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Additional ChE Safety Awareness Training Dates - May 24 and June 4
by Davis, Linda S 16 May '12

16 May '12

ChE Faculty, Staff and Students, Two additional sessions of ChE Safety Awareness Training have been scheduled: * Thursday, May 24, 1:30 -2:30 pm, FRNY 3062B * Monday, June 4, 1:30 - 2:30 pm, FRNY 3062B Safety training dates are also provided on the ChE Safety web page: https://engineering.purdue.edu/ChE/AboutUs/Safety.html. Please ensure that all new employees in your research labs attend one of these sessions. Thank you. Linda Linda S. Davis Industrial Education Director Chair, ChE Safety Committee (https://engineering.purdue.edu/ChE/AboutUs/Safety.html) School of Chemical Engineering Purdue University lsdavis(a)purdue.edu<mailto:lsdavis@purdue.edu> (765)496-1710

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Safety Update: Peroxide Formation in Laboratory Solutions and Reagents
by Davis, Linda S 11 May '12

11 May '12

ChE Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students, Peroxide formation in chemical solutions and reagents poses a significant hazard in our laboratories. Peroxides are unstable and can explode spontaneously. Common organic chemicals such as tetrahydrofuran and diethyl ether have the propensity to form peroxides when stored over time. Peroxides are formed by the reaction of the chemical with oxygen in the head space of the chemical container after the container is opened. Adam Krajicek from REM has shared this document: http://www.uta.edu/campus-ops/ehs/chemical/docs/peroxide-forming-chemical.p… which explains the hazards, classification, and guidelines for safe use and disposal of peroxide-forming chemicals. The ChE Safety Committee recommends that all laboratories review their chemical inventories to check for the presence of peroxide-forming chemicals and take the necessary actions described in the attached document. Thank you to Vinod Kumar for proposing this update. Please contact me or any member of the ChE Safety Committee if you have any questions. Thank you. Linda Linda S. Davis Industrial Education Director Chair, ChE Safety Committee (https://engineering.purdue.edu/ChE/AboutUs/Safety.html) School of Chemical Engineering Purdue University lsdavis(a)purdue.edu<mailto:lsdavis@purdue.edu> (765)496-1710

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A brief report
by nwyho＠ecn.purdue.edu 10 May '12

10 May '12

Dear Prof Varma, I have not come to visit you for a while. I did have an unexpected health problem at the beginning of March. It was totally my fault by not listening my doctor's advice to get a Shingle shoot. Unfortunately, I did get Shingles. From the medicine for the shingles, it also gave me some stomach problem. I had never have any stomach problems for the last 10 to 20 years. Fortunately, now it is over and I am fully recovered. I did worked a lot at home since early April by communicating with companies interested in using the Purdue Yeast for cellulosic ethanol and for applying funds from Federal agencies to cover the research cost in my lab at Purdue. One good thing is that we do have much improved yeast for cellulosic ethanol production. It is good for me to establish GTA; now there is no Federal grant to support cellulosic ethanol research at the university level but there are Federal Grants, bigger ones also, to support bioenergy companies. GTA is working hard to apply those. I will try to make an appointment to see you when ever your time permits. Best regards, Nancy Quoting "Varma, Arvind" <avarma(a)purdue.edu>: > Dear Colleagues, > > I am writing to inform that Dr. Raj Chakrabarti will leave his > faculty position at Purdue and join CMU on August 1, 2012. As many > of you are aware, his wife is a CMU faculty member - this move > permits them to be in the same location. > > Please join me in wishing Raj the very best for the future. > > Arvind > > Arvind Varma > R. Games Slayter Distinguished Professor > Jay and Cynthia Ihlenfeld Head of Chemical Engineering > Purdue University > >

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Dr. Raj Chakrabarti
by Varma, Arvind 10 May '12

10 May '12

Dear Colleagues, I am writing to inform that Dr. Raj Chakrabarti will leave his faculty position at Purdue and join CMU on August 1, 2012. As many of you are aware, his wife is a CMU faculty member - this move permits them to be in the same location. Please join me in wishing Raj the very best for the future. Arvind Arvind Varma R. Games Slayter Distinguished Professor Jay and Cynthia Ihlenfeld Head of Chemical Engineering Purdue University

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Two School PhD Alumni receive 2012 DOE Early Career Research Awards
by Varma, Arvind 09 May '12

09 May '12

Dear Colleagues, I am delighted to inform that two recent School PhD alumni have been named recipients of the 2012 DOE Early Career Research Program Award. They are among 68 recipients chosen based on peer review of about 850 proposals (i.e. 8%). Aditya Bhan (PhD, 2005), Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Minnesota, completed his PhD under the direction of Prof. Nick Delgass. Aditya received the NSF CAREER Award in 2011. Jamey Young (PhD, 2005), Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Vanderbilt University, completed his PhD under the direction of Prof. D. Ramkrishna. Jamey received the NSF CAREER Award in 2010. Pl join me in congratulating Aditya and Jamey, as well as their thesis advisors, on their recognition, which also brings credit to Purdue and our School! Best, Arvind Arvind Varma R. Games Slayter Distinguished Professor Jay and Cynthia Ihlenfeld Head of Chemical Engineering Purdue University

