Chemical Engineering Commons^™

Biomimetic Synthesis Within Polyelectrolyte Microcapsules: Characterization Of Enzyme Catalyzed Polyphenols And Polypeptides, Rohit C. Ghan

Doctoral Dissertations

An enzyme-catalyzed synthesis of novel polymers within layer-by-layer (LbL) constructed polyelectrolyte microcapsules has been developed. This approach is based on the selective permeability of polyelectrolyte-capsule walls to monomer molecules. Conversely biocatalysts and forming polymeric chains cannot exit the micro-capsule interior because of their characteristic high molecular weight. Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) was encapsulated into four bilayer PSS (poly-styrenesulfonate)/PAH (poly-allylamine hydrochloride) capsules with an average diameter of 5 μm using pH-driven pore opening. The polymerization of 4-(2-Aminoethyl) phenol hydrochloride (tyramine) catalyzed by HRP produces easily detectable fluorescent polymeric products after the addition of hydrogen peroxide to the system. It is known that …

Statistical Mechanics Of Worm-Like Polymers From A New Generating Function, Gustavo A. Carri, Marcelo Marucho

College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering

We present a mathematical approach to the worm-like chain model of semiflexible polymers. Our method is built on a novel generating function from which all the properties of the model can be derived. Moreover, this approach satisfies the local inextensibility constraint exactly. In this paper, we focus on the lowest order contribution to the generating function and derive explicit analytical expressions for the characteristic function, polymer propagator, single chain structure factor, and mean square end-to-end distance. These analytical expressions are valid for polymers with any degree of stiffness and contour length. We find that our calculations are able to capture …

Chemical/Mechanical Analyses Of Anhydride-Cured Thermosetting Epoxys: Dgeba/Nma/Bdma, Wei Chian, Delmar C. Timm

Papers in Molecular Chemistry

The chemical state of cure in a thermosetting resin was used to predict the resin’s equilibrium modulus. High performance liquid chromatography analyses of the sol fraction yielded molar dynamics for monomeric, oligomeric, and polymeric molecules. Their population density distributions were compared with theoretical predictions based on a chain-growth polymerization mechanism. The resulting chemical estimates of the state of cure were integrated into calculations yielding concentrations of network structures within the gel that contribute to the density of elastically active strands and junctions. The theory of rubber elasticity was then used to predict the equilibrium modulus. Measurements incorporated dynamic mechanical analysis. …

Kinetic Reaction Analysis Of An Anhydride-Cured Thermoplastic Ep-Oxy:Pge/Nma/Bdma, Wei Chian, Delmar C. Timm

Papers in Molecular Chemistry

A comprehensive reaction analysis of a linear epoxy resin cured with an anhydride was performed to evaluate the reaction rate expressions. Monomers included phenyl glycidyl ether and methyl- 5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride or nadic methyl anhydride; the catalyst was N,N-dimethylbenzylamine; the initiator was n-propanol. Emphasis was initially placed on the molar dynamics of monomeric and oligomeric molecules. Molecular fractionations were achieved using reversed phase, high performance liquid chromatography. Chemical reaction rate constants were examined as a function of degree of polym-erization. For the chain-initiated polymerization, the initiation rate constant was observed to be approximately 3 times greater than the propagation constant associated …

Determining Suitability Of A Fly Ash For Silica Extraction And Zeolite Synthesis, Natàlia Moreno, Xavier Querol, Angel López-Soler, José Manuel Andres, Maria Janssen, Henk Nugteren, Mark R. Towler, Kenneth Stanton

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Zeolitic material is obtained from fly ash both by direct conversion of the ash or from SiO₂ extracts obtained from fly ash. This study focuses on determining the suitability of a fly ash for SiO₂ extraction and for zeolite synthesis by direct conversion. The SiO₂ extraction experiments from different fly ashes show that the main parameters governing the SiO₂ extraction are: (a) a high bulk SiO₂ content (> 52%, for obtaining an extraction yield of 100 g SiO₂ kg-1) in the starting fly ash, (b) a high proportion (> 55%) of the bulk SiO …

Fluidization Of Nanoparticles, Caroline Hijung Nam

Dissertations

During the past decade, nanoparticles (1-100 nm) and nanocomposites have become the focus of many studies due to the unique properties of nanostructured materials that make them attractive for various applications. Due to their atomic and molecular interactions, nanoparticles and nanocomposites have unique and often favorable catalytic, mechanical, optical, electronic and / or other properties. For instance, nanocrystalline copper is up to 5 times harder than conventional micron sized copper particles. Nanocomposites, such as a homogenous mixture of different nanoparticles, can also exhibit improved properties. Other examples include coating and reacting nanoparticles with a second nanostructured phase. These processes are …

Fluidization Of Agglomerates Of Nanoparticles Under Different Force Fields, Jose A. Quevedo

Theses

Nanoparticles are the focus of many research activities, and in the near future they will be handled in large amounts by industry. Fluidization is a very important unit operation which is applied in several industrial processes.

