Departmental Research

The Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials science provides a technology-centric research environment in several exciting areas to address significant problems of our time.

Our faculty engages students to conduct cutting-edge and impactful research in various areas of chemical engineering and materials science. Our faculty has been awarded numerous grants from prominent research agencies, such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Stevens PSEG partnership, and many others. Our current faculty includes two NSF CAREER winners.

The department is home to various centers and laboratories, including the Highly Filled Materials Institute, the Soft Materials Laboratory, the Laboratory for Multi-Scale Imaging, the New Jersey Center for Micro-Chemical Systems, the Nano-Micro-Bio Laboratory, and the Micro-Nano Solutions for Alternative Energy Lab.

Discipline Research Areas

Inorganic Material Synthesis/Crystal Engineering

The research cluster focuses on understanding fundamental aspects governing nucleation, crystallization and phase transformations and engineering crystallization outcomes in functional materials for sustainable energy applications.

Inorganic Material Synthesis/Crystal Engineering Researchers

Stephanie Lee

Jae Chul Kim

Simon Podkolzin

Simon Podkolzin

Funded by the Department of Energy

New technologies that directly utilize gas-phase oxygen as a benign oxidation reagent and produce no byproducts, or water as the only byproduct, are urgently needed and critical for achieving sustainable production of chemicals. Catalysts with gold nanoparticles are highly promising for selective oxidation reactions, offering tremendous opportunities for developing environmentally friendly and energy efficient technologies. The objective of the project, which synergistically combines experimental and computational studies, is to obtain fundamental understanding of how to control and tailor catalytic properties of gold for the development of improved catalysts.
More About Simon Podkolzin
Stephanie Lee

Funded by NSF CAREER Award (2019-2024), PSEG-Stevens Partnership (2017-2021)

Emerging solar panels using organic polymers and molecules to convert photons into electrons have the potential to drive down the cost of sunlight-derived electricity and address critical global issues of climate change and environmental sustainability. This project focuses on engineering the crystallization of organic light harvesting molecules dissolved in solution to enable the large-scale manufacturing of high-efficiency organic solar panels via solution-based coating methods. In particular, we are using nanoporous scaffolds to confine, orient and direct the growth of crystal nuclei into vertical crystal arrays optimized for maximum light-to-electricity conversion.
More About Stephanie Lee
Jae Chul Kim

Funded by PSEG (2017-2021)

Our fundamental work aims to rationally develop functional materials for next-generation batteries. The crystal structure and electrochemical properties of materials will be investigated to propose the design and synthesis guidelines for new materials. The results will accelerate the materials discovery, delivering the high-performance batteries on-demand in response to energy storage challenges.
More About Jae Chul Kim
Jae Chul Kim

Funded by LG CHEM (2020-2022)

This project designs a novel composite architecture that can modulate nucleation and growth of alkali metals. Using electrospinning, functionalized fibers will be produced, and structures with diverse textures, porosities, and thicknesses will be prepared. We will study how those configurations govern alkali metal plating and stripping behaviors and apply the obtained knowledge to understand electrochemical properties of alkali metal batteries. We will also test the scalability of the fiber architectures by combining electrospinning and twin-screw extrusion.
More About Jae Chul Kim

Multi-scale Modeling and Simulation

This research cluster is working on bridging the scale gap from the atomic level to nanoparticles and macromolecules, to complex materials, physical processes and chemical reactions.

