Biochemical and Biomolecular Engineering Commons^™

Thermal Decomposition And Kinetic Parameters Of Three Biomass Feedstocks For The Performance Of The Gasification Process Using A Thermogravimetric Analyzer, Rania Almusafir, Joseph D. Smith

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is a powerful technique and useful method for characterizing biomass as a non-conventional fuel. A TGA apparatus has been utilized to experimentally investigate the impact of biomass feedstock diversity on the performance of the gasification of hardwood (HW), softwood (SW) pellets, and refuse-derived fuel (RDF) materials. The solid conversion rate and the volatile species formation rate have been estimated to quantify the rates of devolatilization for each material. In addition, the combustion kinetic characteristics of the three biomass feedstocks were investigated using TGA at different heating rates, and a thermal kinetic analysis was conducted to describe the …

Injectable Dendrimer Hydrogel Delivers Melphalan In Both Conjugated And Free Forms For Retinoblastoma, Remy C. Cooper, Juan Wang, Hu Yang

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We report the successful synthesis of an injectable dendrimer hydrogel (DH) carrying melphalan, a clinical drug for retinoblastoma treatment, in both conjugated and free forms. Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer generation 5 (G5) is surface-modified with an acid-sensitive acetal-dibenzocyclooctyne linker and then undergoes azide-alkyne cycloaddition with melphalan-PEG-N3 conjugate to form G5-acetal-melphalan. During the DH gelation between G5-acetal-melphalan and PEG-diacrylate, free melphalan is added, resulting in a hydrogel (G5-acetal-melphalan-DH/melphalan) that carries the drug in both conjugated and free forms. Melphalan is slowly released from G5-acetal-melphalan-DH/melphalan, with the conjugated melphalan released more quickly at pH 5.3 due to acid-triggered acetal bond cleavage. The formulation's …

Thermal Management Of Adsorption-Based Biogas Upgrading Systems Via Incorporation Of Phase-Change Materials, Kyle Newport, Khaled Baamran, Ali A. Rownaghi, Fateme Rezaei

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Thermal management of adsorption columns is necessary to maintain their effectiveness while reducing the energy requirements of the overall separation process. In this work, we aimed at investigating the suitability of blending adsorbents with phase-change materials (PCMs) to adjust the thermal profile of a biogas upgrading column. A commercially available PCM (Nextek 28D) in quantities of 10, 20, and 30 wt. % was blended with zeolite 13X in two configurations, namely, traditional pellets and 3D-printed monoliths. The use of different structures allows for better analysis of thermal profiles and assessment of the effectiveness of the PCM in a packed bed …

Evaluation Of Novel Preformed Particle Gel System For Conformance Control In Mature Oil Reservoirs, Abdulaziz Almakimi, Ahmed Ben Ali, Ibnelwaleed A. Hussein, Baojun Bai

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

To address challenges associated with excessive water production in mature oil reservoirs, this study introduces a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-based material as a novel preformed particle gel (PPG) designed to plug excessive water pathways and redistribute the subsequent injected water toward unswept zones. Through microwave-assisted grafting copolymerization of CMC with acrylamide (AM), we successfully generated multi-sized dry particles within the range of 250–800 µm. Comprehensive analyses, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), have confirmed the chemical composition and morphology of the resulting carboxymethyl cellulose-grafted crosslinked polyacrylamide (CMC/PAMBA). Swelling kinetics and rheology tests were conducted to confirm the …

Descriptive Statistical Analysis Of Experimental Data For Wettability Alteration With Smart Water Flooding In Carbonate Reservoirs, Muhammad Ali Buriro, Mingzhen Wei, Baojun Bai, Ya Yao

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Smart water flooding is a promising eco-friendly method for enhancing oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs. The optimal salinity and ionic composition of the injected water play a critical role in the success of this method. This study advances the field by employing machine learning and data analytics to streamline the determination of these critical parameters, which are traditionally reliant on time-intensive laboratory work. The primary objectives are to utilize data analytics to examine how smart water flooding influences wettability modification, identify key parameter ranges that notably alter the contact angle, and formulate guidelines and screening criteria for successful lab design. …

Lessons Learned From Laboratory Study And Field Application Of Re-Crosslinkable Preformed Particle Gels Rppg For Conformance Control In Mature Oilfields With Conduits/Fractures/Fracture-Like Channels, Baojun Bai, Thomas P. Schuman, David Smith, Tao Song

