Chemical Engineering Commons^™

Nanao/Organocatalyat Sio2/4-(2-Aminoethyl)-Morpholine As A New, Reusable, And Efficacious Catalyst For The Synthesis Of Polyhydroquinolines Derivatives And Antibacterially Active Evaluation, Leila Amiri-Zirtol, Zahra Karimi, Javad Farahbakhsh, Ahmad Gholami, Seyedeh Narjes Abootalebi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In this study, a new nanocomposite comprising 4-(2-Aminoethyl)-morpholine, an organic catalyst, was prepared on the surface of silica. The absence of metal in the catalyst structure contributes to its environmental friendliness. This novel nanocatalyst was used for multi-component reactions (MCRs). Having a nano size for the composite enhances the contact between the raw materials and the catalytic surface, leading to significant advancement in the reaction. The synthesized composite was identified and evaluated using FT-IR, EDX, EDX-Mapping, TGA, XRD, BET, TEM, and FE-SEM analysis. The characteristic analysis confirmed the synthesis of both nano-silica/4-(2-Aminoethyl)-morpholine catalyst and polyhydroquinoline. The composite’s catalytic properties for …

Performance Study Of A Woody Downdraft Gasifier: Numerical Investigation And Experimental Validation, Md Sanowar Hossain, Showmitro Bhowmik, Mujahidul Islam Riad, Md Golam Kibria, Barun K. Das, Sanjay Paul

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Biomass gasification is an established and widely utilized renewable energy system. The research work aims to develop and construct a downdraft gasifier to investigate gasifier performance. The gasifier’s performance and cold gas efficiency were calculated for three volumetric airflow rates: 7.16 m3/h, 5.97 m3/h, and 4.78 m3/h. The efficiency was found maximum of 69.6% for an airflow rate of 7.16 m3/h. The oxidation zone and neck region of the gasifier reactor had the maximum recorded temperatures of 845 °C and 823 °C for Swietenia macrophylla (SM) and Mangifera indica (MI), respectively. A two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for a …

Interface Engineering And Safety In Solid-State Batteries: Advancing From Human-Centered Insights To Ai-Driven Innovations, Elnaz Karimi, Stefan Iglauer, Muhammad Rizwan Azhar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) represent a transformative advancement in energy storage, offering superior safety, higher energy density and extended cycle life compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, challenges related to interface engineering—particularly in ensuring stable electrochemical performance and preventing lithium dendrite formation—have hindered their widespread adoption and can compromise safety. Effective interface engineering is critical for mitigating interfacial resistance, enhancing mechanical stability and preventing thermal runaway, all of which are vital for improving battery reliability. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in this context accelerates battery optimization by enabling predictive modelling of interfacial behaviour, material discovery …

Biopolymer-Based Membranes And Their Application In Per- And Polyfluorinated Substances Removal: Perspective Review, Roham Ghanbari, Ratish Permala, Stefan Iglauer, Masoumeh Zargar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Over the past 2 decades, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have attracted considerable attention due to their widespread occurrence and adverse effects on both the environment and human health. PFAS possess strong carbon‑fluorine bonds that confer exceptional chemical stability and resistance to natural degradation; their fluorinated chains are highly hydrophobic and oleophobic, while their polar functional groups contribute to amphiphilic behavior and water solubility. Certain PFAS thus pose serious risks to living organisms, especially mammals. Membrane filtration is recognized as a particularly effective technique, achieving removal efficiencies greater than 99 % for long-chain-PFAS (including anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic PFAS molecules). …

Polydopamine-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles Data, William G. Pitt

ScholarsArchive Data

This data archive contains raw data and processed data related to research and development of magnetic nanoparticles that adhere to bacteria. This data is the foundation of data in the MS thesis of Bowen Houser, and publications and presentations related to that research effort. Polydopamine-coated magnetic nanoparticles are found to be very adhesive to gram-positive bacteria, and less adhesive to gram-negative bacteria. These data files contain information for S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. mutans, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and N. perflava. Some data include the kinetics of capture.

