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Articles 1 - 30 of 5535

Full-Text Articles in Chemical Engineering

Comparative Assessment Of Agmd And Vmd Systems Configured With Flat Sheet And Hollow Fibre Membranes: An Energy And Exergy, Thermo-Economic, And Environmental Analysis, Hamed Kariman, Mehdi Khiadani Dec 2026

Comparative Assessment Of Agmd And Vmd Systems Configured With Flat Sheet And Hollow Fibre Membranes: An Energy And Exergy, Thermo-Economic, And Environmental Analysis, Hamed Kariman, Mehdi Khiadani

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Membrane Distillation (MD) systems, particularly Air Gap Membrane Distillation (AGMD) and Vacuum Membrane Distillation (VMD) in Flat Sheet (FS) and Hollow Fibre (HF) configurations, demonstrate strong potential for freshwater production, Yet, there remains a lack of comparative studies evaluating their energy, exergy, economic and environmental performance under similar conditions. This study presents a comparative analysis of four MD systems under similar operating conditions: FS-AGMD, HF-AGMD, FS-VMD and HF-VMD, and considers their respective costs and operation in Western Australia. The analysis was performed for single-stage and multi-stage configurations of up to ten modules, both with and without Heat Recovery (HR), to …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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Aluminium Based Hydrotalcite Like Compounds For Direct Lithium Extraction: A Critical Review On Crystallography And Structure Selectivity Design, Amin Sarmadi, Yasaman Boroumand, Mohammad Mahdi A. Shirazi, Magdalena Wajrak, Shayan Abrishami, Matthew Myers, Muhammad Rizwan Azhar, Amir Razmjou Dec 2026

Aluminium Based Hydrotalcite Like Compounds For Direct Lithium Extraction: A Critical Review On Crystallography And Structure Selectivity Design, Amin Sarmadi, Yasaman Boroumand, Mohammad Mahdi A. Shirazi, Magdalena Wajrak, Shayan Abrishami, Matthew Myers, Muhammad Rizwan Azhar, Amir Razmjou

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The accelerating demand for lithium is intensifying interest in direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies that minimise the environmental footprint of conventional solar evaporation ponds. Among sorbent-based DLE concepts, aluminium based hydrotalcite like compounds (Al-HTlc), particularly lithium aluminium layered double hydroxide (LiAl-LDH), are considered the most mature sorbent options, offering facile lithium (Li+) recovery and high selectivity in highly saline chloride based solutions. Both properties arise from a distinct intercalation mechanism wherein Li+ and its counter-anions (e.g. Cl− or SO42−) are co-intercalated into the crystal structure upon brine exposure. Li+ selectivity arises partly from a steric match between Li+ (ionic radius …

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Trace Pfoa Synergistically Intensifies Nanoplastic-Humic Acid Fouling In Forward Osmosis: Mitigation Using A Mxene-Tio2 Substrate And A Ta/Fe3+ Interlayer, Roham Ghanbari, Javad Farahbakhsh, Mohadeseh Najafi Arani, Ratish Permala, Stefan Iglauer, Masoumeh Zargar Dec 2026

Trace Pfoa Synergistically Intensifies Nanoplastic-Humic Acid Fouling In Forward Osmosis: Mitigation Using A Mxene-Tio2 Substrate And A Ta/Fe3+ Interlayer, Roham Ghanbari, Javad Farahbakhsh, Mohadeseh Najafi Arani, Ratish Permala, Stefan Iglauer, Masoumeh Zargar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Multicomponent fouling arising from the coexistence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), nanoplastics (NPs), and natural organic matter (NOM) remains poorly understood and limits membrane-based water treatment. Here, these interactions and their mitigation are examined through coordinated substrate-interlayer engineering in forward osmosis membranes. A hydrogen-bonded MXene-TiO2 (HMT) composite is incorporated into the polysulfone substrate to improve pore structure, hydrophilicity, and mass transfer, while a tannic acid/Fe3+ interlayer regulates interfacial polymerization and surface chemistry. Control membranes are employed to decouple the individual and combined effects of these modifications. Fouling experiments under single, binary, and ternary conditions reveal that trace PFAS cause …

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Harnessing Surface Chemistry: A Comprehensive Review On The Role Of Functional Groups In Antifouling Membrane Design, Mohadeseh Najafi, Javad Farahbakhsh, Roham Ghanbari, Masoumeh Zargar Dec 2026

