We develop fundamental knowledge and technologies to meet an increased demand for energy with minimal environmental impact. Examples of current focus areas include development of active and selective catalysts, advancing new strategies in membrane-based separations, and introduction of next-generation semiconductors for energy research.
Faculty
ELECTROCHEMICAL ENGINEERING The research performed in this group represents applications of electrochemical engineering to systems of practical importance. In recent work, electrokinetic phenomena were exploited to enhance continuous separation of water from dilute suspensions of clay associated with phosphate mining operations. The technology developed in this project is intended to greatly reduce the environmental impact of mining operations.…
In my group, we leverage our expertise in optimization and multhyphysics simulations to formulate mathematical models enabling the identification of new, sustainable, and innovative processes, and materials. We are motivated by the grand-challenges in sustainability: (1) the need to develop carbon-neutral processes to produce energy and chemicals, (2) the need to minimize waste generation, and (3) the urgency to find mitigation strategies to alleviate the damage already done.…
WE STUDY POLYMERS, PROTEINS, AND THEIR HYBRIDS TO DESIGN THE NEXT GENERATION OF SOFT MATERIALS using molecular dynamics simulations, high throughout computations, and enhanced sampling methods. To sustain materials discovery in the future given the limited resources at our disposal, predictive engineering techniques must be employed to allow for efficient design and optimization of materials.…
Current research, in collaboration with Professor Pratap Pullammanappallil of the UF Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, focuses on the modeling and optimization of bioprocesses for the production of biofuels and other useful products of bioprocesses. Of particular interest is a remarkable cyanobacterium, isolated by Professor Edward J. Phlips of the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, that with CO2-enriched air produces high concentration of cells and of an extracellular polysaccharide without needing fresh water or external addition of nitrogenous nutrients. …