GRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

BIOMATERIALS AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

Biomaterials: Magnetic materials are being used to create novel therapies and medical diagnostics, such as detection of diseased tissue, cancer treatment, and triggered drug release. Also, tissue engineering principles are used to create improved models to better treat cancer.

Nanobiotechnology: Research activities consist of preparation of nanomaterials using biological scaffolds, development of improved drug systems, and environmental effects of nanomaterials.

Cell Engineering: Advanced bioprocessing techniques are being used to grow large-scale quantities of cancer stem cells, in order to assist translational medicine and cancer therapies. Also, metabolic engineering is allowing large-scale production of biofuels and pharmaceuticals.

COMPUTATIONAL

Molecular Simulations and Electronic Structure Calculations: This research involves applying molecular-level simulations and electronic structure calculations to predict the thermodynamics and properties of molecules, bio-molecules, fuel cells, carbon nanotubes, and new catalysts.

ELECTRONIC MATERIALS AND DEVICES

Electronic Materials/Thin Films: Research addresses the fundamental understanding of atomic scale processes occurring during the synthesis of electronic materials. Special emphasis is given towards deducing the chemical reactions, thermodynamic driving forces and physical phenomena that govern the material’s physical, optical and electronic properties.

Synthesis of Electronic Materials: This research effort focuses on the controlled synthesis and assembly of nanomaterials and nanostuctures. The objective of this effort is the discovery of novel phenomena exhibited by materials in the nanoscale.

Thermoelectric Materials/Sensors: The main goal is to develop nanostructured thermoelectric materials to improve the heat-to-electricity conversion efficiency for waste heat recovery.

ENERGY/ENVIRONMENTAL

Petroleum and CO2 Sequestration: This research focuses on new ways to sequester CO2 emissions and the evaluation of various aspects of CO2 enhanced oil production. Research efforts also include the development of numerical modeling and 3-D visualization tools.

Alternative Energy: Heterogeneous catalysis is used to produce and purify hydrogen from fossil fuels. Electrocatalysis is studied for fuel cell electrodes, photovoltaics, batteries, and supercapacitors. Major objectives include improving the activity and stability of the catalysts and finding less expensive metals. Biogas is produced from wastewater treatment sludge.

Functionalized Membranes for Separation and Reaction: Research involves addition of adsorption and catalytic properties to porous membranes and thin films through the grafting of functional polymers. Research includes high capacity membrane adsorbers for monoclonal antibodies, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and catalytic membranes for alkylation and esterification.

Industrial Gas Capture: Ionic liquids and related compounds are being investigated as green solvents for capturing industrial CO2 emissions and many other applications. They can also be used for natural gas sweetening, by removing H2S and NH3 from the natural gas.

FACULTY

David W. Arnold, Ph.D., Purdue

Yuping Bao, Ph.D., Washington

Jason E. Bara, Ph.D., Colorado

Christopher S. Brazel, Ph.D., Purdue

Arunava Gupta, Ph.D., Stanford

Qiang Huang, Ph.D., Louisiana State (Joining in January 2016)

Yonghyun (John) Kim, Ph.D., UMBC

Tonya M. Klein, Ph.D., NC State

Alan M. Lane, Ph.D., Massachusetts

X. Margaret Liu, Ph.D., Ohio State

Qing Peng, Ph.D., NC State

Shreyas S. Rao, Ph.D., Ohio State

Stephen M.C. Ritchie, Ph.D., Kentucky

Ryan Summers, Ph.D., Iowa

C. Heath Turner, Ph.D., NC State

John Van Zee, Ph.D., Texas A&M

John M. Wiest, Ph.D., Wisconsin

Research Overview

Please address general correspondence

to the interim graduate coordinators:

Dr. Yuping Bao, ybao@eng.ua.edu Dr. Jason Bara, jbara@eng.ua.edu

Dr. Bao’s group focuses on designing novelmultifunctional nanoparticles for biomedicalapplications, such as targeted drug delivery,bio‐imaging, and cell tracking. They are alsoexploring engineered biological templates forthe synthesis of nanomaterials.

Magnetic nanoparticles have significantly advanced cancer treatmentsthrough targeted drug delivery and localized therapy. Magneticnanoparticles further make simultaneous therapy and diagnosis possibleas magnetic resonant imaging (MRI) contrast agents.

One of the unique aspects of Bao’s research is the creation of a suite ofiron oxide nanoparticles of different shapes as MRI contrast agents andfor other biotechnology related applications. These shapes includespheres, cubes, nanowires, plates, flowers, etc.

To further enhance the imaging capability of these nanoparticles, Dr.Bao’s group designs magnetic-fluorescent integrated nanoparticles usingiron oxide as the magnetic component and metallic nanoclusters as thefluorescent component. This multifunctional nanostructure also has thepotential to serves as dual contrast agents for MRI and CT scans.

Much of Dr. Bao’s works are directly related to the engineering of materialinterfaces. Her group developed a facile method to attach variousmolecules onto nanoparticle surfaces for water solubility and desirablefunctionality, such as tumor targeting.

Yuping BaoAssociate ProfessorPh.D. Materials Science and Engineering and NanotechnologyUniversity of Washington, 2006

Recent Publications

1. Y. Xu, J. Sherwood, Y. Qin, R. A.Holler, and Y. Bao, A generalapproach to the synthesis anddetailed characterization of magneticferrite nanocubes, Nanoscale, 7,12641-12649 (2015).

