Prof. Besser is interested in alternatives to traditional paradigms of energy production as a path to alleviating the current dependence on petroleum. He is currently pursuing micro- and nano-technology based solutions for improving efficiency of electrical power generation at various scales.
He has funded projects in reforming hydrocarbons for compact fuel cells, safely and efficiently producing oxygen for fuel cells in oxygen-deficient environments, and improving photovoltaic efficiency through nanomaterials for anti-reflection and photon downconversion. Other projects include nanoengineering 3D interfaces for improved fuel cell performance, increasing reactivity of the hydrogen-oxygen interaction and improving nanomanufacturing of thin-film solar modules. Prof. Besser is also one of the founding faculty of the Green Engineering minor offered to Stevens undergrads. He co-developed a course on Sustainable Energy and has taught it at Escuela Superior Politécnica del Littoral in Guayquil, Ecuador, and on the Stevens campus.
Besser has served by invitation on various technical committees, including the Technical Committee of the International Conference on Microreaction Technology (IMRET), as AIChE Process Development Division Chair of the Microprocessing Area, on the User Committee of the Cornell Nanofabrication Facility, and as a reviewer on various panels evaluating research proposals, book proposals, and journal articles. He has produced a number of invited conference presentations, invited lectures, invited book chapters, peer-reviewed publications, and US and international patents. |
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S. McGovern and R.S. Besser. (2009). Investigation of Multiphase Hydrogenation in a Catalyst-Trap Microreactor, Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology , 84 382-390
E. Lennon, A.A. Burke, M. Ocampo and R.S. Besser. (2009). Microscale packed bed reactor for controlled hydrogen peroxide decomposition as a fuel cell oxidant aboard unmanned undersea vehicles, Journal of Power Sources. 195 299-306
S. McGovern and R.S. Besser. (2009). Investigation of Multiphase Hydrogenation in a Catalyst-Trap Microreactor, Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology. 84 382-390
S. McGovern, G. Harish, C.S. Pai, W. Mansfield, J.A. Taylor, S. Pau, R. Besser. (2008). Multiphase flow regimes for hydrogenation in a catalyst-trap microreactor, Chemical Engineering Journal, 135 (Supplement 1), S229-S236
S. McGovern, G. Harish, C.S. Pai, W. Mansfield, J.A. Taylor, S. Pau, R. Besser. (2008). Multiphase flow regimes for hydrogenation in a catalyst-trap microreactor, Chemical Engineering Journal. 135 (Supplement 1), S229-S236
K. Shah and R.S. Besser. (2008). Understanding Thermal Integration Issues and Heat Loss Pathways in a Planar Microscale Fuel Processor: Demonstration of an Integrated Silicon Microreactor Based Methanol Steam Reformer, Chemical Engineering Journal. 135 (supplement 1), S46-S56
W.C. Shin and R.S. Besser. (2007). Toward autonomous control of microreactor system for steam reforming of methanol, Journal of Power Sources, 164 328-335
K. Shah and R.S. Besser. (2007). Key issues in the microchemical systems-based methanol fuel processor: Energy density, thermal integration, and heat loss mechanisms, Journal of Power Sources, 166 177-193
K. Shah and R.S. Besser. (2007). Understanding Thermal Integration Issues and Heat Loss Pathways in a Planar Microscale Fuel Processor: Demonstration of an Integrated Silicon Microreactor Based Methanol Steam Reformer, Chemical Engineering Journal, (doi:10.1016/j.cej.2007.07.044)
W.C. Shin and R.S. Besser. (2006). Micromachined Thin-Film Gas Flow Sensor for Microchemical Reactors, Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, 16 731-741
R. Besser. (Jan 01, 2005). Microreaction for Microfuel Processing: Challenges and Prospects, Chemical Engineering Technology. (1)
