Engineering Sciences includes chemical statistical thermodynamics, surface science and interfacial phenomena, diffusion, reaction, and mixing in lamellar systems, chaos theory, process modeling and control, and advanced computing.

Chemical Statistical Thermodynamics. Current research involves
prediction and correlation of bulk macroscopic properties of chemical and
biological materials with their microscopic and molecular properties. Projects include: characterization of multiphase materials by statistical mechanics and percolation theory, and transport and reaction mechanism; simulation of the protein partitioning in two-phase aqueous polymer systems; molecular dynamics of antigen-antibody interactions; solvent-solute-particle interaction effects on particle aggregation.

Surface Science and Interfacial phenomena. Current research involves investigation of surface material properties in order to understand the particular chemical activity imparted by individual surfaces and their immediate environments. Projects include: Colloidal and particulate dispersion; Interfacial rheology in multiphase systems; Surface catalysis; Characterization of heterogeneous catalysts; Enzyme stability in nonphysiologic environments; Protein extraction via liquid membranes.

Diffusion, Reaction, and Mixing in Lamellar Systems - Chaotic Theory. Diffusion in liquids is a relatively slow process. This situation can be modified by mechanical mixing the phase that has the smallest diffusion coefficient. The most efficient mixing under laminar flow conditions is produced by chaotic flows. A number of flow systems where transport is important are or can be made chaotic if appropriately designed. It follows that randomness and chaos are present in many systems important to chemical and biochemical engineering. These systems typically display disordered states, where most variables of interest exhibit distributions that often depend on time and also on spatial location. Some examples are bubble columns (bubble size distribution), liquid-liquid dispersions (drop size distribution, striation thickness distribution), and crystallizers (crystal size distribution). the objective of our research is to gain a better understanding of the behavior of disordered systems undergoing aggregation, mixing, and reaction processes. We focus on the formation and evolution of spatial structures and on possible applications for material processing.

Process Modeling and Control, Advanced Computing. Research involves automation of chemical and biochemical processes which is aided by in-line sensing technology and artificial intelligence (AI) methodology, coupled with the design of real-time, high-performance controllers. Projects include: Ultrasonic in-line sensors; Simulation of cell activation in cardiac automaticity; Development of AI-based control algorithms for bioreactors; Development of AI-based protocols for assessing health and safety problems in chemical plants; Applications of AI techniques in chemical process planning.