2. T. Macher, J. Totenhagen, J.Sherwood, Y. Qin, D. Gurler, M. SBolding and Y. Bao, Ultrathin ironoxide nanowhiskers as positivecontrast agents for magneticresonance imaging. Adv. Funct.Mater., 25, 490–494 (2015).

3. Y. Xu, D. Baiu, J. Sherwood, M.McElreath, Y. Qin, K. Lackey, M. Otto,Y. Bao, Linker-free conjugation andspecific cell targeting of antibodyfunctionalized iron oxidenanoparticles, J. Mater. Chem. B 2,6198-6206 (2014). ybao@eng.ua.edu ◦ (205) 348-9869

Fluorescent

Multifunctional

nanoparticles Magnetic

Yuping BaoNano-Bio Interface Laboratory - Multifunctional Nanoparticles for Simultaneous Imaging and Therapy

20 nm

a

Antibody targeted tumor cells

Dr. Bara’s research group is focused on

development of novel materials and processes

for clean energy production, chemical

manufacture, 3-D printing, economic modeling,

and scientific apps for iPhones and iPads.

Capturing CO2 from power plant flue gas and other industrial

sources is one of the greatest engineering challenges of the 21st

Century. Dr. Bara’s group focuses on the use of new solvents with

very low or zero volatility to capture CO2. By measuring

thermophysical properties of these solvents, they are able to create

process designs for pilot plants that will be operated in the field.

One of the major challenges in using new solvents in chemical

engineering processes is that they have a high cost of manufacture.

Dr. Bara’s group is interested in developing straightforward

methodologies for producing “green” solvents at low cost using

industrially viable reactions.

In addition to their work in clean energy processes and green

solvents, Dr. Bara’s group is also designing new ionic polymers and

composites. These materials provide unprecedented opportunities

to create stable nanostructured materials with highly tunable

chemical and physical properties for applications including CO2

capture, water purification and materials for 3-D printing.

Bara has also developed several apps for iPhones/iPads including

Chemical Engineering AppSuite, ODEsseus and Engineering Unit

Converter.

Jason E. BaraAssociate ProfessorPh.D. Chemical EngineeringUniversity of Colorado at Boulder, 2007

Recent Publications

1. Horne, W. J.; Andrews. M. A; Terrill,K. L.; Hayward, S. S.; Marshall, J. E.;Belmore, K. A.; Shannon, M. S; Bara, J.E. Poly(Ionic Liquid) Superabsorbentfor Polar Organic Solvents. ACS Appl.Mater. Inter. 2015, 7, 8979-8983.

2. Shannon, M. S.; Irvin, A. C., Liu, H.;Moon, J. D.; Hindman, M. S.; Turner,C. H.; Bara, J. E. Chemical andPhysical Absorption of SO2 by N-Functionalized Imidazoles:Experimental Results and Molecular-level Insight. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.2015, 54, 462-471.

3. Whitley, J. W.; Horne, W. J.; Bara, J. E.Enhanced Photopolymerization Rate& Conversion of 1-vinylimidazole inthe Presence of Lithium Bistriflimide.Eur. Polym. J. 2014, 60, 92-97.

jbara@eng.ua.edu ◦ http://jbara.eng.ua.edu/ ◦ (205) 348-6836 ◦ Twitter: @ProfBara

Jason E. BaraCO2 Capture Processes, Advanced Polymers and Materials, “Green” Chemistry, Chemistry, 3-D Printing, Big Data, Chemical Engineering Mobile Apps

The Brazel Laboratory is developingnanomaterials for medical andbiopharmaceutical applications. Recent fociin the lab include: (1) development oftargeted and triggered magnetic micellesthat combine hyperthermia with release ofanti-cancer drugs, and (2) developing arobust toxicology assay to evaluate polymerfilms for single-use cell culture/fermentation.The combination of the nanoparticles with polymeric micelles withcrystalline cores allows a magnetic field to trigger release ofchemotherapy agents. The Brazel Lab work includes synthesis of ironoxide nanoparticles, block copolymers, such as poly(caprolactone-b-ethylene glycol) (below) and hydrogels as well as characterization of theproperties and functionality of these materials.

The lab collaborates with researchers in chemistry, biology and themedical sciences to further develop these materials for human healthapplications. Nanotechnology offers great promise for biomedicalapplications, as this size range (which also includes most micelles) allowsinteraction and targeting to specific cells and tissue in the body (forexample, using peptides like RGD shown above). Electron microscopy(TEM image of magnetic micelles below, left), and high frequencymagnetic heating (envisioned using an infrared camera, bottom right) areused to validate the system. We seek to understand the fundamentalchemistry and physics of the materials and phenomena to guide theoptimization of drug delivery devices, while considering the interaction ofnew materials with both the human body (therapeutic effect) and theenvironment (potential toxicology).

Christopher BrazelAssociate ProfessorPh.D. Chemical EngineeringPurdue University, 1997

Recent Publications1. A. L. Glover, S. M. Nikles, J. A. Nikles,

C. S. Brazel, D.E. Nikles, PolymerMicelles with Crystalline Cores forThermally Triggered Release,Langmuir 28, 10653-10660 (2012).

2. D. Baiu, C.S. Brazel, Y. Bao, and M.Otto Review: Superparamagnetic IronOxide Nanoparticles for TheranosticApplica- tions in Cancer: Promises &Challenges in Moving from Bench toBedside, Curr. Pharm Des., 19 (2013)6606-6621.

