2006 Graduate Catalog and 2005 Annual R & D Report - Sirindhorn ...

2006 Graduate Catalog and 2005 Annual R & D Report
Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT)
School of Bio-Chemical Engineering and Technology
Faculty Members and Research Interests, 2006
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.
Dr. Sandhya Babel
Associate Professor
B.Sc. in Biology/Chemistry, University of Indore, India
M.Sc. in Biochemistry, University of Indore, India
M.Sc. in Environmental Technology and Management, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand
D.Tech.Sc. in Environmental Technology and Management, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand
Areas of Specialization: Membrane technology; Solid waste management; Water and wastewater treatment;
Environmental Impact Assessment.
Research Interests:
Removal of Heavy Metals from Aqueous
Solution/Sludges Using Agriculture Waste
Materials
Agricultural wastes are unused resources, which in
many cases present a serious problem of disposal.
However, these waste materials can be used to
remove toxic heavy metal from wastewater as they
are capable of binding heavy metals by adsorption,
chelation and ion exchange. The exchange properties
of these wastes can be attributed to the presence of
carboxylic, phenolic, hydroxylic groups. In order to
enhance cation exchange capacities, these groups
may be modified by oxidation, carboxymethylation,
acetylation, phosphation. The utilization of agricultural
by-products in treating the wastewater/sludges
contaminated by heavy metals is an attractive area of
research.
Environment and Development Perspectives: Life
Cycle Assessment a Tool
Developing countries in Asia have considered
economic growth as the sole indicator of
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