University of Alabama Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering - Comprehensive Analysis Report

Summary

The University of Alabama's Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (ChBE) is dedicated to providing the technical workforce and expertise needed by the chemical and related industries. The department's mission is to provide students with a multidisciplinary undergraduate and graduate education, enabling them to perform to their maximum potential in a technologically-based and environmentally-sensitive society. The department further enhances student experience through laboratory classes, hands-on operation of pilot scale equipment, and research projects.

1. Strategic Focus & Objectives

Core Objectives

Sustain a nationally-accredited undergraduate program.

Maintain internationally-recognized research.

Concentrate the graduate program on doctoral-level achievements.

Attain leadership in innovative educational and research areas.

Place all graduates in meaningful, challenging, and rewarding careers.

Provide outreach activities for those within Alabama and the nation.

Specialization Areas

Biotechnology: Focus on novel therapies, medical diagnostics, improved drug systems, and biological and biomedical detection systems.

Computational Studies: Utilize molecular simulations and electronic structure calculations to predict the thermodynamics and properties of molecules, bio-molecules, fuel cells, carbon nanotubes, and chemical reactions.

Electronic Materials and Devices: Focus on atomic scale processes during the synthesis of electronic materials to produce innovative, high-performance materials for next-generation electronic devices, including the synthesis of nanomaterials and nanostructures.

Energy and Environment: Develop new ways to sequester CO2 emissions including evaluation of CO2 enhanced oil production, heterogeneous catalysis to produce and purify hydrogen from fossil fuels, electrocatalysis for fuel cell electrodes, photovoltaics, batteries, and supercapacitors.

Polymers and Soft Materials: Focus on block copolymer reaction engineering, self-assembly, and the development of ion conducting polymers for fuel cell and battery applications.

Target Markets

Chemical and related industries seeking skilled technical workforce and expertise.

Students seeking multidisciplinary undergraduate and graduate education.

Individuals and organizations within Alabama and the nation who can benefit from the program's educational and professional opportunities.

2. Financial Overview

Funding History

In a recently awarded project, the Alabama Materials Institute at The University of Alabama will aid the Air Force Research Laboratory in developing technology related to a new satellite propellant via the $6 million ASCENT propellant project.

3. Product Pipeline

Key Products/Services

Educational Programs: Undergraduate and graduate programs designed to provide students with a multidisciplinary education and real-world experience.

Development Stage: Ongoing, with continuous improvement and updates to curriculum and teaching methods.

Target Market/Condition: Students seeking careers in chemical and related industries.

Key Features and Benefits: Hands-on experience, real-world application, and a focus on current industry needs.

Research Projects: Various research projects in biotechnology, computational studies, electronic materials and devices, energy and the environment, and polymers and soft materials.

Development Stage: Varies depending on the project, ranging from early-stage research to pilot-scale testing.

Target Market/Condition: Industries and organizations seeking innovative solutions in these areas.

Key Features and Benefits: Cutting-edge research, potential for commercialization, and contribution to scientific knowledge.

4. Technology & Innovation

Technology Stack

Laboratory Equipment: Includes a 25-foot-tall distillation column, gas chromatograph, reaction vessels, and computer-controlled batch still interfaced to a Camile data acquisition and control system, and a steady-state glass still.

Functionalized Membranes: Addition of adsorption and catalytic properties to porous membranes and thin films through the grafting of functional polymers.

Ionic Liquids: Utilizing organic salts as green solvents and in carbon sequestration and removal of H2S and NH3 from natural gas.

5. Leadership & Management

Executive Team

Yonghyun (John) Kim: Interim Department Head, Undergraduate Program Chair, and Associate Professor.

Bryan Boudouris: Professor and Vice President for Research & Economic Development.

Clifford L. Henderson: Dean for the College of Engineering, Professor in Chemical and Biological Engineering.

Christopher S. Brazel: Associate Professor, Department Honors Program Coordinator.

James W. Harris: Assistant Professor, Hewson Engineering Faculty Fellow.

Qiang Huang: Associate Professor.

6. Competitive Analysis

Major Competitors

Auburn University: Offers chemical engineering programs and conducts research in related areas.

University of South Alabama: Provides chemical engineering education and research opportunities.

University of Alabama in Huntsville: Focuses on engineering and science programs, including chemical engineering.

University of Alabama at Birmingham: Offers various engineering programs.

University of Colorado Boulder: Renowned for its engineering and applied science programs.

Princeton University: Offers a highly-ranked chemical and biological engineering program.

University of Toronto: Known for its chemical engineering and applied chemistry programs.

8. Strategic Partnerships

Air Force Research Laboratory: Collaboration to develop technology related to a new satellite propellant.

Alabama Materials Institute: Collaborative research efforts.

Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR): Participation in the Department of Energy-funded Energy Innovation Hub centered on energy storage.

Center for Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Semiconductors for Energy (CHOISE): Collaborative efforts with the Chemical and Biological Engineering and Physics departments, along with the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, participating in a Department of Energy-funded Energy Frontier Research Center run out of NREL.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI): Association linking the University's research in renewable and sustainable energy with climate and environmental science, behavioral science and policy analysis.