Chemical and Biological Engineering (CE)

Topics in the field of specialization selected with the permission of the instructor.

Integrates fundamentals of mathematics, physics, and chemistry into chemical engineering concepts; laws of conservation of mass and energy.

Fundamental principles of biotechnology for chemical engineering majors taught using case studies that trace back from major products to the fundamental biological principles that underlie their use and the bioprocesses by which they are manufactured.

Topics in the field of specialization selected with the permission of the instructor.

Applies the laws and tools of equilibrium thermodynamics to chemical engineering problems, including calculation of thermodynamic properties of pure fluids and mixtures, computation of energy requirements for changing the state of a system, analysis of phase equilibria (emphasizing vapor-liquid equilibrium), and treatment of chemical reaction equilibria.

Introduces fluid statics and dynamics with examples from chemical engineering operations. Applies macroscopic mass, energy, and momentum balances to fluid flow problems. Dimensional analysis and correlation of turbulent flow data. Theories of turbulence. The Navier-Stokes equations, momentum transport and velocity profiles in one-dimensional laminar flow, boundary layers, and potential flow.

The equations of change of heat and mass transport. Steady- and unsteady-state heat conduction in one and two dimensions. Free and forced convection; prediction and correlation of heat transfer. Mass transfer by diffusion and convection; analogies with heat transfer. Simultaneous mass transfer and chemical reaction.

Fundamentals of design, execution, analysis, and documentation of engineering experiments. One three-hour laboratory per week or equivalent.

Accompanies CE 318. Continuation of CE 327.

Chemical kinetics as applied to the design of chemical reaction equipment. Introduces the theory of reaction rates in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems; experimental methods; analysis of rate data; reactor types and design; selectivity in complex reaction systems.

This course covers fundamental numerical and computational methods for modeling physical phenomena and processes with a focus on chemical engineering applications. An emphasis is placed on the implementation of the numerical methods in a programming environment and computer based modeling of chemical engineering applications. Topics include the solution of linear and nonlinear algebraic equations, eigenvalue problems. Application of finite difference methods, interpolation, differentiation and integration, solution of systems of ordinary differential equations, boundary value problems, partial differential equations, and linear and nonlinear regression analysis. These methods are demonstrated via problems encountered in chemical engineering practice.

Topics in the field of specialization selected with the permission of the instructor.

Integrates the general framework for product design and development with molecular structure-property relations, enables students to evaluate the design of existing products and participate in the design of improved and new products.

Topics in the field of specialization selected with the permission of the instructor.

Problems vary year to year, but may include chemical process studies, studies of engineering materials, computer analysis of specific chemical engineering problems. Problems announced in previous semester. Assignments, where possible, follow student preferences and require consent of faculty members who guide the work.

Staged operations of distillation, absorption, leaching, and extraction. Phase equilibria and application of equilibrium data to calculational methods provide knowledge of solution methods and limitations for binary and multicomponent systems.

Applies chemical engineering principles to the design of chemical plants and process equipment. Preliminary economic evaluations of plants. Process flow sheet development; material and energy balances; equipment specification, fundamentals of engineering economics and profitability analysis; strategies in process design and synthesis.

This course will provide students with an understanding of the methods, capabilities, and limitations of molecular modeling. It will consist of the following topics: theory, methods, and hands-on application of molecular simulation. Elementary statistical mechanics, overview of molecular modeling approaches, basic probability and statistical analysis. Students will work in small groups to study a sample system using high performance computing (HPC) cluster resources and present their findings at the end of the semester. Prior experience with advanced calculus and thermodynamics is advised.

Topics in the field of specialization selected with the permission of the instructor.

Energy production is one of the biggest challenges we face nowadays. The promotion of sustainable development and climate change mitigation technologies have become critical in energy planning, analysis and policy making. While impressive progress has been made in recent years, energy production still accounts for two-thirds of total greenhouse gas emissions and 80% of CO2. Understanding these challenges and the energy options available require a global and multidisciplinary perspective, which can be obtained through the course Energy and the Environment. Dual listed with CE 514.