Data Release Of 5-Fluorouracil From Polylactic Acid Microparticles Containing Magnetic Nanoparticles, William G. Pitt

ScholarsArchive Data

This data archive contains raw data and processed data related to research and development of the release of the chemotherapy drug 5-fluororacil from microparticles of poly(lactic acid) which also contain superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles. This data is the foundation of data in the MS thesis of Tyler Green, and publications and presentations related to that research effort.

Photocatalytic Performance Of N-Doped Ti3o5 Nano-Catalyst For Phenolic Compounds Removal From Industrial Wastewaters, Mehdi Narimani, Maryam Gonbadi, Mahsa Navabi, Fatemeh Khezri-Shooshtari, Amin Ale Ebrahim, Mohammad Mahdi Zerafat

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study is focused on the synthesis and evaluation of TiO2 and N-doped Ti3O5 for the photocatalytic degradation of phenol as a noxious substance commonly present in the industrial process effluents with harmful effects on human and the environment. The research addresses the critical environmental challenge posed by phenol-contaminated effluents from petrochemical industries. Leveraging Response Surface Methodology with Box-Behnken design, 17 experiments were conducted to analyze the impact of independent variables such as photo-catalyst dosage, pH, and irradiation time on degradation efficiency. Notably, the average crystallite sizes were determined as 20 nm for TiO2 and 58.3 nm for N-doped Ti3O5. …

Theory And Technology Of Enhanced Coal Seam Gas Production By Integrated Drilling, Hydraulic Punching And Fracturing In Coal Mine: Part 2 Technology, Shiyao Yu, Xianbo Su, Jinxing Song, Qian Wang, Zhenjiang You

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

To enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of coal seam gas extraction in coal mines, this study introduces an integrated approach combining drilling, hydraulic punching, and fracturing technologies. This method optimizes drilling media tailored to specific coal seams and fine-tunes technical parameters during drilling and permeability improvement processes. Furthermore, it clarifies the relationships among the coal breaking rate, discharge of drill cuttings, jet velocity, rotation speed, and displacement. This ensures precise and effective permeability improvement in both soft and hard coal formations. To implement this technology, a set of high-performance drilling tool with a large inner diameter, high pressure resistance, and …

Theory And Technology Of Enhanced Coal Seam Gas Production By Integrated Drilling, Punching And Fracturing In Coal Mine: Part 1 Theory, Shiyao Yu, Xianbo Su, Jinxing Song, Qian Wang, Zhenjiang You

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Coal seams in China are typically characterized by high coal seam gas content and low permeability, posing challenges for efficient coal seam gas extraction. However, achieving successful boreholes, especially in soft coal formations, remains a challenge. The mechanisms underlying permeability improvement in different coal structures need further exploration. Therefore, this paper is focused on the fundamental principles of permeability improvement in soft coal through hydraulic punching, and in hard coal via hydraulic jet fracturing. Firstly, borehole instability results from a dynamic interplay of four factors: in situ stress, coal structure, mechanical properties of coal with fluid, and drilling technology. While …

Breaking Through The Strength-Ductility Trade-Off Of Lpbf-Produced Ti-Xnb Alloys From Mixed Powders Via Ω-Phase Induced Heterostructure, Jian Bo Jin, Shengfeng Zhou, Huan Yang, Junjie Yang, Zhiguo Zhang, Baisong Guo, Lai Chang Zhang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Highlights Powder-mixed Ti-35Nb alloy produced by LPBF breaks through the strength-ductility trade-off. The ultimate strength, uniform elongation and Young’s modulus of heterostructured Ti-35Nb alloy are (806 ± 7) MPa, (18.0 ± 1.1)%, and (68 ± 6) GPa, respectively. In-situ laser re-melting improves elemental distribution uniformity in LPBF-produced powder-mixed Ti-xNb alloys. Optimized Nb content induces the phase transformation of β + α′ → β + ω in Ti-xNb alloy. Heterostructured β + ω/β enhances the strength-ductility synergy of Ti-35Nb alloy.