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This Paper Surveys the Role of Re-Crosslink able Preformed Particle Gels (RPPG) in Addressing Conformance Challenges within Mature Oilfields. Despite Widespread Preformed Particle Gel (PPG) Application in 15,000+ Wells, their Limitations in Sealing Fractures and Conduits Prevalent in Mature Reservoirs Have Driven the Development of RPPG Formulations. Synthesized in Various Sizes from Micrometer to Millimeter Levels, These Environmentally Friendly RPPGs Are Tailored for Diverse Reservoir Conditions. Findings Showcase the Successful Laboratory-Scale Creation and Upscaling of RPPG Products, Offering Adaptability to Temperatures from 20 to 175°C, Customizable Sizes, Swelling Ratios (5 to 40 Times), and Re-Crosslinking Times Spanning Minutes to Days. …

Borate-Based Bioactive Glasses Properties: Clinical And Biomedical Applications, Sarah Fakher, David J. Westenberg

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Borate bioactive glasses (BBGs) constitute the recently produced bioactive glasses (BGs) in the domain of bioactive materials, offering enhanced functionalities over conventional silicate and phosphate BGs. This advancement is primarily characterized by BBGs' rapid yet controllable degradation rates, superior bioactivity, and the ability to swiftly form a hydroxyapatite layer (HAP) upon interaction with physiological fluids. A distinguishing feature of BBGs lies in their customizability; doping with therapeutic metal ions tailors their bioactivity towards specific physiological responses, including promoting angiogenesis, antibacterial activity, and osteogenesis. This versatility of BBGs' applications extends to bone regeneration, wound healing, drug delivery systems, and potentially nerve …

Beneficiation Of Lunar Regolith Simulants Through Electrostatic Sieving And Magnetic Separation, Peter Bachle, Jeffrey Smith, Fateme Rezaei, David Bayless, William Schonberg, Daoru Han

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In the light of future development of lunar structures, in-situ feldspar beneficiation is imperative for metal extraction. This research incorporates the tandem use of electrostatic sieving and magnetic separation for collecting a specific size range and mineral composition from lunar soil that optimizes subsequent chemical processing. While earlier works focused on silt-sized particles, this work expands that range up to medium-grained sand with a greater variety of potential lunar regolith compositions. This work shows that a 2.5 kV, 7 Hz to 30Hz frequency, single-phase square wave can lift silt and fine sand for collection. This lifting is successful directly from …

Kinetic Modeling Of Electrostatic Sieving For Lunar Regolith Beneficiation: Case Studies, Easton Ingram, Emmanuela Amen Eze, Jeffrey Smith, Fateme Rezaei, David Bayless, William Schonberg, Daoru Han

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A new kinetic particle modeling framework was developed to investigate electrostatic transport of lunar regolith particles with applications to the concept of electrostatic sieving. The new approach is based on kinetic particle dynamics and includes major modules of sampling the particle size distribution, solving electric fields, and tracking motion of charged dust grains. Case studies for a concept of electrostatic sieving were chosen to validate the new model. The simulation achieved similar yields reported in previous works, which served as validation of the model. The new model is computationally efficient and could serve as a design, analysis, and optimization tool.

Graphical Analysis And Revamping Of Crude Distillation Units Under Variable Operational Scenarios, Amany G. Abo-Mousa, Dina A. Kamel, Hany A. Elazab, Mamdouh A. Gadalla, Mai K. Fouad

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Energy Cost Represents a Significant Part of the Total Operating Costs of Many Processing Units. Crude Distillation is an Energy Intensive Process. Energy Integration is a Typical Solution to Reduce Heating and Cooling Utilities through Maximizing the Target Temperature of Crude Oil Streams Before Entering the Furnace. over the Past Few Decades, Significant Progress Has Been Made in Energy Integration Methods Including Pinch Technology and Mathematical Programming Approaches. Very Recently, Graphical Techniques Have Been Developed for Revamping Studies and Energy Analysis. Such Diagrams Are Valuable in Energy Targeting to Identity Energy Inefficiencies and Are Key to Potential Modifications for Maximum …

A Review On Liquid Flow Through Low-Density Fibrous Porous Media, Hossein Abedsoltan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This review focuses on studying liquid flow through low-density fibrous porous media, particularly tissue grades of papers. It discusses experimental designs, factors affecting liquid flow, and various versions of the Lucas-Washburn equation and permeability expressions used to estimate liquid flow in these media. While a comprehensive model for liquid flow in these materials is lacking due to their structural complexity, numerous experimental methods have been developed to determine absorption properties, particularly for wiping and cleaning liquids. The review covers these methods, many of which are proposed by standard organizations. It is a valuable reference for scientists interested in understanding the …