3. Glover, A.L., J.B. Bennett, J.S.Pritchett, S.M. Nikles, D.E. Nikles, J.A.Nikles and C.S. Brazel, MagneticHeating of Iron Oxide Nanoparticlesand Targeted Magnetic Micelles forCancer Therapy, IEEE Trans. Magn., 49(2013), 231-235.

4. Shah, R.R., T.P. Davis, A.L. Glover,D.E. Nikles and C.S. Brazel, ParametricEvaluation of Heat Generation in IronOxide Nanoparticles for use inMagnetic Hyperthermia, J. Magn.Magn. Matls., 387 (2015), 96-106

cbrazel@eng.ua.edu ◦ http://bama.ua.edu/~cbrazel ◦ (205) 348-9738

10 min

Christopher BrazelBiopolymers, Drug Delivery, Nanotherapeutics, Magnetic Hyperthermia, Single-use Bioprocessing Films

Dr. Gupta’s group focuses on controlledsynthesis and assembly of nanomaterials andnanostructures, with emphasis on theexploration and manipulation of materials’physical and chemical properties and theirpotential applications.Spintronics, also known as magneto-electronics, is an emergingtechnology which exploits the intrinsic spin of electrons and its associatedmagnetic moment, in addition to its fundamental electronic charge, insolid-state devices. Spintronics exploits electron spin, creating a new classof devices that can potentially be scaled down to nano-dimensions andcan also provide additional functionality. The group is interested in thegrowth and characterization of novel magnetic thin films by a variety ofdeposition techniques, including chemical vapor deposition, pulsed laserdeposition, etc. for the fabrication of devices, such as magnetic tunneljunctions and spin-based semiconductors, and their application forstorage, memory, and logic-based devices.

Nanomaterials are of great interest for a wide range of applications,including catalysis, data storage, biotechnology/biomedicine, etc. Inparticular, the synthesis of monodisperse uniform-sized nanocrystalsusing solution-based methods is of key importance for these applicationsbecause of their strong dimension-dependent physical and chemicalproperties. Dr. Gupta’s research group is interested in the synthesis offunctional oxides and chalcogenides in the form of nanoparticles andother nanostructures with controlled shape, size, structure, etc.

In addition to traditional methods for the synthesis of inorganicnanomaterials, novel approaches are being developed that exploitadvances in biotechnology. The bio-inspired approach to materialssynthesis has successfully utilized cells, viruses, and biomolecules, such asnucleic acids, proteins, etc., to produce inorganic nanomaterials withcontrolled crystal morphology, phase structure, and size, under mildconditions.

Arunava GuptaProfessorPh.D. Chemical PhysicsStanford University, 1980

Recent Publications1. K. Ramasamy, R. K. Gupta, S.

Palchoudhury, S. Ivanov, and A.Gupta, Layer-Structured CopperAntimony Chalcogenides(CuSbSexS2-x): Stable ElectrodeMaterials for Supercapacitors,Chem. Mater. 27, 379 (2015).

2. Z. Zhou, G. J. Bedwell, R. Li, N. Bao,P. E. Prevelige, and A. Gupta, P22Virus-like Particles ConstructedAu/CdS Plasmonic PhotocatalyticNanostructures for EnhancedPhotoactivity, Chem. Commun. 51,1062 (2015).

3. Z. Shan, D. Clayton, S. Pan, P. S.Archana, and A. Gupta, VisibleLight Driven PhotoelectrochemicalProperties of Ti@TiO2 NanowireElectrodes Sensitized with Core-Shell Ag@Ag2S Nanoparticles, J.Phys. Chem. B 118, 14037 (2014). agupta@mint.ua.edu◦http://www.bama.ua.edu/~agupta/◦(205) 348-3822

Arunava GuptaControlled Synthesis and Assembly of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures

Dr. Huang’s group focuses on developingelectrochemical technologies formicroelectronics and renewable energy. Thecurrent research interests are focused on theexploration of electrodeposited nanomaterialsand nanostructures for semiconductorinterconnect, spintronics, and energyapplications.

Cu interconnects in semiconductor integrated circuits is currently

facing a scaling challenge, where the Cu resistivity increases exponentially

as the dimension decreases. Large Cu grains in small lines, if achieved, are

expected to not only lower the line resistivity but also improve the

reliability. A rapid Cu grain growth was observed when Cu was deposited

on Co alloy (see below on the left). Our current research is to explore the

methods and materials to achieve large Cu grains in small lines.

Recent Publications1. Q. Huang, S. S. Papa Rao, and K.

Fisher, Light AssistedElectrodeposition and Silicidation ofNi for Silicon Photovoltaic CellMetallization, ECS J. Solid State Sci.Technol., 4, Q75, (2015).

2. A. Sahin, Q. Huang, J. Cotte, and B.Baker-O’Neal, Electrodeposition ofPaladium for NanodeviceApplications, J. Electrochem. Soc.161, D697 (2014).

3. Q. Huang, A. Avekians, S. Ahmed, C.Parks, B. Baker-O’Neal, S. Kitayaporn,A. Sahin, Y. Sun, T. Cheng, Impurity inthe Electrodeposited Sub-50 nm CuLines: the Effect of Additives, J.Electrochem. Soc. 161, D388 (2014).