Multi-scale Modeling and Simulation Researchers

Dilhan Kalyon

Simon Podkolzin

Adeniyi Lawal

Simon Podkolzin

Funded by the Department of Energy

New technologies that directly utilize gas-phase oxygen as a benign oxidation reagent and produce no byproducts, or water as the only byproduct, are urgently needed and critical for achieving sustainable production of chemicals. Catalysts with gold nanoparticles are highly promising for selective oxidation reactions, offering tremendous opportunities for developing environmentally friendly and energy efficient technologies. The objective of the project, which synergistically combines experimental and computational studies, is to obtain fundamental understanding of how to control and tailor catalytic properties of gold for the development of improved catalysts.
More About Simon Podkolzin

Nanophotonics and Fiber Optics

Nanophotonics and Fiberoptics Researchers

Fei Tian

Henry Du

Henry Du

Funded by the NSF and DOE

We actively pursue the development of novel micro- and nano-structured specialty optical fibers of unique structural and optical characteristics for fiber optic sensing. We pioneered and implemented several design concepts, with the innovative method to fabricate a highly promising nano structured sapphire optical fiber as an example.
More About Henry Du
Henry Du

Funded by the NSF and DOE, also in collaboration with Yale Medical School and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey

We have significant expertise in numerical simulation of the plasmonic properties of metal nanostructures as well as their size- and shape- controlled synthesis. Major efforts have been devoted to harvesting the near-field enhancement property of such structures for photodynamic therapy as a cancer treatment strategy and for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of bodily fluids to predict kidney transplant outcomes and differentiate indolent and lethal forms of prostate cancer. Significant progress has also been made to grow Au nanorods in the nanopore channels of nanostructured sapphire optical fiber for self-powered sensing in high-temperature environments.
More About Henry Du

Polymer Synthesis/Characterization/Processing

This research cluster investigates new soft materials to understand structural-property relationships and advance materials’ performance through various processing methods for engineering applications in medicine, sustainable energy and systems for extreme conditions.

Polymer Synthesis/Characterization/Processing Researchers

Pinar Akcora

Dilhan Kalyon

Matthew Libera

Matt Libera

Funded by NSF, ARO (ongoing)

This project explores the processing and properties of microgels - small hydrogel particles. One aspect of the work centers on polyanionic microgels. These can be electrostatically deposited onto surfaces and subsequently loaded with small-molecule cationic drugs. Our work concentrates on cationic antimicrobials - antibiotics, peptides, peptoids - useful for enhancing the infection resistance of biomedical devices. We are trying to identify microgel compositions as well as identify key properties of the small-molecule cations that strengthen the complexation interactions between the two. Parallel work uses electron beams to pattern microgels on surfaces. We work primarily with PEG decorated with various functional groups. Notably, we can functionalize surface-patterned microgels with oligonucleotides and other biopolymers to create next-generation systems for detecting bacterial and viral infection. Work throughout the group makes extensive use of various microscopies (e.g. SEM, TEM, confocal, AFM).
More About Matt Libera
Stephanie Lee & Dilhan Kalyon

Funded by NSF (2016-2020) , PSEG (2017-2021)

Polymers that can replace silicon in solar panels to convert photons into electrons will enable new, flexible platforms for renewable light energy harvesting. Profs. Lee and Kalyon are collaborating to innovate new ways of processing these materials that are compatible with large-scale, continuous manufacturing methods, such as twin screw extrusion. Central to this research is advancing a fundamental understanding of how conjugated polymers assemble in solution through rheological testing and materials characterization, including atomic force microscopy, x-ray and neutron scattering, fluorescence confocal microscopy and cryogenic electron microscopy.
More About Dilhan Kalyon
Pinar Akcora

Funded by NSF, CMMI, MEP (2018-2021)

The PI recently showed that linear, amorphous, and weakly interacting polymer blends in the presence of nanoparticles reversibly stiffen at high temperatures due to differences in chain relaxations between adsorbed and matrix polymers occurring at dynamically asymmetric nanoparticle interfaces. This remarkable and unusual behavior of polymer nanocomposites can be used for high temperature applications where mechanical integrity is critical for the performance of hybrid materials. This project outlines an ambitious research plan to design, synthesize, and develop mechanically adaptive polymer nanocomposites that can perform at high temperatures and under large shear stresses. The specific hypothesis is that chemical and dynamic heterogeneities of miscible blends can give rise to unexpected reinforcement when coupled with nanofillers. Polymer architectures and structures near or on the surface of nanofillers and the miscibility of matrix polymers with these structured topologies determine the complex dynamics of chains in confined interfaces.
More About Pinar Akcora
Pinar Akcora

