CES Research Symposium
Presentation Descriptions
8:40am:
Tanju Karanfil and Jessica Economy – Meeting Room A
Title: Presentation of new CES Post-Doctoral Support Office
Description:
The College of Engineering and Science is pleased to announce that a new post-doctoral
support office is in process of being established. The office will be designed to offer services to
scholars and departments to help improve the post-doc experience for all. The presentation
will introduce the office to the college as well as present information regarding the benefits of
the office to all audiences, services offered, and timeline of the project. *According to Dr.
Karanfil, this presentation should be set up to be seen by majority of attendees, whether
through time or through multiple presentations
8:50am:
Lisa Benson – Meeting Room A
Title: Student Motivation and Learning in Engineering
Description:
The focus of my research portfolio is on identifying factors that contribute to students’
motivation to pursue engineering as a major, and to correlate these motivational attributes to
problem-solving and knowledge transfer. Understanding these relationships will address one of
the greatest challenges facing engineering educators: preparing students for a future of
complex problem solving in the face of rapid technological change and globalization. My
research group has collected and analyzed both quantitative (survey) and qualitative (interview
and focus groups) data from students in bioengineering, mechanical engineering, and materials
science and engineering; this allows for comparisons between disciplines with overlapping
content and skill sets but different student demographics and career goals. Quantitative results
showed subtle differences between student motivations in different majors, and indicated the
need to explore motivation factors more deeply. !
Qualitative results are revealing differences in students’ perceived future possible selves,
which affect their perceptions of the relevance of present activities and how they approach
solving a problem in a context that is novel to them.
9:00am:
Amod Ogale – Meeting Room A
Title: CAEFF Perspective: Advanced Fibers and Films Research
Description: Center for Advanced Engineering Fibers and Films (CAEFF), a self-sustaining
graduated NSF-ERC, continues to provide an interdisciplinary research environment for the
systems-oriented study of high performance fibers, films, and composites for applications
ranging from military to medical uses. CAEFF was established in 1998-99 and received $ 29
million dollars from NSF over the maximum 10-year funding cycle. Faculty and students from
six academic departments (ChE, MSE, Chemistry, Math, ME, and BioE) continue to conduct
research involving about twenty sponsored projects with annual expenditures of over $ 2
million. The broad topics include: fibers for high-strength, thermal/electrical conductivity, and
composites; fiber-based bio-medical devices; fibers/films for separation/filtration; and
modeling (FiSim, Polyflow, and MD). Custom-designed test-beds and potential opportunities for
collaboration, viz. advanced carbon fibers/composites and micro-textured films, will be
discussed.
9:10am:
Apparao Rao – Meeting Room A
Title: Research at Clemson Nanomaterials Center
Description:
Materials at the nanoscale (~10 -9 m) exhibit unique properties and novel behavior different
from their bulk counter parts. In this talk, a brief overview of synthesis, characterization and
applications of nanomaterials ranging from impact protection, batteries and supercapacitors,
thermoelectrics, superconductors, nanoelectronics, optical diodes, sensors, nanomedicine and
oil spill removal will be presented. Particularly, we will discuss how Clemson Nanomaterials
Center (CNC) is addressing our current and impending global energy needs through the
development of efficient lighting, superconductors, and high-power high-energy hybrid
capacitors for use in nearly all sectors of interest, from transportation to communications and
intermittent energy sources. Besides synthesizing and promoting applications of nanomaterials
at the CNC, we also elucidate their fundamental properties using a wide range of spectroscopic
tools such as micro-Raman, Fourier Transform Infrar!
ed, UV-visible, nonlinear optical, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The nanomaterials
covered in this talk include 0D (quantum dots), 1D (rods, wire, coils and tubes) and 2D
(graphene, bismuth telluride) materials.
9:20am:
Thompson Mefford – Meeting Room A
Title: A Versatile Stable Platform for Multifunctional Applications using Iron Oxide
Nanoparticles
Description:
Magnetic nanoparticles have been studied for many years for use in biomedicine, not only for
their high surface area, but also because of its unique magnetic properties. They can
magnetically interact with their environment, be guided to a specific location, and manipulated
to release energy in the form of heat. To ensure that these magnetic nanoparticles survive in
the circulatory system, they must be modified with materials to make them colloidally stable in
water and shield them from the body’s immune response to foreign objects. This
presentation will describe the synthesis of a multi-anchored universal ligand for iron oxide
nanoparticles, with improved stability in biological environments, while also providing a
platform for additional functionality. What will be presented represents the initial findings of
the research opportunities available with this new platform for diagnostic and therapeutic
applications.
10:00am:
Ken Marcus – Meeting Room A
Title: Miniaturized Spectroscopic Sources for Elemental and Isotopic Analysis
Description:
Current commercial analytical instrumentation for elemental and isotopic analysis primarily
exists on laboratory-based platforms, requiring large quantities of power, large volumes of
sample (and waste), and large volumes of support gases. We have developed atomic emission
and mass spectrometry devices which move the genre into much smaller scales of operation,
without commensurate sacrifices in performance. Reductions in size allow for wider
implementation in the laboratory, and also for field-deployable formats. For example, current
funding from DTRA and DOE are directed at applications in the nuclear nonproliferation arena.