4. D. Liang, J. Liu, K. Reuter, B. Baker-O’Neal, Q. Huang, Electroplating ofNiFe Alloys in Sub-50 nm Lines, J.Electrochem. Soc. 161, D301 (2014). qhuang15@eng.ua.edu

Qiang HuangElectrodeposition, Spintronic Materials, Semiconductor, Renewable Energy

Qiang HuangAssistant Professor (Joining Jan. 2016)Ph.D. Chemical EngineeringLouisiana State University, 2004

Chalcogenide compounds of transition metals find a variety ofapplications, including phase change (see above on the right) memory,piezoelectric and ferroelectric switches, as well as thin film solar cells.However, the electrodeposition of non metallic compounds remains achallenge. Our group is developing electrodeposited chalcogenidenanomaterials including nanofilms, nanowires and nanodots. The longterm goal is to make electrochemical method as one of viable options tomake memory and solar devices.

Another focus of our research is on thedevelopment of spintronic devices usingcompositionally modulated nanowires. Weare currently exploring i) electrochemicalmethods to create nanopore templateswith controlled pore location and size, andii) electrochemical deposition to fabricatenanowires with compositional modulationat nano-meter scale (see on the right).

Yonghyun KimAssistant ProfessorPh.D. Chemical EngineeringUniv. Maryland Baltimore County, 2008

Selected Recent Publications1. Tilson SG, Haley EM, Triantafillu

UL, Dozier DA, Langford CP,Gillespie GY, Kim Y. ROCKInhibition Facilitates In VitroExpansion of Glioblastoma Stem-Like Cells. PloS One. 2015;10(7):e0132823.

2. Haley EM, Kim Y. The role of basicfibroblast growth factor inglioblastoma multiforme andglioblastoma stem cells and intheir in vitro culture. Cancer Lett.2014; 346(1):1-5.

3. Joo KM, Jin J, Kim E, Ho Kim K, KimY, et al. MET signaling regulatesglioblastoma stem cells. CancerRes. 2012; 72(15):3828-38.

4. Kim Y, Kim KH, Lee J, Lee YA, KimM, et al. Wnt activation isimplicated in glioblastomaradioresistance. Lab. Invest. 2012;92(3):466-73. ykim@eng.ua.edu ◦ http://ykim.eng.ua.edu ◦ (205) 348-1729

The Kim laboratory is working onbioprocessing expansion of cancer stem cellsto better assist translational medicine.Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered thestem cell-like pluripotent cancer cells thatcause relapse in patients even after the mostrigorous treatment.

Pharmaceutical companies, however, typically use several decades-oldcancer cell lines during their drug development because, among manyreasons, (1) CSCs are hard to acquire and (2) are limited in number. It isbecoming increasingly recognized, however, drug development must bebased on CSCs to develop better drugs that target the "real culprit" intumors. Therefore, the work at the Kim Laboratory aims to bridge theoncologists with the engineers by developing large scale quantities ofCSCs using engineering principles and systems biology tools (e.g.,proteomics) for the mass production of CSCs from primary patient tissuesand cell culture. By doing so, they hope to assist in the drug developmentby providing a more relevant and closer-to-clinic resource of cancer cells.

Yonghyun (John) KimBioprocessing, Oncology, Systems Biology, Translational Medicine

Tonya KleinAssociate ProfessorPh.D. Chemical EngineeringNorth Carolina State University, 1999

As electronic, magnetic and photonicdevices become more sophisticated, there isan ever-pressing need to fully understandthe physics and chemistry of solidinterfaces. Technologies such as spin valves,field effect transistors, and nano-laminateoptical coatings are all comprised of ultra-thin films in the nanometer thicknessregime.At this dimension, bulk thermodynamic properties governing filmstability, diffusion, and reactions as well as bulk electron transportmechanisms that determine device performance no longer apply.Hence, there is a need to develop novel preparation proceduresfor thin film structures with abrupt interfaces for incorporation innew devices and in test devices which probe fundamental physicalphenomena like electron scattering at interfaces in giant magnetoresistance (GMR) and tunneling magneto resistance (TMR)recording heads.

Atomic Layer Chemical Vapor Deposition is a promising techniquefor the fabrication of nanometer scale thin films for alternate highk gate dielectrics in field effect transistors, dielectrics for magnetictunnel junctions, and metal thin films for spin valves, opticalcoatings, or diffusion barriers for interconnects. The processinvolves a separation of the reaction sequence into two self-limiting steps dependent on the availability of functional groupspresent on the surface. This allows the formation of an atomiclayer one step at a time, resulting in excellent film uniformity,conformality and thickness control.

Recent Publications1. K. J. Li, L. Zhang, D. A. Dixon, T. M.

Klein, Undulating Topography ofHfO2 Thin Films Deposited in aMesoscale Reactor Using Hafnium(IV) tert Butoxide, AICHE J. 57, 2989-2996 (2011).

2. N. Li, M. Liu, Z. Zhou, N. X. Sun, D. V.B. Murthy, G. Srinivasan, T. M. Klein,et al., Electrostatic Tuning ofFerromagnetic Resonance andMagnetoelectric Interactions inFerrite-piezoelectricHeterostructures Grown by ChemicalVapor Deposition, Appl. Phys. Lett.99, 192502 (2011).