Process Intensification Of Essential Oils Extraction Using Instantaneous Controlled Pressure Drop Technology, Muhammad Hassnain, Mohammed Ilyas Khaledi, Muhammad Rizwan Azhar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Essential oils (EOs) are volatile, hydrophobic compounds derived from plants, widely used in food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and fragrance industries for their bioactive potential and associated health benefits. Traditional EO extraction methods are limited by low yields, long processing times, and thermal degradation of sensitive bioactive compounds. Instantaneous Controlled Pressure Drop (CID) technology is an advanced intensification method to overcome these challenges by applying compression-decompression cycles and modifying plant structure to enhance heat and mass transfer. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of CID technology and outlines its mechanism and principles. It compiles global research on CID applied to different plants …

Enhanced Degradation Of Triclosan Using Aerated Hydrodynamic Cavitation: Turbulence-Based Modelling And Economic Evaluation, Mehdi Khiadani, Ensiyeh Taheri, Veena Bobade, Ali Fatehizadeh

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Pharmaceutical and personal care product (PPCP)-contaminated wastewater, particularly with triclosan (TCS), poses a significant environmental concern due to TCS persistence, ecotoxicity, and endocrine-disrupting effects, necessitating the development of efficient and sustainable remediation technologies. In this study, the degradation of TCS using hydrodynamic cavitation coupled with air injection (aerated HC process) is investigated as a green and chemical-free treatment method for wastewater treatment. Initially, the optimum operating conditions of the standalone HC process were determined by varying the inlet pressure and flow rate, which were found to be 2.34 bar and 0.45 L/s, respectively, corresponding to the highest turbulence frequency level …

Experimental Study On Stability, Rheology, And Co2 Storage Capacity Of Polymer-Enhanced Foams In Carbonates, Muhammad Mushtaq, Mudassar Mumtaz, Emad W. Al-Shalabi, Waleed Alameri, Georgios N. Karanikolos, Stefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Polymer-enhanced CO2 foam (PEF) is an emerging technology that improves gas mobility control in chemical enhanced oil recovery applications. It also has significant potential for storing CO2 in geological formations, which can help mitigate anthropogenic emissions. Traditional surfactant-based foams are often weak and unstable, particularly under the high-salinity and high-temperature conditions commonly found in Middle Eastern carbonate reservoirs. However, adding a small amount of stable polymer to these foams can enhance their stability, rendering them more suitable for harsh environments. This study focuses on designing and thoroughly evaluating a PEF formulation under supercritical CO2 conditions at 95 °C temperature, 1500 …

Advanced Membrane Methods For Treatment Of Toxic Contaminants And Education Of Early-Career Researchers, Thomas Mckean Iii

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Membrane technologies are attractive as they are linearly scalable and often require lower operating costs compared to other technologies. One area where they are particularly effective is the treatment of water contaminated with toxic substances. The simplicity of this removal mechanism provides reliable performance capable of meeting stringent removal requirements. However, membrane fouling is a major challenge that often limits their commercial viability. This research sought to investigate novel approaches to pretreatment and membrane modification to overcome fouling and high operating pressures. In addition, membrane separation processes can often be developed into simple yet educational experiments that are ideal for …

Developing A Metabolic Engineering Chassis From A Metabolically Versatile Organism, Rhodopseudomonas Palustris Cga009, Mark William Kathol

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Metabolic engineering has made it possible to develop biological processes that were once considered economically unfeasible or uncompetitive. This field has enabled both a robust niche market, whereby products, such as pharmaceutical substances like monoclonal antibodies, are produced exclusively through biological means, as well as an emerging commodity production market. Nonetheless, significant challenges remain in harnessing the unique metabolic capabilities of genetically non-tractable organisms. This dissertation focuses on Rhodopseudomonas palustris CGA009 as a potential chassis for metabolic engineering. To address the issue of genetic intractability, a synthetic biology toolkit was developed to facilitate the expression of heterologous proteins in R …