Use of the devices in environmental and industrial monitoring applications are also envisioned.
10:00am:
Raj Bordia – Meeting Room B
Title: Ceramics for Energy Applications: Control of Hierarchical Microstructure
Description:
Our current research is focused on developing processing strategies to control the
microstructure of ceramics at different length scales. Although the projects are diverse, they all
share common features including integration of mechanics in processing, and coupled theory,
simulations and experimental investigations. In this presentation, a few examples from our
current work on ceramic systems for energy applications will be highlighted. Most of these
applications demand optimization of a multitude of properties many of which have conflicting
requirements on the microstructure. Materials with designed anisotropic and hierarchical
microstructures have the potential to optimally address these conflicting requirements.
10:10am:
Brian Powell – Meeting Room A
Title: The use of radioisotope tracers to support studies of environmental contaminants:
Making the most of Clemson's broad scope radioactive materials license
Description:
Radioisotope tracers have been widely employed in science and technology applications to
yield ultra-sensitive and high resolution measurements of ions in various media. In this talk,
examples of ongoing work will be shown in which radiotracers have been used to monitor 1)
subsurface migration of dissolved contaminants and nanoparticles 2) ligand exchange on
nanoparticle surfaces, 3)properties of the electrical double layer at mineral-water interfaces,
and 4) plant uptake of radioisotopes and herbicides. Clemson University has a broad scope
license to safely hold, handle, and dispose of a broad range of radioisotopes and we have a
significant amount of instrumentation to support this work. The goal of this presentation is to
seek out collaborators who are interested in employing radioisotope tracer studies in their own
work.
10:10am
George Chumanov – Meeting Room B
Title: Nanostructures for materials, energy and analytical applications.
Description:
We synthesize, modify and assembly various nanoparticles (NPs) into 1D,2D and 3D structures
as well as nanopcomposites. One focus is on silver plasmonic particles for photovoltaic devices.
Silver NPs were also used for optical labeling for bioanalytical applications. Another example is
antimicrobial properties of copper halide NPs. In addition to synthetic capabilities our expertize
includes Raman including surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy and atomic force
microscopy.
10:20am:
Mark Blenner – Meeting Room A
Title: Engineering Microorganisms for the Sustainable Production of Chemicals
Description:
The Blenner research group works on a variety of projects involving the production of chemicals
through protein and metabolic engineering of microbial metabolism. Our work currently
revolves around the development of novel genetic engineering tools for a yeast platform best
suited for oleochemicals and acids production. We are currently working processes for
bioproduction of dicarboxylic acids, omega-3 fatty acids and renewable fuels. We are actively
seeking collaborators who have ideas for chemicals that we could produce, or highperformance applications resulting from bioproduced polymer building blocks.
10:20am
Luiz Jacobson – Meeting Room B
Title: New Materials for Radiation Measurement: Microstructure, Defects and Luminescence
Description:
Ionizing radiation is found in nature and man-made materials and activities. Its measurement is
of extreme relevance in many strategic fields, including energy, security, health, and technology
in general. My research program aims at the discovery and development of new materials for
the detection and measurement of ionizing radiation. It focuses on the synthesis of new
materials, from nanoparticles to nanocomposites and transparent ceramics, and the
understanding of the relations between microstructure, defects, dopants, and luminescence
taking advantage of optical spectroscopy techniques.
10:30am
Yi Zheng – Meeting Room A
Title: Enzymatic catalysis for biofuels and bioproducts
Description:
Enzyme is an important biocatalyst being present in every bioprocess. It plays a critical role in
the bioconversion of biomass into biofuel and bioproduct. Enzymatic catalysis is preferred over
chemical catalysis because its conditions are much milder and it is potentially more energy
efficient and friendly for process control. However, low catalysis efficiency and high cost of
enzymes prevent the broad applications of enzymes in biorefinery for biofuels and bioproducts.
Therefore, development of high-efficient enzymes and high-value applications of enzymes
should be addressed.
10:30am
Molly Kennedy – Meeting Room B
Title: Wear of Whitened Enamels Due to Restorative Material Sliding Contact
Description:
Despite remarkable improvement in the nation's oral health over the years, record numbers of
restorative procedures to repair damaged enamel and dentin are being performed. Unlike
bone, dental mineralized tissue has no mechanism for repair after damage and synthetic
materials are often used to repair the damage to the enamel by coating the enamel, filling
holes in the enamel/dentin or replacing the entire tooth structure. Damage to enamel can be
caused by wear due to attrition (tooth-to-tooth sliding), abrasion (sliding of abrasives such as
tooth paste or hard objects) and corrosion (due to acidic fluids coming into contact with enamel
or dentin). To better understand the extent to which external factors may influence enamel
degradation, many groups have focused developing characterization methods to determine
both the wear mechanisms and rates of homogenous (regular) enamel.
