UALR Particulate Science Research
1. Efficient
Production of Hydrogen utilizing Photovoltaics Cells
Project
Summary
Production of hydrogen can be
accomplished via electrolysis or high-
temperature heat, water can be broken down into hydrogen and oxygen and
the
hydrogen then used in engines or fuel cells.
Our approach will be to improve conversion efficiency and purity
of
hydrogen produced in the thermo chemical conversion processes that are
the
backbone of many US industries for producing hydrogen.
Two methods of conversion of
hydrogen utilizing solar energy that are
promising and have been identified in the DOE Hydrogen Multi-year
RD&D Plan
are (1) Photoelectrochemical Conversion (PEC) of water, (2) Renewable
Electrolysis Integrated System that draw its power from solar (PV). Our
major effort
under this task will be concentrated on the PEC process and its
commercialization. However, in order to expand our research towards an
integrated effort and to utilize multidisciplinary resources available
in the
state in the areas of hydrogen production, a significant amount of
effort will
be given in the area of electrolyzers. The emphasis here
will be on the engineering systems for
integration of the two-step process of PV technology and electrolysis
into an
integrated system for an optimal process control, improvement of
efficiency of
the electrolyzer, elimination of redundant steps and on the enhanced
durability
of the electrolyzer interface
The specific objectives related to
the advancement of PEC technology
will be on (1) Photoelectrode materials, (a) nitrogen doped TiO2, and (b) GaPN/Si tandem cells with nitrogen
composition less than 5 percent, focused on reducing the band gap less
than 2
eV, (2) Improved durability and corrosion resistance by using
transparent
catalytic coatings using materials such as Silicon Nitride, and (3)
Optimization of cell performance with the applications of
nanotechnology and
surface engineering. Our experimental plans include use of (a)
atmospheric
plasma treatments of electrodes with nitrogen and on the applications
of
nanostructured materials for improved photochemical energy conversion
and
corrosion resistance and (b) electrodeposition of low-cost, scalable
thin film
materials with large surface areas for promoting commercialization.
Application
of solar energy concentrators for improved coupling of solar radiation
using
Fresnel lens systems will be incorporated for improving efficiency.
2. Development of an analyzer for size
and
charge
characterization of nanoparticles for research and education
Project
Summary
Our goal is to
develop a laser based instrument for
research and education in the area of transport and deposition of
airborne
nanoparticles. This instrument will be used for several
interdisciplinary
research projects including: (1) electrostatic self assembly:
nanoparticles of
different composition suspended in the air, will be coagulated to form
nanoclusters to serve multiple functions, (2) electrospray and
nano-coating:
nanoparticles (or droplets) produced by electrospray will be
characterized and
monitored and will be used to coat different surfaces, for space and
medical
applications, (3) transport and deposition of nanoparticles in
respiratory
airways; (a) transport and deposition of ultrafine pollutants(one of
the major
concerns of EPA) in the lung and (b) delivery of drug particles that
may
include conventional b-agonist
such as albuterol sulfate or those that are newly being developed, such
as
proteins and peptides, for treatment for asthma, cystic fibrosis, and
lung
cancer; (4) destruction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), (5) laser
ablation of solids for mass spectrometric detection of metals, (6)
electrospray
coating, and (7) characterization of nanoparticles and interaction of
nanoparticles with biological cells.
The
project is
supported by National Science Foundation.
ESPART Analyzer
Goals:
A.The goal of this project will be to develop a process to engineer both Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and the excipient powders to have the optimal physical properties needed to meet the requirements of (a) the involved drug delivery process (oral or respiratory) and (b) the manufacturing specifications.
B.Electrodynamic Blending: A new blending process using a layer-by-layer powder deposition process for mixing API and excipient powders will be achieved by utilizing electrostatic and van der Waals forces. The powder mixing will be done by electrostatically charging them with opposite polarities and depositing them on the surface of a rotating stainless steel drum using a powder coating process. Powder coating processes are now widely used worldwide in many industrial and automotive applications. The process can be readily modified with commercially available equipment for forming ordered mixtures with desired uniformity. Unlike the fluidized bed mixing process, the powder coating process is relatively immune to particle segregation and is likely to produce homogeneous blends with precision mass flow rate control of the two or more powders, with continuous feeding and harvesting of the mixture.