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DARPA 2012 Young Faculty Award for Bryan Boudouris!
by Varma, Arvind 09 May '12

09 May '12

Dear Colleagues, I am delighted to inform that Bryan Boudouris has been selected to receive a DARPA 2012 Young Faculty Award! The financial details of his winning proposal titled "Radical Polymers for Nanostructured, Next Generation Thermoelectric Devices" are being negotiated and will be finalized by June 30th or earlier - the award is typically $300,000 for 3 years. In the second annual competition last year, 39/407 applicants (i.e. <10%) received the award. The details of the 2012 awards are not announced yet. Bryan is receiving this YFA just a few weeks after he was named recipient of an AFOSR Young Investigator Research Award, for $120,000/year for 3 years. A most impressive aspect of these recognitions is that Bryan is currently only in the first year of his faculty appointment - he joined our School in August 2011! Pl join me in congratulating Bryan for this latest recognition in support of his research programs! Best, Arvind Arvind Varma R. Games Slayter Distinguished Professor Jay and Cynthia Ihlenfeld Head of Chemical Engineering Purdue University

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May ChE Newsletter
by Farmus, Cristina D 08 May '12

08 May '12

Faculty Recognition * Fabio Ribeiro received the 2012 Henry J. Albert Award from the International Precious Metals Institute (IPMI). This award recognizes and encourages outstanding theoretical and experimental contributions to the science and technology of precious metals. Staff Recognition * Sandy Hendryx is the 2012 recipient of the Chemical Engineering Staff Excellence Award. She was nominated by Veronica Schirm. A committee of two faculty members and three staff members selected Sandy from four nominees. Sandy started at Purdue on 5/27/1980 and in ChE on 8/10/1998 as the undergraduate program secretary. She has been in this position ever since. She received the Rose award for two years in a row, in 2011 and 2012, nominated by undergraduate students. Student Recognition University Awards: * The CETA Teaching Award is granted by the Purdue Committee for the Education of Teaching Assistants (CETA). The 2012 Chemical Engineering recipient is: o Kevin Brew College of Engineering Graduate Student Awards: * The Magoon Excellence in Teaching Awards are given to outstanding teaching assistants in memory of Estus H. and Vashti L. Magoon who have influenced the lives of many engineering educators early in their careers. The 2012 Chemical Engineering recipients are: o Michael Detwiler o Anshu Gupta o Mark Suchomel * The Outstanding Researcher Award recognizes research excellence in graduate students. The 2012 Chemical Engineering recipient is: o Ahmad Al-Kukhun * The Outstanding Service and Scholarship Award is provided to graduate students who have provided outstanding service to the graduate student community, the School, the College, and the University. The Chemical Engineering 2012 recipient is: o Vinod Kumar Venkatakrishnan. School of Chemical Engineering Awards: * The Excellence for Undergraduate Teaching Award recognizes one outstanding ChE Teaching Assistant every year. The recipient is selected by the senior undergraduate students through an electronic vote. The 2012 winner is: o Vinod Kumar Venkatakrishnan Undergraduate Senior Design Awards: * The first place award is to be shared by senior design Group 16 - Strong, competent bagasse screw torrefier: o Bugher, Evan o Irwin, Thomas o Kral, Keith o Maday,Jaclyn o Wang, Andrew * The second place group award is to be shared by design Group 27 - Hardwood rotary torrefier with nice report mechanics o Grewe, Ted o Hahn, Samantha o Hwang, Margaret o King, Eric o Taylor, Kelly * The third place group award is to be shared by design Group 1 - Novel corn microwave torrefier o Arnold, Sierra o Lee, Chenglin Jason o Liew, Sip Chen o Teykl, Tyler o Zweber, Zoanne Miscellaneous - Leadership Library, please see updated list for the current titles, item in yellow are new additions. Stop by my office if you want to borrow any book or send me an email if there is a book you'd like to see in our library. Upcoming Events * May 11 - Graduation reception, Henson Atrium 4.30-6.30 pm. * May 11 - Commencement, Eliot Hall, 8.00 pm New Employees * Professor Nicholas Delgass will retire at the end of the semester on May 13, but will continue his research work in a reduced FTE position. * Amy Stanley - Operations Manager- Amy will assist Professors Agrawal, Delgass, Litster, Reklaitis and Ribeiro in managing their large research projects. Although technically an employee for the College of Engineering, Amy is located with our business office in FRNY G041E, phone 45578, email stanley7(a)purdue.edu<mailto:stanley7@purdue.edu>. Adjunct Professors - Our School appointed two new adjunct professors. Their profiles will be posted on our website shortly: * Eyal Barash, member at Barash Law; Chief Intellectual Property at Endocyte * Dr. Jeffrey T. Miller, Senior Scientist, Argonne National Laboratory. Employees Leaving * Hyun-Seob Song - Senior Research Scientist in Dr. Ramkrishna's group is leaving the University for an industry position. * Evan Nodine will not be joining us as planned, the Business Manager position is posted again and we are looking for suitable candidates. Best Regards, Cristina