10:40am
Christophe Darnault – Meeting Room A
Title: Detection and Transport of Cryptosporidium parvum in the Subsurface Environment
Description:
Understanding the behavior of pathogenic microorganisms (e.g., Cryptosporidium parvum
oocysts) in the environment is critical for the protection of the environment and public health.
To characterize the transport and retention processes of these bio-particles in porous media,
we have investigated their mobility under different hydrodynamic and chemical conditions
found in the natural environment. We have established the role of vadose zone processes and
surfactant on the transport of C. parvum oocysts in soils. To quantify these bio-particles, as well
as to elucidate the individual contribution of the mechanisms and environmental parameters
affecting their transport and retention, we have developed monitoring methods and tools using
physical, chemical, microbiological, and molecular technologies. The results of our research will
contribute to the development and validation of fate and transport models of contaminants
from pore scale to watershed scale for sustai!
nable water resources management, and risk assessment.
10:40am
Fei Peng – Meeting Room B
Title: Processing and properties of ceramic-based composites
Description:
The ceramic-based composites enable additional new sets of functionality beyond the
traditional ceramic materials. They have unique electrical, magnetic, and optical properties,
which make them suitable for a variety of innovative applications. These applications include
protection and shielding, electric and magnetic field sensing, and non-linear optic generation.
Our research is focused on understanding the processing sciences of such materials with
engineered microstructure, and correlating the desired properties with the processing and
microstruture. We are especially interested in low dimensional ceramic-based composites such
as fibers and coatings because of their versatility in different application situations.
10:50am
Tanju Karanfil – Meeting Room A
Title: Carbonaceous Adsorbents for and in Environmental Applications
Description:
I will discuss the research in my group on carbonaceous adsorbents (activated carbons, carbon
fibers, carbon nanotubes and graphenes) in and for environmental applications. On one side we
may benefit from some of these adsorbents for engineered treatment systems. On the other
side, if a material is produced in large quantities, it will eventually enter environment creating
various problems. Therefore, understanding adsorption by the carbonaceous adsorbents can be
helpful on how to manipulate and benefit from these materials and/or reduce their impact in
environment. The presentation will also aim to provide a perspective to those developing
materials and especially for environmental applications. Finally, I will briefly summarize the
research and instrument capabilities of my labs.
10:50am
Hongseok Choi – Meeting Room B
Title: Scale-up manufacturing of bulk metal matrix nanocomposites
Description:
Incorporation of nanomaterials into various structural materials can produce significantly
enhanced chemical, physical, and mechanical properties. However, the difficulty for a uniform
dispersion of the nanomaterials and their structural integrity in the matrix is still a prominent
obstacle to use the intrinsic properties of the nanocomposites to the full extent, and a lack of
fundamental understanding of the interactions of the nanomaterials with liquid and solid
matrices severely hinders the advancement of scale-up manufacturing of nanocomposites. The
fundamental knowledge about the interactions of nanomaterials with the matrix during
manufacturing processes is promising for the flexible design of bulk nanocomposites with
desirable properties. This talk will discuss about various scientific and technological aspects that
are critical for scale-up manufacturing of nanocomposites, particularly focused on high
performance lightweight metal matrix nanocomposites (!
MMNCs). Scientific issues relevant to dispersion, distribution, and stability of nanoparticles in
molten metals will be discussed to realize more widespread applications of the MMNCs through
a science-based transformative manufacturing process.
11:00am
John Saylor – Meeting Room A
Title: Drops and Bubbles
Description:
The set of problems that exist at a gas/liquid interface is rich and finds numerous applications.
Our research focuses on a specific set of these problems, namely the air/water interface of
drops and bubbles. In this brief talk I will discuss some of our recent research in this area which
includes drop/particle interactions, ultrasonic manipulation of bubbles and drops, drop
splashes, raindrop imaging, and others. Applications include particulate pollution control,
carbon dioxide sequestration, evaporation control, and reduced water use in the generation of
electrical power.
11:00am
Modi Wetzler – Meeting Room B
Title: Molecular control over polymer architecture
Description:
We can synthesize nearly perfectly monodisperse polyamide polymers (N-substituted
polyglycines) with molecular weights of 5K-20K with precise positioning of a wide variety of side
chains. As a demonstration we synthesized a decablock 120mer with aliphatic, aromatic, and
ether-functionalized blocks. We are interested in exploring new potential applications for such
polymers and/or using them as test cases for fundamental polymer physics questions.
11:10am
Brian Powell – Meeting Room A
Title: Energetics of ion interactions at mineral-water interfaces
Description:
Adsorption to mineral surfaces is one of the primary means of limiting the migration of
contaminants in the subsurface and the extent of sorption can be drastically altered by
chemical, physical, and biological processes. Due to this inherent complexity, field scale models
predicting the transport of contaminants frequently use empirical methods to incorporate
sorption which leads to non-transferable models and overly conservative assumptions. In this
work, we are examining ion interactions with surfaces to characterize the fundamental
thermochemical reactions and driving forces. The primary tools are x-ray absorption
spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry, electron microscopy, and radiotracer
experiments. These data are used to constrain a detailed thermochemical model of ion sorption
to mineral surfaces. A more detailed understanding of these processes will improve reactive
transport models examining the impact of contaminant disposition on human and
environmental health.