Funded by ACS, PRF (2014-2016)

Self-assembly of polymer-grafted nanoparticles has been studied in thin films, at oil-air interphases or in bulk composites. There is no prominent work discovering the role of grafting density of polymer chains on the self-assembly of polyelectrolyte-grafted nanoparticles in solution. One of the main objectives of this project is to unravel the role of the ionic interactions and chain-chain entanglements between polyelectrolyte-grafted nanoparticles on the rheological properties of their colloidal solutions. The project is designed to control the deposition profiles of the synthesized polymer-grafted spherical nanoparticles in the vicinity of free chains in solution as solvent evaporates during the process of film formation. The complexity of polyelectrolytes is further implemented to the graphene oxide (GO) fillers to create ordered flexible electrodes with functional GOs within conductive polymers.
More About Pinar Akcora
Pinar Akcora

Funded by NSF, DMR Polymers (2018-2021)
The fundamental understanding gained from this project will provide the scientific basis of designing new materials for next-generation energetic devices as batteries, fuel cell membranes, supercapacitors and electroactive actuators. The project aims to synthesize polymer functionalized spherical magnetic nanoparticles known as “polymer-grafted nanoparticles” by growing polymers with asymmetric composition, containing ion-containing polymer molecules in the end of chains. These functional, particle-based nanomaterials will be used as solid-state electrolytes, which can be used in fuel-cell electrolyte membranes. We aim to understand the relationship between nanoparticle structures in ionic liquids, -which are salts in liquid state-, and ionic conductivity. This nanomaterial is leak and vapor-free and non-flammable solid electrolyte with ion-conducting network structures. Furthermore, it will hold various advantages such as high mechanical stability since the material is composed of inorganic particles; contain low ionic content in polymer chains and has low water uptake. The nanomaterial design is planned to control ion aggregation and to study confinement of ionic liquids within nanostructured particles to enhance ionic mobility and to unravel ion transport mechanisms. The project will train graduate, undergraduate students and teachers in the area of materials for energy applications.
More About Pinar Akcora
Pinar Akcora
The immobilization of proteins often results in changes in their conformation and activity due to hydrophobic, hydrophilic and electrostatic interactions between protein and surface. This project focuses on developing heterogeneous and nanopatterned polymer films decorated with proteins. We aim to understand relationships between conformations and mechanical properties of tethered proteins and to control the elasticity and degree of confinement for the aim of enhancing protein fates. This project offers a new set of biomaterial design guidelines to explore structure and function of surface-attached proteins. By reducing the degree of protein structural perturbation, our nanopatterned surfaces can not only mimic the in vivo biological confinement, but also facilitate improved biomaterial interactions with cells. These unique features of biomaterial surfaces will further be explored for in vivo tissue applications.
More About Pinar Akcora

Reaction Engineering

In this research area, we apply the fundamental principles of thermodynamics, momentum, heat, and mass transfer, kinetics, as well as catalysis to the design of chemical reactions and reactors of relevance to renewable and sustainable energy.

Reaction Engineering Researchers

Simon Podkolzin

Adeniyi Lawal

Simon Podkolzin

Funded by the Department of Energy

New technologies that directly utilize gas-phase oxygen as a benign oxidation reagent and produce no byproducts, or water as the only byproduct, are urgently needed and critical for achieving sustainable production of chemicals. Catalysts with gold nanoparticles are highly promising for selective oxidation reactions, offering tremendous opportunities for developing environmentally friendly and energy efficient technologies. The objective of the project, which synergistically combines experimental and computational studies, is to obtain fundamental understanding of how to control and tailor catalytic properties of gold for the development of improved catalysts.
More About Simon Podkolzin
Adeniyi Lawal