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 …

Comparative Evaluation Of Caries Prevalence Among Group Of Egyptian Adolescents Using Dmfs And Icdasii Methods: A Cross-Sectional Study, Mohamed H. Zaazou, Dalia Y. Zaki, Ali Abdelnabi, Tamer M. Hamdy, Reham S. Saleh, Shahinaz N. Hassan, Zeinab M. Zaki, Lamiaa M. Moharam

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Background: Limited data is available regarding the prevalence of dental caries as a chronic disease among adolescents using different caries assessment indices. The aim of this study was to compare and describe the prevalence of dental caries among group of Egyptian students using two caries assessment indices: DMFS and ICDAS II. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional epidemiological study included 2760 public secondary school students with age range from 15 to 18 years with permanent dentition and good general health. Presence of; retained teeth, congenital or developmental anomalies in the permanent dentition, orthodontic treatments, systematic conditions, smoking and general health problems were …

Evaluation Of Different Decontamination Procedures On Bond Strength To Sound And Caries Affected Dentin Using “No-Wait” Universal Adhesive, Lamiaa M. Moharam, Haidy N. Salem, Sherif Khadr, Ahmed Abdou

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Background: Current study aimed to evaluate the effect of different decontamination procedures on micro-shear bond strength (μSBS) of sound (SoD) and caries-affected dentin (CAD) of two universal adhesives after blood-saliva contamination. Methods: One hundred and eighty bovine anterior teeth were prepared and allocated into the respective groups according to tested dentin substrates [SoD, CAD], universal adhesives [Clearfil Bond Universal Quick (UBQ), All-Bond-Universal (ABU)], adhesive contamination stage [none, contamination before and after adhesives light-curing], and according to decontamination procedures [no decontamination, water rinsing, adhesive rebond, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (ETDA) and chlorhexidine (CHX) application]. Universal adhesives were applied according to manufacturer instructions in …

New Dual Modality Technique Of Gamma-Ray Densitometry (Grd) And Optical Fiber Probe (Ofp) To Investigate Line-Averaged Diameter Profiles Of Gas, Liquid, And Solid Holdups Along The Height Of A Slurry Bubble Column, Omar Farid, Binbin Qi, Sebastián Uribe, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A new hybrid measurement technique was developed and employed to study line-averaged three-phase holdup distribution in a Slurry Bubble Column Reactor (SBCR) using gamma-ray densitometry (GRD) and point optical fiber probe (OFP) techniques. The OFP technique was used to measure the local gas holdup at 45 nodes in the cross-section area of the SBCR at three different axial levels. Thus, the GRD technique measured the spectrum of the SBCR for two different orientations simultaneously with the OFP technique at the same operating conditions to determine the solid holdup distribution radially and axially. The line-averaged solid holdup for 25% solids loading …

Development Of Eco-Friendly Chitosan-G-Polyacrylamide Preformed Particle Gel For Conformance Control In High-Temperature And High-Salinity Reservoirs, Reem Elaf, Ahmed Ben Ali, Mohammed Saad, Ibnelwaleed A. Hussein, Baojun Bai

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Oil and gas extraction has become challenging nowadays due to the accompanying amount of excess produced water that results in poor recoverability of hydrocarbon, besides other environmental and economic isues. A recent and efficient technology for conformance control is the injection of preformed particle gels (PPGs), which results in a more practical production process. Nevertheless, existing treatments fail in high-temperature reservoirs, are extremely sensitive to salinity, and are hazardous. The characteristics of the designed PPG, such as mechanical strength and thermal durability, is mainly depend on their crosslinking method. Polysaccharides-based gels prepared by physical crosslinking are weaker than the ones …

Enhancing Heat Transfer Performance In Simulated Fischer–Tropsch Fluidized Bed Reactor Through Tubes Ends Modifications, Laith S. Sabri, Abbas J. Sultan, Jamal M. Ali, Hasan Shakir Majdi, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Fluidized bed reactors are essential in a wide range of industrial applications, encompassing processes such as Fischer–Tropsch synthesis and catalytic cracking. The optimization of performance and reduction in energy consumption in these reactors necessitate the use of efficient heat transfer mechanisms. The present work examines the considerable impact of tube end geometries, superficial gas velocity, and radial position on heat transfer coefficients within fluidized bed reactors. It was found that the tapered tube end configurations have been empirically proven to improve energy efficiency in fluidized bed reactors significantly. For example, at a superficial gas velocity of 0.4 m/s, the tapered …

