Chemical Engineering Commons^™

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.

An Ai And Iot Framework For Dynamic Optimization And Sustainability In Smart Cities, Zeinab E. Ahmed, Rashid A. Saeed, Salah Hagahmoodi, Mamoon M. Saeed, Khalid Hamid, Sally D. Abugasim, Eyman F. A. Elsmany

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

Smart cities are emerging as a critical solution for creating more efficient, sustainable, and comfortable urban environments. This transformation is primarily driven by the synergistic integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The IoT provides a pervasive network of connected sensors that collect real-time urban data, while AI serves as the analytical engine that processes this information to optimize city-wide systems. This paper presents a comprehensive framework that leverages this AI-IoT convergence for dynamic optimization to achieve long-term urban sustainability. The framework focuses on enabling intelligent, data-driven decision-making across core urban domains. The discussion and analysis …

From Kernel To Carbon Footprint: Using Life Cycle Analysis To Teach Sustainability In Chemical Engineering, Neal Z. Kinney

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Many chemical engineering departments in the United States are currently lacking developed sustainability coursework, leaving many students without a developed understanding of topics such as life cycle analysis (LCA). [1] Therefore, there is a need for engaging and flexible educational tools that can be easily incorporated into course frameworks. This study develops an interactive learning module, expanding upon the work from Pollution Prevention Through Popcorn, a study developed by Rowan University. [2] The module combines experimental analysis of popcorn popping methods with life cycle assessment using OpenLCA to evaluate the environmental impacts of common types of popcorn packaging. Results of …

Comparative Performance Of Polymeric Membrane-Catalytic Combined Module Systems For Efficient Co2 Capture, Yamna Saif Alshamsi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Effective carbon dioxide (CO2) capture is crucial for mitigating climate change. Membrane-based gas absorption systems, particularly those utilizing monoethanolamine (MEA), offer a modular, scalable, and energy-efficient alternative to conventional methods. However, challenges such as membrane wetting, solvent degradation, and mass-transfer limitations hinder their performance.This research investigated the efficiency of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polyethersulfone (PES) polymeric membrane contactors for CO2 absorption using MEA under simulated flue gas conditions. A novel approach involved incorporating nanocatalytic material into the absorbent solution to enhance CO2 absorption. Characterization included SEM, FTIR, XRD, permeability, tensile strength, and contact angle measurements, alongside CO2 absorption performance evaluation. …

Understanding The Binding Of Nickel(Ii) Bromide To A Zirconium Metal-Organic Cage For Heterogeneous Catalysis, Luci Green

Caroliniana Undergraduate Research Journal

Heterogeneous catalysts offer inherent advantages in improving the sustainability of industrial chemical processes. Their high ease of separation and recyclability has the potential to reduce the cost, waste, and energy consumption of processes that currently rely on homogeneous catalysts. Metal–organic cages (MOCs) are an attractive material for heterogeneous catalysis due to their discrete and highly tunable structures, which can be functionalized by binding these complexes with catalytically active metals. The specific objective of this study is to provide preliminary insight into the binding of nickel(II) bromide (NiBr₂) to zirconium MOCs, which was done by studying the binding of …

Mechanical, Thermal And Fire Behaviour Of Hemp-Based Composites With Different Binders For Sustainable Building Applications, Anilcan Aygun, Fahri Birinci, Selim Aytac, Ali Kemal Ayan, Hasan Alp Sahin, Ibrahim Isildak

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

This study investigates the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of hemp-based composites produced with traditional binders such as lime, cement, gypsum, clay, and water-based glue. Hemp fractions of different sizes (splinter, shiv, fiber and powder) were combined with these binders to manufacture cube and plate specimens, which were tested for physical, mechanical, thermal, and temperature resistance properties. The study aims to compare the mechanical, physical, thermal, and fire behaviour of these composites to assess their suitability for sustainable construction applications. The hemp-based composites were tested for unit weight, water absorption, compressive strength and thermal conductivity. Most specimens are lightweight (<1000 kg/m3), and exhibit good thermal insulation performance and high compressive deformability, making them suitable for seismic-prone regions. The glue-based composite had the lowest unit weight, measured as 330 kg/m3. Thermal conductivity ranged from 0.051 to 0.243 W/m· K, with several mixtures performing better than natural pumice. While cement-based composites showed the highest compressive strength, ranging from 5.5 to 24.8 kg/cm2, natural hydraulic lime is the lowest. Water absorption was high, and moisture release occurred slowly across all hemp fractions. Combustion tests indicated that hemp-based materials have moderate temperature resistance, with charring temperatures ranging from 238–265°C for raw hemp and 300–385°C when mixed with binders. Overall, hemp-based composites are lightweight, eco-friendly, and suitable for non-load-bearing construction and insulation applications. However, improvements in moisture resistance and long-term durability are necessary to enhance their practical applicability.