Funded by Leidos (2015, ongoing)

We are developing a transformative technology, the unique aspects of which include (1) a 2-stage anaerobic digestion (AD) of Post Extracted Algae Residue (PEAR) to produce high energy content biohythane (H2+CH4), and (2) biocatalysts (bacteria) immobilized on porous high surface area monolithic support. Commercial, metal Al foam gently oxidized to Al2O3 will be used as mechanically resilient monolithic support. The key processes in our technology comprise acid hydrolysis pretreatment, the first stage dark fermentation for H2 production and the second stage methanogenesis for CH4 production.
More About Adeniyi Lawal

Tissue and Cancer Engineering

This research cluster explores tissue engineering approaches to enable regenerative medicine and understand cancer.

Tissue and Cancer Engineering Researchers

Woo Lee

Woo Lee

Funded by NIH (2017-2020)

Despite the introduction of a number of novel treatments, patients suffering from multiple myeloma (MM) still are confronted with an average survival time of 5-7 years. In view of the fact that MM is characterized by several relapses and drug resistance, having the capability of selecting the best course of treatment in advance can significantly improve the outcome of MM patients. This research focuses on the development and validation of a platform that will enable the evaluation of treatment efficacy, in a personalized manner, for individuals suffering from this disease.
More About Woo Lee

Application Research Areas

Healthcare

This research cluster investigates new materials to understand cell-material interactions (tissue engineering), bacteria-material interactions (infection-resisting implants), and advanced molecular diagnostics as well as microfluidic models of complex biological systems (organ on a chip) to advance healthcare an human well being.

Healthcare Researchers

Henry Du

Matthew Libera

Fei Tian

Matt Libera

Funded by NSF, ARO (ongoing)

This project explores the processing and properties of microgels - small hydrogel particles. One aspect of the work centers on polyanionic microgels. These can be electrostatically deposited onto surfaces and subsequently loaded with small-molecule cationic drugs. Our work concentrates on cationic antimicrobials - antibiotics, peptides, peptoids - useful for enhancing the infection resistance of biomedical devices. We are trying to identify microgel compositions as well as identify key properties of the small-molecule cations that strengthen the complexation interactions between the two. Parallel work uses electron beams to pattern microgels on surfaces. We work primarily with PEG decorated with various functional groups. Notably, we can functionalize surface-patterned microgels with oligonucleotides and other biopolymers to create next-generation systems for detecting bacterial and viral infection. Work throughout the group makes extensive use of various microscopies (e.g. SEM, TEM, confocal, AFM).
More About Matt Libera
Woo Lee

Funded by NIH (2017-2020)

Despite the introduction of a number of novel treatments, patients suffering from multiple myeloma (MM) still are confronted with an average survival time of 5-7 years. In view of the fact that MM is characterized by several relapses and drug resistance, having the capability of selecting the best course of treatment in advance can significantly improve the outcome of MM patients. This research focuses on the development and validation of a platform that will enable the evaluation of treatment efficacy, in a personalized manner, for individuals suffering from this disease.
More About Woo Lee
Henry Du

Funded by the NSF and DOE, also in collaboration with Yale Medical School and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey

We have significant expertise in numerical simulation of the plasmonic properties of metal nanostructures as well as their size- and shape- controlled synthesis. Major efforts have been devoted to harvesting the near-field enhancement property of such structures for photodynamic therapy as a cancer treatment strategy and for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of bodily fluids to predict kidney transplant outcomes and differentiate indolent and lethal forms of prostate cancer. Significant progress has also been made to grow Au nanorods in the nanopore channels of nanostructured sapphire optical fiber for self-powered sensing in high-temperature environments.
More About Henry Du
Fei Tian