This course is for senior undergraduate students in Engineering, Physics, and Chemistry, who are interested in materials, energy, and environment. This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of heterogeneous catalysis, aiming to explain the phenomenon of catalysis on a conceptual level. Kinetics, being the tool to investigate and describe catalytic reactivity as it expresses itself in a reactor, plays an important role in this course. Also reaction rate theory, providing the formalism to relate reaction rates to molecular structure of reacting species, will be described extensively. Students will also have the opportunity to learn about catalytic surfaces, as well as tools to study them. The last part of the course will serve to illustrate catalysis in practice, to give the students an understanding of how catalysis is applied. This course is dual listed with CE 516.

Examines several types of alternative fuels that might be used to replace fuels such as gasoline and diesel that are derived from crude oil. Discusses the technology, economics, and other aspects of converting crude oil into gasoline. Considers other fuels including ethanol and biodiesel, hydrogen, synthetic gasoline from coal or shale oil, and a few other, less likely possibilities. Understanding the chemical processing and technology involved will be a major objective, but the course will also stress the importance of making equitable comparisons between the technologies. In addition to technological issues, the alternative fuel technologies will be assessed with respect to environmental impact, economics, and economic impact, sustainability/renewability, vulnerability and capacity (US and worldwide).

An introductory survey of the principles and applications of optofluidics, the integration of microphotonics and microfluidics. The course covers key principles of fluid dynamics, optics and photonics and the integration of these disciplines to realize functional microsystems, with an emphasis on bioapplications. Topics covered include a survey of micro- and nano-fabrication methods, micro- and nano-fluidic principles and related transport phenomena, electromagnetic (EM) theory including light-liquid interactions. State-of-the-art optofluidic devices are treated in some detail including liquid-liquid micro-optical waveguides, fluid tunable optical micro-resonators, microfluidic lens systems and dye lasers. Nanofluids are also discussed along with optical methods for manipulating nanoparticles in fluids. Related principles of nanotechnology are also covered. This course is the same as EE 432, and course repeat rules will apply. Students should consult with their major department regarding any restrictions on their degree requirements.

This course is for senior undergraduate students in Engineering, Physics, and Chemistry, who are interested in sustainable renewable energy and environmental technologies. Development of such cutting-edge technologies heavily relies on understanding of electrochemical principles associated with charge/mass transfer during the reactions. This course will start with fundamental thermodynamics and kinetics of electrochemical reactions, followed by systematical descriptions of energy conversion and storage associated electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and battery principles. The targeted technologies, such as solar cells, fuel cells, batteries, and supercapacitors will be introduced. Also, a special emphasis in this course is on environmental electrochemistry and will cover the latest electrochemical technologies in waste treatments, clean synthesis, and electrochemical sensors.

Molecular imaging is a highly interdisciplinary field in which fundamental biological processes are visualized, quantified, analyzed, and modeled in living subjects. In this course, fundamental aspects of chemical engineering, radiology (physics), applied chemistry, and applied biology are taught in an integrated manner. Students learn how to read, analyze, and interpret the molecular imaging literature as well as how to analyze a â¿¿molecular image. Further, students learn how to apply chemical and biological engineering principles to design molecular probes and reporter genes. Finally, students learn the basic design and function of various instrumentation used in molecular imaging, and how molecular imaging products are generated for the clinical care of patients.

Continuation of CE 328.

A continuation of CE 427.

Properties of solids, which chemical engineers need to understand and exploit in regard to chemical processing and industrial equipment; how chemical and physical structures determine the uses of the products of the chemical industry. Crystal structure, crystal defects, and how they dominate mechanical properties. Thermal and electrical properties of solids. Polymer structures and properties. Corrosion: mechanisms and prevention.

Equips engineering students with the fundamental concepts of process control design. An introduction to the benefits of having a good control process is followed by the definitions of the control objectives, feedback and feedforward control, and the various types of variables found in process control problems. Includes the development of dynamic mathematical models for simple processes, using mass and energy balances. Introduces mathematical tools (Laplace Transformations) that help solve such mathematical models as well as define the transfer functions of typical process systems (first and second order systems). Introduces the controller concept, together with the basic principles behind the feedback control loop and its stability characteristics.

Classifies polymers with respect to structure and formation reaction; relations between chemical structure and physical properties; some characteristics of polymer solutions; mechanical behavior; and engineering properties.

Course introduces students to Six Sigma statistical methodology for identifying critical process variables that affect process operability. Emphasis is on how to define and quantify the process goal and methods to determine the proper variables to affect continuous positive improvement on a chemical process.

