Seminars

Abstract: Like most organisms Escherichia coli readily metabolizes glucose as a carbon and energy source. Preventing E. coli from metabolizing glucose allows this model organism to accomplish several interesting conversions. Preventing glucose metabolism allows E. coli to grow readily on other sugars or on inhibitors such as acetate in the presence of glucose. This concept is central to designing microbial consortia for the convers ion of lignocellulosic hydrolysates.

Abstract : Crystalline forms of matter are the backbones of many technologies. For example the semiconductor devices and solar cell industry requires high quality crystalline silicon (si) wafers laser and radiation detector technologies use high quality fiber crystals and nanocrystals find use in many novel applications. However in order to grow high quality crystals it is crucial to have a good understanding of the crystal growth processes.

Abstract: Chemical looping combustion (CLC) is a novel combustion technology that offers a highly efficient route towards clean combustion of fuel with inherent CO2 capture. In CLC a fuel is combusted in reducer reactor in contact with an oxygen carrier (typically a metal oxide) and subsequently re-oxidized by air in oxidizer. Condensation of steam from reducer effluent results in high purity sequestration ready CO2 streams. Thus CLC results in a NOx-lean flame-less oxyfuel combustion process eliminating the need for air separation.

Abstract: Nature remains inspiration behind various interesting findings in literature and one of them is anti-wetting property that noticed in several living objects such as lotus leaves rice leaves butterfly wings water strider legs etc. provides a platform to design materials for wide range of practical applications. Extremely water repelling surfaces in air called as superhydrophobic surfaces are one of the most recognized and well-studied anti-wetting material in literature.

Abstract: In the long run it is likely that all the basic human needs will be met by renewable sources like solar energy. However there are several challenges associated with harness storage and use of solar energy to meet our daily needs for food chemicals heat electricity and transportation. In a sustainable future all these usage must coexist. We will first present some results from our energy systems modeling highlighting the synergistic interactions that exist for transportation sector and production of chemicals.

Abstract: Metabolic analyses allow the delineation of properties of a metabolic network that govern cellular behaviour in response to specific cues. They include flux analyses for determining in vivo fluxes and in silico pathway analyses. In this talk I will discuss applications of some of these methodologies toward providing insights into cellular behaviour and suggesting modifications for improving cells toward a desired objective. Initially the use of combined flux and pathway analyses for studying an engineered yeast strain that produces a drug precursor will be shown.

Abstract : We are interested in how cells attain and maintain the temporarily arrested or quiescent state typical of adult stem cells. In contrast to proliferating cells where the dynamic drama of DNA replication and chromosome segregation play out or differentiated cells which permanently eschew proliferation in favour of tissue-specific functions; these dormant or quiescent cells execute a balancing act which permits them to retain their potency for tissue repair yet not elaborate those functions until called upon by injury.

Abstract: Dr. Rodríguez specializes in the modeling simulation and analysis of complex biological systems. The long-term goal of this work is to have tangible impact on biosystems where sustainability may be challenged due to limiting constraints. As an engineer Dr. Rodríguez seeks to consider how newly developed technology can impact the long-term viability of systems. He is interested in developing the ability to do this from multiple perspectives for many different types of systems particularly those including complex biological components. Dr.

Abstract: 1) Eukaryotic cells modulate their gene expression profile and differentiation in response to the rigidity of their micro-environment. The exact mechanism by which cells sense the rigidity of the substrate is not understood. To better understand the mechanism involved we varied the center-to-center spacing of the 500 nm micropillars from 1 to 3 micrometers and compared two different cell lines. We observed that the displacements of the pillars were constant over an order of magnitude variation in stiffness of pillars and a five-fold variation in edge-to-edge spacing between pillars.

Abstract : Heterogeneous non-catalytic gas-solid reactors are commonly used in the production of chemicals metals and metal oxides for ex. rotary drum reactor for producing quick lime blast furnace a moving bed reactor for producing pig iron etc. Industrial processes involve multicomponent mixtures of solids as most of the naturally occurring materials are multicomponent in nature. Generally the raw materials are heterogeneous and their physical and chemical characteristics vary from one source to another.