It has been a busy fall, and I’m pleased to share some of our many accomplishments. The Department of Chemical Engineering continues to make a real-world impact through collaboration and innovation.
First, I want to welcome our newest faculty member, Instructional Assistant Professor Dylan Turpeinen, and our two visiting instructional assistant professors, Logan Morton and Yu (Yolanda) Zu.
In this newsletter, we ask what inspired renowned Professor Travis Anderson to become a chemical engineer. You may be surprised to learn that it was his sixth-grade science project on stone crab claws. He even convinced his parents to bankroll it. It eventually led to his important work in semiconductors.
In this issue, you’ll also learn about Professor Peng Jiang and his NSF-funded research to develop low-cost, reusable “smart” sensors that can be used to visually detect hazardous chemicals. The sensor works like litmus paper, changing color when exposed to a target chemical.
Another project using science to enhance safety comes from the lab of Professor Josh Moon. To address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called ‘forever chemicals,’ in our water, Moon and his team have been developing a gel-based material that can remove them more efficiently than current commercial options. In June, the team’s paper was published in the journal “Energy and Environmental Materials.”
In August, Assistant Professor Fernando Merida went to Mexico as part of an international partnership designed to spark interest in STEM careers. For a week, he worked with students ranging from high school juniors to college seniors. This project is a great example of ChE’s global outreach and early workforce development initiatives.
This newsletter also features fourth-year Ph.D. student Thomas Corbin, who has been dubbed Mr. Microgravity. Corbin earned the moniker after completing several parabolic flights that simulate zero gravity at NASA. Enjoy reading about his international travels and what he thinks when he runs into fellow Gators in the wild.
Speaking of students, graduate student Sydney Antal has left Gainesville for New York, where she has begun her studies in the Ph.D. program at NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering. She has some great insights for ChE students.
We rely on and are thankful for our generous donors, and we have a great story about how alumni Chris and Julianne Birdsall have expanded their generosity to the department with a six-figure donation to establish the Birdsall Family Maker Space for Hands-on Innovation as part of our building renovation. Learn more about this remarkable couple whose investments spark ChE innovation.
As we wrap up the year, I want to thank everyone for your continued energy, time and support. I invite you to follow us on social media for the latest updates and check out our ChE news page. It’s full of many more stories about our work, students, alumni and faculty.
Richard Dickinson, Ph.D.
Interim Chair and Professor