Harnessing Surface Chemistry: A Comprehensive Review On The Role Of Functional Groups In Antifouling Membrane Design, Mohadeseh Najafi, Javad Farahbakhsh, Roham Ghanbari, Masoumeh Zargar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Membrane fouling remains a major barrier to reliable and cost-effective water treatment, motivating surface engineering strategies that suppress foulant attachment while preserving permeability and selectivity. This review critically examines antifouling membrane design through a functional-group-centred framework, focusing on grafted monomers and polymer architectures that regulate interfacial hydration, charge, polarity, and steric interactions. Oxygen-, nitrogen-, sulfur-, phosphorus-containing, zwitterionic, and multifunctional chemistries are comparatively evaluated across organic fouling, biofouling, colloidal deposition, and scaling. The analysis demonstrates that antifouling performance is governed not only by functional group identity but also by grafting density, chain conformation and mobility, spatial uniformity, and anchoring stability. Oxygen-rich …

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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, …

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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 …

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Integrated Multigeneration System Utilizing Industrial Gas Engine Waste Heat For Power, Oxygen, Hydrogen Generation, And Process Heat Supply: A Thermodynamic, Exergo-Economic, And Environmental Analysis, Md Musfiqur Rahman, Md Shahriar Mohtasim, Barun K. Das Oct 2026

Integrated Multigeneration System Utilizing Industrial Gas Engine Waste Heat For Power, Oxygen, Hydrogen Generation, And Process Heat Supply: A Thermodynamic, Exergo-Economic, And Environmental Analysis, Md Musfiqur Rahman, Md Shahriar Mohtasim, Barun K. Das

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Integrating waste heat recovery units into industrial energy infrastructure provides a sustainable solution by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and improving substantial plant efficiency. Recent studies have addressed this issue using Brayton, Rankine, organic Rankine, thermoelectric, and electrolysis-assisted waste heat recovery systems for power, heat, hydrogen, or other useful outputs. However, many configurations recover exhaust gas and jacket water heat separately, focus mainly on electricity, and provide limited source-to-sink matching for industrial steam, process heat, oxygen demand, cost, and environmental performance. This study proposes a source-to-sink matched multigeneration system for a 10 MW Wärtsilä 20V34SG gas engine, where each waste …

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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. …

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Ph-Responsive Mixed-Charge Ultrafiltration Membranes For Adaptive Control Of Single And Mixed Nanoplastic Fouling, Mohadeseh Najafi, Javad Farahbakhsh, Roham Ghanbari, Ebrahim Mahmoudi, Michael Johns, Masoumeh Zargar Oct 2026

Ph-Responsive Mixed-Charge Ultrafiltration Membranes For Adaptive Control Of Single And Mixed Nanoplastic Fouling, Mohadeseh Najafi, Javad Farahbakhsh, Roham Ghanbari, Ebrahim Mahmoudi, Michael Johns, Masoumeh Zargar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Nanoplastic (NP) fouling is an emerging barrier to the reliable application of ultrafiltration (UF) membranes, particularly in chemically complex waters where NP surface functionality governs deposition, cake formation, and cleaning performance. Herein, pH-responsive mixed-charge UF membranes were fabricated by plasma-induced graft copolymerisation of mono-2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl succinate (MMES) and N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl] methacrylamide (DMAPMA) onto poly(ethersulfone) (PES) to simultaneously regulate surface charge, hydration, and fouling reversibility. Unlike conventional single-charge or zwitterionic modifications, this approach enabled independent tuning of anionic and cationic moieties, generating composition-dependent and pH-switchable interfacial properties. ATR-FTIR, XPS, FESEM/EDX, AFM, WCA, streaming zeta potential, and MWCO analyses confirmed successful grafting, modified …

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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. …

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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 …

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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 …

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Performance Evaluation Of Header Pipe In Heat Pipe Evacuated Tube Solar Collector By Dimpled Condensers, Furqan Jamil, Mehdi Khiadani, Yasir M. Al-Abdeli, Abdellah Shafieian Oct 2026

Performance Evaluation Of Header Pipe In Heat Pipe Evacuated Tube Solar Collector By Dimpled Condensers, Furqan Jamil, Mehdi Khiadani, Yasir M. Al-Abdeli, Abdellah Shafieian