Impact Of Glass Powder As A Sustainable Material On The Workability, Strength, And Durability Properties In High-Performance Basalt Fiber Reinforced Concrete: A Statistical Analysis, Ahmed Fathi Mohamed Salih

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The global construction sector is increasingly challenged to balance environmental sustainability with the growing demand for durable, high-performance materials. As cement production continues to be a major source of anthropogenic CO2 emissions, the incorporation of alternative, low-impact binders has become a key strategy for reducing the environmental footprint of concrete. In this context, glass powder (GP)—a finely ground industrial by-product rich in amorphous silica—has emerged as a promising partial replacement for Portland cement. Its pozzolanic reactivity contributes to improved hydration and matrix densification, while its use also supports circular economy principles by diverting waste glass from landfills. At the same …

Investigation On Selective Catalytic Reduction For Retrofit Of Commercial Aviation Aircraft Engines, Connor M. Wall

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

As the aviation industry continues to grow, the ever-increase of emissions from the sector becomes a growing concern. While the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) set a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, there are other emissions like contrails and NOx that must still be addressed. Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) has been used in the transportation and power generation industry for over two decades and has been an effective solution for NOx reduction. Even with the success SCR has had in other industries, its capabilities in the aviation industry have been trivially investigated. Aircraft engines pose an unique challenge …

Piezoelectric Concrete: A Smart Material Approach For Energy-Harvesting Structural Technologies, Dianah Mazlan, Vynotdni Rathinasamy, Naveen Kumar, Liu Chunpeng, Elango Elango

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The rapid growth of urban infrastructure demands innovative materials that not only support structural performance but also contribute to sustainability through energy harvesting. Piezoelectric concrete, which integrates ceramics, polymers, nanomaterials, and bio-based fillers into cementitious matrices, has emerged as a promising solution. This review systematically explores the fundamentals of piezoelectricity in concrete, highlighting how stress-induced electromechanical coupling enables both energy harvesting and structural health monitoring. The paper critically evaluates major material systems including PZT ceramics, PVDF polymers, hybrid nanocomposites, and emerging bio-based materials, alongside their integration strategies such as embedded and surface-mounted approaches. Applications across pavements, bridges, and smart buildings …

Comparative Analysis Of Life Cycle Assessment Of Traditional And Contemporary Timber Buildings, Sadık Akşar, Gökçe Tuna

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Wood has long been used as a primary building material, but with the Industrial Revolution and the spread of multi-story structures, its structural limitations became evident. In the 21st century, engineered timber products have reintroduced wood as a sustainable alternative, offering advantages such as lightness, rapid assembly, and recyclability. At the same time, buildings are responsible for significant environmental impacts, making assessment methods essential. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is one of the most widely used tools for evaluating these impacts across all stages of a building’s life cycle. This study applies LCA to timber construction systems, focusing on both traditional …

Comparative Study On The Performance Of Ggbs, Uggbs, And Rha-Incorporated Cement Mortar Mixes, Devansh Goel, Sudarshan D. Kore

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The environmental footprint of cement production has accelerated the pursuit of sustainable alternatives in the construction industry. Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), particularly those derived from industrial and agricultural waste, offer a promising approach to reducing cement consumption while maintaining performance. This study evaluates the fresh and mechanical behavior of binary, ternary, and quaternary cementitious mortar blends incorporating ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), ultrafine GGBS (UGGBS), and rice husk ash (RHA) as partial replacements for cement. A total of 32 mortar mixes were designed with water-to-binder (w/b) ratios ranging from 0.3 to 0.5 and varied replacement levels of RHA (0-20%), GGBS …

Advancement Of Biocarbon Materials In Sustainable Thermal And Electrochemical Energy Storage With Future Outlooks, Md Shahriar Mohtasim, Barun K. Das

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Biocarbon exhibits significant potential in thermal and electrochemical energy storage owing to its higher surface area, flexible porosity, and superior thermal stability, facilitating effective energy absorption, storage, and conversion. Additionally, its sustainable and cost-effective nature, derived from renewable biomass, aligns with the growing demand for eco-friendly solutions. There is not enough review work that offers comprehensive details on the unique properties of biocarbon (both animal and plant-derived), synthesis and characterization methods, the root level mechanism of biocarbon's interaction with phase change materials (PCMs) matrix, the generalization of thermal and electrochemical regulation with an emphasis on the benefits to the environment …

