Seminars

Abstract: Designing a chemical engineering process/system by a “trial and error” approach becomes more time-consuming and expensive; it is not just testing that is time consuming but also preparation of various catalysts/gasses/reaction. By using mathematical modeling (from first principles) and computer simulation to aid design this process can be considerably shortened. Additionally the exercise of model development and application can lead to a greater understanding of the chemistry and physics of the system which can help to optimize their efficiency and better control of the process.

Abstract: Effective delivery of drugs is a major problem in today’s healthcare. At a fundamental level the challenge of drug delivery reflects the fact that the drug distribution in the body is limited by body’s natural metabolic processes and transport barriers. These biological barriers while serving an important purpose of regulating body’s metabolic functions limit the drug dose that ultimately reaches the target site. Accordingly many drugs fail to reach their full therapeutic potential.

Abstract: Selective oxidation catalysis is used in production of roughly 25% of all important organic chemicals and intermediates used for making consumer and industrial products [1]. The abundance of natural gas from shale resources makes efficient catalytic oxidation of light hydrocarbons to more valuable intermediates particularly desirable. Complex mixed metal oxides (MMO) based on molybdenum-vanadium oxide bronzes offer particular promise for C2 and C3 conversions. Mo-V-O bronzes are both active and selective for oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane to ethylene.

Abstract: The ability to mechanically-sense solid surfaces is important for motile bacteria to initiate swarming – a rapid surface-dependent group-motility associated with infections. Such mechanical sensing (mechanosensing) involves the bacterial flagella but the mechanisms remain poorly understood. I will discuss our recent work that combined single-molecule imaging fluorescencerecovery-after-photobleaching and optical tweezers to determine how single flagellar motors (that rotate the flagellum) sense mechanical signals in live cells.

Abstract: Messenger RNA 3’ end formation – the process by which the primary transcript is cleaved and polyadenylated – is a near-universal feature of gene expression in eukaryotes. The relative position at which the precursor mRNA is cleaved and polyadenylated determines the ultimate protein-coding potential of the mRNA as well as other functional aspects of the mRNA. Most eukaryotic pre-mRNAs have more than one potential poly(A) site and the choice of site often can vary during development or in response to environmental stimuli.

Abstract: Organic/metal organic compounds that mimic the functional role of enzymes have been extensively investigated. Recently few nanomaterials such as gold nanoparticles ferromagnetic nanoparticles and graphene-based materials have been innovatively shown to exhibit unprecedented biochemical catalysis by mimicking certain enzymes (nanozymes). Owing to their simplicity of preparation and storage and stability nanozymes have been investigated for their application in many fields such as biosensing immunoassays cancer diagnostic therapeutic and pollutant removal etc.

Abstract: The lines between engineering or science disciplines are either blurred or non-existent in the world of R&D. A topic that originates in the imperial realm of physics can easily work its way through the dominions of chemistry the kingdoms of chemical engineering and materials science take a breather in the sultanate of computer science before heading down uncharted paths. Industrial and academic research abound with such examples and rightly so because cross-pollination is the engine of evolution. This talk will focus on computing flow pathways in 3-d digitised porous media.

Abstract: CO hydrogenation is one of the technologies used for converting gaseous fuels such as methane to easily transportable high energy density liquid fuels. The technology was developed during second world war by chemists Fischer and Tropsch for converting coal derived syngas ( mixture of CO and H2) to synthetic crude oil. The technology is currently commercial in South Africa. GTL (Gas to Liquid) technology is also used to convert abundant natural gas to liquid fuels in countries like Qatar Malayasia and Nigeria.

Abstract: Biological tissues are comprised of functionally specialized cell types that are organized in complex circuits. To understand the workings of complex tissues such as the brain or the intestine we need at the very least a catalog of the cell types that comprise them (i.e. the "parts list"). This is a cornerstone of biology. Cell types have been defined based on shape anatomical position physiological response and more recently using molecular and genetic markers.

Abstract: Ionomers are polymers with a small fraction of charged monomers; these bound ions along with free counterions tend to aggregate together strongly in the absence of solvent. They have a wide range of applications from dental fixtures and packaging to fuel cell mebranes. Ionic aggregates can act like temporary cross-links giving rise to interesting mechanical properties.