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Among different solar water heaters, heat pipe-based solar water heaters foster potential solutions to alleviate water scarcity. However, a lower outlet temperature at the outlet section of their header pipe reveals low system efficiency due to limited heat transfer between the flowing fluid and the heat pipe condenser walls. The main aim of this study is to investigate a model manifold header pipe having five condenser sections with a dimple pattern to replicate internal features of heat pipe condensers within an evacuated tube solar collector, and its significance is to provide a comprehensive understanding of flow and thermal behaviour in …

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Valorization Of Spent Vanadium Pentoxide Catalyst From The Sulfuric Acid Industry As An Economical Adsorbent For Crystal Violet Removal, Ibrahim Hamad Mr., Saddam Alaskary Mr., Abdel El-Mohsen Turky Prof., Nasser Mostafa Prof., Mai Hassan Roushdy Dr. Sep 2026

Valorization Of Spent Vanadium Pentoxide Catalyst From The Sulfuric Acid Industry As An Economical Adsorbent For Crystal Violet Removal, Ibrahim Hamad Mr., Saddam Alaskary Mr., Abdel El-Mohsen Turky Prof., Nasser Mostafa Prof., Mai Hassan Roushdy Dr.

Chemical Engineering

Around 150 000–200 000 tons of spent vanadium pentoxide catalyst (SVC) are generated annually by sulfuric acid plants and are landfilled for $80–150 per ton. It is demonstrated here as an unmodified, zero-cost adsorbent achieving 94.5% ± 0.3% crystal violet (CV) removal at an adsorbent dose of 6.3 g L−1 and an initial concentration of 38.5 mg L−1 , corresponding to a working capacity of 6.1 ± 0.2 mg g−1 with zero material cost and no pretreatment requirement. Physicochemical characterization by XRF, XRD, BET analysis, DLS, SEM-EDX, FTIR spectroscopy, TGA, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and zeta potential analysis …

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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 …

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Complementary Thermodynamic Mechanisms Of Boron And Carbon Segregation At Grain Boundaries In Nickel Alloys, Tyler D. Dolezal, Rodrigo Freitas, Ju Li Sep 2026

Complementary Thermodynamic Mechanisms Of Boron And Carbon Segregation At Grain Boundaries In Nickel Alloys, Tyler D. Dolezal, Rodrigo Freitas, Ju Li

Faculty Publications

Grain boundary stabilization by light interstitials is central to the performance of Ni-based superalloys, yet the thermodynamic mechanisms governing their interactions with substitutional chemistry remain poorly resolved. Here, we use hybrid Monte Carlo molecular dynamics simulations to quantify how boron and carbon modify the thermodynamic, structural, and chemical ordering of grain boundaries in Ni-Cr alloys. By analyzing interfacial state variables, site-resolved segregation spectra, local chemical ordering, and structural evolution, we show that boron and carbon stabilize grain boundaries through complementary pathways. Carbon drives saturation-controlled stabilization by recruiting Cr and conditioning boundary chemistry, while suppressing temperature-driven structural transformations of the boundary. …

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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 …

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Activation-Induced Surface Reconstruction Enables Enhanced Pseudocapacitive Charge Storage And Industrial-Current Hydrogen Evolution In Tetra-Metallic Sulfide Nanoflowers, Menna Hasan Sep 2026

Activation-Induced Surface Reconstruction Enables Enhanced Pseudocapacitive Charge Storage And Industrial-Current Hydrogen Evolution In Tetra-Metallic Sulfide Nanoflowers, Menna Hasan

Nanotechnology Research Centre

Developing efficient, durable, and earth-abundant electrocatalysts for alkaline water electrolysis is critical for sustainable hydrogen production. Transition-metal sulfides have emerged as promising hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts; however, their catalytic behavior is often governed by dynamic structural transformations occurring under operating conditions. Herein, we report the synthesis of tetra-metallic Ni-Co-Fe-Mn sulfide nanoflowers directly grown on Ni foam via a one-step hydrothermal approach. The as-prepared catalysts underwent significant electrochemical activation, leading to surface reconstruction and enhanced catalytic activity. The optimized catalyst exhibited a remarkable reduction in overpotential from 300 mV to 121 mV at 100 mA cm⁻², further decreasing to 100 …

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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% …

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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. …

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Editorial For The Special Issue “Advances And Applications Of Polymer Gels For Subsurface Energy And Storage”, Baojun Bai, Jingyang Pu Sep 2026

