Chemical Engineering Commons^™

Rational Design Of Heterostructured Nanomaterials For Accelerating Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Kinetics In Alkaline Media, Hai-Bin Ma, Xiao-Yan Zhou, Jia-Yi Li, Hong-Fei Cheng, Ji-Wei Ma

Journal of Electrochemistry

Owing to the merits of high energy density, as well as clean and sustainable properties, hydrogen has been deemed to be a prominent alternative energy to traditional fossil fuels. Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) has been considered to be mostly promising for achieving green hydrogen production, and has been widely studied in acidic and alkaline solutions. In particular, HER in alkaline media has high potential to achieve large-scale hydrogen production because of the increased durability of electrode materials. However, for the currently most prominent catalyst Pt, its HER kinetics in an alkaline solution is generally 2–3 orders lower than that …

Virtual Test Beds For Image-Based Control Simulations Using Blender, Akkarakaran Francis Leonard, Govanni Gjonaj, Minhazur Rahman, Helen E. Durand

Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Faculty Research Publications

Process systems engineering research often utilizes virtual testbeds consisting of physics- based process models. As machine learning and image processing become more relevant sensing frameworks for control, it becomes important to address how process systems engineers can research the development of control and analysis frameworks that utilize images of physical processes. One method for achieving this is to develop experimental systems; another is to use software that integrates the visualization of systems, as well as modeling of the physics, such as three-dimensional graphics software. The prior work in our group analyzed image-based control for the small-scale example of level in …

Development Of A New Approach Using An Artificial Neural Network For Estimating Oil Formation Volume Factor At Bubble Point Pressure Of Egyptian Crude Oil, Attia Attia, Abdelrahman Gouda Eng.

Petroleum Engineering and Gas

Understanding the phase behavior and volumetric changes of reservoir fluids throughout the extent of reservoir lifetime are crucially required for effective-commercial oil recoveries. Ideally, reservoir fluid properties are experimentally measured by laboratory experiments known as PVT tests nonetheless, these tests are prohibitive, time-consuming, and required to restrict sampling and transporting procedures. For these discernible reasons, several modeling approaches have been developed. By reviewing the literature, one crucial obstacle that encounters field applicability of most extant models is the selection of input variables. Moreover, a great percentage of extant models employ the results of lengthy experimental tests such as differential gas …

Development Of Tio2/Nh2-Mil-125 Nanocomposite For The Removal Of Ciprofloxacin Under Induced Solar Irradiation, Bilkis Mojisola Ajiwokewu

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This research focuses on the development and application of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)-based nanocomposites for the photocatalytic removal of pharmaceutical contaminants, with a specific emphasis on ciprofloxacin (CIP). The photocatalytic degradation of CIP was investigated using as-synthesized photocatalysts of TiO₂ nanowires (TiO₂NWs), bare MOF of NH₂-MIL-125, TiO₂NW/NH₂-MIL-125 composite, and Lanthanum (La)-doped composite. Intriguingly, the TiO2NW/NH2-MIL-125 composite exhibited the highest efficiency, achieving a photodegradation rate of 0.0111 min-1, surpassing the independent performances of bare MOF of NH₂-MIL-125 and TiO2NW. The observed efficiency was attributed to the formation of a Z-scheme heterojunction …

Exploring The Electrochemical Performance Of Calcium-Ion Batteries With Novel Cathodes And Electrolytes, Paul Alexis Chando

Dissertations - ALL

The development of electric vehicles and energy storage devices are part of larger international efforts to create a sustainable future. Lithium-ion batteries have become crucial components to powering these technologies. However, the growing dependence of this singular battery chemistry to power an ever expanding landscape of technologies raises sustainability issues around lithium. Exploration of alternate battery chemistries have become part of research efforts to meet global energy demands. Calcium has emerged as one such battery system that could help alleviate stresses placed on lithium with its energy density and cost. Battery chemistries are unique, and each battery possesses its own …