11:10am
Srikath Pilla – Meeting Room B
Title: Engineered Methodologies for Sustainable Design and Fabrication of Biorenewable
Composites and Foams
Description:
Legislation that mandates higher fuel efficiency, environmental sustainability and lower carbon
emissions without compromising on safety and strength is necessitating lightweight
construction, especially in the automotive sector. It is a well-known realization that the drastic
lightweighting in the automotive sector meeting the aforementioned strength and safety could
be achieved by adopting sustainable multi-functional composite materials and foams. In this
regard, this research focusses on developing engineered methodologies for the design and
fabrication of biorenewable composites and foams.
11:20am
John Sanders – Meeting Room A
Title: Thermal Performance of Masonry Materials
Description:
We are investigating the non-steady state thermal performance of clay brick masonry. Energy
codes and current DOE software typically rely on indicators, like R-value, that are measured
under steady state conditions.
The dynamic thermal performance of clay brick masonry, which includes the benefits of
thermal mass, have not been well understood. We are developing the systems needed to
measure the dynamic thermal performance of clay brick masonry which will let us understand
existing systems and design more energy efficient building systems.
11:20am
Steve Creager – Meeting Room B
Title: Electrochemical energy conversion and storage
Description:
I will present a brief description of funded projects relating to electrode and electrolyte
materials for low-temperature hydrogen fuel cells. Materials to be discussed will include
fluoropolymer electrolytes for proton and hydroxide ion conduction and composite electrodes
having mixed electronic and ionic conduction. The talk will emphasize recently completed work
and areas where I think collaboration could be useful. Possibilities for more wide-ranging
extensions, including biological (e.g. microbial) and high-temperature (e.g. solid-oxide)
electrochemical cells will also be discussed.
11:30am
Lindsay Shuller-Nickles – Meeting Room A
Title: Using electrochemistry to understand reactions at mineral surfaces
Description:
The transport of aqueous contaminants is impacted by sorption and reduction on mineral
surfaces; however, the exact role of the mineral surface remains elusive. We use cyclic
voltammetry with a powder mineral electrode to probe changes in uranyl redox kinetics on Feoxide and Fe-sulfide minerals as compared with a traditional Pt microelectrode and Pt powder
microelectrode. In addition, this technique has been used to evaluate doped-semiconducting
mineral samples in order to compare the redox of uranium in different coordination
environments. We are currently looking for collaborations to develop techniques to image the
surface either microscopically or spectroscopically to determine the geometry of the sorbed
uranium.
11:30am
Sapna Sarupria – Meeting Room B
Title: Using Molecular Simulations to Study Water, Aqueous Systems, Polymers and Proteins
Description:
Molecular modeling and computer simulations provide powerful tools to study material
properties at the molecular level in detail. In our research, we use molecular dynamics
simulations combined with several advanced sampling techniques to study water and aqueous
systems. We study a range of different problems including effects of surfaces on ice formation,
transition of liquid methane-water systems to solid crystalline methane hydrates, assembly of
virus capsids, and structure and behavior of dendritic polymers in water. We are particularly
interested in using simulations to provide insights towards engineering advanced materials
(polymer and biological) with desired properties.
11:40am
Lindsay Shuller-Nickles – Meeting Room A
Title: The interface of in silico and experimental techniques: Using quantum-mechanical
calculations to clarify, guide, and complement experiments
Description:
With the advancement of parallel computing, quantum-mechanical calculations of larger (tens
of atoms) systems can now be used to better understand atomic and electronic scale
phenomena that control processes such as contaminant sorption and reduction on a mineral
surface or charge-compensated incorporation of an impurity into a crystalline system. Such
calculations are useful for gaining insight into the mechanisms that control complex systems.
With this computational looking glass, researchers can collaborate in a range of fields from
chemical separations of specific resources (e.g., U) to environmental remediation of
contaminants.
11:40am
Chad Sosolik – Meeting Room B
Title: CUEBIT: A User Facility for Probing Highly Charged Ion-Materials Interactions
Description:
A new electron beam ion trap (EBIT) based ion source and beamline were recently
commissioned at Clemson University to produce decelerated beams of multi- to highly-charged
ions for surface and materials physics research. Our user facility is the first installation of a
DREEBIT-designed superconducting trap and ion source (EBIS-SC) in the U.S. and includes
custom-designed target preparation and irradiation setups. The unique physics of this oneof-a-kind radiation source will be discussed and put into the context of new experimental
systems and conditions that can be explored. This will include a call for materials collaborators
with expertise in both surface and bulk analysis of their targets. Additionally, the current status
of theory and modeling will be outlined, listing the current challenges for combined
computational-experimental studies in this field.
