2007 - Chemical & Biomedical Engineering - University of South ...

Dr. John T. Wolan
Associate Professor
Graduate Advisor
wolan@eng.usf.edu
(813) 974-6250
website: http://www.eng.usf.edu/~wolan/
Education:
Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, 1998
M.E. ChE., University of Florida, 1994
B.A. Secondary Ed. major Chemistry, University of Central Florida, 1981
Research Interests: Reaction Kinetics, Surface Science, Nanotechnology, Biocompatible
Semiconductor and Coating Materials, Porous Semiconductors and their
Application in Chemical Sensing and Catalysis, Hydrogen Storage, and Sustainable Energies; Current Major
Thrusts: Synthesis and Characterization of Highly Selective Nanocluster Catalysts and Supports and The Use of
Catalysts to Control and Direct Nanoscale Organization and Self Assembly
Materials-By-Design Approach
Our research activities are focused on coupling
fundamental molecular processes at surfaces with novel
material systems for the production of energy, sensors,
thin-films, and bioelectronic devices. Fundamental
surface chemical-electrical phenomena related to
catalysis, photoelectrocatalysis, and chemo-electronic
devices are under investigation. Exploration of
supported metal nanoclusters for gas-phase and
electrochemical reactions are studied to advance the
molecular-level understanding of heterogeneous
catalysts. Renewable production of hydrocarbon and
hydrogen fuel production is a specific target; however,
results have also been applicable to other reacting
systems. Dr. Wolan’s research team has achieved
promising results and is currently working toward a
deeper understanding of the fundamental molecular and
electronic interactions between energetic gas/solid
surfaces. The directed design of catalysts is a cross -
disciplinary area that uses systems engineering
approaches to integrate combinatorial experimentation
with physical/chemical modeling, expert rules, and
quantum level calculations to create a converging cycle
that produces catalysts designed to meet chosen
performance criteria. This new approach has the
promise to reveal new fundamental structureperformance
relationships in catalysis and to change
the way practical catalysis research is done.
Recent Research Projects:
‣ Development of Novel PEM-based Fuel Cell
Anodic/Cathodic Catalysts and Electrolyte
Membranes
‣ Investigation of Biomass Sustainable Synthetic
Fuels
‣ Development of Solid-state Hydrogen Storage
Materials
‣ New Harsh Environment Gas Sensor Devices and
Materials
‣ Development of Supported Metal Nanoclusters
for Gas-phase, Electrochemical Reactions and
Bioelectronic Devices
Recent Publications:
Lin, H. Y., Bowers, B., Wolan, J., Cai, Z.,and
Bumgardner, J., “Metallurgical, surface, and
corrosion analysis of Ni–Cr dental casting alloys
before and after porcelain firing; Dental
Materials”, Volume 24, Issue 3, March 2008, Pages
378-385.
Book chapter: “Freenstra: Porous Silicon Carbide and
Gallium Nitride',” Chapter 11. Kababji, A. and Wolan
,J. “Catalytic applications of porous SiC,” Wiley
Press, 2008.
Fawcett, T., Reyes, M., Spetz, L., Saddow, S.,
Wolan, J., “Thermal Applied Physics Letters”, 2007.
89, 182102.
Reyes, M., Waits, M., Harvey, S., Shishkin, Y., Geil,
B., Wolan J., Saddow, E., “Growth of 3C-SiC on Si
Molds for MEMS Applications”. Materials Science
Forum, 2006. 527-529:p.307.
Sagüés, A., Wolan, J., De Fex, A., Fawcett, T.,
“Impedance Behavior of Nanoporous SiC”
Electrochimica Acta, 2006. 51(8-9):p.1656-1663.
Yun, F., Chevtchenko, T., Moon, T., Morko, H.,
Fawcett, J. T., Wolan, “GaN Resistive Gas Sensors”.
Applied Physics Letters, 2006. 87, 073507
3C-SiC Gas Sensor for Application in harsh
environments
21