The Augmentation Of A Solar Panel Lab For The Chemical Engineering Curriculum To Introduce Sustainability Principles, Lane A. Wilkins

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Photovoltaic solar cells are utilized in solar panels to convert sunlight into usable electricity. Since the energy derived from solar panels produces far less greenhouse gas than typical fuels such as coal and natural gas do, it is considered a clean source of energy and is vital to sustainability efforts. Sustainability is often defined by three pillars: environmental, social, and economical. Solar energy incorporates each of these pillars into its process, allowing it to be an effective tool to teach sustainability to students. A previously written lab that employs solar panels focused on the efficiency of converting light into electricity. …

Scalable Mxene-Based Textile Supercapacitors, Abaigeal Aydt

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The demand for flexible and wearable energy storage devices for portable applications has led to the exploration of textile-based supercapacitors (TSCs). TSCs will allow for the creation of a new class of energy harvesting and storing technology directly into our clothing and will require using non-toxic and/or biocompatible materials. This will result in a greener and more sustainable path to address the challenges at the nexus of energy, mobility, and sustainability. To fabricate a TSC, a yarn made of fibers, such as wool or cotton, is coated with MXene flakes; MXenes are composed of transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides …

Machine Learning Modeling For Hydrolysis Recycling Of Pet Waste, Jie Li, Lanjia Pan, Hossein Abedsoltan, Hailong Wang, Taiyang Liu, Xiangzhou Yuan, Yong Sik Ok, Yin Wang

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The hydrolysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into terephthalic acid (TPA) can efficiently recycle waste PET, but achieving high conversion efficiency through smart reaction design remains challenging. To develop a robust and accurate machine learning (ML) model for the in-depth understanding and intelligent design of PET hydrolysis, we compiled a new dataset comprising 942 data points and comprehensive information of 44 variables involved in heating type, acid/base catalyst (ABC), organic solvent (OS), co-solvent (CS), phase transfer catalyst (PTC), and operational conditions. The developed Neural Network model demonstrated the best performance in predicting PET conversion, with a testing determination coefficient (R^{2 …}

Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites For Sustainable Additive Manufacturing., Athira Nair Surendran

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Carbon fiber is widely known for its exceptional strength, making it a sought-after material in composite manufacturing, especially with thermosets and thermoplastics. Its major applications span aerospace, wind turbines, sports equipment, automotive interior and exterior parts, robotics and medical equipment. Recently, carbon fiber filament manufacturing has gained attention due to the availability of desktop 3D printers and the versatility and customizability that comes with the realm of 3D printing. Commercial carbon fiber production, primarily from polyacrylonitrile (PAN), is energy-intensive and derived from crude oil, contributing to significant environmental impacts and poor recyclability. Alternatively, lignocellulosic natural fibers present a possible sustainable …

Pet And Polyolefin Plastics Supply Chains In Michigan: Present And Future Systems Analysis Of Environmental And Socio-Economic Impacts, Utkarsh S. Chaudhari, Kamand Sedaghatnia, Barbara K. Reck, Kate Maguire, Anne T. Johnson, David Watkins, Robert M. Handler, Tasmin Hossain, Damon S. Hartley, Vicki S. Thompson, Alejandra Peralta, Jenny L. Apriesnig, David Shonnard

Michigan Tech Publications

Many actions are underway at global, national, and local levels to increase plastics circularity. However, studies evaluating the environmental and socio-economic impacts of such a transition are lacking at regional levels in the United States. In this work, the existing polyethylene terephthalate and polyolefin plastics supply chains in Michigan were compared to a potential future (‘NextCycle’) scenario that looks at increasing Michigan’s overall recycling rate to 45%. Material flow analysis data was combined with environmental and socio-economic metrics to evaluate the sustainability of these supply chains for the modeled scenarios. Overall, the NextCycle scenario for these supply chains achieved a …

Future Of Process Safety: Insights, Approaches, And Potential Developments, Hossein Abedsoltan, Amirhesam Abedsoltan, Zeinab Zoghi

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This review explores the evolving landscape of process safety, emphasizing the integration of digitalization and advanced technologies. It assesses the role of the industrial Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and machine learning (ML) in enhancing safety protocols. The paper examines predictive analytics, sensor technology advancements, and digital twins' contributions to safety optimization. It also discusses the future perspectives of risk management approaches, including proactive safety management systems, quantitative risk assessment techniques, and human reliability analysis. This comprehensive analysis provides insights into future developments and challenges in process safety.