11:50am
Rachel Getman – Meeting Room A
Title: Molecular Simulations of Metals, Metal Oxides, and Metal-Organic Frameworks for
Photocatalytic Splitting of Water and/or Carbon Dioxide Reduction
Description:
We are using density functional theory (DFT), Monte Carlo (MC), and other computational
techniques to design catalyst materials. At this time, the project of interest is in the white paper
phase. We are presently designing catalysts for photocatalytic splitting of water; however, we
may shift focus to photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction (or something else) in the future. In
general, we are seeking collaborators with expertise in experimental or computational
photochemistry. We can offer a vast expertise in molecular-level modeling to the collaboration.
Our group uses quantum chemistry, Monte Carlo, molecular dynamics, as well as
thermodynamic and kinetic modeling, to elucidate molecular level phenomena at fluid/solid
interfaces. We have the capability to model systems comprising up to 100 heavy metal atoms
or up to 1000 light atoms (and more and more as the Palmetto cluster continues to expand).
11:50am
Mark Blenner – Meeting Room B
Title: Protein Engineering for Bioactive and Bioresponsive Materials
Description:
The Blenner research group is seeking new ideas and collaborators interested in either whole
biomolecular materials or incorporating bioactive proteins and peptides into non-biological
materials. Our research group is a protein engineering group that focuses on improving the
properties of natural biomolecules through genetic and molecular level manipulation. The role
of proteins in self-assembly of nano-scaled structures is of interest, as is the incorportation of
proteins that endow the nano-scaled system with bio-responsive properties. We can provide
protein and peptide expertise to a varierty of projects.
1:00pm
Mark Thies – Meeting Room A
Title: Ultrapure Lignin of Controllable Molecular Weight as a Renewable Biopolymer: A Wide
Range of Applications?
Description:
Lignin is unique among renewable biopolymers in having significant aromatic character, which
makes it attractive as a "green" replacement for its synthetic, petroleum-derived counterparts.
Recently, Thies and co-workers have discovered processing techniques for purifying and
fractionating Kraft lignins derived from papermill waste streams. In recent preliminary
experiments, the key metals content of a Kraft lignin was reduced by more than two orders of
magnitude down to 80 ppm in two simple steps, well under the 150 ppm level found in lignin
produced from trees via the costly organic-solvent pulping (called “Organosolv”) processes.
Furthermore, the feed Kraft lignin was simultaneously fractionated during the metals removal
step into low and high molecular weight (mol wt) fractions. We thus hypothesize that the
above unique, multifunctional process can be used to produce clean lignins of controlled
molecular weight for a wide range of applications. One of!
those could be the conversion of an appropriate ultrapure lignin fraction into inexpensive
carbon fibers suitable for automotive applications.
1:00pm
Hugo Sanabria – Meeting Room B
Title: Proteins at work -one molecule at a time
Description:
The intrinsic relationship between structure, dynamics, and function of biomolecules is well
recognized but poorly understood. We developed a fluorescence-based toolkit to study, over
10 decades in time, the structure, dynamics and function of biomolecules. As benchmark study
we studied the Lysozyme of the bacteriophage T4. We reproduced two known crystallographic
structures with accuracy < 2.1 Ã…. In addition, we resolved a new product release state
predicted by the Michaelis-Menten formalism in Enzyme kinetics.
1:10pm
Amin Khademi – Meeting Room A
Title: Applications of Operations Research
Description:
A discipline that deals with the application of advanced analytical methods to help make better
decisions. It is used in many applications such as supply chain management, scheduling, and
transportation. I am interested in the application of operations research in health care, data
mining and energy.
1:10pm
Ken Marcus – Meeting Room B
Title: Capillary-Channeled Polymer (C-CP) Fiber for Downstream Processing of Protein
Therapeutics and Protein Analytics/Diagnostics
Description:
Polymer stationary phases have been developed for affecting protein separations on the
preparative and analytical scales. C-CP fibers are practically commodity items, which have
excellent solution and solute mass transport properties in column formats. Chemical selectivity
can be affected by the nature of the base polymer or through straightforward surface
modification chemistries. Current NSF funding supports efforts rapid protein chromatography
and selective protein extraction. Implementation on industrial scales and in diagnostic/assay
formats is readily envisioned.
1:20pm
Scott Husson – Meeting Room A
Title: Water-Energy Consortium at Clemson
Description:
My presentation will summarize the activities of the Water-Energy Consortium (WEC), which
has been established at Clemson to organize and coordinate research activities addressing the
water-energy nexus. The nexus between water and energy involves energy aspects of water
systems and water aspects of energy systems. Five WEC research themes have been suggested:
1. Innovative, energy-efficient water/wastewater purification processes and systems 2.
Materials science in water-energy nexus applications 3. Water resources and hydrologic
systems: monitoring, sensors, and modeling 4. Improved water efficiency of energy resource
development and production systems 5. Water management implications of the water-energy
nexus
The vision of the WEC is to promote global recognition of Clemson University as being at the
forefront of research addressing the water-energy nexus. The mission of the WEC is to
contribute research leading to technology innovations in water systems with a minimization of
energy and carbon footprints, as well as energy systems with a minimization of water and
carbon footprints.