X. Ouyang. (Feb 16, 2005). Effect of reactor heat transfer limitations on CO preferential oxidation, Journal of Power Sources. 141 (1)
R. Besser. (Apr 27, 2005). Preferential Oxidation of Carbon Monoxide in a Thin-Film Catalytic Microreactor: Advantages and Limitations, AIChE Journal. 51 (6)
R. Besser. Micromachined thin-film gas flow sensor for microchemical reactorss, Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering. 16 (5)
E. Lennon, A.A. Burke, R.S. Besser. ( 2009). Updated Assessment of Microreactors for Improved Thermal Management of H2O2 Decomposition as a SOFC Oxidant Source aboard Unmanned Undersea Vehicles, Tampa, FL, American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Proceedings of the 2009 Spring AIChE Meeting
J. Huang, J. Weinstein, R.S. Besser. ( 2009). Particle Loading in a Catalyst-Trap Microreactor, Tampa, FL, American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Proceedings of the 2009 Spring AIChE Meeting
P.J. Lindner, R.S. Besser. ( 2009). Reforming of JP-8 Logistal Fuel in a Microplasma for Compact SOFC Power: Microfabrication Improvements of Reactors, Tampa, FL, American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Proceedings of the 2009 Spring AIChE Meeting
R. S. Besser. (Oct 15, 2009). Microplasma Reforming of Hydrocarbons, Army Research Lab, Adelphi, MD
R.S. Besser. (Jun 19, 2009). Micro and Nanotechnology for Sustainable Energy, Mechanical Engineering Department Seminar, Facultad de Ingenieria Mecanica y Produccion, Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral (ESPOL), Guayaquil, Ecuador
H. Surangalikar, S. McGovern, R.S. Besser. ( 2009). Gas-Liquid-phase Reactions, Micro Process Engineering, A Comprehensive Handbook, Hessel, A. Renken, J.C. Schouten, J. Yoshida, eds, 2: Devices, Reactions, and Applications 167-186
S. Ouyang and R.S. Besser, “CO Clean-up: Preferential Oxidation. ( 2009). Micro Process Engineering, A Comprehensive Handbook, V. Hessel, A. Renken, J.C. Schouten, J. Yoshida, eds, Volume 2: Devices, Reactions, and Applications 479-502
P.J. Lindner and R.S. Besser. ( 2008). Microplasma Reforming of Hydrocarbons, Philadelphia, PA, AIChE. Proceedings of the 2008 Annual AIChE Meeting
E. Lennon, A.A. Burke and R.S. Besser. ( 2008). Hydrogen Peroxide as an Oxidant for UUV Power Sources, Philadelphia, PA, AIChE. Proceedings of the 2008 Annual AIChE Meeting
P. Lindner, R.S. Besser. ( 2008). Microplasma Reforming for SOFC Power, New Orleans, LA, AIChE. Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Microreaction Technology
E. Lennon, A. A. Burke, RS. Besser. ( 2008). Controlled Hydrogen Peroxide Decomposition for a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Oxidant Source with Microreactors, New Orleans, LA, AIChE. Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Microreaction Technology
R.S. Besser. (Jul 30, 2008). Microplasmas in Microfluidics for Compact Chemical Processing, Graduate Summer Institute on Complex Plasmas, Hoboken, NJ
P. Lindner, A. Najem, W. Zhu, and R.S. Besser. (Feb 21, 2008). Microplasma Reforming of JP-8, Workshop on Soldier-Portable Power Systems: Status Review and Research Needs, College Park, Maryland
R. Besser. (Feb 22, 2006). A Look At Microchemical Systems : What are MCS? What are some key limitations?, Microchemical Systems
R. Besser. (Oct 19, 2005). Miniaturization for Chemical Processing: Smaller Can Be Better
R. Besser. (Oct 10, 2004). Silicon Based Microchemical Concepts for Miniature Fuel Processor
R. Besser. (Oct 08, 2004). Preferential Oxidation in a Microchemical System, Advantages and Limitations, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh
R. Besser. (Jun 24, 2004). Microchemical Systems: New Tools for Chemical Engineers Through Miniaturization
R. Besser. Catalyst-Trap Microreactor for Hydrogenation of a Pharmaceutical Intermediate
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