In the present work, fluidization experiments with agglomerates of nanoparticles were done under different force fields: (1) gravity force or conventional fluidization; (2) a magnetic force field, which uses magnetic particles under the influence of a magnetic field; and (3) a centrifugal force, generated by a rotating frame that simulates higher gravity conditions.

Among the significant results with agglomerates of nanoparticles, conventional fluidization was …

Electrochemical Reduction Of Nitrobenzene On The Wc Electrode In Acidic Solution, Chun-An Ma, You-Qun Chu, Ying-Hong Zhu, Zhi-Hua Xu

Journal of Electrochemistry

The tungsten carbide (WC) electrode was constructed by using polyterafluoroethylene as binder. The electrochemical behavior of nitrobenzene on the WC electrode in acidic solution was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, linear scan method and chronoamperometry. Experimental results showed that WC electrode had good activity for the electrochemical reduction of nitrobenzene, and the electrode process was controlled by diffusion and electrochemical stepssimultaneously. The apparent active energy of the electrode process is 23.7kJ⋅mol^-1, while the active energy of the electrochemicalstep is 10.91kJ⋅mol^-1.

Solid State Synthesis And Electrocatalysis Of Pt/Moo3 For The Oxidation Of Methanol, Qing Wang, Yi-Ming Zhou, Yang Shao, Yi-Gang Ji, Juan Xu, Ya-Wen Tang, Tian-Hong Lu, Tao Shen

Journal of Electrochemistry

The electrocatalyst, Pt/MoO₃ synthesized by solid state reaction, was used for the oxidation of methanol in direct methanol fuel cells. The X-Ray diffraction and cyclic voltammetry were employed to investigate the performance of the material. It was shown that the typical diffraction peaks for Pt appeared in XRD. And a good electrocatalysis for methanol oxidation was observed. The peak potential of the methanol oxidation appeared at ca. 0.63V(vs.SCE) and the peak current density for the oxidation was 78.1 mA⋅cm^-2.

Lithium Insertion Into Tio2(B) Nanobelts Synthesized By The "Soft Chemical" Method, Cha-Geng Nie, Zheng-Liang Gong, Lan Sun, Juan Zuo, Yue-Kun Lai, Chang-Jian Lin

Journal of Electrochemistry

TiO₂(B) Nanobelts were synthesized by using the "Soft chemical"method. The products were characterized by means of transmission electron microscope(TEM), X-ray diffraction(XRD), Raman spectrum and energy dispersive spectrum(EDS). Galvanostatic charging and discharging tests showed that lithium-ion intercalation/deintercalation occurred reversibly in the TiO₂(B) nanobelts electrode, and a high capacity (265 mAh·g^-1) can be obtained. The results suggested that TiO₂(B) Nanobelts might be a promising negative electrode material of second Lithium battery.

Preliminary Study Of Speek Membranes For Direct Methanol Fuel Cells Application, Su-Zhen Ren, Zhen-Xing Liang, Xin-Sheng Zhao, Qin Xing, Gong-Quan Sun, Xue-Feng Yang

Journal of Electrochemistry

This paper describes the methanol permeability characterization of SPEEK membranes and their feasibility for DMFC application. The SPEEK membranes showed a significant lower methanol permeation than Nafion 115 determined from voltammetric methods. An increase in open circuit voltage was found in the performance of SPEEK membranes in DMFC. The power density of the cell using SPEEK membrane was considerably poorer than that of Nafion 115. If modified properly, the SPEEK membranes can be chosen for DMFC application based on this study.

