Purdue University School of Chemical Engineering GRADUATE SEMINAR SERIES Dr. G.V. Rex Reklaitis Burton and Kathryn Gedge Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering "Progress and Prospects for the ERC on Structured Organic Particulate Systems" December 4, 2012 9:00-10:15 a.m. FRNY G140 Reception at 8:30 a.m. in Henson Atrium Abstract: Launched in July 2006 with support from the NSF, over 30 industrial partners, and the four hosting universities, the Center aspires to be the national focal point for science-based development of structured organic particle-based products and their manufacturing processes. Such products, which are comprised of multi-component organic systems whose performance depends on microstructure, are widely used to deliver active substances at pre-determined rate and in specific environments. This family of products is manufactured using similar processes across a number of industries, including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, agricultural agents, detergents and foods. The engineering of such products encounters common technical limitations: * Solid state physics that is poorly understood * "Soft" materials that are delicate - High shear/high temperature conditions must be avoided * Constitutive behavior has a hierarchy of scales and substantial complexity The manufacturing of these products has been largely carried out in batch mode, with limited on-line sensing and automation, and limited availability of reliable engineering predictive models to support process design, scale-up and operation. In this presentation we will outline the technical objectives and organization of the research plan under which the Center has been operating. Highlights will be given of representative research projects in areas such as understanding of material properties, predictive modeling of key unit operations, knowledge management, on-line sensing (PAT) and real time process management. Progress on the realization of the three test beds specifically targeted for production of solid oral dosage pharmaceuticals and the steps taken towards the commercialization of one of these, a continuous automated tableting line, will be reviewed.