Our research
Research teams in the Department of Chemical Engineering collaborate with national and international research groups. Our students work closely with diverse and qualified faculty members in high-quality research that is changing the way we live our lives.
- Nuclear
- Oil & gas
- Recirculation aquaculture systems
- Pulp & paper
- Adsorption
- Polymers
- Nanotechnology
- Engineering design education
Nuclear
The nuclear engineering research team has established itself as an internationally-recognized leader in the study of the behavior and degradation of materials in high temperature and supercritical water.
Dr. William Cook’s research lab is conducting some of the essential research and development required to make the supercritical water reactor a technical viable product.
Oil & gas
The enhanced oil recovery research team evaluates enhanced oil recovery strategies for new oil fields, oil reservoirs that might not be accessed by conventional processes and for mature reservoirs.
Dr. Laura Romero-Zeron's recent research projects include the production of clean transportation fuels, enhancement of diesel quality, development of new processes to produce biodiesel/green diesel from bio-resources and value-added products from petro-/bio-resources.
Recirculation aquaculture systems
Working on solid removal in recirculation aquaculture systems, the research team focuses their work on the development of improved design and operating methodologies to allow for significant improvement in the operation of large-diameter fish tanks.
Dr. Michel Couturier’s research team is focussing their research on the development of improved design methodologies for rotary drum filters and scale-up of triple drain tanks as aquaculture industries strive to reduce costs.
Pulp & paper
This internationally-renowned research group not only focuses on the traditional pulp and paper manufacturing process, it has also established extensive research programs on the forest biorefinery. The group is pursuing the development of biofuels, green cellulosic products, hemicelluloses and extractive-related bio- chemicals and materials.
Dr. Yonghao Ni is working towards improvements in the pulping and bleaching process, and focusing research on high-yield pulp properties
Adsorption and gas separation
This internationally known adsorption research team focuses on research related to adsorbent characterizations, in particular, adsorption kinetics. This research applies to the diffusion in nanoporous materials and application of adsorption in separation and purification processes. The work conducted leads from the material characterization to the implementation of industrial processes.
Dr. Mladen Eić's recent research work has been used to determine diffusivities in gas mixtures as well as composite materials, such as bimodal materials.
Polymers
The polymer research team and Dr. Huining Xiao have been conducting research on various projects related to the polymers as functional polymers. They work on antimicrobial polymers, strength additives and nanoparticles for value-added paper products.
They also focus on biodegradable polymers for film or compost package materials, nanocapsules or star polymers as non-viral vectors for gene transfection or drug delivery, and polymer-grafted cellulose fibres or microfibrils as reinforcements for biocomposites.
Nanotechnology
The team, under the leadership of Dr. Felipe Chibante, has significant experience in the research and commercialization of nanomaterials. The work conducted centres around several key areas including carbon and natural nanomaterials production, nanocomposites engineering, nanoelectronics and nanofluidics.
Engineering design education
This research aims to develop methodologies which will produce engineering graduates who are recognized by employers for their design abilities. It provides you with the opportunity to work under the guidance of practicing design engineers and to be an engine for the economy by working on industry-sponsored projects.
