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Email: ruv12@psu.edu Phone: (814) 865-5813 Office Address: Title: Professor Website: https://www.eme.psu.edu/directory/randy-l-vander-wal Research Areas: Education Background: |
About:Engineering. He began his career at Penn State in 2008. He earned B.S. degrees in physics, chemistry, and math from Calvin College in Michigan and his Ph.D. in chemical physics from the University of Wisconsin. His research career began in physical chemistry, studying quantum-state resolved, molecular photodissociation dynamics. In post-doctoral work, his research expanded into linear and non-linear laser-based optical diagnostic development at Sandia National Laboratories in the Combustion Research Facility and then further broadened at NASA-Glenn to include the synthesis, characterization and applications of organic and inorganic nanomaterials. Presently, he is an applied chemist with keen interests in realizing applications for carbon-based nanomaterials. His awards include the Emerald Literati Award for Excellence, the NASA Group Achievement Award in the Alternative Aviation Fuels Experiment, the NASA Tech Brief Award, the NASA Group Achievement Award in the Alternative Aviation Fuels Experiment, and the Paper of the Year award from Tribology among others. He also holds six NASA Technology Disclosures, one Patent, a Provisional Patent, and recent Patent Application.Research Interests:A common theme in my research has been energy and materials. Specific areas include energy utilization, conversion, storage and sensors for these processes. Related areas include advanced light-weight, ultra-strong composites and nanolubricants for tribology. Specific programs include:Energy utilization Synthesizing metal oxide semiconductor nanomaterials for reaction control sensors Energy Storage Synthesizing carbon nanofibers for use as anode materials in Li ion batteries Energy Conversion Fabricating nanostructured oxides as catalyst supports for fuel reforming Energy Conservation Tribological testing for aerospace applications using nano-structured lubricants Energy Generation Interests include: a) developing nanostructured catalysts to test model systems under practical conditions of temperature and pressure, b) defining relations between electronic structure and activity of nanoscale catalysts, c) photoelectrochemical processing and synthesis, and d) plasma assisted fuel synthesis. Reactions of specific interest include reforming, water-gas shift, Sabatier, Fischer-Tropsch and coal-to-liquid processing. Related interests include applying laser-based optical diagnostics to energy conversion processes and plasmas for material processing. Carbon Construction Carbon is the most versatile element. It can mitigate friction, form advanced composites, store energy, sense gases, provide microporous adsorbents and serve at catalyst support, as in fuel cells. These applications demand nanostructure control yet require macroscopic forms and a practical manufacturing approach. Towards these goals this project demonstrates the fabrication of micro- to macroscale objects using nanostructured building blocks (SWNTs, MWNTs, carbon onions, and graphene in "bottom-up" fabrication. A novel assembly process is being developed for 1-d, 2-d and 3-d morphologies using a combination of patternation, templates and molds. Chemistry is tested using both organic ligands and inorganic catalysts. Kinetics and thermodynamic limits are explored using a variety of heating sources with timescales spanning a range of greater than 1010. These morphologies are characterized by transmission electron Microscopy imaging with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy characterizing surface chemistry. Physical and mechanical properties of composites will be tested. The nano- micro- constructed materials will be tested in selected applications such as those listed above. Energy Conversion: Catalysis Catalysis is both a starting point for generation of fuels and a means for their efficient utilization. Nanostructured oxides offer particular appeal as catalyst supports. In practical catalytic systems, metal nanoparticles are formed using a variety of processes upon polycrystalline oxide materials. As such, there is tremendous site heterogeneity. At the other extreme, in fundamental catalytic studies, metal nanoparticles reside upon well-defined crystalline surfaces. This is the traditional realm of surface science with attendant high vacuum apparatus and sophisticated in situ diagnostics. Nanostructured oxides (NSOs) exposing well-defined, uniform crystalline planes would permit fundamental studies of catalysis at atmospheric pressure (or higher) under realistic operating conditions. As a surface, these nanostructured oxides greatly increase available surface area for catalyst support while virtually eliminating mass transport limitations. As supports these NSOs can be prefabricated for direct incorporation into a microreactor. Reactions of specific interest include reforming, F-T synthesis, preferential CO and VOC oxidation and coal-to-liquid processing. Both mass spectrometry and gas chromatography quantify catalytic selectivity and reactivity. Measurements across an active temperature range and at various reactant concentrations decipher kinetics. Commercial systems and processes guide reaction selection, compositions of the oxide support and identity of catalyst(s), as indicated. Memberships & Committees:• Jan. 2003 – Sept. 2008: Senior Scientist (USRA), Adjunct Prof. (CWRU)• Dec. 1996 – Dec. 2002: Staff Scientist, NCMR • Jan. 1994 - Dec. 1996: Senior Engineer, Nyma Inc. • Sept. 1992 - Dec. 1993: Engineer, Sverdrup Inc. • July 1990 - Aug. 1992: Post-doctoral fellow, Sandia National Laboratories Honors & Awards:Activities• Reviewer for: Chemical Physics Letters; Applied Optics; Carbon; Advanced Materials; J. Physical Chemistry; J. Physics D: Applied Physics; Combustion and Flame; Combustion Science and Technology; Sensors and Actuators B; Environmental Science and Technology; J. of Nanotechnology and Nanoscience; Nanotechnology; Measurement Science and Technology Professional Societies • The Combustion Institute • The American Institute of Chemical Engineers • The Materials Research Society • The American Chemical Society • The Society for Applied Spectroscopy • The American Ceramic Society • The American Association for Aerosol Research Awards/Honors/Recognitions • NASA Group Achievement Award in the Alternative Aviation Fuels EXperiment (AAFEX II) 2012, and AAFEX I in 2010 • 2008 Paper of the year award (Tribology) • 2007 Center level milestone for IVHM Program @ NASA-Glenn • 2007 Paper of the year award (Surface Science) • 1999-2005 NCMR/NCSER Research Recognition Awards • 2003 ACS Nomination for RAND Medal; 1998 Laser Focus World Technical Paper Award • 1996 Nyma Inc., Paper of the year award; 1995 Applied Optics (Cover Recognition of Research Journal Article); 1994 Engineering Excellence Award (Sverdrup). • 6 NASA Technology Disclosures, 1 Provisional Patent, 2 Patent Application Submissions Teaching:• EGEE 120 - Oil: International Evolution• ENVSE 406 - Sampling and Monitoring of the Geo-Environment • F SC 431 - Chemistry of Fuels • EGEE 451 - Energy Conversion Processes • F SC 503 - Analytic Methods in Fuel Science • EME 511 - Interfacial Physical-Chemical Systems, Processes and Measurements • EME 570 - Catalytic Materials • EME 581 - Research and Geostatistics Methods • EGEE 597/MATSE 597 - Nanotechnology for Energy and Environmental Engineering Publications:Elsevier: https://pennstate.pure.elsevier.com/en/persons/randy-lee-vander-wal/publications/
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