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Speaker: Dr. Saad Khan, NCSU, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

November 19, 2021 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Speaker:  Dr. Saad Khan,  NCSU – Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

 

Title:  Functional Soft Solids: A Foray into Gels, Aerogels and Nanofibrous Structures

Abstract: 

In this presentation, we will share vignettes of various research projects in our group, the focus of which have primarily been on multicomponent soft materials. Examples will be drawn from, various classes of polymeric, colloidal, nanoparticulate and biological systems, to elucidate the relationship between material microstructure/morphology, chemistry, formulation and macroscopic behavior.  We hope to illustrate this notion by using a few examples: (a) hybrid polymer-inorganic aerogels, where ultra-light, yet mechanically robust aerogels are developed with multi-functionality. The degree of oleophilicity/hydrophobicity is exploited to render these materials useful in oil and chemical spill remediation while the nature of interaction between the polymer and inorganics (e.g., silica, titania) is utilized to make this mechanically flexible, flame retardant and photocatalytic active. (b) stimuli-driven polymer hydrogels wherein the use of UV, enzymes or shear are used as triggers to affect the sol to gel or gel to sol transitions in different systems. The underlying interactions, gelation mechanism and ultimate material restructuring are probed using rheology. We discuss the use of such approaches in diverse applications from fracking to coatings. (c) material platforms for improved food security, in which biodegradable colloidal particles or fibrous matrices are used as agricultural solutions to establish sustainable agriculture globally. Particles imbibed with active ingredients (e.g., fungicides) are developed via phase separation in water. The tunable release profile of the formulation controlled by interaction of the actives and polymers together with the variation in the morphology of the particles dictated by the precursor properties are explored for foliar applications with fast spreading and rainfastness. In a similar vein, fibrous matrices from lignocellulosic biomass are used as seed wraps to prevent nematode infestation. We discuss the use of this approach in field trials in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the role it is playing there in enhancing crop yield and quality. 

Brief Biography: 

Saad Khan is currently the INVISTA Professor in the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at North Carolina State University. After finishing his PhD in Chemical Engineering at MIT, he worked as a postdoctoral research associate at AT&T Bell Laboratories, prior to joining NC State. Saad has varied research interests ranging from developing functional materials such as aerogels and matrices for improved food security to understanding rheological behavior of soft solids and gels. In the latter context, he has focused on several different areas including enzymatic modification of water-soluble polymer and gels, photo crosslinked polymers, self-assembled nanoparticulate silica and nanodiamond gels, associative polymer interactions with surfactants and cyclodextrins, leading to applications in coatings, personal care, and energy storage device, to name a few. Khan has supervised over 55 PhD students and several postdocs, whose work has resulted in over 240 publications (h index 71 and citations > 20,000) and 17 patents. Khan has won several awards including being a Fellow of the Society of Rheology and RJR Reynolds Tobacco Award for Research, Teaching & Extension.

 

Details

Date:
November 19, 2021
Time:
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Event Category:

Venue

EB1 – Room 1011
911 Partners Way
Raleigh, NC 27695-7907 United States

Organizer

MSE Department
Phone
919.515.2377
View Organizer Website

Other

Speaker
Dr. Saad Khan
Host
Dr. Veronica Augustyn