For well over three decades, Arup K. Sengupta's research has encompassed nearly every aspect of water science and technology: from drinking water treatment to desalination to municipal wastewater reuse to resource recovery. SenGupta is internationally recognized for advancing and expanding the field of ion exchange science and technology, and applying it for development of sustainable technologies and new materials. SenGupta authored well over one hundred peer-reviewed journal papers and is the recipient of 12 US patents. He is the inventor of the first reusable, arsenic-selective hybrid anion exchanger nanomaterial (HAIX-Nano). Over two million people around the globe currently drink arsenic-safe water through use of HAIX-Nano. In 2014, SenGupta was inducted as a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) for 'having demonstrated a highly prolific spirit of innovation in creating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society.' Two of SenGupta's patents were recognized as 'Patents for Humanity' by the US Patent and Trademark Office for their global impact in benefiting marginalized communities around the world.
SenGupta's current research thrusts address some critical issues related to water-energy nexus and identifying strategies to overcome the adverse impact of climate change. Over the years his research work has been funded by the NSF (National Science Foundation), EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Defense (DOD), state, not-for-profit organizations and private industries. SenGupta advised over fifty graduate students (about two dozen of them leading to PhD.) For his research and scholarly contributions, SenGupta received many national and international awards and accolades including: 2004 International Ion Exchange Award at the university of Cambridge, England; 2007 Grainger Challenge Silver Award (2007) from the National Academy of Engineering (NAE); 2009 Lawrence K Cecil Environmental Award from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE); and 2012 Intel Environmental Award for 'technology benefiting humanity,' to name a few.
Teaching and Service:
Dr. SenGupta teaches courses in environmental chemistry, reaction kinetics in environmental engineering, and environmental separation and control. He also teaches a design course in environmental engineering. SenGupta holds a joint faculty appointment in Lehigh’s Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and of Chemical and Biomolecular Eengineering, having served as chair of civil and environmental engineering from 1998–2005. SenGupta was the lead faculty to introduce all three of Lehigh's degree programs (BS, MS and PhD) in environmental engineering. For excellence in students advising, SenGupta was awarded Lehigh University’s 2007 Hillman Graduate Students Advising Award.
SenGupta was elected as fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) as well as a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) for his professional contributions. SenGupta created three social enterprises (one foundation, one NGO and a tech company) to deliver the fruits of his research to marginalized communities around the world in improving access to safe drinking water.
Selected Publications and Patents:
- SenGupta, Arup K., Michael German, and Hao Chen. 'Transforming a Global Water Crisis into an Economic Opportunity: Unmet Needs and Lessons Learned during the Last Two Decades.' Journal of Environmental Engineering 147.12 (2021): 02521002. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0001934
- Chen, Hao, Chelsey Shepsko, and Arup K. SenGupta. 'Use of a Novel Bio-Nano-IX Process to Remove SeO42–or Se (VI) from Contaminated Water in the Presence of Competing Sulfate (SO42–).' ACS ES&T Water 1.8 (2021): 1859-1867. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.1c00126
- Dong, Hang, Hao Chen, and Arup K. SenGupta. 'CO2 Utilization for Water Treatment: Ion Exchange Nitrate Removal Driven by CO2 without Producing Spent Brine Regenerant.' ACS ES&T Water 1.10 (2021): 2275-2283.https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.1c00254
- Smith, R.C. and SenGupta, A.K. 'Mixed Anion Exchange Resins for Tunable Control of Sulfate–Chloride Selectivity for Sustainable Membrane Pretreatment.' Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. (2016): DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.5b03081.
- Smith, R.C. and SenGupta, A.K. 'Integrating tunable anion exchange with reverse osmosis for enhanced recovery during inland brackish water desalination.' Environ. Sci. Technol. (2015), 49, 5637-5644.
- Padungthon, S., German, M., Wiryathamcharoen, S. and SenGupta, A.K. 'Polymeric anion exchanger supported Zr(IV) oxide nanoparticles: A reusable hybrid sorbent for selective trace arsenic removal.' Reactive and Func. Polym. (2015), 93, 84-94.
- Sarkar, S., Guibal, E., Quignard, F. and SenGupta, A.K. 'Polymer-Supported Metal and Metal and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications: A Review.' Jour. Of Nanoparticles Research (2012). 14:715-739
- Sarkar, S., SenGupta, A.K., Greenleaf, J. et al. 'Energy Recovery from Acid-Base Neutralization Process through pH-sensitive Polymeric Ion Exchangers.' Ind.Eng.Chem.Res. (2011), 50, 12293-298.
- Sarkar, S., SenGupta, A.K. and Prakash, P. Feature Article in Environmental Science and Technology: 'The Donnan Membrane Principle: Opportunities for sustainable engineered processes and materials.' (2010) 44, 4, 1161-1166.
Single Authored Book:
- Title: Ion Exchange in Environmental Processes (476 pages)
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, New Jersey (2017)
ISBN No. 9781119157397
US Patents:
- SenGupta, A.K., Dong, H. US Patent No. 10,472,261: 'Contaminants removal with simultaneous desalination using carbon dioxide regenerated hybrid ion exchange nanomaterials.'
- SenGupta, A.K. and Cumbal, L.H. US Patent No. 7,291,578: 'Hybrid anion exchanger for selective removal of contaminating ligands from fluids and method of manufacture thereof.'
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