Characterizing Nonlinear Fluid Flow In 3d Printed Rock Fractures: Effects Of Roughness, Aperture, And Intersection Angles, Ghoulem Ifrene, Prasad Pothana, Sven Egenhoff, Nicholas Bittner, Kuldeep Singh

Petroleum Engineering Posters and Presentations

Understanding fluid flow behavior at fracture intersections is vital to geothermal energy extraction, underground water flow, and CO₂ storage. Here, laboratory experiments were performed to study the effect of surface roughness, intersection angles, and aperture on nonlinear flow behavior in simple fracture networks. A FormLabs (3B+) 3D printer was used to fabricate 8 samples of 38.1mm in diameter and 59.43mm or 54.9mm in length with 2 intersecting fractures of 10^o and 40^o respectively. The surface roughness of the fractures was based on laser profilometry measurements from two induced mode 1 rock fractures, with a joint roughness coefficient …

Reactive Capture And Conversion Of Co2 Into Hydrogen Over Bifunctional Structured Ce1-Xcoxnio3/Ca Perovskite-Type Oxide Monoliths, Khaled Baamran, Shane Lawson, Ali A. Rownaghi, Fateme Rezaei

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies are pivotal for transitioning to a net-zero economy by 2050. In particular, conversion of captured CO₂ to marketable chemicals and fuels appears to be a sustainable approach to not only curb greenhouse emissions but also transform wastes like CO₂ into useful products through storage of renewable energy in chemical bonds. Bifunctional materials (BFMs) composed of adsorbents and catalysts have shown promise in reactive capture and conversion of CO₂ at high temperatures. In this study, we extend the application of 3D printing technology to formulate a novel set of BFMs composed …

Efficient Discovery And Industrialized Manufacture Of Terpenoids, Haoming Chi, Liying Er, Tiangang Liu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Terpenoids, a class of chemical entities with diverse biological activities in nature, demonstrate significant potential for applications in fields such as drug discovery, flavor industry, and agriculture. However, traditional methods face challenges, including inefficiency and high costs, in the discovery and industrialization of terpenoids. The rapid development of synthetic biology, genomics, artificial intelligence, and automation provides new opportunities for efficient terpenoid discovery and industrialization. This study comprehensively analyzes how these technologies synergistically contribute to the discovery, optimization, and large-scale production of terpenoids, and summarizes the current high-yield situations of terpenoids. The aim is to propose innovative strategies to accelerate technological …

Physicochemical Characterization Of Metal Organic Framework Materials: A Mini Review, Hussein R. Abid, Muhammad R. Azhar, Stefan Iglauer, Zana H. Rada, Ahmed Al-Yaseri, Alireza Keshavarz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising materials offering exceptional performance across a myriad of applications, attributable to their remarkable physicochemical properties such as regular porosity, crystalline structure, and tailored functional groups. Despite their potential, there is a lack of dedicated reviews that focus on key physicochemical characterizations of MOFs for the beginners and new researchers in the field. This review is written based on our expertise in the synthesis and characterization of MOFs, specifically to provide a right direction for the researcher who is a beginner in this area. In this way, experimental errors can be reduced, and wastage of time …

Retraction Notice To “High Density Conductive Lifepo4 Cathode With Enhanced High-Rate And High Temperature Performance” [Mater. Chem. Phys. 232 (2019) 367–373, (S0254058419304110), (10.1016/J.Matchemphys.2019.05.014)], David Seung-Hyun Lee, Won Bin Im, Xinhua Liang

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. The Editor-in-Chief found that the corresponding author of this article submitted the manuscript to the journal without the consent of the two individuals named as "co-authors", using invented email addresses to impersonate them. In addition, based on the raw materials presented to the journal by the second co-author and the Editor-in-Chief's own investigation, the Editor-in-Chief believes that some results in the paper are fabricated. Based on these two findings, the Editor-in-Chief has decided to retract the …

Scaffold-Based 3d Cell Culture Models In Cancer Research, Waad H. Abuwatfa, William G. Pitt, Ghaleb A. Husseini

