Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Events for February
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Lyman L. Handy Colloquium Series
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 @ 12:45 PM - 01:50 PM
Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Professor David R. Clarke,
Talk Title: uminescence of Oxides for Sensors and New Laser Gain Materials
Series: Lyman L. Handy Colloquium Series
Abstract: Luminescence is one of the most distinctive properties of a material and consequently continues to attract both artistic and scientific interest. And, although the underlying physics has been well established for many years it remains difficult to predict in detail the luminescence spectra of luminescent ions doped in complex oxide hosts and its dependence on temperature, doping concentration and strain. Consequently, the subject provides a wonderful play ground for those of us interested in tailoring, for instance, new phosphor materials, sensors or adding multi‐functionality to existing materials. In my talk I will describe two quite different examples of exploring doping schemes, one to create a luminescence sensor for sensing temperature (and damage) in thermal barrier coatings and the other for identifying a new class of high‐power laser gain material. These exemplify the necessity of combining an understanding of the essential physics with knowledge of crystal chemistry and materials processing, the synthesis of scientific knowledge required in developing new materials today.
Biography: Professor at School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138
Host: Professor Goo
More Info: http://chems.usc.edu/academics/10-11/l-02-10-11.htmLocation: James H. Zumberge Hall Of Science (ZHS) - 159
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Petra Pearce
Event Link: http://chems.usc.edu/academics/10-11/l-02-10-11.htm
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Graduate Seminar
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 @ 12:45 PM - 02:00 PM
Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Dr. Andrew Peterson, Standford University, Standford, CA
Talk Title: Catalysis Design for Sustainable Fuels
Series: Graduate Seminar
Abstract: Quantum mechanics-based tools have advanced to the point where the computational design of catalysts from first principles is becoming possible. In concert with experiments, these tools can be used for improving catalytic processes for sustainable fuel synthesis. First, I will describe how we are employing density functional theory (DFT) to understand the (photo-)electrocatalytic activity of materials to reduce CO2 to hydrocarbons (solar fuels). We have identified the elementary mechanisms that make this transformation possible and have shown that the protonation of adsorbed CO dictates the overall efficiency of the transformation. By using computational screening tools, we are discovering new candidate materials that can reduce the overpotential of this step, which may help to make solar fuels technologically and economically feasible. In the second part of the talk, I will show how creative catalyst design can enable the development of an efficient and adaptable biorefinery that produces the light end (C0-C3) product spectrum of a conventional refinery. The design of catalysts that can perform decarboxylation reactions without being subject to CO fouling will be key in this development, as will the design of catalysts for the selective synthesis of gasoline-range hydrocarbons from light-end feedstocks. These advances can lead to flexible biorefineries that are adaptable to changing market dynamics.
More Info: http://chems.usc.edu/academics/colloquia.htmLocation: James H. Zumberge Hall Of Science (ZHS) - 159
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Petra Pearce
Event Link: http://chems.usc.edu/academics/colloquia.htm
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CiSoft/PTE Webinar
Wed, Feb 23, 2011 @ 12:45 PM - 01:30 PM
Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Anil Ambastha, Chevron, Indonesia
Talk Title: Recent Trends in Reservoir Engineering Research
Abstract: This talk would concentrate on recent trends in reservoir engineering research based on empirical observations from reservoir engineering papers submitted for peer review for the "SPE Reservoir Evaluation and Engineering" journal in the last 2 1/2 years. In enhanced oil recovery (EOR) arena, chemical flooding methods, involving alkali, surfactant, polymer as well as CO2, continue to garner significant interest from researchers. A key challenge for EOR methods is to improve overall recovery economically, especially for heterogeneous reservoirs. Also, an area of considerable environmental importance is long-term CO2 sequestration in porous media which is being researched actively within the petroleum engineering community at this time.
From theoretical computation point of view, experimental-design methods and optimization algorithms for a wide variety of scenarios continue to evolve. Intelligent computational techniques need to be refined to be consistent with historical field data, assist in identifying important known and "unknown" uncertainties, and yield robust results for future field development plans.