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Important Safety Information - Please Read
by Davis, Linda S 07 May '12

07 May '12

ChE Faculty, Staff and Students, (I shared the following information at the April faculty meeting.) The safety goal in chemical engineering is that everyone who works here goes home in the same condition that they arrived each morning. We will achieve this goal by developing and sustaining a strong safety culture in chemical engineering. A strong safety culture is not: * We have an active safety committee * We are re-indemnified by REM every year. The safety culture in ChE can be measured/characterized as "how we behave when no one is looking." Safety culture starts at the top of our organization - with our faculty. The faculty (Primary Investigators) and the lab managers are accountable for safety; however, everyone is responsible for safety. There are several immediate indicators of the safety culture in a laboratory: * Housekeeping * PPE use * Record Keeping On any day, you can enter chemical engineering laboratories and the occupants are not wearing safety glasses. Our policy is that you must have safety glasses on when you enter a ChE lab and keep them on until you leave the laboratory - no exceptions. We have had three incidents in the last two months. Incidents are lagging indicators of safety culture and performance. 1) A graduate student was inserting a stopper into a graduated cylinder and the cylinder broke. The student sustained a significant cut that required stitches and continuing medical review. It is unclear if the student will regain full feeling in and use of one of his fingers, potentially a permanent injury. 2) An undergraduate student was operating a glass reactor in a heat mantle when it exploded. There may have been a reaction runaway that over pressurized the reactor. The over pressurization protection (relief valve) and barrier were not in place. We were very fortunate that the student was not injured. 3) A student was performing a non-routine procedure to extract a Lithium battery from a battery pack when a small fire started. The lab occupants responded appropriately and the fire was extinguished without personnel or property damage. Further Indicators: There has been two reports of sharps found by the janitors in our trash containers. The first (photo attached) was a large syringe needle found in a recycle paper bin in a hallway. The second was a razor blade discarded in a laboratory trash can. Sharps (anything that can puncture the skin and cause injury) must be disposed of in designated laboratory sharps containers. We are very concerned that chemical engineering has taken its "eye off the ball" with regards to safety. You do not want to have a call a parent or family member to inform them that their student or family member has been hurt or killed. We want everyone in chemical engineering to recommit to safety as our #1 priority. Safety must be taken seriously and addressed in our laboratories because universities and faculty can be liable: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/02/plea-negotations-to-continue-…. As a first step, refresher ChE safety awareness training will be rolled out in August. Completion of refresher safety awareness training annually will be required for all ChE employees. Please contact me or any member of the ChE Safety Committee if you have any questions or safety concerns. Thank you. Linda Linda S. Davis Industrial Education Director Chair, ChE Safety Committee (https://engineering.purdue.edu/ChE/AboutUs/Safety.html) School of Chemical Engineering Purdue University lsdavis(a)purdue.edu<mailto:lsdavis@purdue.edu> (765)496-1710

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Congratulations to Fabio Ribeiro!
by Varma, Arvind 06 May '12

06 May '12

Dear Colleagues, I am delighted to inform that the International Precious Metals Institute (IPMI) has recognized Fabio Ribeiro with its 2012 Henry J. Albert Award, which recognizes and encourages outstanding theoretical and experimental contributions to the science and technology of precious metals. As you know, many articles published by Fabio and his research group utilize precious metal catalysts. Previous winners of the Albert award include Gabor Somorjai (UC-Berkeley, 1986), Lanny Schmidt (Minnesota, 1994) and Bob Madix (Stanford, 1997). Founded in 1976, IPMI is the largest and most well known association focused on precious metals in the world. It is an international association of the precious metals community, formed to provide a forum for the exchange of information and technology. IPMI recognizes excellence and achievement through awards to individuals and educational institutions. Pl join me in congratulating Fabio for this terrific recognition! Arvind Arvind Varma R. Games Slayter Distinguished Professor Jay and Cynthia Ihlenfeld Head of Chemical Engineering Purdue University

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ChE Safety Awareness Training - May 8 and 14
by Davis, Linda S 04 May '12

04 May '12

ChE Faculty, Staff and Students, I have had several requests to deliver ChE Safety Awareness Training to students starting research in May. Two sessions are scheduled as follows: * Tuesday, May 8, 2:00 - 3:00 pm, FRNY 3062B * Monday, May 14, 10:00 - 11:00 am, FRNY 3062B Please advise your new students to attend one of these training sessions. Thank you for your commitment to safety in ChE! Regards, Linda Linda S. Davis Industrial Education Director Chair, ChE Safety Committee (https://engineering.purdue.edu/ChE/AboutUs/Safety.html) School of Chemical Engineering Purdue University lsdavis(a)purdue.edu<mailto:lsdavis@purdue.edu> (765)496-1710

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