Environmental Remediation

Research in this area focuses on designing and developing materials and systems that mitigate pollution and restore environmental quality. Efforts target water treatment, pollutant degradation, metal recovery, and emission reduction using sustainable and high-performance materials.

Biomass-Derived Adsorbents: Sustainable materials designed for high-capacity removal of contaminants from water systems.

• MOF-Based Pollutant Capture: Advanced frameworks engineered to selectively trap and eliminate emerging organic pollutants.

• Anodic Nanostructures: Cutting-edge platforms that enable electrochemical and photoelectrochemical breakdown of toxic organics.

• Heterojunction Catalysts: Tailored systems that drive efficient photocatalytic degradation of emerging water pollutants.

• Metal Recovery via Host–Guest Chemistry: Smart material systems that recover critical and rare metals from waste streams.

• Impregnated Natural Zeolites: Functionalized zeolites serving as engine filters to improve fuel performance while reducing emissions.

Advanced Sensing and Detection

This research area focuses on highly-sensitive sensing systems for detecting environmental and biological targets. Research combines materials science and nanotechnology to produce rapid, selective, and reliable detection tools.

• Functionalized Nanoparticles: Engineered for highly sensitive detection of environmental pollutants and biologically significant molecules.

• Nanoparticle-Based Platforms: Rapid and reliable systems for accurate identification of contaminants.

• Hybrid Nanomaterial Sensors: Real-time monitoring tools for hazardous pollutants in water.

• Optical and Electrochemical Sensors: Precision devices capable of trace-level detection for environmental and biomedical applications.

Bio-based Coatings and Surface Technologies 

This research area aims to design coatings and surface systems from renewable materials that enhance safety, durability, and environmental compatibility.

• Fire-Retardant Coatings: Renewable resource-based coatings that deliver strong flame resistance while promoting sustainability.

• Corrosion Protection: Eco-friendly bio-based alternatives to conventional treatments for extending material lifespan.

• Superhydrophobic and Superoleophilic Coatings: Advanced surfaces enabling rapid and efficient oil spill cleanup.

• Bio-Based Surfactants: Sustainable surfactants engineered to enhance crude oil recovery with reduced environmental footprint.

Energy Storage and Renewable Energy

This thrust focuses on materials and processes that support clean and sustainable energy generation, storage, and conversion.

• Bio-Based Phase Change Materials (PCMs): Sustainable materials for latent heat storage, enabling effective energy capture and controlled release.

• Waste Valorization: Advanced processes and reactor designs that convert waste into renewable energy.

• Photocatalytic and Photoelectrochemical Systems: Solar-driven platforms for hydrogen production and clean fuel generation.

• Thermal Energy Storage Solutions: Scalable systems that enhance grid flexibility and improve energy management.

Computational Materials Design

Computational modeling supports the design and prediction of materials with targeted properties for environmental, energy, and biomedical applications.

• Density Functional Theory (DFT): Quantum-level modeling for designing materials with tailored properties.

• Grand Canonical Monte Carlo Simulations: Evaluating porous materials for pollutant capture.

• Molecular Dynamics Simulations: Molecular-scale insights into surface behavior, reaction kinetics, and transport mechanisms.

• Machine Learning Models: Data-driven approaches that accelerate materials discovery and enable property prediction.

Computational Drug Design

This area applies computational tools to accelerate drug discovery and therapeutic design. Research emphasizes predictive modeling, molecular simulation, and artificial intelligence for precision medicine.

• High-Throughput Virtual Screening: Molecular dynamics-powered approaches to design and refine novel therapeutics.

• Ligand- and Structure-Based Strategies: Computational methods for identifying, optimizing, and validating drug candidates.

• Generative AI-Driven Design: Advanced de novo strategies for developing targeted anticancer drugs.

Chemical Engineering Technologies

This research thrust enhances process design, system modeling, and scale-up for industrial and energy applications, with emphasis on sustainability and resource efficiency.

• Process Design: Optimized strategies that improve performance while advancing sustainability.

• Computational Fluid Dynamics and Process Simulations: Precise modeling and design tools for complex engineering operations.

• Plant and Equipment Design: Approaches that enhance reliability, support sustainability, and ensure operational excellence.

• System Design and Scale-Up: Development of cleaner chemical production and renewable energy technologies at practical scales.

Chemical Engineering Education

Research in engineering education focuses on pedagogical innovation, curriculum design, and student-centered learning to strengthen academic engagement and professional formation.

• Active Teaching Strategies: Approaches that encompass assessment, benchmarking, curriculum design, educational technologies, and accreditation standards.

• Reassessment of Pedagogical Principles: Continuous refinement of teaching methods to strengthen learning outcomes and student engagement.

• Student-Centered Programs: Support systems focused on welfare, recruitment, retention, and smooth academic transitions.

• Collaborative Teaching Practices: Shared efforts to enhance instructional quality and drive educational progress.