pdf version - seng, hkust

Empowering Excellence
Process Systems Engineering
• The development of novel kinetic and diffusion mass
transfer models for reactions, adsorption and ion
exchange processes, using mathematical modeling
and computer simulation techniques.
• Novel pseudo-first order irreversible and reversible
kinetic models developed.
• Pore, branched multi-pore and solid diffusion models
developed.
• Other areas include process control, polymer
processing, process simulation, product development
and crystallization.
Research Highlights
Novel Fibers Herald Change
Prof Ping Gao and her research group have
continued to work on the development of novel
high-performance polymer nanocomposite
materials. With support from the Nano and
Advanced Materials Institute Ltd, hosted at HKUST,
the group developed a novel carbon nanotube
reinforced thermotropic liquid crystalline polyester
fiber for high-performance headphone cables
and fiber optic cables. Newly developed biaxially
oriented ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene
microporous membranes are being tested as
separators in lithium-ion batteries, fuel cell batteries
and possibly solar cell batteries. These microporous
membranes are also being investigated in relation
to smart windows, water desalination processes
and micro-filtration applications.
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