Applications Of Plastics In The Automotive Industry: Current Trends And Future Perspectives, Hossein Abedsoltan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Plastics have transformed the automotive industry, contributing substantially to automobile design, weight reduction, fuel efficiency, safety, and sustainability. This review paper examines the applications of plastics in the automotive sector, evaluates the present trends, and describes the future plastic consumption possibilities, emphasizing emerging technology and sustainable practices. The paper delineates how plastics have become an essential component of automotive innovation and illustrates the possibilities for additional breakthroughs in this dynamic industry. Highlights: Advances in plastics, bioplastics, and smart materials in the auto industry. Plastic role in design, safety, and sustainability in the auto industry. Recycling and the circular economy of …

Biodiesel Transesterification Of Spent Coffee Grounds Using Dbu As A Catalyst: Using Dbu To Make Biodiesel From Coffee Grounds, Christopher Stepherson, Pericles Karras, Amy Ha, Phuc Tan Nguyen, Abigail Pati, Jacob Hejazi, Soheil Hussain, Elizabeth De Young, Shuaicheng Fu

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

Coffee is one of the most universally consumed beverages. The world produces 60 million tons of spent coffee grounds (SCGs) as waste per year. Biodiesel made from SCGs is an eco-friendly alternative fuel but proves difficult to produce. 1,8-Diazabicyclo[ 5.4.0]undec-7- ene (DBU) was used as both a solvent and a catalyst with methanol to determine the efficiency of biodiesel production from SCGs. The process was completed by extracting coffee oil from acid-washed spent coffee grounds (AWSCGs) using hexane. The two extraction methods that were explored were Soxhlet and agitation. DBU is an interesting choice as a solvent and a catalyst …

Sustainable Materials For Environment − Multifunctional Material Made From Dead Leaves And Nanostructured Materials For Antibiotic Degradation, Siyuan Fang

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

As environmental pollution from industrial processes and human activities continues to rise, finding efficient approaches to recycle waste materials and degrade persistent contaminants becomes increasingly critical. Dead leaves, an abundant but underutilized biomass, present an opportunity for creating value-added materials if their biocomponents can be preserved and transformed. Simultaneously, antibiotics such as tetracycline are widely found in water bodies but pose serious ecological and health risks, necessitating effective degradation methods. This dissertation addresses these challenges by leveraging natural and nanostructured materials to develop multifunctional products and advanced photocatalytic processes.

Chapter 3 of this dissertation addresses the challenge of converting waste …

Exploring Natural Raw Materials For The Development Of Hot Melt Adhesives For Linings Of Paintings, Erica Factor

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Natural raw materials will be explored for developing hot melt adhesives for the lining of paintings. The leading raw material is a natural resin called "Damar". This resin is obtained from the tree family Dipterocaupocea in India and Southeast Asia. This material has shown promising results from initial testing. Damar, with the potential for other natural raw materials, will be combined with synthetic ingredients to create sustainable formulations. The formulations will be tested on linen to replicate the application onto paintings. The sustainability, tackiness, texture, and overall performance of each formula will be considered. Once a formulation has been selected, …

Investigating The Potential Of Blended Feedstocks For Biofuel Production Via Pyrolysis Process: Experimental And Aspen Simulation Approach, Hasan Jawad Hammood Al-Abedi

Doctoral Dissertations

"The development of renewable energy sources has become increasingly urgent considering the climate crisis and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Pyrolysis, which is decomposition of an organic feedstock without oxygen, is a thermo-chemical process that has garnered significant attention as a promising technology for sustainable energy production, capable of converting biomass and waste materials into biofuels.

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis behaviors of corn stover (CS), refuse-derived fuel (RDF), and oil shale (OS) in equal mass ratios. Utilizing a thermogravimetric analyzer and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the co-pyrolysis process is …

Covid-19 And The Chemical Industry: Impacts, Challenges, And Opportunities, Hossein Abedsoltan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The COVID-19 pandemic imposed unparalleled challenges for the chemical industry, leading to disruptions in supply chains and demand dynamics. This period of crisis tested the adaptability and resilience of global chemical companies. Despite the challenges, the chemical industry exhibited remarkable innovation, collaboration, and adaptability. It demonstrated its capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to societal needs. Key lessons emerged, emphasizing the importance of diversifying supply chains, implementing scenario planning, and embracing digitalization for enhanced preparedness. As the world progresses toward recovery, the chemical industry is poised to leverage the valuable lessons learned. Industry 4.0 adoption, agile decision-making, and collaborative efforts …