1:20pm
Mark Blenner – Meeting Room B
Title: Engineering Highly Specific Protein-Ligand Interactions
Description:
The Blenner research group is working to develop new methods for engineering highly specific
protein-ligand interactions. Overall, we are fairly agnostic about the applications of this
technology - since it should be a broadly applicable solution useful for numerous applications.
We are currently considering applications in biosensing, metabolic engineering, and
therapeutics - and are seeking collaborators to help us identify problems in need of better and
cheaper biosensors, as well as therapeutic applications where specific protein-ligand
interactions will improve diagnosis and patient outcomes. Furthermore, environmental
applications are also under consideration.
1:30pm
Nigel Kaye – Meeting Room A
Title: Mixing in stratified flows
Description:
Mixing in stratified flows has many applications in environmental fluid mechanics including
dense gas dispersion, mixing in estuaries, and air flows in buildings. This presentation will focus
on the flushing of a dense fluid confined in a cavity with a flow over the open top of the cavity.
The rate of flushing is initially controlled by the flow Richardson number and there is an
exponential decay in the cavity concentration. For high Richardson numbers a two layer
stratification is established whereas for lower Richardson numbers the cavity remains well
mixed. In later stages of the flushing, it is influenced by the turbulence intensity of the over
flowing fluid.
1:30pm
Feng Ding – Meeting Room B
Title: Structure, dynamics, and function of biomolecules and molecular complexes
Description:
We apply concepts and methods in Physics, especially Statistical Physics, to study biological
systems. The major theme throughout our research is to integrate dynamics into the study of
structure-function relationship of biomolecules and molecular complexes. Our lab focuses both
on methodology developments as well as applications on particular biologically-oriented
problems. The methodologies include rapidly dynamics sampling algorithms, multiscale models
and force fields for biomolecules, and tools for protein engineering and protein design.
Currently, we are applying these methods to study interactions between nanomaterials and
biomolecules, engineering proteins to bind specific small molecule targets, and the molecular
mechanism of specificities in post-translational modifications.
1:40pm
David Ladner – Meeting Room A
Title: Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of novel spacers used for reverse osmosis
desalination
Description:
Water purification with reverse osmosis (RO) is inherently energy intensive. The problem is
exacerbated when salts build up on the membrane surface. This project seeks to design spacers
that minimize the salt buildup. CFD modeling is used to test various designs and experiments
are performed to validate the models. Some novel spacer geometries have shown promise for
decreasing the energy intensity of RO and many options remain for future testing.
1:40pm
Julia Brumaghim – Meeting Room B
Title: Understanding Antioxidant Prevention of Metal-Mediated DNA Damage
Description:
Antioxidants have great potential to prevent neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases,
diabetes, cancer, and aging that are all caused by metal-mediated DNA damage. Although
typical studies of antioxidant activity focus on scavenging damaging reactive oxygen species, we
have quantified and compared the abilities of widely-studied sulfur, selenium, and polyphenol
antioxidants to inhibit metal-mediated DNA damage and found that metal binding, not radical
scavenging, is the primary mechanism for their DNA damage prevention activity. All three
classes of antioxidants prevent DNA damage by coordinating the iron and copper ions
responsible for hydroxyl radical generation. From these studies, we have developed the first
predictive models for polyphenol DNA damage and cell death prevention based on iron binding
that will aid in development of antioxidant supplements and therapies.
1:50pm
Margaret Wiecek – Meeting Room A
Title: Mathematical Optimization for Decision Making in Engineering and Sciences
Description:
Mathematics-based optimization provides tools to model and solve decision making problems
that are associated with systems in engineering and sciences. A man-made system may involve
interactions among many phenomena and require reconciling various engineering disciplines. It
may have multiple and dissimilar levels or components that may be connected in a variety of
ways and as a whole exhibit one or more properties not obvious from the properties of the
individual parts. A complex system may also be characterized by noncomparable and conflicting
requirements, interactions, and objectives (e.g., cost, performance, reliability, safety,
productivity, affordability). Optimization models and algorithms address the system complexity
and encompass decision makers' judgments and preferences to derive an optimal or preferred
decisions, designs, or policies.
1:50pm
Andy Tennyson – Meeting Room B
Title: Organometallic Complexes to Prevent Inflammation and Immune Activation
Description: A diverse array of pathologies, ranging from the side effects of radiation therapy to
transplant rejection, arise from immune system activation in response to localized
inflammation. Increasing superoxide dismutase expression levels or treating with tocopherols,
thiols or omega-3 fatty acids are effective therapies for alleviating these conditions, collectively
suggesting that oxidative stress plays a central role in the onset of inflammation. Based on
these findings, we have established a program to prepare transition metal complexes that
reduce oxidative stress and, by doing so, exert anti-inflammatory effects. Our preliminary
studies have demonstrated that the targeted organometallic complexes catalytically degrade
radicals in buffered aqueous solutions.
2:00pm
Taufiquar Khan – Meeting Room A
Title: Modeling and Parameter Estimation
Description:
We will discuss the general approach for modeling and parameter estimation in applications.
