Advanced Materials and Precision Chemical Processing
In the twenty-first century, one of the most fertile research areas in chemical engineering is the development of multi-scale methods of linking molecular (or nano-structural) behavior of chemical systems in processing and product characteristics. The Advanced Materials and Precision Chemical Processing Group in our Department has carried out many research initiatives along this general avenue, and the active development programs have been aimed at addressing the following new fields:
(1) advanced separation techniques by membranes and supercritical fluid (SCF);
(2) syntheses of specialty chemicals and nano-materials via a new micro-reactor and high-yield catalyst; and
(3) precision fabrication for making novel information and opto-electronics devices based on systems-design and simulation.
Based on the above new developed fields, there are nine members of faculty who have been actively done research and specialized in the following areas:
(1) adsorption and SCF separation;
(2) protein and DNA purification;
(3) polymeric membranes;
(4) thermodynamic engineering in neutraceutics and clean process;
(5) catalytic reactions over nano-catalysts or multiphase micro-reactor;
(6) optimal biochemical process;
(7) manipulation of nano-particles;
(8) application of carbon nano-tube (CNT) in catalysis;
(9) smart materials for the next generation of flat plate display (FPD);
(10) optimal design of unit operations; and
(11) green materials for microelectronics.
Biomedical and Biochemical engineering
In the biomedical group, there are four members of our faculty in the Department working in several highlighted areas. The first area is on developing cardiovascular, orthopedic and other biomaterials using a multiple-discipline approach encamping tissue engineering, nano-biomaterials and biocompatibility design. The second highlighted area is on developing high performance functional pharmaceuticals based on controlled-release and targeting mechanism. The third highlighted area is on developing portable biosensors, protein and gene chips for fast pathological recognition and virus detection using immunological and other bio-analytical methods. All these basic researches have shown great potentials to be adopted for practical applications in the near future.
The biochemical group has been active in the fields of fermentation engineering, bioseparation and protein engineering. Several members of our faculty have employed microbial, animal or plant cell cultivation techniques to produce high-value bio-pharmaceuticals, food and agricultural products. The major studies that have been carried out so far include the kinetic determinations of cell growth in bioreactors, the simulation and control of fermentation systems, and design of bioreactors for large-scale production. In the field of bioseparation, the greatest efforts have been focused on the separation and purification of recombinant proteins from fermentation cultures and the extractions of biomedical active materials from natural products via the development of novel chromatographic and membrane techniques or supercritical fluid technology. In the field of protein engineering, we have been embarked on the production of specialty chemicals with enzyme technology and the development of novel protein expressing systems with genetic engineering. We are also active in the design and fabrication of biosensor components.
Polymer Science and Nanotechnology
The current members of Polymer and Nanotechnology Group are investigating on different polymer research projects entailing to synthesis, characterization, structural modification, processing, property determination, and applications. In addition, many members are also involved with industrial research to spearhead in the development of new processing technologies, intermediates, and polymer materials. Some of us also have worked on the re-education programs for the industrial researchers. Highlights of our member’s active research areas are compiled as follows:
I. New monomer syntheses for use in making PU systems and other high performance polymers.
II. New chemical process development of industrial product aims to reduce waste, enhance yield, and increase selectivity to meet stricter environmental standards.
III. Syntheses of polymeric surfactants, functional polymers, inorganic/organic hybrid materials, amphiphilic copolymers, and study of their self-assembling properties.
IV. Investigation and development of water soluble polymeric carriers for novel targetable drug delivery, and biodegradable and functional hydrogels for site-specific delivery of therapeutic agents.
V. Development and application of conducting polymers based biosensors in-situ AFM investigation of reactions at solid/liquid interfaces; the development of novel materials for electro-analytical applications.
VI. Syntheses of flame-retardant polymers for electronics, base materials for printed circuit board, low k polymers, light emitting polymers.
VII. Synthesis and application of nano-inorganic particle; nano-encapsulation of inorganic filler by polymers; preparation of high performance polymer blends and composites, and polymer clay nanocomposites.
VIII. Development of stable second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) polymeric materials, and advanced polymers based on organic-inorganic hybrid polymers; design and synthesis of dendritic polymers.