Seminars

Self-organized Meso-Fabrication and Functionalities in Highly Confined Soft Materials This talk is the  lecture as part of the Institute Distinguished Lecture Series in Chemical Engineering in the Memory of Prof. C V Seshadri.

Low temperature fuel cells like proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are expected to play a crucial role in the future hydrogen economy especially for transportation applications. However use of exotic and expensive platinum as the electrocatalyst poses serious problems for commercial viability. In this regard there is an urgent need to develop low-platinum or non-platinum electrocatalysts with electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) superior or comparable to that of platinum.

Replicating “life-like” characteristics in man-made systems is a great challenge in science and engineering. Through the careful integration of soft materials and chemistry researchers have recently devised chemo-responsive polymer gels that autonomously oscillate in the absence of any external stimuli. The soft polymeric material of the gel allows it to bend stretch and change its shape in a manner analogous to living creatures. The chemistry on the other hand makes these gels self-powered by virtue of the oscillatory Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) chemical reaction.

Biomass feedstock production is an important component of the biomass based energy sector. Low energy and bulk densities seasonal availability and distributed supply create unique challenges that must be e®ectively addressed. The determination of the techno-economic feasibility of this system in the presence of existing and novel technologies is non-trivial. Moreover it must be ensured that the development and functioning of the feedstock production system is sustainable and resilient.

There is a strong focus on fire and explosion safety on facilities handling highly flammable gases and liquids. High equipment density coupled with storage under pressure and many potential leakage and ignition sources contribute to a high explosion risk. Serious accidents that have occurred both offshore and onshore in the past demonstrate the necessity of this strong emphasis on safety. The seminar starts by briefly discussing the combustion mechanisms important during explosions and the factors affecting these mechanisms.

Abstract: Self-assembly is a process in which interacting monomers autonomously organize themselves into one or many ordered structures. Although it occurs at all length scales self-assembly of colloids is particularly interesting because the interactions between colloids can be quite easily tuned to direct self-assembly into desired target structures. Despite a myriad of experiments have been reported several aspects such as mechanism kinetics and thermodynamic stability of the self-assembled structures are not understood adequately.

Abstract: Chlorinated solvents such as trichloroethylene tetrachloroethylene and carbon tetrachloride are used in large volumes by various industries. Uncontrolled or accidental discharges of chlorinated solvents into the subsurface have led to extensive contamination of groundwater aquifers. Chlorinated solvents are extremely toxic and even trace quantities in the groundwater render the water unsafe for use.

Abstract: Fruits of a creative act surface suddenly out of the blue. As a result there is and has been a debate as to whether creativity is inborn or cultivated. Problem solving involves an act of creativity and I visit the nature vs. nurture controversy in this context. My talk is a summary of the book entitled How to solve it? by mathematician G. Polya. In it he proposed a systematic approach to problem solving. He lists four steps one of which definitely involves an act of creativity. For all steps he outlines several helpful hints and they are very useful.

Abstract: The membrane technologies have made great progress in the desalination field. Thin film composite (TFC) reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes have been widely applied not only to seawater desalination but also to brackish water desalination and industrial and waste water treatment.

It is often said that contradictions and conflicts bring profound changes in history. It is also true that peace and tranquility usher great progress in the arts and sciences. One might conclude that consensual and just resolution of conflicts is the necessary condition for a society to significantly improve its condition. Consensus can only be possible on the basis of shared and enduring values. These ideas are of general applicability and in particular to educational institutions as well. In the mature phase of his career Professor Kartic Khilar strived towards institution building.