Speakers and Abstracts
All of our speakers this month are currently conducting research at UW as undergraduates in Chemical Engineering.
Galen Brooks, "Acid-Base Chemistry: The Mechanism Behind Charging of Particles in Apolar Media"
Understanding how charged particles behave in apolar media is critical in many different applications, but little is known about how particles acquire charge in such systems. This research tests the hypothesis that the mechanism is one of acid-base surface chemistry. Results of this work show a direct relationship between the sign and magnitude of the particle charge in apolar media and its behavior as a proton donor or acceptor in water, supporting the acid-base theory.
Melanie Drake, "Modeling the Microstructure of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells"
My research seeks to characterize the influence of electrode microstructure on solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) performance. We have created computer models using Comsol Multiphysics approximating the true cathode microstructure as either a cylinder or a series of stacked spheres. Through comparing the performance of the tortuous spheres to the simplified geometry of the cylinder, we have isolated operating regimes in which the geometry of predictive models can be simplified with the use of effective parameters.
Eric Ravet, "Utilizing Nanoparticles in Fiber-Reinforced Composites"
Recently, fiber-reinforced composites have gained attention through high-profile projects such as Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner. Alumina nanoparticles bound to the glass fibers with charge differences can inexpensively improve material properties with little to no increase in weight. Single, coated fibers and epoxy were placed in a mold and baked to create composite samples to be analyzed. The degree of improvement was judged by pulling on of either end of the specimen in a tensile tester.
Michael Mastor, "Solid Foam Shampoo Pads – An Alternative to Liquid Shampoo"
This research has investigated the production of soft foam pads generated from chemicals traditionally found in liquid shampoos. The water-soluble pads are capable of perfectly replicating liquid shampoos in the presence of water. The goal of the research is to develop reproducible foam pads that exhibit the properties desired in traditional shampoos. In comparison to liquid shampoos, foam pads may prove to be advantageous for travel, shipping, and packaging purposes.