3. K. J. Li, S. G. Li, N. Li, T. M. Klein, D.A. Dixon, Tetrakis(ethylmethylamido)Hafnium Adsorption and Reaction onHydrogen-Terminated Si(100)Surfaces. J. Phys. Chem. C 115,18560-18571 (2011).

tklein@eng.ua.edu ◦ (205) 348-9744

Attenuated total reflectance Fouriertransform infra-red spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) reaction cell is used to observeinitial reaction pathways in real time. AnIR light beam is focused on the backsideof a heated Si, Ge or ZnSe ATR crystaland is bounced though as it is totallyreflected at the gas surface interfaces.Some of the light extends as anevanescent wave into the reaction zoneon the topside of the ATR crystal and isused to identify key chemical groupsinvolved in the reaction sequence.

Tonya KleinIn-situ IR Spectroscopy of Thin Film Deposition

Recent Publications

1. X. Xu, J. Park, Y. K. Hong, A. M.Lane. Synthesis and Characterizationof Hollow Mesoporous BaFe12O19

Spheres, J. Solid. State. Chem., 222,84-89 (2015).

2. X. Xu, J. Park, Y. K. Hong, A. M.Lane. Magnetically Self-assembledSrFe12O19/FeCo Core/shellNanoparticles, Mater. Chem. Phys.,152, 9-12 (2015).

3. W. Li, A. M. Lane, “Resolving the H-UPD and H-OPD by DEMS toDetermine the ECSA of Pt Electrodesin PEM Fuel Cells” Electrochem.Commun. 13, 913-916 (2011).

alane@eng.ua.edu ◦ http://catalyst.eng.ua.edu/ ◦ (205) 348-6367

Dr. Lane’s research group investigatescatalysts that will transform our nation’senergy future. Recently they have focusedon batteries, fuel cells, and hydrogenproduction. Specifically, the team hasstudied catalysts used to 1) make hydrogenby reforming hydrocarbons, 2) purifyhydrogen to remove carbon monoxide, and3) generating electricity at fuel cell andbattery electrodes.

We are interested inmaking the catalysts moreactive, selective, andstable. Since catalysts aremost often made fromexpensive noble metalslike platinum, the teamwould like to minimize theamount needed or, betteryet, find other catalyticallyactive metals.

The laboratory features a fuel cell test station, a rotating ring diskelectrode, microreactors with analysis by GC and MS, and the facilitiesto synthesize catalysts and electrodes. The nearby Central AnalyticalFacility features an x-ray photoelectron spectrometer, x-raydiffractometer, and high-resolution transmission and scanning electronmicroscopes.

In the future, the groupintends to increase focuson electrochemistry. Thistechnology is at the heartof our world's energyfuture, including batteries,fuel cells, photovoltaics,and hydrogen storage.

Alan LaneHeterogeneous Catalysis and Electrochemistry

Alan LaneProfessorPh.D. Chemical EngineeringUniversity of Massachusetts, 1984

Dr. Liu’s group focuses on next-generationbioenergy and biochemical developmentand production by constructing novelengineered strains using systems biology.They are also interested in the improvementof biopharmaceuticals expression andproduction by cell engineering andintegrated process development.

Biobutanol is a clean fuel with high energy content that can be used as asubstitute for imported gasoline, but current n-biobutanol production islimited by the low productivity of microorganisms and high productioncost of starch feedstock. Efficient butanol-producing metabolicallyengineered Clostridia strains will be designed and constructed byintegrating genomics, proteomics and metabolomics knowledge.Biobutanol yield could be improved by synthesizing heterologouspathway to produce butanol through butyryl-CoA, rebalancing carbondistribution, rebalancing redox to increase NADH formation, andincreasing end product tolerance. The production cost of n-butanol willbe reduced by consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) fromlignocellulose biomass. The immobilized-cell fermentation andextractive fermentation will be developed and optimized to producebiobutanol continuously. The target is to improve cellulosic biobutanolproduction using the novel engineered strain to meet the requirementof biofuel market.

About two-thirds of the biotherapeutic proteins are made using CHO(Chinese Hamster Ovary) cell. However, protein productivity and quality,stability of high producing cell line, and efficient bioreactor process arethe bottlenecks in bioprocessing of biopharmaceuticals. The systembiology technologies (CHOnomics) will be used to develop an in-depthunderstanding of global genome sequencing, metabolic profiling, andtranscriptomics analysis. Targeting regulation and synthetic biology willbe applied to rationally engineer host cell to improve protein quality(glycosylation and sialylation). Integrated production process will bedeveloped with medium development and production parametersoptimization. Novel biopharmaceuticals platforms with short timelineand high production efficiency will be developed to assist newtherapeutic products development and commercialization.

Recent Publications1. Ma, C., Kojimab, K., Xu, N., Mobley,

J., Zhou, L., Yang, S.T., and Liu, X.M.*Comparative proteomics analysis ofhigh n-butanol producingmetabolically engineered Clostridiumtyrobutyricum. J. Biotechnol. 193,108- 19. (2015).

2. W. Dong, X. Liu, and S. T. Yang,Butyric Acid Production fromSugarcane Bagasse Hydrolysate byClostridium tyrobutyricumImmobilized in a Fibrous-bedBioreactor, Bioresource Tech. 129,553-560 (2013) .

3. Zhou, L., Xu, N., Sun. Y. and Liu,X.M.* Cancer Treatment UsingTargeted Biopharmaceuticals. CancerLett. 352, 145-151 (2014).