Faculty Publications

Three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures have emerged as valuable tools in cancer research, offering significant advantages over traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture systems. In 3D cell cultures, cancer cells are grown in an environment that more closely mimics the 3D architecture and complexity of in vivo tumors. This approach has revolutionized cancer research by providing a more accurate representation of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and enabling the study of tumor behavior and response to therapies in a more physiologically relevant context. One of the key benefits of 3D cell culture in cancer research is the ability to recapitulate the complex interactions …

Model Predictive Control Of A Lab-Scale Thermal Energy Storage System In Relap5-3d, Jaron Wallace, Daniel Hill, David Thurston, John Hedengren, Matthew Memmott

Faculty Publications

Increased renewable energy penetration of an electrical grid generally creates more supply fluctuations. Traditional base-load systems, such as nuclear power, can be retrofitted with thermal energy storage (TES) systems to meet supply demand fluctuations. These systems can store energy during low electricity demand times to allow the reactor to operate at constant power while simultaneously fluctuating electricity output. The control of these systems is of vital importance and Model Predictive Control (MPC) is a leading control mechanism for optimized production plans with forecast information. This study combines high fidelity RELAP5-3D models with MPC to control an experimental benchtop system that …

Grand Challenges In Membrane Transport, Modeling And Simulation, Jacob Monroe, Chidambaram Thamariselvan, Ranil Wickramasinghe

Chemical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Today, membranes play an increasing role in separation processes across a wide range of industries, including water treatment, biomedical applications, bioseparations, and gas separations (Yeom et al., 2022). Numerous different membrane types exist, which can be broadly categorized as either porous or non-porous, where pores may be or may not be filled with a separate phase from the bulk solvent and membrane phases. In addition, various driving forces exist - pressure, concentration, electric field, etc.—that lead to transport across the membrane. For a porous membrane, solute transport is usually governed by convective flow through the pores. Micron-sized pores are used …

Cancer Treatment By Targeting Hdac4 Translocation Induced By Microsecond Pulsed Electric Field Exposure: Mechanistic Insights Through Kinases And Phosphatases, Zahra Safaei

Theses and Dissertations

Epigenetic modifications, arising from sub-cellular shifts in histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity and localization, present promising strategies for diverse cancer treatments. HDACs, enzymes responsible for post-translational histone modifications, induce these epigenetic changes by removing acetyl groups from ε-N-acetyl-lysine residues on histones, thereby suppressing gene transcription. Within the HDAC group, class IIa HDACs are notable for their responsiveness to extracellular signals, bridging the gap between external stimuli, plasma membrane, and genome through nuclear-cytoplasmic translocation. This localization offers two significant mechanisms for cancer treatment: nuclear accumulation of HDACs represses oncogenic transcription factors, such as myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C), triggering various cell death …

Development Of A Xenograft For Annular Repair Using Pulsed Electric Field Exposures For Enhanced Decellularization, Prince Mensah Kwaku Atsu

Theses and Dissertations

Severe back injuries and chronic pain necessitate surgical replacement of damaged intervertebral disc (IVD) cartilage in advanced disease stages. Bovine IVD tissue has been exposed to an upper threshold pulsed electric field (PEF) dose, causing cell death without thermal damage to the tissue. Subsequent PEF exposures at lower magnitudes have accelerated the removal of immunogenic biomolecules though electrokinetic extraction using optimized aqueous solutions. This approach yields a natural scaffold, ready for biocompatibility and mechanical strength assessment. The effects of microsecond pulsed electric fields (µsPEF) on primary bovine AF fibroblast-like cells have been characterized in vitro. PEFs of 10 and 100 …

Integrated Computer-Aided Design, Experimentation, And Optimization Approach For Perovskites And Petroleum Packaging Processes, Swapana Subbarao Jerpoth

