Invited speakers and reports of graduate student research.
1 hr./wk.
Review of the general concepts of continuum mechanics and tensor analysis. The rheology of non-Newtonian fluids. Viscometric flows. Linear viscoelasticity. Constitutive equation theory and codeforming and corrotating formalisms. Applications include the treatment of particle motions in non-Newtonian fluids.
3 hr./wk.
Classical thermodynamics; batch and flow systems; homogeneous and heterogeneous systems, physical and chemical equilibria, energy effects. Correlation and approximation methods.
3 hr./wk.
Steady-state simulation using ASPEN Plus for flow sheet calculations and economic evaluations. Dynamic simulation for process control studies, hazard analyses and batch process scheduling. Special purpose simulations of reactors and separation systems. Emphasis on the underlying numerical methods and sensitivity to modeling errors.
3 hr./wk.
Introduction to equilibrium statistical mechanics: Liouville's Theorem, ergodic hypothesis, ensembles, connection to classical thermodynamics. Distinguishable and indistinguishable particles, Boltzmann statistics, quantum gases, semi-classical limit. Real gases: cluster and virial expansions. Graphical methods.
3 hr./wk.
The analysis of non-ideal chemical reactor systems. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous reactor systems. Industrial catalytic reactor design and troubleshooting.
3 hr./wk.
The liquid state and non-equilibrium statistical mechanics: distribution function theories, integral equation methods, hierarchies. Perturbation theories of liquids. Phase transition: mean field theory, scaling. Time dependent phenomena: dynamic light scattering, fluctuation-dissipation theorem, linear response theory, Green-Kubo relations. Boltzmann equation.
3 hr./wk.
Basic principles; break-even and shut-down studies; profitability criteria; plant location; market research; project analysis and optimization.
3 hr./wk.
Powder metrology: Characterization of particles and particle assemblies; packing of granular solids; interparticle forces and tribology in particulate systems; continuum powder mechanics; design of hoppers; population balance modeling of mixing, segregation, agglomeration and comminution. Bulk Powder handling: conveying and storing.
3 hr./wk.
Interfacial thermodynamics. The theory of the electrical double layer. Interfacial statics and the Young-Laplace equation. Interfacial fluid mechanics and stability. Applications such as surface waves and Marangoni flows are included.
3 hr./wk.
Microscopic level interactions in solid materials. The geometric structure of materials: metals, semiconductors, ceramics, and polymers. Structure determination. The thermodynamic foundation of phase diagrams. Material properties: thermal, electrical, and optical. Surface properties. Synthesis and characterization of "high tech" materials with emphasis on nanoscale technology.
ChE 31000 or permission of instructor.
3 hr./wk.
Theory and practice of numerical techniques for the simulation ofA0 material properties and transport phenomena at the molecular level. Introduction to ab initio and empirical force fields, theoretical background on MonteA0Carlo, molecular dynamics, and related methods.A0 Introduction to biased and accelerated methods, simulation of fluid flows, long-range interactions, phase equilibriums and other topics of current interest.A0Exercises will emphasize computational practice, writing code for particular applications, and the analysis of numerical results.
3 hr./wk.
Statistical mechanics of polymer chains. Polymer rheology. Scaling concepts in polymer solutions. Behavior of polymer blends, interpenetrating polymer networks, and polymer/mixed solvent systems. Polymer/particle interactions.
ChE 46700 or permission of instructor.
3 hr./wk.
This course introduces the students to surface phenomena related to polymers. Topics covered are: Statistical Nature of Polymers, Polydispersity & Branching; Molecular Weight and its Distribution; Flexibility; Global versus Local Properties; Average Dimensions of Polymer; Polymer Structure and Physical Properties; Diffusion Modes-Reconfiguration and Center of Mass Transport; Interfacial Thermodynamics; Molecular Interactions in Polymers (Van der Waals Forces, Additivity and Fractional Contributions of Various Types of Molecular Forces, Introduction to Mean-field and Monte Carlo approximation to polymer molecular configurations); Surface Energetics of Polymers (Measurement of Surface Tension, Calculation of Surface tension, Measurement of Solubility, Calculation of Solubility); Polymer-Liquid Interactions (Equilibrium Spreading Pressure, Polarity of Liquids, Contact Angle, Measurement and Prediction); Polymer-Polymer Interactions (Solubility of Polymers, Measurement of Solubility, Calculation of Solubility, Prediction of Interfacial Tension of Polymers, in the melt and solid state); Applications (Adhesion, Blending, Adsorption, Permeation).
Undergraduate degree in engineering, or permission of the instructor.
3 hr./wk.
