Date: Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Time: 10:45AM - 12:15PM
Location: Virtual Webinar hosted by AIChE
This event is the Costel Denson Distinguished Lecture, featuring Kenneth R. Carter, Professor in the Polymer Science and Engineering Department at UMass, who will talk about “Design and Surface Modification of Functional Nanocellulose Materials”, as part of the Lehigh University Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering's Fall 2021 Seminar Series.
Abstract
Nanocellulose is an interesting material with unique properties and chemistry. Cellulose, the structural component of the primary cell wall of green plants, is the most abundant organic material on the planet and because of its useful materials properties it is one of the most widely used substances. Given the needs for replacing our reliance on petroleum as the primary source for polymeric materials, the development of advanced materials based on abundant cellulose nanomaterials as a feedstock in future products will reduce our reliance on politically and ecologically challenged materials and boost US-based agriculture and biomass production The use of a plentiful, cheap, sustainable and potentially recyclable feedstock for the preparation of active functional materials is truly transformational in that it opens up new fields and leads to job creation and retention. The cellulose nanomaterials developed by our group increase function, widen processing options, and will give rise to new ways to utilize this important nanomaterial. We have worked to exploit these characteristics to develop new functional thin films and aerogels.
In our research, transparent, robust nanocellulose thin films were prepared with outstanding anti-fogging properties. Most recently, we have used nanocellulose to prepare aerogel/foam materials using a new fabrication method. The aerogels are mechanically stable and robust. Our new aerogel fabrication process obviates the need to use freeze-drying or low pressure solvent removal. We will present data on new nanocellulose aerogels with densities ranging from 5-100 mg/cm3. We have recently exploited recent discoveries from our labs that utilize nanocellulose aerogels functionalized with selected amino acids and peptides that endow extraordinary CO2 capture capacity.
About the Speaker
Dr. Carter joined the UMass Polymer Science and Engineering Department faculty in 2004 after performing polymer research for 13 years with the IBM Research Division. His research involves the synthesis and characterization of novel polymeric materials with specially designed properties. Carter’s research has focused on the development of organic and hybrid materials for future use in advanced electronics and storage technologies. He also has projects studying the advanced material, nanocellulose and developing new applications that utilize it. Dr. Carter has numerous publications and over 30 patents in these areas. Many of the materials and processes invented have been integrated into advanced semiconductor manufacturing environments. Dr. Carter established the University of Massachusetts Nanoimprint Lithography Laboratory and is a Test Bed Project coordinator for the new NSF-funded Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing at UMass. He is currently the Director of the new NSF NRT Traineeship program, Soft Materials for Life Sciences (SMLS_NRT.org). His teaching interests include graduate-level courses in polymer chemistry and advanced polymeric materials. He recently formed a startup company based on development from his lab, Treaty, LLC. His research group at UMass focuses on polymer synthesis, organic electronic materials, nanocellulose, wetting and anti-wetting surfaces, and advanced nanopatterned materials.
History of Costel 'Cos' Densen
Dr. Costel ’Cos' Denson (1934-2018), was the first African-American student to graduate from Lehigh. He earned his B.S. degree in chemical engineering from the university in 1956 and his master’s degree in chemical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1960. He earned his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Utah in 1965.
After a long and successful career at General Electric, Denson joined the faculty at the University of Delaware, serving as professor of chemical engineering, interim dean of engineering, and vice provost for research. He also was a visiting professor at the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Naples, and Lehigh University. Denson served on numerous environmental advisory boards including the U.S. Department of Defense: Scientific Advisory Board, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He served as a member of many professional societies, including the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the Society of Rheology. He served on the executive committee of the Society of Plastics Engineers and was a member of a National Science Foundation panel judging proposals in the area of math, sciences and technology education.
Dr. Denson launched two companies based on technology he developed. He served as the managing member of Costech Technologies, LLC, and a company that advised on environmental research programs. His many honors include Honorary Doctoral Degree in 2015 from Lehigh University, the Thomas H. Chilton Award of the Wilmington section of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the International Award for Research of the Society of plastics Engineers. In 2017 Lehigh University created in his honor “The Dr. Costel Denson ‘56 Alumni Award” to be awarded annually to a Lehigh alumnus who has demonstrated leadership by proactively seeking to identify and implement pathways to increase diversity in the American workplace and in our educational institutions.