An area of widespread application is geomechanical computation coupled with flow simulation. In particular, if fracture evolution can be reliably simulated, it will have profound implications for fluid flow in situations such as injection of water, CO2, steam etc. under fracturing conditions, and production from oil shale, gas shale, and extremely low-permeability reservoirs where massive and/or multiple fracturing is a prerequisite to economic production rates.
This talk would conclude with the thought that all of our research efforts need to be geared toward "economic energy production with the least environmental impact" as a key objective.
Host: CiSoft & Petroleum Engineering Program
More Info: http://usccisoft.omnovia.com/register/48091298056533Location: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) -
Audiences: Please RSVP: legat@usc.edu
Contact: Juli Legat
Event Link: http://usccisoft.omnovia.com/register/48091298056533
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Distinguished Lecture Series
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 @ 12:45 PM - 01:50 PM
Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Professor Michael V. Pishko, Texas A&M University College Station, Texas
Talk Title: Encapsulation of Drugs Nanoparticles in Self-Assembled Macromolecular Nanoshells
Series: Distinguished Lectures Series
Abstract: A layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly technique was used to encapsulate core charged drug particles in a polymeric nanoshell. This approach provides a new strategy in the development of polymeric vehicles for controlled release and targeting to diseased tissues and cells. A nanoshell composed of two biopolymers, poly-L-lysine and heparin sulfate, were assembled stepwise onto core charged drug nanoparticles. The exterior surface of the nanoshell was functionalized with biocompatible polymers(poly(ethylene glycol)) and targeting functional moieties, such as folic acid or protein ligands. Drug nanoparticles of dexamethasone, paclitaxol, and 5-fluorouracil were fabricated using a modified solvent evaporation technique, producing particles within a range of 150 to 300 nm. Assembly of the nanoshell was characterized by zeta potential measurements and XPS. Surface morphology of the encapsulated drug nanoparticles were viewed by TEM and SEM. XPS data collected for PEG modified drug nanoparticles confirmed that the peak at 286 eV represented the repeat unit in a PEG molecule. Zeta potential results re-confirmed PEGâs presence at the surface. Cell uptake studies of PEG modified drug particles were performed using a flow cytometric assay and suggested that the neutral charge of the nanoshell results in decreased phagocytosis after 48 hours of incubation. Using paclitaxel nanoparticles with a breast cancer cell line, the nanoparticles were found to be effective in the absence of an excipient such as Cremophor EL. Strategies to create multifunctional nanoparticles and to deliver nanoparticles orally will also be discussed.
Host: Professor Gupta
More Info: http://chems.usc.edu/academics/10-11/d-02-24-11.htmLocation: James H. Zumberge Hall Of Science (ZHS) - 159
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Petra Pearce
Event Link: http://chems.usc.edu/academics/10-11/d-02-24-11.htm
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Graduate Seminar
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 @ 12:45 PM - 02:00 PM
Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Dr. Hong Shen, Department of Chemical Engineering University of Washington
Talk Title: Biomaterial-engineering the Immune System
Series: Graduate Seminar
Abstract: Our research interfaces biomaterials, the immune system and engineering design. We use materials with defined properties to probe how the immune system interacts with biomaterials at both cellular and molecular levels. Built upon our understanding, we design biomaterials to exploit intracellular pathways of immune cells for safe and effective therapeutics, such as tissue implants, non-viral gene delivery systems and vaccines. These biomaterials also provide an excellent tool for us to further dissect the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which immune responses are triggered and sustained. A challenge of current vaccines is to achieve a spectrum of immune responses in a single construct. In this talk, I will mainly discuss how we bring together the aforementioned research interests to address this challenge.
More Info: http://chems.usc.edu/academics/10-11/g-02-28-11.htmLocation: Hedco Pertroleum and Chemical Engineering Building (HED) - 116
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Petra Pearce
Event Link: http://chems.usc.edu/academics/10-11/g-02-28-11.htm