4. Liu, X.* and Zhou, L. The applicationof Omics in Targeted AnticancerBiopharmaceuticals Development.Austin J. Biomed. Eng. 1(1), 8-15(2014).

mliu@eng.ua.edu ◦ (205) 348-0868

X. Margaret LiuAssistant ProfessorPh.D. Chemical and Biomolecular Eng.The Ohio State University, 2005

X. Margaret LiuSystems Biology, Metabolic Engineering, Cell Line and Bioprocessing -Bioenergy, Biochemical, Biopharmaceuticals and Anticancer Therapy

Qing PengAssistant ProfessorPh.D. Chemical EngineeringNorth Carolina State University, 2009

Dr. Peng’s group focuses on understanding thesurface/interfacial phenomena during theassembly of materials from molecular buildingblocks (Molecular Legos). With thesefundamental knowledge, the group isinterested in developing assembly strategiesof ultrathin new materials to addresschallenges facing the sustainable energyutilization.Energy is critical to the sustainable development of the humansociety. Most of the challenges in the human society can beaddressed if we can harvest a large amount of energy in asustainable way. New materials play the critical role indeveloping sustainable methods of energy utilization.Surface/interfacial properties of the materials often determinethe performance of the materials in the energy relatedapplications ranging from solar energy conversion,electrochemical energy conversion and energy storage, 2Dmicroelectronics, flexible electronics and biomaterials.

Our interests is to develop new methods to assemble materialswith control of the composition and structures down to theatomic level. We are interested in understanding thenucleation and growth mechanisms of ALD (Atomic LayerDeposition) and its derivatives by in-situ/ex-situ analyticmethods to grow materials with the controlled physiochemicalproperties. With the thorough understandings of the devices’physics and substrate chemistry, we are also interested inemploying novel molecular assembly strategies in tuning thesurface/interfacial chemistry and micro-structures of materials,and establishing the structure-property relationship ofmaterials.

Recent Publications1. A. Cordova, Q. Peng, I. L. Ferrall, A. J.

Rieth, P. G. Hoertz, J. T. Glass.Enhanced PhotoelectrochemicalWater Oxidation via Atomic LayerDeposition of TiO2 on Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide Nanoparticle Films,Nanoscale. 7, 8584, (2015).

2. Q. Peng, B. Kalanyan, P. G. Hoertz, A.Miller, D. H. Kim, K. Hanson, L.Alibabaei, J. Liu, T. J. Meyer, G. N.Parsons, J. T. Glass, “Solution-Processed, Antimony-Doped TinOxide Colloid Films Enable High-Performance TiO2 Photoanodes forWater Splitting,” Nano Lett. 13,1481 (2013).

3. Q. Peng, Y. C. Tseng, S. B. Darling, J.W. Elam, “Nanoscopic PatternedMaterials with Tunable Dimensionsvia Atomic Layer Deposition onBlock Copolymers,” Adv. Mater. 22,5129 (2010).

qpeng2@eng.ua.edu ◦ (205) 348 4281

Qing PengSurface/Interfacial Engineering Group

The projects will beexplored in Dr. Peng’sresearch group.

1) Surface reactionmechanism of ALD;

2) Perovskite solar cell;

3) Catalysts for energyharvesting.

The Rao Laboratory is developing engineering tools tounravel the mechanisms associated with the role ofmicroenvironment in cancer progression, therapeuticresponse and resistance.

The oncogenic progression of cancer from the primary to themetastatic setting is the critical event that defines stage IVdisease, no longer considered curable. Despite some success indeveloping a suite of therapies, a key challenge that continuesto hamper cancer treatment is the frequent development ofdrug resistance, particularly in the metastatic setting, resultingin disease relapse and often mortality. Most existingexperimental models to investigate tumor cell responses totherapeutic treatments and examine mechanisms of drugresistance utilize two dimensional (2D) substrates (e.g., plastic,glass) that largely fail to recapitulate the complex in vivoenvironment.

Our research group is designing three dimensional (3D)biomaterial scaffolds (e.g., hydrogel scaffolds, and porousscaffolds) as tools to mimic features of tissues that could serveas platforms for elucidating physiologically relevant cellularbehaviors, drug screening and discovery, as well as mechanismsof drug resistance in the context of cancer therapeutics in vitroand in vivo. In addition, we are developing biomaterial toolsthat could be employed for sensing and modulation of drugresistance. We are also interested in applying systems biologyapproaches to understand the underlying mechanisms oftherapeutic resistance in physiologically relevant 3Dmicroenvironments. This knowledge could be subsequentlyutilized to devise strategies that can reprogram themicroenvironment to halt disease progression. Given that drugresistance is a major issue noted across multiple types ofcancers, this work would have far reaching implications in drugdiscovery and development, thereby transforming currenttreatment strategies.

Shreyas RaoAssistant ProfessorPh.D., Chemical EngineeringThe Ohio State University, 2012

Recent Publications1. S.M. Azarin, J. Yi, R.M. Gower, B.A.

Aguado, M.E. Sullivan, A.G. Goodman,E.J. Jiang, S.S. Rao, Y. Ren, S.L. Tucker,V. Backman, J.S. Jeruss, L.D. Shea Invivo capture and label-free detection ofearly metastatic cells. Nature Commun.In Press. (2015).

2. S.S. Rao, J.J. Lannutti, M.S. Viapiano, A.Sarkar, J.O. Winter Toward 3Dbiomimetic models to understand thebehavior of glioblastoma multiformecells. Tissue Eng. B: Rev. 20, 314-327(2014).