Study On An Intermediate Temperature Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell, Shao-Rong Wang, Wen-Xia Chen, Ting-Lian Wen, Jia-Di Cao, Zhi-Yi Lv, Da-Qian Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Tape cast method was applied to prepare green sheets of Ni/YSZ anode supported YSZ thin film. After isostatic pressure treatment and cosintering, the YSZ film on the Ni/YSZ anode was gas-tight dense, and 15~30 μm thick. The area of the composite film was over 100 cm². A Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_1.9 (CSO) interlayer was sintered on to the YSZ electrolyte film to protect La_0.6Sr_0.4CoO₃ (LSCO) cathode from reaction with YSZ at high temperatures. The LSCO cathode layer was screen printed onto the CSO interlayer and sintered at 1200 ℃ for 3 …

Fabrication Of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells And Analysis Of Their Structure And Performance, Nai-Tao Yang, Bo Meng, Ru-Jun Yu, Xiao-Yao Tan

Journal of Electrochemistry

An intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC) was fabricated by co-copressing-sintering methods, and the electrolyte of Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_1.9 (CGO) and cathode materials of La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3-α (LSCF) were prepared by sol-gel method. The effect of preparation methods on the microstructure of the prepared fuel cells was analyzed by SEM . It shows that the cells prepared by the co-pressing/co-sintering method possess a dense electrolyte layer and a compact interface between electrolyte and anode but a curved configuration, while those prepared by the colloidal technique have a flat configuration …

Synthesis Of (S)-3-Phenylpropane-2-Tert-Butoxycarbonylamino-1-Thiol And Its Electrochemical Behavior Self-Assembled On Gold, Ru Sun, Jian-Feng Ge, Mei Wang, Ren-Ao Gu

Journal of Electrochemistry

The synthesis of (S)-3-Phenylpropane-2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-1-thiol(N-Boc-APT) from L-phenylalanine was reported. L-Phenylalanine was reduced to the corresponding amino alcohol, protection of the amino group using tert-butyl pyrocarbonate gave (S)-2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-phenylpropane-1-ol, which was then O-mesylated and treated with potassium thioacetate in DMF to give 3-phenylpropane-2-tert- butoxycarbonylamino-1-etylmercapto. After the acetyl group was removed with ammonia in alcohol, the desired target molecular was obtained. The structure of intermediate and target molecular was conformed by IR and ¹HNMR. We made N-Boc-APT self-assemble-modificated gold electrode and investigated its electrochemical behavior. The CV results of methylene blue on nano-Au/N-Boc-APT SAM/Au electrode showed that nano-Au could speed this electron transfer …

Synthesis And Electrochemical Behavior Of Layered-Structure Limn1-XCrXO2, Jie Xiao, Hui Zhan, Yun-Hong Zhou

Journal of Electrochemistry

The Layered-structure LiMn_1-xCr_xO₂(x=0, 0.15) solid solution has been prepared by the rheological phase method. From the XRD results, undoped LiMnO₂ crystallized almost entirely in the orthorhombic phase while the structure of LiMn_0.85Cr_0.15O₂ belongs to monoclinic phase. TEM investigation shows that the final powder product consists of ultrafine spherical particles which are distributed homogeneously, with the average diameter ranging from 60 to 300nm. The initial discharge capacity of LiMn_0.85Cr_0.15O is much higher than that of undoped LiMnO₂. After 40 cycles, the capacity retention …

Wavelenght-Dispersive X-Ray Flourescence Accuration, H. Widyatmoko

Makara Journal of Technology

Wavelenght–Dispersive X-Ray Flourescence Accuration. X-Fuorescence spectrometry is a method, which is increasingly applied in the geochemical analysis. X-Fuorescence spectrometry is classified under two categories – WDXRF (wavelenght – dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer) and EDXRF (energy-dispersive X – ray fluorescence spectrometer). WDXRF can be configured as a sequential spectrometer , a simultaneous spectrometer or a hibrid instrument, which combines the advantages of the simultaneous and sequential spectrometers into one instrument. Each instrument is different in some characteristics, and each has applications for which it is specifically suited. In this investigation sequential spectrometer PW 1450 was used to analyze the major, minor …

Secondary Flow Experimental Study For Axial Compressor Cascade Strong Stagger With And Without Tip- Clearance: Static Pressure Distribution On Blade Surface, Syamsuri Syamsuri

Makara Journal of Technology

Secondary Flow Experimental Study for Axial Compressor Cascade Strong Stagger With and Without Tip- Clearance: Static Pressure Distribution on Blade Surface. The performance of blade cascade is influenced by the growth and boundary layer’s separation along blade surface and endwall (casing and hub). The secondary flow which happens near hub and casing compressors is three dimentional flow separation phenomenon comes from interaction blade boundary layer with casing and hub boundary layers in the compressor. The secondary flow causes secondary losses, blockage effect, and turning angle (deflection) distribution along blade span. The result of the research shows that the increase of …