This project aims to design, develop and demonstrate a facile and innovative all-optical lab-on-fiber optofluidic platform (LOFOP) for in-situ time-resolved study of the bacteria enabled by functional polyelectrolyte coatings deposited by layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly. Hospital acquired infections in indwelling devices have become a life-threatening issue accompanied by the wide use of medical devices and implants. Rapid detection of bacteria medical devices as part of the patient-care strategy is at the frontier of the ever-expanding field of LbL polyelectrolyte functional materials. It has been a common practice to separately assess bacteria responses through commercially available activity assay kits after their exposure to antibiotic coatings, limiting the real-time, highly sensitive and rapid detection of bacteria, which is critical for combating antimicrobial resistance strains. We propose to develop and demonstrate an all-optical lab-on-fiber optofluidic platform (LOFOP) to overcome the above limitations in light of the recent study that immobilized receptors on the surface offers binding selectivity and concentrating effect in the presence of bacteria, resulting in changes of the surface mass and surface stress. The research is innovative in offering a real-time, rapid and simple method for bacteria detection and facilitating new drug discovery for biomedical applications.
More About Fei Tian
Pinar Akcora

The immobilization of proteins often results in changes in their conformation and activity due to hydrophobic, hydrophilic and electrostatic interactions between protein and surface. This project focuses on developing heterogeneous and nanopatterned polymer films decorated with proteins. We aim to understand relationships between conformations and mechanical properties of tethered proteins and to control the elasticity and degree of confinement for the aim of enhancing protein fates. This project offers a new set of biomaterial design guidelines to explore structure and function of surface-attached proteins. By reducing the degree of protein structural perturbation, our nanopatterned surfaces can not only mimic the in vivo biological confinement, but also facilitate improved biomaterial interactions with cells. These unique features of biomaterial surfaces will further be explored for in vivo tissue applications.
More About Pinar Akcora

Sustainable Energy

This interdisciplinary research cluster is dedicated to addressing issues in green technology by developing novel materials, designing reaction processes, and fabricating practical devices for energy conversion, harvesting, and storage.

Sustainable Energy Researchers

Pinar Akcora

Dilhan Kalyon

Jae Chul Kim

Adeniyi Lawal

Stephanie Lee

Simon Podkolzin

Fei Tian

Simon Podkolzin

Funded by the Department of Energy

New technologies that directly utilize gas-phase oxygen as a benign oxidation reagent and produce no byproducts, or water as the only byproduct, are urgently needed and critical for achieving sustainable production of chemicals. Catalysts with gold nanoparticles are highly promising for selective oxidation reactions, offering tremendous opportunities for developing environmentally friendly and energy efficient technologies. The objective of the project, which synergistically combines experimental and computational studies, is to obtain fundamental understanding of how to control and tailor catalytic properties of gold for the development of improved catalysts.
More About Simon Podkolzin
Henry Du

Funded by the NSF and DOE, also in collaboration with Yale Medical School and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey

We have significant expertise in numerical simulation of the plasmonic properties of metal nanostructures as well as their size- and shape- controlled synthesis. Major efforts have been devoted to harvesting the near-field enhancement property of such structures for photodynamic therapy as a cancer treatment strategy and for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of bodily fluids to predict kidney transplant outcomes and differentiate indolent and lethal forms of prostate cancer. Significant progress has also been made to grow Au nanorods in the nanopore channels of nanostructured sapphire optical fiber for self-powered sensing in high-temperature environments.
More About Henry Du
Jae Chul Kim

Funded by PSEG (2017-2021)

Our fundamental work aims to rationally develop functional materials for next-generation batteries. The crystal structure and electrochemical properties of materials will be investigated to propose the design and synthesis guidelines for new materials. The results will accelerate the materials discovery, delivering the high-performance batteries on-demand in response to energy storage challenges.
More About Jae Chul Kim
Jae Chul Kim

Funded by LG CHEM(2020-2022)

