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Biomedical and Biochemical Engineering
The application of chemical engineering principles to biomedical and biochemical systems has been a prolonged interest, with current research involving the improvement of biomaterials and the formation of alcohols and other useful products from renewable resources.
Biomaterials:
The biomaterials research involves the utilization of nitric oxide in developing polymers. Nitric oxide is a recently discovered biological molecule that has received widespread interest because of its dual role as both a biochemical messenger and a cytotoxic agent. The current research involves using naturally occuring nitric oxide in the body to interact with a polymer to inhibit platelet adhesion. Modeling the interaction processes and developing the polymers are key aspects of the research.
Graduate Students:
- Jun Gu (Oklahoma State University)
- Vignesh Muthurijayan (Oklahoma State University)
Renewable Fuels:
The research in renewable energy is a new undertaking during the last fours years and involves the fermentation of synthesis gas to ethanol and acetic acid. Primarily, energy crops are gasified to generate syngas (primarily hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide). The syngas is fermented using a novel clostridium bacteria to produce ethanol and/or acetic acid. The current research focuses on modeling and optimizing the process as well as enhancing the gas mass transfer to the bacteria.
Graduate Students:
- Asma Ahmed (Oklahoma State University)
- Allyson White (Brigham Young University)
- Peng Hu (Brigham Young University)
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