Theses and Dissertations

According to the World Economic Forum report, the U.S. currently has an energy efficiency of just 30%, thus illustrating the potential scope and need for efficiency enhancement and waste minimization. In the U.S. energy sector, petroleum and solar energy are the two key pillars that have the potential to create research opportunities for transition to a cleaner, greener, and sustainable future. In this research endeavor, the focus is on two pivotal areas: (i) Computer-aided perovskite solar cell synthesis; and (ii) Optimization of flow processes through multiproduct petroleum pipelines. In the area of perovskite synthesis, the emphasis is on the enhancement …

One-Pot Assembly Of Drug-Eluting Silk Coatings With Applications For Nerve Regeneration, Tanner D. Fink, Jessica L. Funnell, Ryan J. Gilbert, R. Helen Zha

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Clinical use of polymeric scaffolds for tissue engineering often suffers from their inability to promote strong cellular interactions. Functionalization with biomolecules may improve outcomes; however, current functionalization approaches using covalent chemistry or physical adsorption can lead to loss of biomolecule bioactivity. Here, we demonstrate a novel bottom-up approach for enhancing the bioactivity of poly (l-lactic acid) electro spun scaffolds though interfacial coassembly of protein payloads with silk fibroin into nano thin coatings. In our approach, protein payloads are first added into an aqueous solution with Bombyx mori-derived silk fibroin. Phosphate anions are then added to trigger coassembly of the payload …

Process Optimization For Syngas Production From The Dry Reforming Of Methane Over 5ni+3sr/10zr+Al Catalyst Using Multiple Response Surface Methodology, Ahmed Al-Fatesh Dr., Mai H. Roushdy, Radwa El-Salamony Dr., Saba Alwan Dr., Ahmed Osman Dr., Sadeq Al-Faresh Dr., Hamid Ahmed Dr., Anis Fakeeha Dr., Ahmed Ibrahim Dr.

Chemical Engineering

5Ni+3Sr/10Zr+Al catalyst is synthesized using the impregnation method, characterized, and tested for dry reforming of methane. The influence of reaction temperature, feed ratio (CO2/CH4), and gas hour space velocity are examined using multiple response surface methodology through three factors in, a four-level central composite design. Second and higher-order regression models are applied to evaluate the interaction between the process parameters and responses. The results indicate that the reaction temperature is the most influential followed by the space velocity, while the feed ratio has a weak effect. The optimum values that maximize each of the response variables are found to be …

A Prediction Of Interfacial Tension By Using Molecular Dynamics Simulation: A Study On Effects Of Cushion Gas (Co2, N2 And Ch4) For Underground Hydrogen Storage, Quoc T. Doan, Alireza Keshavarz, Caetano R. Miranda, Peter Behrenbruch, Stefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel consumption have caused global warming and remain challenging problems for mitigation. Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS) provides clean fuel and replaces traditional fossil fuels to reduce emissions of CO2. Geological formations such as depleted oil/gas reservoirs, deep saline aquifers and shale formations have been recognized as potential targets to inject and store H2 into the subsurface formations for large-scale implementation of CCS and UHS. However, the presence of H2 with cushion gas at different fractions under different geo-storage conditions, which can influence Hydrogen's flow properties, was not investigated widely. Until now, studies of interfacial …

Evaluating Medium Decision Tree Model, Support Vector Machine Rational Quadratic Gaussian Process Regression To Estimate The Total Organic Carbon Of Shale Gas Reservoirs, Attia Attia, Sayed Gomaa, Mohamed Mongy Eng., Ramadan Emara Prof., Ashraf Fahmy Prof.