A Focused Review On Recycling And Hydrolysis Techniques Of Polyethylene Terephthalate, Hossein Abedsoltan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is used in textile and packaging industries. The main source of PET production is fossil fuels with limited capacity. Also, PET products are single use that transform into high volumes of wastes, causing ecosystem problems. Recycling is proposed to confront this challenge. The four major PET recycling techniques are mechanical, chemical, pyrolysis, and enzymatic. Mechanical, pyrolysis, and enzymatic techniques have constrained capabilities to manage PET waste. Chemical recycling is the potential path to expanding recycling PET waste with possibility of upcycling and addressing dirty waste streams. Several chemical methods are introduced and discussed in literature. The five …

Improving Lignin Recovery From Paper Mill And Biorefinery Waste Streams Via Liquid-Phase Splitting, Carter Fitzgerald

All Dissertations

Lignin is an abundant biopolymer with significant promise due to its aromaticity. It has been targeted as a replacement for a number of petroleum-based products including adhesives, coatings, polyurethane foams, activated carbon, and carbon fibers. However, commercially available bulk lignins are too polydisperse, and contain too many residual metals from the pulping process that are detrimental to the properties of the final product.

The Sequential Liquid-lignin Recovery and Purification (SLRP) process was developed by Michael Lake and John Blackburn, in collaboration with Clemson, with the intention of creating a continuous method for recovering lignin from paper-mill black liquors. Thies and …

Prediction Of Terephthalic Acid Yield In Aqueous Hydrolysis Of Polyethylene Terephthalate, Hossein Abedsoltan, Zeinab Zoghi, Amir H. Mohammadi

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Aqueous hydrolysis is used to chemically recycle polyethylene terephthalate (PET) due to production of high-quality terephthalic acid (TPA), the PET monomer. PET hydrolysis depends on various factors including PET size, catalyst concentration, and reaction temperature. So, modeling PET hydrolysis by considering the effective factors can provide useful information for material researchers to specify how to design and run these reactions. It will save time, energy, and materials by optimizing the hydrolysis conditions. Machine learning algorithms enable to design models to predict the output results. For the first time, 381 experimental data were gathered to model aqueous hydrolysis of PET. Effective …

Estimating Aquifer System Storage Loss With Water Levels, Pumping And Insar Data In The Parowan Valley, Utah, Ryan G. Smith, Jiawei Li, Katherine R. Grote, Jim Butler

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In the Parowan Valley of Utah, Groundwater Levels Have Declined by as Much as 30 M over the Past 50 Years with Accompanying Subsidence Rates of Up to 5 Cm/year. Traditional Methods to Estimate Groundwater Storage Change Use a Combination of Groundwater Level and Storativity Estimates, But There is Often Considerable Uncertainty in These. in This Study, We Demonstrate a New Method that Relies on a Combination of Geodetic Data from InSAR, as Well as Groundwater Level and Pumping Data, to Estimate Both the Total Groundwater Storage Loss and the Percentages of Storage Loss in Fine- and Coarse-Grained Layers within …

Enhancing Sustainable Process Designs Through Strategic Material Utilization And Waste Minimization Approaches, John David Chea

Theses and Dissertations

Sustainability is a growing concern as resources are continually depleted for various applications without adequate renewal plans. The resulting impacts on the ecosystem, health, and resource circularity are often overlooked. This research analyzes improvement opportunities at each major stage in a product's life cycle. Raw material acquisition, product synthesis, process waste management, and the fate of a material in the end-of-life phases were examined. The viability of utilizing renewable resources has been demonstrated in this work by extracting bio-based chemicals from underutilized renewable resources at a commercial scale and transforming the extracted resources into polymeric materials. The optimization of raw …

Beeswax Wraps As An Alternative To Single-Use Plastics, Sarah Skiver

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The project goal was to compare the food storage efficacy of sustainable beeswax wraps verses the single-use plastic methods of resealable plastic sandwich bags and plastic cling wrap. The goal was also to test the reusability of the beeswax wraps, as it is a key advantage of beeswax wraps that is advertised. The project purpose was to explore sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to single use plastics, which are harmful to the environment in both their production and their disposal. Food spoilage was compared in beeswax wrap, plastic sandwich bags, and plastic cling wrap, and spoilage was also observed in a …