Effect Of Photoperiodicity On Co2 Fixation By Chlorella Vulgaris Buitenzorg In Bubble Column Photobioreactor For Food Supplement Production, Anondho Wijanarko, Dianursanti Dianursanti, Arief Budi Witarto, Roekmijati Widaningroem Soemantojo

Makara Journal of Technology

To reduce the level of CO2 content in air, effort on converting CO2 to useful products is required. One of the alternatives includes CO2 fixation to produce biomass using Chlorella vulgaris Buitenzorg. Chlorella vulgaris Buitenzorg is applied for production of food supplement. Chlorella vulgaris Buitenzorg is also easy to handle due to its superior adaptation. Currently, Chlorella vulgaris Buitenzorg has been analyzed by some experts for its cellular composition, its ability to produce high quality biomass and the content of essential nutrition. A series of experiments was conducted by culturing Chlorella vulgaris Buitenzorg using Beneck medium in bubbling column photobioreactor. …

Synthesize Of Emulsion Polymer Latex For Sub-Grade Cbr Improvement In The Road Construction, Keba Moto, V. Julian, Syamsudin Syamsudin, T. A. Wiradi, S. R. Wijaya

Makara Journal of Technology

Synthesize of emulsion polymer latex for sub-grade CBR improvement in the road construction. Latex polymer for California Bearing Ratio (CBR) enhancement in sub-grade soil of road building has been prepared by emulsion polymerizations technique. The prepared polymer then characterize by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). For application purpose, CBR test was done to the compacted polymer added-soil. The CBR test is done also for both soaked and unsoaked samples. It is found that our latex polymer is better then other imported latex polymer. For the latex polymer, which is design to have Temperatur glass (Tg) around 9.8-19.6o, indicating the formation of …

Induced Defects In Carbonaceous Materials For Hydrogen Storage, Angela D. Lueking, Caroline E. Burgess Clifford, Deepa L. Narayanan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The induced defects in carbonaceous materials for hydrogen storage were studied. The effect of exfoliation was studied and the graphite nanofibers (GNF) diameter before and after exfoliation was quantified. Thermal decomposition of the GNF before and after sulfuric/nitric acid exfoliation indicated a clear loss of thermal stability. GNF exfoliation enhanced the hydrogen uptake by a factor of five compared to the untreated GNF. The amorphous carbon was reactive than GNF, and decomposed before the GNF. The higher pretreatment temperature was intended to preferentially remove amorphous carbon leaving a higher purity of exfoliated GNF.

Investigation Into The Ultrasonic Setting Of Glass Ionomer Cements : Part Ii Setting Times And Compressive Strengths, E. Twomey, Mark R. Towler, C. M. Crowley, J. Doyle, S. Hampshire

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The ultrasonic setting of glass ionomer cements (GIC) was discussed. It was observed that the ultrasonic setting resulted in improvements of compressive strength. An increase in the PAA molecular weight from PAA50 to PAA200 resulted in an increase in the strength, but with a further increase in the PAA molecular weight to PAA450, there was a reduction in the strength. Results show that the strength of the ultrasonically set materials after 1 day were close to the values for the 7 days chemically set samples.

Onset Of Tethered Chain Overcrowding, William Y. Chen, Joseph X. Zheng, Stephen Z. D. Cheng, Christopher Y. Li, Ping Huang, Huiming Xiong, Qing Ge, Ya Guo, Roderic P. Quirk, Bernard Lotz, Lingfeng Deng, Chi Wu, Edwin L. Thomas

College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering

We proposed an approach to precisely control the density of tethered chains on solid substrates using PEO-b-PS and PLLA-b-PS. As the crystallization temperature T-x increased, the PEO or PLLA lamellar crystal thickness d(L) increased as well as the reduced tethering density (σ) over tilde of the PS chains. The onset of tethered PS chains overcrowding in solution occurs at (σ) over tilde*similar to3.7-3.8 as evidenced by an abrupt change in the slope between (d(L))(-1) and T-x. This results from the extra surface free energy created by the tethered chain that starts to affect the growth barrier of the crystalline blocks.