This courses introduces the students to the concepts of supported thin organic films and their analysis: Langmuir-Blodgett Films; Self-Assembled Monolayers; Polymer Films; Homopolymers; Block Copolymers; Polyelectrolytes (Layer by Layer); Optical Techniques (Ellispometry, Second Harmonic Generation); Electroanalytical Techniques (Surface Potential); Physocochemical Techniques (Wetting); Spectroscopic Techniques (Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman Spectroscopy, X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (SIMS)); Scanning Probe Microscopy (Atomic Force, Scanning Tunneling); Scattering Techniques (Neutron Scattering, X-Ray Scattering, X-Ray Diffraction, Light Scattering).
Undergraduate degree in engineering, or permission of the instructor.
3 hr./wk.
Rheological measurement. Linear and nonlinear viscoelasticity. Rheology of polymers, liquid crystals, emulsions, gels, and other complex fluids and soft solids. Continuum and molecular theories of viscoelasticity.
Undergraduate degree in a physical science or engineering discipline, or permission of instructor.
3 hr./wk.
Fluid mechanics and heat transfer principles underlying the mechanics of polymer melt processing. Conservation principles. Non-Newtonian fluids. Coupled flow and heat transfer in extrusion. Pressure effects. Solution multiplicity. Lubrication theory for polymer processing. Injection and compression molding. Fiber spinning. Numerical simulation. Effects of viscoelasticity on processing. Stability and sensitivity.
Undergraduate degree in engineering, or permission of the instructor.
3 hr./wk.
Dynamic Behavior and control of process equipment and flow systems. Behavior and stability of linear and non-linear systems with examples from chemical reactors, distillation columns and heat transfer equipment.
3 hr./wk.
Course covers equilibrium and flow properties of mixtures containing solid particles in viscous fluids, providing an overview of basic analytical, theoretical and modeling concepts, with an introduction to certain simulational and experimental methods. Recent scientific understanding in the field is reviewed. Topics include: general conservation laws and constitutive descriptions for continuous materials; microhydrodynamics, i.e. flow and interaction at the particle scale; mixing, diffusion and dispersion; two-phase mixture conservation equations, their general features, consequences and solution methods; statistical mechanical approaches applied to low-Reynolds-number suspensions: microstructure, rheology and bulk flow; inertial effects including weak inertia, inertial particle hydrodynamics, turbulence in mixture flows; experimental and simulational tools; mixture flow applications in industry.
3 hr./wk.
Analysis, design and simulation of the major separation operations of distillation, absorption and extraction. Both staged and continuous countercurrent modes of operation are covered. Choice of vapor-liquid and liquid-liquid equilibria models, data regression and prediction methods. Process synthesis of sequences of separation operations; heat integration for efficient energy utilization. Introduction to column dynamics and control strategies.
3 hr./wk.
Modeling and simulation of the dynamic behavior of staged and plug flow separation operations. Batch distillation. Adsorption techniques including chromatographic separations and pressure swing adsorption. Membrane technologies such as reverse osmosis and gas separation. Separations involving solids including filtration and crystallization. Separations for biotechnology.
3 hr./wk.
Introduction to nanotechnology and its applications in the development and synthesis of soft materials.
3 hr./wk.
Basics of biochemistry and cell structure with emphasis on eucaryotic cells. Introduction to recombinant DNA technology and protein engineering. Introduction to cell culture bioreactors. Production of glycosylated proteins. Biochemical engineering aspects of stem cells.
3 hr./wk.
Definitions of concentrations, velocities and mass fluxes. Conservation of species equation; multicomponent diffusion; Stefan-Maxwell equations. Transient diffusion in semi-infinite media. Definition of transfer coefficients with mass addition. Application of film, penetration and boundary layer theory. Diffusion with homogeneous and heterogeneous chemical reaction. Interphase transport.
3 hr./wk.
The course provides students with exposure to some surface modification chemistry and the standard techniques used for the characterization of surface properties. In addition to use of instrumentation, students will familiarize themselves with surface preparation and modification techniques, including self-assembly, evaporation, spin coating, and Langmuir-Blodgett techniques. There are seven experimental modules: contact angle goniometry; air-liquid and liquid-liquid interfacial tension measurement; fluorescence imaging and Brewster Angle Microscopy; reflection infrared spectroscopic determination of surface coverage; ellipsometric measurement of thin films; atomic force microscopy (AFM) characterization of surfaces; and colloidal particle size distribution measurement and particle stability using light backscattering. Written and verbal reports are required.
Undergraduate degree in engineering, or permission of the instructor.
3 hr./wk.
In-depth analysis by means of written reports of a number of technical papers, reports or articles on a specific topic of interest to chemical engineers. Topics to be chosen by the student after consultation with a professor in the department. An oral presentation of the written report may be required at the departmental seminar.
Completion of 12 credits toward the master's degree in ChE. Not applicable for credit toward the Ph.D.
Theoretical or experimental project under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Student submits a written proposal, performs the required work, and submits a written final report.
Written departmental approval.
Credits
Variable cr., up to 6 cr.