We will discuss examples of collaboration across the college. In particular we will discuss a
range of applications from car following theory in smart transportation to modeling complex
network in smart grid to imaging in biomedical applications.
2:00pm
Pingshan Wang – Meeting Room B
Title: Microwave microsystems
Description:
Microwave microsystems, i.e. microwave lab-on-chip, are very promising for label-free
detection and identification of single cells, particles and molecules. They are expected to find
wide applications in personalized health service, environment monitoring, and advanced
analytic instrumentation for chemical, biological and material studies. In this talk, I will present
our results on the development of microwave microsystems, including high-sensitivity
measurements of DNA molecules in solutions, paramagnetic samples and gases.
2:10pm
Ilya Safro – Meeting Room A
Title: Efficient and Effective Methods in Network Science, Scientific Computing, and
Optimization
Description:
Effective, fast, and scalable mathematical methods and models serve as a common basis for
many complex systems in natural sciences, and engineering. My research interests include such
methods for large-scale data. They can be categorized as multiscale methods, machine learning,
data mining, networks and graph algorithms, data analysis, predictive modeling, optimization.
2:10pm
Hai Xiao – Meeting Room B
Title: Photonic and Microwave Sensors, Instrumentation and Imaging
Description:
This presentation provides a general introduction to the Photonics Technology Laboratory (PTL)
recently moved to Clemson University. We conduct research in 1) novel sensor, devices and
systems, 2) ultrafast laser micro-/nano-machining, 3) integration of nanomaterials with
photonic/microwave devices for chemical sensing, and 4) bio-sensing and optical medical
imaging. We look forward to establishing collaborative research within Clemson in areas of
affordable energy, sustainable environment, intelligent infrastructure, health care, and national
security.
2:20pm
Xin Liu – Meeting Room A
Title: Stochastic Processes and Their Applications
Description:
I am interested in stochastic processes, mathematical statistics and their applications. One
main area of interest is the study of queueing systems. I am currently working on the queueing
modeling of limit order books. Another ongoing project is on multiscale diffusion
approximations for SIR models with vectors.
2:20pm
Jeff Anker – Meeting Room B
Title: Multifunctional Luminescent Sensors
Description:
My group develops novel spectrochemical imaging techniques and contrast agents to study
chemical and biomechanical processes through tissue. One project involves developing sensors
to be coated on the surface of fracture fixation devices to image pH and other analytes during
infection and inflammation. A second project involves measuring mechanical strain on
implanted devices through tissue. A third project involves measuring making magnetic
fluorescent sensors to track single particle intracellular rotational transport in macrophage cell
cultures and measure viscosity through tissue. A fourth project involves developing
multifunctional nanoparticles for magnetically guided drug delivery, MRI contrast, upconversion
luminescence, and radioluminescence.
3:20pm
Gerald Lehmacher – Meeting Room A
Title: Aeronomy Experiments for Reusable Suborbital Launch Vehicles
Description:
NASA is supportive of private enterprises that are in the process of developing launch
capabilities for suborbital and orbital spacecraft. Researchers around the world are curious
whether multiple launches of reusable spacecraft can advance aeronomy research, especially in
the mesosphere and lower thermosphere, where observations are scarce and difficult. I am
involved in several collaborative proposal efforts to develop neutral wind and temperature
measurements for such future missions and monitor the reentry dynamics. Techniques include
micro-g accelerometers, pressure gauges, and free-flying, inflatable spheres. For quantitative
results, detailed modeling of supersonic flow in rarefied atmospheres is necessary.
3:20pm
Bill Pennington – Meeting Room B
Title: Polydiacetylene-based Sensors
Description:
Polydiacetylenes (PDAs) are conjugated polymers that exhibit interesting chromic behavior, and
are useful for a variety of sensing applications, such as for temperature, mechanical impact, and
detection of biological entities. The visible signals exhibited by PDA sensors make them
preferential to other sensor technologies for many applications, particularly within the food
industry. Diacetylene monomers have been incorporated into or onto a variety of substrates to
serve as colorimetric strain and temperature sensitive films and fibers. PDAs functionalized with
amino acids, sugars or other recognition elements exhibit a colorimetric response in the
presence of bacteria, toxins, etc. Potential applications, problems and areas for collaboration
will be discussed.
3:30pm
Andrej Ivanco – Meeting Room A
Title: System Level Analysis of the Vehicle Powertrain
Description:
The 2025 CAFE standards mandates 54.5MPG average fuel economy for new vehicles to be sold
in the US market. Achieving it will require development of the new approaches for powertrain
component design, vehicle power management and understanding of the consumer drive
cycles all from the perspective of system level control and optimization. Some recent research
highlights will be presented to foster the collaborative spirit within the faculty.
3:30pm
Guigen Zhang – Meeting Room B
Title: Toward Personalized and Preventive Care
Description:
To make personalized and preventive care possible, it is necessary to have highly accurate,
affordable and fast diagnostic tool capability to screen possible genetic disorders, detect
diseases at an early stage, and even monitor gene mutation regularly. The biosensing
technology we are pursuing has the potential to make it a reality.