Editorial For The Special Issue “Advances And Applications Of Polymer Gels For Subsurface Energy And Storage”, Baojun Bai, Jingyang Pu

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Polymer gels are essential functional materials for subsurface energy operations, playing a critical role in conformance control, fluid diversion, hydraulic fracturing, and leakage mitigation. As reservoirs become increasingly complex and the demand for sustainable energy grows, continued innovation in gel technologies is crucial. This editorial introduces a Special Issue titled "Advances and Applications of Polymer Gels for Subsurface Energy and Storage," which compiles seven original research articles exploring recent developments in gel synthesis, characterization, and applications. The featured studies highlight the versatility of polymer gels, including nanoparticle-reinforced composites, foam–gel hybrids, recrosslinkable preformed particle gels, and advanced fracturing fluids. The contributions …

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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 …

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Biodesulfurization Of Crude Oil Using Locally Isolated Pseudomonas Aeruginosa From Oil-Contaminated Soil In Iraqi Kurdistan, Yousif Mohammed Sharif, Sherwan Mohammed Simo, Lokman Aziz Abdulkareem, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan Sep 2026

Biodesulfurization Of Crude Oil Using Locally Isolated Pseudomonas Aeruginosa From Oil-Contaminated Soil In Iraqi Kurdistan, Yousif Mohammed Sharif, Sherwan Mohammed Simo, Lokman Aziz Abdulkareem, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Locally sourced crude oil from Iraqi Kurdistan contains recalcitrant organosulfur compounds that impair air quality, corrode refinery equipment, and hinder compliance with fuel sulfur regulations. This study isolated a Pseudomonas sp. closely related to the Pseudomonas aeruginosa from oil-contaminated soil near Kashy Refinery (Duhok Province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq) and evaluated its biodesulfurization potential as an environmentally friendly alternative to hydrodesulfurization. Batch experiments were conducted at 34 °C and atmospheric pressure using mineral salts medium supplemented with 1%, 3%, and 5% (v/v) Tawki crude oil. The highest sulfur removal efficiency of 83.33% was obtained at 1% (v/v) crude oil after 10 …

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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 …

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Fabrication Of Photoresist Su-8 Pyrolyzed Carbon Electrodes And Their Integration In A Microfluidic Hematocrit Detection System, Hwi Yong Lee, Jessika A. Rogers, Chito Kendrick, Sanaz Habibi, Adrienne Minerick Aug 2026

Fabrication Of Photoresist Su-8 Pyrolyzed Carbon Electrodes And Their Integration In A Microfluidic Hematocrit Detection System, Hwi Yong Lee, Jessika A. Rogers, Chito Kendrick, Sanaz Habibi, Adrienne Minerick

Michigan Tech Publications

Carbon microelectrodes are attractive for microfluidic biosensing due to their wide potential window, low overpotentials, chemical stability, and compatibility with low-cost microfabrication. Pyrolysis of photopatterned SU-8 offers a scalable route to carbon electrode fabrication; however, conventional two-step pyrolysis often leads to adhesion issues, geometric distortion, and limited surface area in low-aspect-ratio planar designs. These constraints restrict performance and broader adoption in analytical microdevices. Hematocrit determination, a clinically essential diagnostic measurement, requires electrodes with high reproducibility and robust electrochemical response. A simplified fabrication strategy that improves electrode surface area and performance while maintaining low-aspect-ratio planar geometries remains unresolved. We developed a …

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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 …

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Quantification Of Uncertainty Propagation For Transient Heat Transfer In A Hollow Sphere, Rama Subba Reddy Gorla, Lochlan Joyce, Elie John Barbari Aug 2026

Quantification Of Uncertainty Propagation For Transient Heat Transfer In A Hollow Sphere, Rama Subba Reddy Gorla, Lochlan Joyce, Elie John Barbari

Faculty Publications

Uncertainty propagation and transient heat transfer for a hollow sphere are analyzed. The stochastic Biot number, stochastic linear non-dimensional initial conditions, and various boundary conditions are introduced to define uncertainty propagation influencing the temperature distribution throughout the hollow sphere. The resulting uncertainty amplitude was observed to have transient evolution in time. The uncertainty can either increase or decrease depending on the stochastic parameters. Results are presented for the variation in temperature due to uncertainties in the initial conditions and particular boundary conditions.

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