Final Report: Engineering Design Of Stable Immobilized Enzymes For The Hydrolysis And Transesterification Of Triglycerides, Dr.Hossein Noureddini, Gustavo F. Larsen

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Funded Proposals

Enzyme Immobilization. Work will continue in the area of enzymatic transesterification reaction (biodiesel). Both methyl and ethyl esters will be used in this study. Unlike the chemical reaction where methanol has a clear advantage over ethanol, ethanol can be used as easily as methanol in the enzymatic reaction.
Sol/Gel Structure Modification. Work will concentrate on the effect of the vacuum procedure on pore size and distribution for the transesterification reaction. Additives such as glucose have been very effective in the hydrolysis reaction and will be explored further in the transesterification reaction.
Characterization. The developed material will be characterized for the …

Mathematical Simulation Of The Influence Of Volatile Ma•Rrer Cloud On Heterogeneous Ignition Of Single Coal Particles, Hassan Ratal Ambula

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Asimple model has been developed to predict the heterogeneous ignition temperature for single coal particles under conditions of negligible, natural and forced convections. These conditions cause different sizes Of volatile matter cloud that surround the coal particle. The model is based on the ignition Of a single coal particle heated by irradiation from spot heaters in a cold (ambient) surrounding. Energy from the particle surface oxidation, volatile matter combustion and physical heating from the spot heaters are all included in rhe particle energv balance. General ignüion criterion is used to determine the ignition point. The agreement between the experimental and …

Review Of The Product Development Process And Information Flow In The Manufacturing Industry: Problems And A Possible Wav Forward, E Opiyo

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Multidisciplinary Engineering Foundation Spiral, Samuel Bogan Daniels, Bouzid Aliane, Jean Nocito-Gobel, Michael Collura

Engineering and Applied Science Education Faculty Publications

To operate effectively in today’s workforce engineers need to have a muti-disciplinary perspective along with substantial disciplinary depth. This broad perspective cannot be achieved by merely taking 2 or 3 engineering courses outside of the major, but rather will require a radical change in the way we educate engineers. The faculty of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of New Haven have developed a new approach: the Multidisciplinary Engineering Foundation Spiral. This curricular model provides the needed mix of breadth and depth, along with the desired professional skills, by providing carefully crafted, well-coordinated curricular experiences in …

Project-Based Introduction To Engineering -- Course Assessment, Samuel Bogan Daniels, Michael Collura, Bouzid Aliane, Jean Nocito-Gobel

Engineering and Applied Science Education Faculty Publications

The School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of New Haven has a newly developed project-based Introduction to Engineering course. This new course plays a central role in the new Multi-Disciplinary Engineering Foundation Spiral curriculum as the first semester course for all engineering freshmen. An assessment process was developed to determine the effectiveness of this project-based course, specifically with attention towards assessing attitudes, impact on retention, problem-solving and engineering foundation topics. This paper addresses the particular portion of the assessment process for the individual course projects and their contribution to the last two assessment categories.

Project-Based Introduction To Engineering - A University Core Course, Samuel Bogan Daniels, Bouzid Aliane, Jean Nocito-Gobel, Michael Collura

Engineering and Applied Science Education Faculty Publications

This paper describes a first year engineering course that is taken by both engineering and non-engineering students. The project-based Introduction to Engineering course, EAS107P, fulfills a university core curriculum elective. Although engineering students take the course during their first year, students from other majors typically elect to take the course later in their curriculum. The focus of EAS107P is to have students experience the engineering design and problem solving process in a multi-disciplinary, team-based setting. In addition to learning about design, students develop an interest in the engineering profession and build a foundation of skills for future work. An additional …

Project Planning & Development For Engineering Freshmen, Bouzid Aliane, Michael Collura, Samuel Bogan Daniels, Jean Nocito-Gobel

Engineering and Applied Science Education Faculty Publications

The nature and background of students seeking an engineering education has changed drastically in the last decade, as has the expectations of industrial employers. Many students lack the organizational skills needed for academic success. Similar organizational skills, although more advanced, are required for managing engineering projects. A new course was developed by the faculty at the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of New Haven. Through this course, a key component of the Multidisciplinary Engineering Foundation Spiral, seeks to promote higher retention rates, increase student motivation and begin a confidence-building transition to professional practice. Project management concepts …

Optimization Of Cell Density And Dilution Rate In Pichia Pastoris Continuous Fermentations For Production Of Recombinant Proteins, Wenhui Zhang, Chih-Ping Liu, Mehmet Inan, Michael M. Meagher

Papers in Biomolecular Engineering

This paper provides an approach for optimizing the cell density (X_c) and dilution rate (D) in a chemostat for a Pichia pastoris continuous fermentation for the extracellular production of a recombinant protein, interferon τ (INF-τ). The objective was to maximize the volumetric productivity (Q, mg INF-τ I^-1 h^-1), which was accomplished using response surface methodology (RSM) to model the response of Q as a function of X_c and D within the ranges 150 ≤ X_c ≤ 450 g cells (wet weight) l^-1 and 0.1 μm ≤ D …