Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) represent an exciting, new class of porous materials. Their hybrid organic-inorganic structure opens up near infinite possibilities to tune and design their structure for specific properties and applications. A new generation of flexible MOFs, following a generation of stiff MOFs, has created additional design space and complexity....
Using thermodynamic principles, the general relationship describing the equilibrium vapor content in the gas phase above a saline liquid and across a curved liquid-gas interface is developed. Since high salt concentration also affects the intensive and extensive liquid properties, it is also necessary to account for these effects in liquid...
Understanding the mechanisms controlling colloid transport and deposition in the vadose zone is an important step in protecting our water resources. Colloid transport in unsaturated porous media was studied using X-Ray Microtomography (XMT), which is a non-destructive imaging technique that provides three-dimensional images at a resolution on the order of...
Hydrogel polymers are a novel class of hydrophilic materials that have large application areas in both the industrial and medical fields. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) has received attention as a hydrogel polymer. Methods to modify the mechanical properties of gels and films made from CMC are of interest in our lab...
Epoxy resin is a thermosetting resin that is commonly used as composite matrix. Epoxy composite materials are well utilized in industries, such as aerospace, due to their good mechanical properties. Nano-scale filler reinforced polymer composite materials have been intensively researched in recent decades. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNXLs) are a type of...
A novel technique was developed for studying gas phase flow in unsaturated porous media. Carbon dioxide was pumped through a back-lit chamber packed with translucent sand which was variably saturated with water containing the pH indicator dye methyl red. As the carbon dioxide dissolved in the pore water, lowering the...