2007 Graduate Catalog and 2006 Annual R & D Report - Sirindhorn ...

2007 Graduate Catalog and 2006 Annual R & D Report
Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT)
School of Bio-Chemical Engineering and Technology
Faculty Members and Research Interests, 2007
Dr. Luckhana Lawtrakul
Assistant Professor
B.Sc. in Chemistry, Kasetsart University, Thailand
M.Sc. in Physical Chemistry, Kasetsart University, Thailand
Dr.rer.nat. in Theoretical Biochemistry, University of Vienna, Austria
Areas of Specialization: Computational Chemistry, Computer-Aided Molecular Modeling and Molecular
Design, Structure-Activity Relationships.
Research Interest:
Molecular modeling is a collective term that refers to
theoretical methods and computational techniques to
model or mimic the behavior of molecules. The
techniques are used in the fields of computational
chemistry and computational biology for studying
molecular systems ranging from small chemical
systems to large biological molecules. Currently
applications in the following areas are of special
concern: Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and
quantum chemical calculations on the stability of
guest-cyclodextrins inclusion complexes, and
Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR)
studies of inclusion complexes of various guests with
cyclodextrins.
Dr. Pisanu Toochinda
Lecturer
B.Sc. in Chemistry, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, USA
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, USA
Areas of Specialization: Photo-catalytic synthesis of hydrocarbons from CO 2 /H 2 O, Photochemical solar cells,
Gas-solid reactor design, Heterogeneous catalysis, Nano-material / zeolite syntheses, Bio-molecular imprinted
materials.
Research Interests:
Carbamate and Isocyanate Synthesis from Gas-
Solid Catalytic Oxidative Carbonylation Reactions
Development of environmentally benign synthesis
processes that eliminate toxic feedstocks, combine
process steps, and result in a net reduction of
pollutants and energy use rests on, to a great extent,
innovations in reactor design, reaction pathways, and
catalysis.
Carbonylation reactions serve as a new route for nonphosgene
processes in the production of carbamates
and isocyanates at mild conditions for the
replacement of highly toxic phosgene in the synthesis
of carbamates and isocyanates. Combining the gassolid
reactor system and the Pd-based catalysts could
provide promising alternatives for carbamate and
isocyanate synthesis in the industry.
Photocatalysis
CO 2 emission has become a worldwide problem due
to its potential impact on global warming.
Photocatalytic reactions, which involve the combined
use of photo energy and catalysts to convert
reactants to products, provide a promising alternative
to reduce CO 2 and convert it into useful hydrocarbon
products (e.g., methane and methanol).
Photochemical Solar Cells
Solar energy could be converted into electrical energy
via photochemical solar cells. A promising type of
solar cell is based on commercially feasible and
chemically stable wide-bandgap semiconductors (ie.
TiO 2 ). In order to enhance the sensitivity of the cell to
solar radiation, sensitizing organic dyes or
semiconductor nanocrystals are coated on the metal
oxide surface. While the solar cell is exposed to the
sun, the sensitizers donate electrons into the oxide
conduction band, after which harvesting of the
electrons takes place, leading to solar power
generation.
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