Bone Void Filler Materials For Augmentation In Comminuted Fractures: A Comprehensive Review, S. Sina Mohammadi, Sunjeev S. Phull, B. Sonny Bal, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Comminuted fractures, characterized by multiple bone fragments, present significant challenges in orthopedic surgery. Effective treatment often requires augmentation techniques to enhance fixation stability and promote bone regeneration. This review explores the application of bone void filler materials, including autografts, allografts, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and synthetic bone substitutes such as calcium phosphate ceramics and bioactive glass, in managing comminuted fractures. Autografts are the gold standard due to their superior osteogenic potential but are limited by donor site morbidity and availability. Allografts mitigate these issues but face concerns regarding immunogenicity and reduced biological activity. PMMA, widely used for structural augmentation, provides immediate …

Local Hydrodynamics And Phase Distribution In Large-Scale Trickle Bed Reactors Using Multi-Detector Γ-Ray Densitometry, Sebastián Uribe, Ahmed Jasim, Saba A. Gheni, Nora Selem, Nouhaila Filali, Tiberiu M. Leib, Sourav Sengupta, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study presents a new approach of using gamma ray computed tomography (CT) in a form of arc multi-detector γ-Ray Densitometry (Arc MD-GRD) Technique where it measures the line averaged holdups of the phases which are projected on the diameter of the column to obtain their diameter profiles. This technique then was used to investigate the diameter profiles of the phases' holdups in a 12-inch diameter trickle bed reactor (TBR) using sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) as the gas phase to represent to a certain extent the industrial higher density of the used gas phase due to either the type of the …

Purifying Circular Rna Therapeutics, Karen Guillen-Cuevas

All Dissertations

Circular RNA (circRNA) has emerged as a promising therapeutic modality due to its enhanced stability and resistance to exonuclease degradation compared with linear mRNA. However, its stability and functionality depend strongly on achieving high purity, and current methods such as size-exclusion chromatography suffer from peak overlap, low yields, and poor scalability. This dissertation addresses these limitations by developing ultrafiltration-based strategies to purify circRNA directly from in vitro transcription (IVT) and self-splicing (circularization) reactions. First, the feasibility of ultrafiltration was demonstrated using polyethersulfone membranes, where sieving coefficients and critical flux values of circRNA, precursor RNA, and nicked RNA were measured to …

Sulfurized Serpentine And Perovskite Assisted Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanocomposites For Photocatalytic Green Hydrogen Production, Yahia Alanizan

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Green hydrogen production has received great attention in recent years as a solution to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions resulted by burning fossil fuels. This thesis focuses on development of photocatalytic water splitting green hydrogen production under visible light irradiation of g-C3N4 based sulfurized naturally occurring serpentine rock and oxysulfide perovskite nanocomposites. This work reveals the effect of partial sulfurization of co-catalysts to boost charge generation, charge transfer, and light absorption. The presented work determined the potential of sulfurizing naturally occurring rocks and minerals acting as support and enhanced co-catalysts that exhibit narrower band gaps, with sulfur rich sites for visible …

Fluorosilane-Induced Softening And Collapse Of Micropillar Arrays, Gabriela Moreira Lana, Maja Fehlberg, Petra Herbeck-Engel, Gisela Heppe, Raimund Schlüßler, Torsten Jähnke, Eduard Arzt, Roland Bennewitz

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Replica molding is a widely used technique for the fabrication of polymer microstructures. As structural dimensions decrease, anti-stick surface treatment of the mold becomes increasingly critical to ensure clean demolding and preserve structural integrity. We fabricated arrays of micropillars with 20 µm diameter and 60 µm height using medical-grade polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), MDX4-4210, and observed a high fraction of collapsed pillars for the first molding after fluorosilanization of the mold to reduce sticking. To address this issue, we systematically investigated the surface treatment protocol for the molds, made from the PDMS Sylgard 184. We provide results from complementary measurement methods, to …