Petroleum Engineering and Gas

As a result of an energy crisis due to the Russian-Ukrainian war, the eyes of great countries such as America and others began to turn strongly towards exploiting unconventional resources to increase the oil and gas production. The first step in exploiting unconventional sources is to estimate the Total Organic Carbon (TOC). TOC measurements are expensive as well as time consuming, as samples of cuttings or core samples must be present to do the required lab tests. This issue encouraged the researchers to develop mathematical correlation to estimate the TOC. The paper aims at evaluating three of machine learning models …

Advances In Control Strategies For Cyberphysical Systems Incorporating Quantum Computing, High-Fidelity Simulation Methods, And Space Communication Concerns, Kip Nieman

Wayne State University Dissertations

Continuing advances and new applications in manufacturing and the systems engineering field lead to increased demands on controllers, models, simulation tools, and computer systems. Utilizing these new technologies can have profound consequences on control of the physical system itself, and the interactions between these aspects will need to be understood to ensure economic efficiency, safety, and secure operation. It is not always clear how implementing new technologies will impact the control of a process, especially when the modes of operation of the technology or the process itself are unusual or unknown. To address this, the work presented in this thesis …

Strain-Dependent Activity-Stability Relations In Ruo2 And Iro2 Oxygen Evolution Catalysts, Payal Chaudhary, Alexandra Zagalskaya, Herbert Over, Vitaly Alexandrov

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Faculty Publications

Strain engineering is an effective strategy in modulating activity of electrocatalysts, but the effect of strain on electrochemical stability of catalysts remains poorly understood. In this work, we combine ab initio thermodynamics and molecular dynamics simulations to examine the role of compressive and tensile strain in the interplay between activity and stability of metal oxides considering RuO₂ and IrO₂ as exemplary catalysts. We reveal that although compressive strain leads to improved activity via the adsorbate-evolving mechanism of the oxygen evolution reaction, even small strains should substantially destabilize these catalysts promoting dissolution of transition metals. In contrast, our results …

Engineering Applications Of Artificial Intelligence To Forecast Production Of Shale Wells, Yasir Jassim Alkalby

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examines the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and supervised machine learning techniques to forecast production from unconventional shale wells, utilizing actual field measurement data over a period of two years. Traditional methods, such as decline curve analysis, offer valuable insights but often fail to fully capture the complex nuances affecting productivity and tend to rely excessively on empirical equations.

In this research, the AI-based Shale Analytics approach, introduced by Mohaghegh in 2017, is employed. This method leverages Big Data Analytics to identify unique patterns from actual field observations, enhancing the evaluation and quantification of various productivity factors, facilitating …

Synthesis, Characterization, And Performance Assessment Of Reusable And Biodegradable Antimicrobial Polymeric Membranes For Aerosolized Pathogen Inactivation And Filtration, Ebuka Ogbuoji

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Air filtration technology has proven effective in purifying air by trapping particulates which can cause adverse health effects. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, capable of capturing over 99.99% of PM_0.3, are recommended for critical applications. However, conventional non-woven HEPA filters rely on electrostatic interactions to trap smaller particles, which can deplete over time or after cleaning, reducing filtration efficiency and posing health risks. Additionally, these filters contribute to plastic waste.

This dissertation investigated the feasibility of using flat sheet polymeric membranes fabricated via nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) as reusable and biodegradable alternatives to commercially available non-biodegradable air …

Strategies To Mitigate Efflorescence In Walls Constructed Using Clays Bricks; A Review Article, Marwa Abdulkareem. Anber, Soran Abdulrahman Ahmad, Naros Rahman Mahmoud, Kawan Fuoad. Kayani, Mohammed Ali Abdulrehman

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

_{The construction of buildings, especially residential housing for communities, is a significant industry on a global scale. Masonry units such as bricks, blocks, and stones are often utilized materials. Bricks are highly regarded because to their widespread availability, cost-effectiveness, and excellent insulating capabilities. Nevertheless, the presence of efflorescence presents a difficulty in the construction of brick walls. Efflorescence refers to the process in which salts move to the outer layer of the brick, resulting in the formation of white deposits and negatively impacting its visual appeal. Efflorescence is caused by various circumstances, such as the existence of salts in bricks, …}