3. S.S. Rao, J. DeJesus, A. R. Short, J.J.Otero, A. Sarkar, J.O. WinterGlioblastoma behaviors in three-dimensional collagen- hyaluronancomposite hydrogels. ACS Appl. Mater.Interf. 5, 9276-84 (2013).

4 . S.S. Rao, M.T. Nelson, R. Xue, J.K.eJesus, M.S. Viapiano, J.J. Lannutti, A.Sarkar, J.O. Winter Mimicking whitematter tract topography using core-shell electrospun nanofibers toexamine migration of malignant braintumors. Biomater. 34, 5181-90 (2013). srao3@eng.ua.edu ◦ (205) 348-6564

Shreyas RaoBiomaterials, Cell-Material Interactions, Tumor Microenvironment, Drug Resistance

Dr. Ritchie’s laboratory focuses on theaddition of active properties to passivematerials. This work has resulted inadsorptive membranes for antibodypurification, highly charged membranes forprotein separation and concentration, andmembrane catalysts. Commercial productionof functionalized membranes and scale-upare also of interest.

The group’s interest in adsorptive membranes has been focused onantibody purification. The work is continuing and evolving to includeother biomolecules and more complex adsorption sites. Adsorptivemembranes are fully synthetic and high capacity, and are capable ofachieving similar selectivity to affinity resins.

We also have a strong interest in commercial production techniques andapplications for functionalized membranes. Currently, work is focused onhigh volume systems containing proteins and other biomolecules. Thegoal is to concentrate proteins similar to conventional microfiltration andultrafiltration processes, but at much higher flux through a combinationof separation mechanisms beyond size exclusion.

The group’s interest in acid catalysis has been on low temperaturereactions where the competing solid-phase catalyst is strong acid ionexchange resin. Our current interest is adapting membranes for long-term operation in industrial systems. We are targeting applications withreactive distillation is currently employed.

Stephen RitchieAssociate ProfessorPh.D. Chemical EngineeringUniversity of Kentucky, 2001

Recent Publications

1. Shethji, J. and Ritchie, S.M.C.,Microfiltration membranesfunctionalized with multiplestyrenic homopolymer and blockcopolymer grafts, Journal ofApplied Polymer Science, 132,42501, (2015) .

2. El-Zanati, E., Ritchie, S.M.C.,Abdalla, H., Elnashaie, S.,Mathematical modeling,verification and optimization forcatalytic membrane esterificationmicro-reactor, International Journalof Chemical Reaction Engineering,13, 71-82 (2015).

sritchie@eng.ua.edu ◦ http://www.bama.ua.edu/~sritchie/ ◦ (205) 348-2712

Stephen RitchieFunctionalized Materials for Separation and Catalysis

Ryan SummersAssistant ProfessorPh.D. Chemical and Biochemical Engr.University of Iowa, 2011

The Summers lab is working to metabolicallyengineer bacteria and yeast cells to producechemicals, fuels, and pharmaceuticals.Specifically, the group focuses on engineeringenzymes, gene networks, and geneticregulatory elements in microbial cells.

Caffeine is a natural product produced by many plants andconsumed by humans worldwide. However, high caffeineconsumption has also led to large amounts of caffeinated wastefrom coffee and tea processing plants. This can have detrimentalenvironmental effects, as caffeine is toxic to most bacteria andinsects. The Summers lab has a growing collection of bacteriacapable of growing on caffeine as sole carbon and nitrogensource. From these bacteria, new genes and enzymes are beingdiscovered that can be used in a variety of biotechnologicalapplications. Through a combination of systems biology, proteinengineering, and molecular biology, the lab is engineering yeastto simultaneously decaffeinate coffee waste and ferment thesugars in the waste to ethanol. Additionally, bacterial strains toproduce high-value chemicals from caffeine are being created.The group is also working to determine the structures ofcaffeine-degrading enzymes in bacteria using X-raycrystallography.

Other projects in the Summers lab include metabolicengineering of probiotic bacteria for in situ delivery of aminoacids, characterization of genetic regulatory elements inprobiotic bacteria, design of modular plasmids for metabolicengineering of E. coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and othermicrobial strains, and construction of novel riboswitches thatrecognize small molecules.

As society moves away from use of petroleum resources forproduction of fuels and chemicals, their replacements mustcome from natural, renewable resources. To meet this need, theSummers lab seeks to engineer bacteria and yeast cells toproduce bulk and fine chemicals from biomass. In addition tothese chemicals, the group is looking at production ofpharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals in metabolically engineeredmicrobial cells.

Recent Publications1. R. M. Summers, S. Gophishetty, S. K.

Mohanty, and M. Subramanian, NewGenetic Insights to Consider CoffeeWaste as Feedstock for Fuel, Feed,and Chemicals, Central Eur. J. Chem.12, 1271-1279 (2014).

2. R. M. Summers, J. L. Seffernick, E.Quandt, C. L. Yu, J. Barrick, and M.Subramanian, Caffeine Junkie: AnUnprecedented GST-DependentOxygenase Required for CaffeineDegradation by P. putida CBB5, J.Bacteriol. 195, 3933-3939 (2013).