Development Of A Digestion Procedure Using Fe2+ Ions For Electrochemical Detection Of Mno2 Particles In Drinking Water, Kayla Elliott, Sarah Jane Payne, Zhe She

Journal of Electrochemistry

Developing methods for detection contaminants in drinking water is essential to ensuring that safe and acceptable quality drinking water is delivered to consumers. While manganese (Mn) was previously known only as a mere aesthetic issue, recent epidemiological data has shown to have negative neurological effects on humans, especially on children, prompting new health-based guidelines by Health Canada and the World Health Organization. In drinking water, Mn exists predominantly as Mn(II) and Mn(IV), and is regulated based on total Mn levels. Interestingly, measurement of Mn particulate using electroanalytical methods has not yet been reported in the literature. Herein, a digestion procedure …

Biocompatible And Antibacterial Pcl-Tio2@Ag/Γ-Cd Mof Nanocomposite Coating For Corrosion Resistance Of Magnesium Alloy In Simulated Body Fluid, Sara Dehghan-Chenar, Hamid R. Zare, Zahra Mohammadpour, Maryam Sadat Mirbagheri-Firoozabad

Journal of Electrochemistry

Magnesium alloys are promising candidates for bio-implant applications due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, their rapid corrosion remains a critical limitation. This study presents the development of a multifunctional nanocomposite coating designed to enhance the corrosion resistance and antibacterial properties of magnesium alloy implants. The coating comprised γ-cyclodextrin metal-organic frameworks (γ-CD MOFs) decorated with TiO₂@Ag core-shell nanoparticles, embedded in a polycaprolactone (PCL) matrix. Immersion tests in a simulated body fluid (SBF) revealed an initially higher corrosion rate for the PCL-TiO₂@Ag/γ-CD MOF coating compared to the coating without TiO₂@Ag nanoparticles; however, it demonstrated significant …

Thermo-Chemical Recycling Of Waste Plastics Containing Halogenated Polymers (Br−, Cl−, F−) Using Potential Additives, Mohamed Shafi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Plastic waste handling is a daunting task due to the presence of halogenated polymers, specifically those cluttered with bromine (Br), chlorine (Cl), and fluorine (F). Halogenated plastics can be mixed with other polymers in the general plastic waste, particularly in the recycling stream. Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are mainly present in e-waste and from the use of flame retardants in household items, textiles, and furniture. Plastics from discarded electronics often contain significant levels of bromine and chlorine, predominantly from flame retardants and plasticizers. Being the most deployed thermoplastic worldwide, waste polyvinyl chloride (PVC) generation is expected to increase by about …

Predicting Simulation Times For Multiphase Thermal-Hydraulic Models, Andrew Yule, Andrew Taylor

SMU Data Science Review

Addressing the challenge of computationally intensive OLGA

simulations in the oil and gas industry, a machine learning framework is

developed for accurate runtime prediction. A specialized feature extraction

pipeline identifies key parameters—such as simulation time, time step,

number of branches, and section count—from OLGA input files that serve as

high-impact predictors. Multiple predictive models, including regression,

tree-based ensembles, and neural networks, are implemented to validate

accuracy and robustness. Results reveal that prioritizing simulations based on

predicted runtimes optimizes licensing resources and reduces operational

costs, making real-time scheduling more efficient. This research demonstrates

the effectiveness of data-driven runtime prediction in enhancing …

Development Of Composite Membranes And Nanofluid Absorbents Incorporating Surface-Functionalized Nanoparticles For Enhanced Co₂ Absorption In Gas–Liquid Membrane Contactors, Riya Ahammed Labeeb