The Importance Of Cryptography In Cloud Computing, Saja Alaam Talib

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

Cloud computing has grown as a widely accepted concept simultaneously, as the alarms for the security of data and information. This paper seeks to establish the comprehensive roles of cryptography in tackling these issues in the Cloud environment. The study begins with the historical background of cryptography and then moves on to analyze trends in information technology before discussing on the challenges to security in cloud computing. The goal of its publication is to highlight the importance of using cryptographic technologies for the protection of information confidentiality, its integrity and compliance. The combination of literature review and the case study …

Recovery Of Ionic Liquid From The Model Solution Mixture Mimicking The Catalytically Hydrolyzed Cellulose Product Utilizing Amberlyst Ion-Exchange Resin, Chhabilal Regmi, Chidambaram Thamariselvan, Zhexi Zhu, Xianghong Qian, S. Ranil Wickramasinghe

Chemical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The hydrolysis of cellulose using ionic liquid (IL) has been extensively studied but there is limited understanding of the removal of IL from the biomass hydrolysate. Finding a suitable method for the recovery and reuse of IL is one of the biggest challenges before its large-scale application. Selecting an appropriate combined recovery process is very important. This study proposed a facile ion-exchange combined method for the recovery of IL from the modeled cellulose hydrolysate mixture containing sugars as well as γ-valerolactone (GVL) via an adsorption–desorption mechanism using sulfonic acid cation-exchange (Amberlyst 15 (H)) resin. The results showed that the resin …

Enhancement Of The Performance And Emission Attributes For The Diesel Engine Using Diesel-Waste Cooking Oil Biodiesel And Graphene Oxide Nanofluid Blends Through Response Surface Methodology, Medhat Elkelawy, E A El Shenawy, Hagar Alm-Eldin Bastawissi, Mahmoud M. Shams

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This study examined how diesel fuel and waste-cooked oil (WCO) biodiesel blends added by various concentrations of graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles can effect on the performance and emission characteristics of constant-speed, four-stroke, single-cylinder, water-cooled diesel engines. The GO nanoparticles concentrations are 50,100 and 150 ppm dispersed in different diesel-WCO biodiesel blends are pure diesel fuel (B0), 20% WCO biodiesel and 76% diesel fuel (B20), and 40% WCO biodiesel and 56% diesel fuel (B40). In addition 4% toluene in all blends which used as a surfactant. The diesel engine fueled with these blends and operated at various engine loads are 2, …

A Bi-Functional Air Electrode Developed From A Dual-Mof Strategy For High-Performance Zinc-Air Batteries, Yasir Arafat, Muhammad Rizwan Azhar, Yijun Zhong, Xiaomin Xu, Moses O. Tadé, Zongping Shao

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

A durable, high-performing and cost-effective bi-functional catalyst toward oxygen reduction/evolution reactions (ORR/OER) is the key towards the practical application of Zn-air batteries (ZABs). Here, we report a new concept of combining pristine and carbonized MOFs for developing a bifunctional electrocatalyst for ZABs, where the pristine MOF acts as a support for the OER catalysts and the carbonized MOF acts as the ORR catalyst and enhances the electronic conductivity. By electroless NiP-plating over the surface of the Fe-containing 3D MOF (MIL-100), the catalyst shows superior activity for the OER, delivering a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² at an overpotential …

Grain Boundary Engineering: An Emerging Pathway Toward Efficient Electrocatalysis, Xiaomin Xu, Yijun Zhong, Magdalena Wajrak, Tejas Bhatelia, San Ping Jiang, Zongping Shao

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Electrochemical transformation processes involving carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and small-molecule chemistries represent a promising means to store renewable energy sources in the form of chemical energy. However, their widespread deployment is hindered by a lack of efficient, selective, durable, and affordable electrocatalysts. Recently, grain boundary (GB) engineering as one category of defect engineering, has emerged as a viable and powerful pathway to achieve improved electrocatalytic performances. This review presents a timely and comprehensive overview of recent advances in GB engineering for efficient electrocatalysis. The beneficial effects of introducing GBs into electrocatalysts are discussed, followed by an overview of the synthesis …