This project designs a novel composite architecture that can modulate nucleation and growth of alkali metals. Using electrospinning, functionalized fibers will be produced, and structures with diverse textures, porosities, and thicknesses will be prepared. We will study how those configurations govern alkali metal plating and stripping behaviors and apply the obtained knowledge to understand electrochemical properties of alkali metal batteries. We will also test the scalability of the fiber architectures by combining electrospinning and twin-screw extrusion.
More About Jae Chul Kim
Adeniyi Lawal

Funded by Leidos (2015, ongoing)

We are developing a transformative technology, the unique aspects of which include (1) a 2-stage anaerobic digestion (AD) of Post Extracted Algae Residue (PEAR) to produce high energy content biohythane (H2+CH4), and (2) biocatalysts (bacteria) immobilized on porous high surface area monolithic support. Commercial, metal Al foam gently oxidized to Al2O3 will be used as mechanically resilient monolithic support. The key processes in our technology comprise acid hydrolysis pretreatment, the first stage dark fermentation for H2 production and the second stage methanogenesis for CH4 production.
More About Adeniyi Lawal
Adeniyi Lawal

Funded by Leidos (2020)

The High Performance Plunging Jet makes use of a high velocity jet of water which emerges from a nozzle, passes through a layer of air and plunges into a body of water into which it entrains a large volume of air, dispersed as small bubbles. The bubbles penetrate the body of microalgae-containing water to a certain depth after which they rise to the surface. During this trip, microalgae particles adhere to the surface of the bubbles and are lifted to the water surface, where they collect as a froth, thus effecting separation of the algae from water.
More About Adeniyi Lawal
Pinar Akcora

Funded by NSF, DMR Polymers (2018-2021)

The fundamental understanding gained from this project will provide the scientific basis of designing new materials for next-generation energetic devices as batteries, fuel cell membranes, supercapacitors and electroactive actuators. The project aims to synthesize polymer functionalized spherical magnetic nanoparticles known as “polymer-grafted nanoparticles” by growing polymers with asymmetric composition, containing ion-containing polymer molecules in the end of chains. These functional, particle-based nanomaterials will be used as solid-state electrolytes, which can be used in fuel-cell electrolyte membranes. We aim to understand the relationship between nanoparticle structures in ionic liquids, -which are salts in liquid state-, and ionic conductivity. This nanomaterial is leak and vapor-free and non-flammable solid electrolyte with ion-conducting network structures. Furthermore, it will hold various advantages such as high mechanical stability since the material is composed of inorganic particles; contain low ionic content in polymer chains and has low water uptake. The nanomaterial design is planned to control ion aggregation and to study confinement of ionic liquids within nanostructured particles to enhance ionic mobility and to unravel ion transport mechanisms. The project will train graduate, undergraduate students and teachers in the area of materials for energy applications.
More About Pinar Akcora

Research Labs

The Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science (CEMS) provides a technologically advanced research environment in several exciting areas to address the significant problems of our time.

Clean and Alternative Energy

Sustainable and environmentally-friendly technologies for energy production, storage and distribution is one of the main challenges of the 21st century.

Micro-Nano Solutions for Alternative Energy

Highly Filled Materials Institute

This research is especially focused on the areas of characterization and processing of soft solids and complex fluids.

HfMI

Multiscale Imaging

Provides state-of-the-art instrumentation and expertise in morphological characterization to support and elevate research.

Laboratory for Multiscale Imaging

Microchemical Systems

A nationally unique research frontier for exploring microreactor and microfluidic technologies.

NJ Center for Microchemical Systems

Nanotechnology

Researches the creation of new devices using nanotechnology and microfluidics for transformative use.

Nano-Micro-Bio Laboratory

Soft Materials

Researching polymer decorated nanoparticles, colloids and gels to create new multi-functional soft materials.

Soft Materials Laboratory

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Discipline Research Areas

Clean and Alternative Energy

Highly Filled Materials Institute

Multiscale Imaging

Microchemical Systems

Nanotechnology

Soft Materials