Chitosan-Coated Lignin Nanoparticles Enhance Adsorption And Proliferation Of Alcanivorax Borkumensis At The Hexadecane-Water Interface, Amber J. Pete, Jin Gyun Lee, Michael G. Benton, Bhuvnesh Bharti

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Bioremediation of oil spills occurs when indigenous microbes metabolize petroleum hydrocarbons. Rapid proliferation of hydrocarbon-consuming bacteria near the oil-water interface is vital to optimizing the oil biodegradation rate. Adding nanoparticles (NPs) to microbial systems can enhance the bacterial growth rate. However, the role of NP source material and surface charge on their ability to impact bacterial growth and oil-water interface characteristics is poorly understood. Here, we investigate the role of NP composition and surface chemistry on the growth rate of hydrocarbon-consuming bacteria and its attachment to the oil-water interface. We use Alcanivorax borkumensis as a model organism because of its …

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 …

Design And Simulation Of A Utility Oilfield Flare In Iraq/Kurdistan Region Using Cfd And Api-521 Methodology, Ahmed A. Maaroof, Joseph D. Smith, Mohammed H.S. Zangana

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper aims at reviewing and analyzing the operation and design of a utility flare in an oilfield in the Iraq/Kurdistan region. The flare supports a gas separation unit that separates 100 MMSCFD of natural gas from other liquid compounds in petroleum refining. The actual flare dimensions are 50 m high and 0.6 m diameter and works in summer where the crosswind speed is 9 m/s and a flow of 1.2 MMSCFD of treated natural gas is flaring through it. At the beginning, the flare design was performed using the API-521 recommended approach based on full operating capacity of the …

New Methodology For Benchmarking Hydrodynamics In Bubble Columns With Intense Internals Using The Radioactive Particle Tracking (Rpt) Technique, Omar J. Farid, Alexandre França Velo, Binbin Qi, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A new methodology for implementing radioactive particle tracking (RPT) in bubble columns with intense vertical rod internals was developed and implemented to investigate the effect of dense internals on hydrodynamics. The methodology utilizes a hybrid of Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) simulation and an automated RPT calibration device to generate a large number of calibration points for accurate reconstruction of the instantaneous positions of radioactive particles using a similarity algorithm. Measurements were conducted in a 6-inch (15.24 cm) Plexiglas column using an air–water system at a superficial gas velocity of 40 cm/s. Vertical Plexiglas rods 0.5 in (1.27 cm) in diameter …

Experiments For A Computing Class, Christi L. Patton Luks

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Course Description for Numerical Computing for Chemical Engineers Course at Missouri University of Science and Technology States that Students Will "Add to their Programming Skills by Exploring Numerical Computational Techniques for … Chemical Engineering Processes." the Challenge is that the Course is Taught Early in the Curriculum Before the Students Know What Those Chemical Engineering Processes Are. the Course Has Been Structured as a Flipped Class with Class Time Devoted to Solving Problems with the Numerical Tools. to Provide Relevance for the Material, an Experimental Component Has Been Added to the Course. in the Laboratory Sessions, the Students Conduct …

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 …

Drug Delivery On Mg-Mof-74: The Effect Of Drug Solubility On Pharmacokinetics, Neila Pederneira, Kyle Newport, Shane Lawson, Ali A. Rownaghi, Fateme Rezaei

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Biocompatible metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as potential nanocarriers for drug delivery applications owing to their tunable physiochemical properties. Specifically, Mg-MOF-74 with soluble metal centers has been shown to promote rapid pharmacokinetics for some drugs. In this work, we studied how the solubility of drug impacts the pharmacokinetic release rate and delivery efficiency by impregnating various amounts of ibuprofen, 5-fluorouracil, and curcumin onto Mg-MOF-74. The characterization of the drug-loaded samples via X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 physisorption, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) confirmed the successful encapsulation of 30, 50, and 80 wt % of the three drugs within the MOF structure. …

Magnetic-Induced Swing Adsorption Over Iron Oxide/13x: Effects Of Particle Size And Oxide Phase On Sorbent Regeneration In Ethylene/Ethane Separation, Khaled Baamran, Ali A. Rownaghi, Fateme Rezaei

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Magnetic induction has emerged as a viable method for regeneration of sorbents during separation processes. In this work, we investigated the efficacy of magnetic sorbents comprising iron oxide and zeolite 13X in ethylene/ethane separation via a magnetic induction process. The electromagnetic properties of the sorbents were tuned by varying the iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) particle size (30 nm, 100 nm, 5 μm) and iron oxide phase structure (FeO, Fe₂O₃, Fe₃O₄) at 20 wt % loading. The effects of these parameters on adsorption capacity, selectivity, and desorption rates were systematically …