C.Respiratory Drug Delivery: There are two major mechanistic problems in respiratory drug delivery using dry powder inhalers: (1) inefficient dispersion of active pharmaceutical ingredients, and (2) weak impaction, gravitational, and diffusion mechanisms for fine particle deposition in distal airways. The drug delivery efficiency is often less than 15%, the remaining 85% being wasted, creating a systemic burden for the body. However, by controlling van der Waals, capillary and electrostatic inter-particle adhesion forces, the dispersion efficiency can be substantially enhanced. Similarly, the electrostatic image forces can be utilized for deposition in distal airways if the drug particles have a symmetrical bipolar charge distribution. These solutions require a fundamental approach in designing drug particles that exhibit size, surface structure, and surface energy and work function distributions optimizing: 1. Uniform ordered mixture of excipient and pharmaceutical ingredients for efficient breath-actuated dispersion, 2. Symmetrical bipolar charge distribution of aerosol particles that enhances image forces for pulmonary deposition with minimal tracheobronchial space charge losses. And 3. Methods for producing bioengineered particles with appropriate surface asperities and nanostructural compositions to achieve the desired aerosolization with electrostatic charges are considered. Development of a physical lung model and an idealized computational method for studying site-specific lung deposition with well characterized test aerosols are presented. Experimental data on the deposition of particles for drug delivery will be studied for applications ranging from pediatric healthcare to human space explorations.
Respiratory Drug Delivery
The primary objective of this proposal is to develop Techniques for Low Cost Missions related to exploration of the Moon and Mars utilizing Solar Power Technologies. In particular, devices that prevent dust accumulation and deposition onto equipment under Martian environmental conditions are required for the 2009 Mars Science Laboratory (MSL). The atmosphere of Mars contains significant amounts of suspended dust and especially during Martian dust storms. Because of the possibility of high electrostatic charge of the dust and its strong adhesive properties, deposition of dust on support equipment could damage or hinder correct operation of the equipment such as solar cells, spacecraft and lenses, reducing the lifetime of a mission. Therefore, systems that remove dust and keep surfaces clean under Martian conditions are highly sought.
We have recently performed tests on the development of an Electrodynamic Screen system for self-cleaning solar panels. This system uses alternating electric fields acting through a grid that dislodges, carries, and deposits dust particles off and away from surfaces. Since current solar cells contain transparent films that are electrically conducting, we will investigate the possibility of utilizing this technology for developing transparent Electrodynamic Screens. The design of such a system could be used for spacecraft applications although much work is needed if it is expected to be ready for the 2009 Mars Smart Lander.
We are working with NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Kennedy Space Center on the development of Self Cleaning Solar panels. UALR has a patent on this development and there are opportunities for developing this technology for many othe applications in the industrial and biomedical fields.
|
|
Funding Agency |
Duration |
|
An
integrated approach for Hydrogen production and storage in complex
hydrides of transitional elements and carbon-based nanostructured
materials |
Dept. of Energy |
2006-2009 |
|
Lunar dust hazard
mitigation |
ASGC |
2007-2008 |
|
Development of Dust
Particle analyzer |
NASA |
2003-2007 |
|
Development of an
Electrodynamic screen for dust mitigation |
NASA |
2004-2007 |
|
Development of an
analyzer for size and charge characterization of nanoparticles for
research and education |
NSF |
2005-2007 |
|
High Temperature Ion
Transport Membrane |
Dept. of Energy |
2001-2004 |
|
Electrostatic
Effects in Respiratory Drug Delivery |
Pfizer Inc. |
2003-2005 |
|
Development
of an Electro-photographic development analyzer |
|
2002-2005 |
|
Development
of an experimental method for coating defect determination in
Cardiovascular Stents |
|
2005 |