3:40pm
Simona Onori – Meeting Room A
Title: Model-based battery management system
Description:
With more stringent regulations on emissions and fuel economy, global warming, and
constraints on energy resources, electrified vehicles have attracted more and more attention by
automakers, governments, and customers. One of the key constraints for mass market
penetration of this vehicle technology is the high cost of the battery system, as well as the
safety and reliability concerns associated with it. The tasks to ensure safe and reliable operation
of the battery system, extend the life of battery, and maximize driving range are demanded to
battery management systems (BMS). Properly designing BMSs for electrified vehicles can help
optimize the system efficiency and reduce cost while extending battery system life expectancy
and increasing safety of the battery system.
3:40pm
Rodrigo Martinez-Duarte – Meeting Room B
Title: Multiscale Manufacturing Laboratory: Research Partners wanted
Description:
The Multiscale Manufacturing Laboratory (M2L) is looking for research partners. We have a
strong expertise on glass-like carbon microfabrication, microfluidics and Dielectrophoresis.
Current research areas include: 1) Clinical Diagnostics, using centrifugal microfluidics,
electrokinetics and biosensors; 2) Carbon-based composites departing from polymer-based
composites; 3) Bio-enabled nanomanufacturing, using microorganisms to fabricate
nanostructures; and 4) Diagnosis of Chagas disease in a rural setting.
3:50pm
David Smith – Meeting Room A
Title: The Creative Car Lab: An Interaction Design Studio for Future Vehicle Concepts
Description:
The Creative Car lab on the he CU-ICAR campus is a new, unique facility for multi-disciplinary
collaboration on user experience design of vehicles of the future. Emphasis is placed on concept
development for the cockpit, building on societal and technological trends to create new
interactive experiences. Research projects lie at the intersection of automotive engineering,
human-centered computing, media design, and art.
4:00pm
John Ballato – Meeting Room A
Title: Opportunities for research using optical fibers at Clemson
Description:
Clemson is the only University in the United States, and one of only a few in the world, with
industry-grade capabilities to make optical fiber. This brief talk will highlight the fabrication
capabilities and showcase the types of fibers made and sponsored programs awarded in this
topical area.
4:00pm
Endre Takacs – Meeting Room B
Title: X-ray experiments at the Clemson University Electron Beam Ion Trap (CUEBIT)
Description:
The new CUEBIT facility at the Department of Physics and Astronomy is unique device for
creating highly charged ions. These exotic atomic systems miss most of their electron clouds
and can only be created in several million degree hot plasmas. The interactions of the ions with
solid surfaces or with the energetic electron beam of the device generate x-rays with special
properties.
4:10pm
Julie Martin – Meeting Room A
Title: Social factors influencing the recruitment, retention, and career development of
engineering students
Description:
This presentation describes work relating to social factors influencing the recruitment,
retention, and career development of engineering students. One goal for the presentation is to
increase awareness of ongoing basic research in the field of engineering education. In
particular, the presenter will discuss a mixed methods research project funded by her NSF
CAREER award relating undergraduate students’ social capital and their decisions to enter and
persist in engineering. {Please note the this presentation does not fit within one of the CU
Research Emphasis areas}
4:10pm
Kim Alexander – Meeting Room B
Title: Collaboration in Sponsored Projects for Research and Innovation in Road Safety
Description:
The Institute for Global Road Safety and Security (IGRSS) is an interdisciplinary research
community dedicated to improving road safety and security through a systemic analysis of the
human-vehicle-road system. The Institute brings together nationally and internationally
recognized researchers, educators, and government and corporate partners to pursue
sponsored research in order to improve the safety of the automotive transportation
environment. A key focus area for IGRSS is in development and implementation of innovative
road safety research and education programs including K-12 programs, college programs, driver
training, military safe driver training, workforce development and leadership training,
commercial motor carrier safety education, occupant protection and child passenger safety,
pedestrian and bike safety issues, accommodation education, and substance abuse prevention
education. One way the institute is able to collaborate with other departments, cen!
ters, and institutes is by providing educational research and outreach activities for grants and
contracts. IGRSS, the Government of Kenyan, and Maasai Mara University are partnering to
provide road safety research, education, policy support, and outreach in Kenya.
4:20pm
Kuang-Ching Wang – Meeting Room A
Title: Center for Next Generation Computing - Rethink what IT means to your research
Description:
The Center for Next Generation Computing is approved by Board of Trustee in 2013 as a center
point for collaboration among faculty and CCIT on the use and development of advanced
computing and networking infrastructure for research and education in the university. The
Center collaborates with faculty in developing and executing sponsored research projects as
well as in informing the roadmap of university cyberinfrastructure. The Center is in active
collaboration with faculty across colleges on multiple projects in areas such as advanced
computing, software defined networking, cyber security, big data, visualization, GIS, etc. One of
the latest project transforms the university network and Palmetto Cluster to connect to campus
and external research facilities and data archives over 10G~100G bps networks. We will provide
an overview of these activities and explore new collaboration opportunities with the faculty.