, Farid Amirkhani, Mojtaba Raji, John L. Zhou, Ali Altaee, Ali Braytee, Brett Turner, Hossein Ali Khonakdar, Amir Razmjou

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The increasing release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, and industrial contaminants (indirect GHGs) such as SO₂ and H₂S has prompted significant global worries due to their role in climate change, air pollution, and harm to the environment. Ionic liquids (ILs) as green solvents have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional solvents because of their minimal volatility, high thermal stability, and adjustable physicochemical characteristics. Yet, limited gas solubility data in ILs is hindering their applications in carbon capture and air pollution control. Machine learning (ML) is a powerful tool for modeling and simulating the solubility of polluting gases …


Laminarin-Loaded Solid-In-Oil Nanodispersion For Enhanced Non-Invasive Transdermal Immunization, Md. Shahin Ekka Sarker, Yoshirou Kawaguchi, Rie C. Wakabayashi, Noriho J. Kamiya, Muhammad Moniruzzaman, Masahiro Goto Jun 2026

Laminarin-Loaded Solid-In-Oil Nanodispersion For Enhanced Non-Invasive Transdermal Immunization, Md. Shahin Ekka Sarker, Yoshirou Kawaguchi, Rie C. Wakabayashi, Noriho J. Kamiya, Muhammad Moniruzzaman, Masahiro Goto

Publications and Research

Simple and non-invasive transdermal vaccination is an attractive alternative to conventional injection-based immunization. However, the effectiveness of transdermal vaccines is often constrained by the stratum corneum barrier. Although the use of solid-in-oil (S/O) nanodispersion technology has successfully facilitated skin permeation to induce an immunological response, the antibody titers remain suboptimal. Herein, a dectin-1 selective ligand, laminarin, was used as an immunostimulatory adjuvant to enhance the immune response. S/O nanodispersions loaded with laminarin and ovalbumin (OVA) were systematically developed and characterized in terms of particle size, in vitro OVA release behavior, and skin permeation performance using excised mouse skin. In vivo …


Magnetic Cellulose Nanocrystal Composites: Synthesis, Properties, Applications, And Opportunities, Mohammad Jahid Hasan, Kishore Chand, Esteban E. Ureña-Benavides, Erick S. Vasquez-Guardado Jun 2026

Magnetic Cellulose Nanocrystal Composites: Synthesis, Properties, Applications, And Opportunities, Mohammad Jahid Hasan, Kishore Chand, Esteban E. Ureña-Benavides, Erick S. Vasquez-Guardado

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

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Magnetic Cellulose Nanocrystal Composites: Synthesis, Properties, Applications, and Opportunities

by Mohammad Jahid Hasan 1,†, Kishore Chand 2,†, Esteban E. Ureña-Benavides 1 and Erick S. Vasquez-Guardado 2,3,*     1 Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA 2 Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Dayton, 300 College Park Ave., Dayton, OH 45469, USA 3 Hanley Sustainability Institute, University of Dayton, 300 College Park, Dayton, OH 45469, USA * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. † These authors contributed equally to this …