Significant microbial products, organisms, and substrates; directing microbial activity by random mutation and recombinant DNA; kinetics of growth and product formation; types of fermenters; aeration and agitation; scale-up; sterilization; product separation.

Topics include mathematical techniques for optimization, genomics-genome sequencing, genome sequence annotation, metabolic networks, linear and quadratic optimization for metabolic network optimizations, experimental approaches to metabolic network optimization, c-labeling for metabolic flux determination, examples of using such approaches for high value chemical production optimization, background on cell signaling, biochemical/biophysical description of major signaling pathways including techniques for collecting experimental data, strategies for modeling signaling networks, examples of utilizing a mathematical framework to predict (and manipulate) cellular behavior in response to specific stimuli, examples of cell signaling in disease states, background and description of genetic networks, experimental approaches to genetic networks, strategies for modeling genetic networks, examples of describing/predicting genetic network behavior using mathematical tools, and an overview of genomic and proteomic methodologies.

Introduction to protein engineering and design. This course teaches students to think of protein as an entity that can be engineered using molecular tools in order to achieve novel physical and chemical properties. Students first learn the fundamentals of protein structure and how protein structure dictates function, which includes discussion of protein structure, biochemistry, molecular biology techniques, the basics of physical and organic chemistry, and molecular modeling through computer visualization. Additionally, students learn different protein design strategies, including knowledge-based design, computational protein design, and directed evolution, that are commonly used for protein engineering. Examples of engineered proteins with novel structural and functional properties are extensively discussed to illustrate how design principles are applied to real life problems.

Computer-aided research has become vitally important in all facets of both the academic setting and industrial workplace. This course introduces a selection of valuable tools and techniques in this modern domain with a focus on practical, hands-on skill-building. The course covers four principal areas (all in the context of chemical, biological, materials, or engineering problems): 1. Scientific scripting and computing (in particular Python and its various modules); 2. Applied data analysis and mining (including materials informatics, cheminformatics); 3. Molecular and materials modeling, computational chemistry; 4. Visualization of data and results.

Petroleum engineering encompasses activities related to the production of hydrocarbons (crude oil and natural gas), ranging from exploration and drilling, to well completion and production, to processing and transportation of hydrocarbon products. This course introduces key terminology and concepts from petrophysics, drilling, production and reservoir engineering that are needed to understand oil and gas production. Topics covered include: properties of reservoir fluids and rock; petroleum geology; well drilling, logging, and completion; enhanced oil recovery; upstream facilities; production and reservoir performance; midstream and downstream operations; and flow assurance. The course places oil and gas production in the global energy context, and discusses economics, environmental and regulatory issues. This course is dual listed with CE 552.

This course introduces concepts and techniques related to the creation and use of mathematical models in the biomanufacturing of chemical and pharmaceutical products. Students will learn various modeling paradigms that are commonly used to describe cellular processes across different length and time scales, as well as tools for model identification, parameter estimation and systems analysis, and their applications to bioprocesses. The concepts learned in the course will be put into practice through a semester-long modeling group project. Dual listed with CE 553.

Introduces aerosol science and technology at a senior undergraduate/beginning graduate level. Provides the knowledge and skills needed to understand and predict the production, transport, and other behavior of aerosols and introduces technologies for producing, measuring, and collecting them.

Dispersed systems (e.g., suspensions, emulsions, foams, and other systems) in which surface effects dominate behavior. Surface tension. Gas adsorption and adsorption from solution. Effects of surface charge. Wetting, detergency, adhesion. Transport processes dominated by surface tension.

Topics in the field of specialization selected with the permission of the instructor.

Topics in the field of specialization selected with the permission of the instructor.

Hands-on experience in the field. Problems vary from year to year, and may include chemical process studies, engineering materials studies, or computer-based analysis of specific chemical engineering problems. Internship assignments follow student preferences where possible and require consent of a faculty member to guide the work. Typically, students are required to spend approximately ten unpaid hours per week at an industrial site. Grading is based in part on written and oral reports that are required upon completion of the internship.

Accepted seniors pursue a specialized, independent study leading to an Honors thesis or project.

Students collaborate with faculty research mentors on an ongoing faculty research project or conduct independent research under the guidance of a faculty member. This experience provides students with an inquiry-based learning opportunity and engages them as active learners in a research setting.

Students should be accepted for work on a specific topic by a member of the teaching staff of the chemical engineering department.