News & EventsDepartment Events
Events
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Nov21
EVENT DETAILS
lessThe Chemical and Biological Engineering Department is pleased to present student seminars by Nikhil Chellam (Mirkin and Schatz labs) and Xiao Kun (Robby) Lu (Seitz Lab) as part of our ChBE Seminar Series.
Nikhil Chellam will present a seminar titled "Crystallization Across Length Scales.”
ABSTRACT: The ability to predict and control the outcome of any chemical reaction is limited by the uniformity of its starting materials. At the nanoscale, the polydispersity inherent to conventional crystallization processes (both atomic and colloidal) inhibits a precise correlation between their internal structure and their macroscopic properties. This is especially the case for face-centered cubic (FCC) materials, where, despite their closest-packed structure, low energetic differences in stacking and exposed facets lead to crystal twinning and polycrystallinity.
This talk explores crystallization on two length scales: from the atomic to colloidal regimes. On the atomic scale, I discuss how, by leveraging the relative stabilities of Lewis base-AlH3 adducts, I developed a seed-mediated protocol to synthesize high-quality FCC Al nanocrystals with controllable sizes, shapes, and consequent plasmonic properties. On the nanoscale, DNA can be used to direct nanocrystals into ordered superlattices. However, the DNA interaction strength can lock these colloidal crystals into kinetically trapped structures without well-defined crystal habits. To this end, the use of organic denaturing agents such as formamide allows for transient re-assembly of FCC-structured colloidal crystals, enabling their assembly into truncated octahedral Wulff polyhedra and other kinetic habits which have never been observed before in colloidal crystal engineering with DNA. Taken together, these crystallization principles not only extend our understanding of nanoparticle systems as models of atomic materials but also enable their realization into higher-order structures with unusual optical properties as predicted by theory.
Robby Lu will present a seminar titled "Electrified Production of Chemicals, Fuels, and Building Materials.”
ABSTRACT: Electrocatalytic processes are emerging as key technologies to support the global energy transition towards decarbonization. My research focuses on advancing the activity, selectivity, and stability of electrocatalytic systems, while exploring their integration across various industrial applications. To address these challenges, I take a multifaceted approach, combining electrolyzer engineering, catalyst design, operational optimization, and expansion of process applications.
In this talk, I will present my work on the electrosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide, where I tune the oxygen and water transport to enhance the process performance. I will also discuss how secondary alkaline earth metals in mixed metal oxides stabilize copper-based catalysts in electrochemical CO2 reduction, improving both activity and selectivity. Finally, I will highlight the potential of electrochemical methods to accelerate the mineralization of CO2 in silicates, paving the way to produce carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative cement on an industrial scale.
Bagels and coffee will be provided at 9:30am, and the seminar will start at 9:40am. Please plan to arrive on time to grab a bagel and mingle!
*Please note that there will be no Zoom option for seminars this year.
TIME Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
LOCATION LR4, Technological Institute map it
CONTACT Olivia Wise olivia.wise@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick-Chemical and Biological Engineering (ChBE)
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Dec5
EVENT DETAILS
lessThe Chemical and Biological Engineering Department is pleased to present a seminar by faculty member Linsey Seitz as part of our ChBE Seminar Series.
More details to come.
Bagels and coffee will be provided at 9:30am, and the seminar will start at 9:40am. Please plan to arrive on time to grab a bagel and mingle!
*Please note that there will be no Zoom option for seminars this year.
TIME Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
LOCATION LR4, Technological Institute map it
CONTACT Olivia Wise olivia.wise@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick-Chemical and Biological Engineering (ChBE)
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Dec7
EVENT DETAILS
lessFall classes end
TIME Saturday, December 7, 2024
CONTACT Office of the Registrar nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR University Academic Calendar
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Dec14
EVENT DETAILS
lessThe ceremony will take place on Saturday, December 14 in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive.
*No tickets required
TIME Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
LOCATION Pick-Staiger Concert Hall map it
CONTACT Andi Joppie andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science