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Natural gas sweetening demands the efficient removal of CO₂ to enhance heating value and prevent equipment corrosion. Gas–liquid membrane contactors (GLMCs) have garnered attention as promising solutions to traditional separation methods due to their modularity, high interfacial area, and energy efficiency. Nonetheless, they suffer from some serious challenges such as membrane wetting, while absorbents either exhibit low absorption capacity or high energy demands and corrosion. This work addresses these limitations through two complementary strategies. In the first, ZnO nanoparticles were hydrophobically functionalised and incorporated into polymer matrices to fabricate composite membranes with superior hydrophobicity and reduced pore wetting. In the …

A Novel Drug-Loaded Injectable Hydrogel System Using Oxidized Inulin And Pluronic F-127 With Β-Cyclodextrin Nanocrystals For Ocular Defect Treatment, Salama Al Dhaheri

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The human eyes have the most complex and advanced defence mechanisms. Due to this barrier, efficient treatment of ocular disorders is always a crucial issue, especially while treating the posterior segment of the eyes. Most of the diseases occurring in the posterior segment of the eyes include age-related macular degeneration, retinitis, diabetic retinopathy and uveitis. Topical and systemic administration of drugs, intravitreal injection, and insertion of non-biodegradable implants are several different approaches employed to treat ocular diseases. These methods have shown promising results in treating age-related macular degeneration but require higher dosage and multiple administration of the drug to the …

Bioactive Membrane System For Efficient Emerging Pollutants Treatment, Ayat El Telib El Tayeb

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Emerging pollutants (EPs), such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products, are increasingly detected in municipal wastewater due to household discharge and improper industrial disposal. Their persistence and ecological risks pose major challenges to conventional treatment technologies. Among advanced options, membrane filtration, particularly microfiltration and ultrafiltration, has gained prominence for its efficiency and scalability. However, membrane fouling, especially biological and chemical fouling, remains a critical barrier, accounting for nearly half of total energy consumption and requiring frequent use of harsh chemical cleaning agents that further burden the environment.

This PhD research addresses these challenges by developing and evaluating hybrid bioactive enzyme-active …

Synergistic Doping And Coating Strategy For Boosting Na0.7mno2 Cathode Performance In Sodium-Ion Batteries, Ahmad Helaley, Han Yu, Manashi Nath, Xinhua Liang

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Advancing sodium-ion battery (SIB) technology requires novel approaches to optimize cathode materials for improved electrochemical performance. In this study, we employ atomic layer deposition (ALD) to precisely modify the surface of P2-type Na_0.7MnO₂ cathodes with different coating materials including ZnO, NiO, and Al₂O₃, followed by post-annealing at 750°C for 10 hours. The strategic combination of ALD and thermal treatment can achieve thin film coating on particle surface and promote element doping into the near-surface lattice, as confirmed by electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) analysis. The incorporation of Zn, Al, and Ni results in …

Optimization Of Bioethanol From Plantain Peel Using Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Akinjide A. Akinola, Olawole O. Olanipekun, Paul A. David

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This research aimed to evaluate the potential of using plantain peels as a raw material for producing bioethanol with the help of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The study utilized a four-factor Box-Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize the fermentation conditions. The factors considered for optimization were substrate concentration (1-4 g), pH (5-7), temperature (30-45°C), and fermentation time (24-96 hours). Through this optimization process, the study found that the optimal conditions for bioethanol production were 4 g substrate concentration, pH 6, 45°C temperature, and 60 hours of fermentation time. Utilizing these optimal conditions resulted in a bioethanol yield of …

Core-Scale Study Of Miscible Co2 Foam–Oil Interactions, Kuvonchbek Abdirakhmonov

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Foam is currently the most effective means for gas mobility control in a variety of geo-energy applications (Rossen et al., 2020), including enhanced oil recovery (EOR), carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), and aquifer/soil remediation. This study investigates the mobility control of miscible CO2 foam in the presence of oil for CCUS. The primary objective is to quantify the impact of oil on CO2 foam behavior under miscible conditions, specifically examining foam stability, strength, and flow regimes as influenced by oil composition and reservoir permeability. While most oils destabilize foam, few studies explore the coarsening mechanisms of CO2 foam in …