Ultra-Thin Zro2 Overcoating On Cuo-Zno-Al2o3 Catalyst By Atomic Layer Deposition For Improved Catalytic Performance Of Co2 Hydrogenation To Dimethyl Ether, Xiao Fan, Baitang Jin, Xiaoqing He, Shiguang Li, Xinhua Liang

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An Ultra-Thin overcoating of Zirconium Oxide (ZrO₂) Film on CuO-ZnO-Al₂O₃ (CZA) Catalysts by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) Was Proved to Enhance the Catalytic Performance of CZA/HZSM-5 (H Form of Zeolite Socony Mobil-5) Bifunctional Catalysts for Hydrogenation of CO₂ to Dimethyl Ether (DME). under Optimal Reaction Conditions (I.e. 240 °C and 2.8 MPa), the Yield of Product DME Increased from 17.22% for the Bare CZA/HZSM-5 Catalysts, to 18.40% for the CZA Catalyst after 5 Cycles of ZrO₂ ALD with HZSM-5 Catalyst. All the Catalysts Modified by ZrO₂ ALD Displayed Significantly Improved Catalytic Stability …

Transport Phenomena With Reactions In Drug Delivery: Towards A Quantitative Description, Xianjie Qiu, Parthasakha Neogi

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A Distributed System Called a Krogh Cylinder is Used Here to Quantify the Transport of a Solute from the Capillary into the Extravascular Tissue. the Capillary Network is Broken Down into Cylindrical Cells, Each Containing a Capillary and an Appropriate Amount of Extravascular Tissue. the Flow in the Cylinder Model Has Two-Dimensional Velocities, Which Are in the Axial and Radial Directions. All Parameters of the System, together with the Geometric Ones, Have Been Included in the Model. for a Given Bioavailability, the Uptakes of Reactive and Nonreactive Solutes Have Been Obtained. Very Large or Massive Molecules Have Been Considered. the …

Dual Crosslinked Poly(Acrylamide-Co-N-Vinylpyrrolidone) Microspheres With Re-Crosslinking Ability For Fossil Energy Recovery, Jingyang Pu, Baojun Bai, Jiaming Geng, Na Zhang, Thomas Schuman

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Microspheres have been proposed to be applied in controlling wastewater production for mature oilfields and migrating leakage for gas and nuclear waste storage. However, it remains challenging for stacked microspheres to maintain strong blocking ability in micron-sized small pores or fractures. in this study, a novel microsphere was developed with comprehensive properties including high deformability and long re-crosslinking time upon tunable swelling ratio for the applications. a dual covalent and physical crosslinking strategy was used to develop novel microspheres reinforced by a hydrogen bond (H-bond, between pyrrole ring and amide group) and coordination bond (between chromium acetate (CrAc) and carboxyl …

Repeated Low-Level Blast Exposure Alters Urinary And Serum Metabolites, Austin Sigler, Jiandong Wu, Annalise Pfaff, Olajide Adetunji, Paul Ki-Souk Nam, Donald James, Casey Burton, Honglan Shi

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Repeated exposure to low-level blast overpressures can produce biological changes and clinical sequelae that resemble mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). While recent efforts have revealed several protein biomarkers for axonal injury during repetitive blast exposure, this study aims to explore potential small molecule biomarkers of brain injury during repeated blast exposure. This study evaluated a panel of ten small molecule metabolites involved in neurotransmission, oxidative stress, and energy metabolism in the urine and serum of military personnel (n = 27) conducting breacher training with repeated exposure to low-level blasts. The metabolites were analyzed using HPLC—tandem mass spectrometry, and the Wilcoxon …

Lunar In-Situ Aluminum Production Through Molten Salt Electrolysis (Lisap-Mse), Jacob Ortega, Jeffrey D. Smith, Fateme Rezaei, David Bayless, William P. Schonberg, Daniel S. Stutts, Daoru Frank Han

NASA-Missouri Space Grant Consortium

The goal of Artemis is to establish a sustained presence on the Moon. To achieve so, numerous resources are necessary. The Moon contains several essential elements needed to sustain human presence. Most of those elements are trapped in the form of minerals. To refine those minerals into useful materials, reduction methods are needed. Most reduction methods on Earth require large amounts of mass and power which is unrealistic for early stages of building a lunar base. To solve this problem, we are developing a concept of Lunar In-Situ Aluminum Production through Molten Salt Electrolysis (LISAP-MSE).

The LISAP-MSE project, if successful, …