3. E. M. Quandt, M. J. Hammerling, R.M. Summers, P. B. Otoupal, B. Slater,R. N. Alnahhas, A. Dasbupta, J. L.Bachman, M. Subramanian, and J. E.Barrick, Decaffeination andMeasurement of Caffeine Content byAddicted Escherichia coli with aRefactored N-Demethylation Operonfrom Pseudomonas putida CBB5, ACSSynth. Biol. 2, 301-307 (2013).

rmsummers@eng.ua.edu ◦ (205) 348-3169

Ryan M. SummersMetabolic Engineering, Synthetic Biology, Biochemical Engineering for Production of Chemicals, Fuels, and Pharmaceuticals

C. Heath TurnerProfessorPh.D. Chemical EngineeringNorth Carolina State University, 2002

Dr. Turner’s group uses computer simulationsto investigate adsorption and reactions onsurfaces and at interfaces. Their work helpsguide the synthesis of new materials,including thin films, carbon-based materials,fuel cell development, heterogeneouscatalysts, and CO2 separation technologies.

The Turner group is simulating and screening new materials, which can beincorporated into the anodes and cathodes of PEM fuel cells. In particular,they are testing new boron-doped carbon materials, which showsignificantly better resistance to corrosion and help mitigate catalystsintering in fuel cell environments. The group is also collaborating withthe Navy to develop improved models for the electrochemical processesin solid-oxide fuel cells for military applications.

Dr. Turner’s research group is also using molecular simulations tocharacterize porous materials and solvents for CO2 capture. In otherwork, we are using computational approaches to study nanomaterialaggregation and exfoliation phenomena.

Recent Publications1. H. Liu and C. H. Turner, Adsorption

properties of nitrogen dioxide onhybrid carbon and boron-nitridenanotubes, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.116, 22853-22860 (2014).

2. H. Liu, Z. Zhang, J. E. Bara, and C. H.Turner, Electrostatic potential withinthe free volume space of imidazole-based solvents: insights into gasabsorption selectivity, J. Phys. Chem.B 118, 255-264 (2014).

3. Z. Zhang and C. H. Turner,Structural and Electronic Propertiesof Carbon Nanotubes and GraphenesFunctionalized with Cyclopentene–Transition Metal Complexes: A DFTStudy, J. Phys. Chem. C 117, 8758-8766 (2013).

hturner@eng.ua.edu ◦ http://www.bama.ua.edu/~hturner/ ◦ (205) 348-1733

CO2 Absorption

Modeling Process Dynamics in Electrochemical System

C. Heath TurnerSimulating Interfacial Phenomena in Adsorption and Catalysis

Carbon Nanotube Aggregation

Exfoliation of Nanomaterials

John Van ZeeProfessorPh.D. Chemical EngineeringTexas A & M University, 1984

Dr. Van Zee’s group applies the principles ofchemical engineering to electrochemicalsystems. These applications includecorrosion, batteries, fuel cells, and industrialproduction of chlorine and caustic.

Electrochemical engineering provides a path toward the development ofcost-effective sustainable alternative energy systems. These topics includeelectroplating of alloys for circuit boards and corrosion resistant lightweight materials as well as energy conversion devices such as fuel cellsand batteries. Recent projects on concentrated solar power andimproving fuel cells are described below to provide an idea of ourapproach.

Concentrated solar power systems may use inexpensive molten chloridesalts at temperatures approaching 900 ◦C. In these systems, thecombustion of fossil fuels in the boiler of a Rankine cycle is replaced by aheat exchanger with a solar-heated high temperature molten salt. Todesign economical systems, it is necessary to understand corrosionbehavior of lower-cost tubes and structures used in the heat exchangersand storage tanks. In these aggressive environments with non-specialtymaterials, corrosion appears to proceed via selective oxidation of Cr atthe grain boundary. Models of these phenomena, which include masstransfer, kinetics, thermodynamics, and potential theory, are beingdeveloped to describe the corrosion mechanisms. These models of thechromium concentration (Ccr) are time-dependent two-dimensional andrequire meshing at the micron level (see below). The goal is corrosionmitigation strategies.

In the search to lower the capital cost for low temperature fuel cells, off-the-shelf polymeric materials may be used for the balance of plant. Thesematerials meet the stress-strain requirements in vehicles, but they maycontain leachable species which contaminate and decrease bothperformance and fuel cell life. By using in-situ and ex-situ data, the VanZee group has developed models that predict the voltage loss as afunction of the chemistry of the functional groups in the leachates.

Recent Publications1. H-S. Cho and J. W. Van Zee, AnIsothermal Model for PredictingPerformance Loss in PEMFCs fromBalance of Plant Leachates, J.Electrochem. Soc. 161, F1375-F1388(2014).

2. H-S. Cho, M. Ohashi, and J. W. VanZee, Absorption behavior of vanadiumin Nafion, J. Power Sources 267, 547-552 (2014).

3. T. Cui, Y. J. Chao, and J. W. Van Zee,Sealing force prediction of elastomericseal material for PEM fuel cell undertemperature cycling, Inter. J. HydrogenEnergy 39, 1430-1438 (2014).

4. T. Cui, Y. J. Chao, and J. W. Van Zee,Thermal stress development of liquidsilicone rubber seal undertemperature cycling, Polym. Testing32, 1202-1208 (2013).

jwvanzee@eng.ua.edu ◦ (205) 348-6981

John W. Van ZeeElectrochemical Engineering

Meshing

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering

The University of Alabama 360 H. M. Comer

245 7 t h Avenue Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

205-348-6455