Seminar Schedule Thanks again to Isaac Emery for the great kick-off seminar for the semester! Next Seminar: February 15, 2013, 3:30pm Fu Room (POTR 234). All LORRE graduate students are expected to attend. Modeling of Cross-Flow Microfiltration of Aqueous Chicken Homogenates in Hollow Fiber Membrane Module Xuan Li Abstract A mathematical model for constant flux cross-flow microfiltration of aqueous chicken homogenates using hollow fiber membranes is developed by combining Hagen-Poiseuille equation, Darcy's law and the growth of the film which is formed by the deposited particles and macromolecules on the membrane surface. In the microfiltration of aqueous chicken homogenates, the large particles, viable cells, cell debris and proteins (Ø> 0.2 µm or > 65 kD) and the aggregates of small molecule proteins which are formed by self-association due to the conditions needed to maintain bacterial viability (pH and ionic strength of the chicken homogenates) tend to form a film on the membrane surface at the linear velocities associated with the cross-flow microfiltration. The film reduces the permeability of the membrane, and thus under a constant flux mode causes the rise of transmembrane pressure. The film resistance is directly correlated to the deposit of suspended particles and macromolecules on the membrane surface. The deposition is the net result of permeation towards the membrane and the back transport to the bulk phase. The model is solved numerically to simulate and predict the dependences of permeate flux, film thickness and transmembrane pressure on fiber axial coordinate and filtration time. The model is expected to provide new insights into the performance of the hollow fiber membranes in filtrating food derived fluids containing complex components. The developed model will also be used to identify the relationship between the fouling and filtration conditions and membrane geometry. Upcoming Events Poster Symposium On Friday, March 1st the ABE department will be hosting an event for strong prospective students who will be visiting for the weekend and getting acquainted with ABE. As part of the weekend of events, we will be holding a short Poster Symposium where the prospective students and faculty will be able to interact with and learn about some of the current or recently completed research in our department. If you have work in progress that is ready to be shared, or have previously completed a portion of your research, we need you! Creating and sharing a poster is a great experience not only for your own professional development but also to network with others in the department. Plus, you will have the opportunity to make an impact on the prospective students' impressions of the department and hopefully help them choose Purdue ABE! If you are willing to participate, please fill out this survey<https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGNNR2VEcnhzSUp3TXhVNkJZc3Fqcmc6MQ> by February 22nd. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Carl Littrell - clittrel@purdue.edu<mailto:clittrel@purdue.edu> or Dr. Abby Engelberth aengelbe@purdue.edu<mailto:aengelbe@purdue.edu>. Thank you for your willingness to contribute to ABE and to your own personal development! Seminar Announcement Purdue University School of Chemical Engineering Graduate seminar series Robert Kelly, Alcoa Professor Dept. of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering North Carolina State University "More heat than light: How extremely thermophilic microorganisms and enzymes fit into the energy picture" February 5, 2013 9:00-10:15 a.m. FRNY G140 Reception at 8:30 a.m. in Henson Atrium ABSTRACT: The recent interest in bioenergy has motivated a closer look at microorganisms from extremely high temperature environments. Not only do extreme thermophiles have the capacity to convert the carbohydrate content of plant biomass into fermentable sugars, their novel metabolic pathways could facilitate other important biotransformations related to bioenergy applications. Our laboratory has used a systems biology approach to examine the microbial physiology of extreme thermophiles for clues to novel biocatalysts and other features that are relevant to improved biofuels production. Discussed here will be opportunities for biofuels that relate to extremely thermophilic microorganisms. The genus Caldicellulosiruptor contains extremely thermophilic bacteria, and includes species that produce cellulases and hemicellulases, which can deconstruct plant cell walls. The growth physiology and microbial biochemistry of these bacteria suggest that they could play an important role in the production of 2nd generation biofuels. A longer-term goal is to produce biofuels directly from CO2, thus bypassing photosynthetic processes. Possible directions along these lines that implicate metabolic pathways in extremely thermophilic archaea will be considered. BIO: Dr. Kelly obtained his B.S. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Virginia. After working at DuPont's Marshall Laboratory in Philadelphia, PA, he moved to North Carolina State University, where he completed his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. After 11 years at Johns Hopkins University as a faculty member in Chemical Engineering, he returned to North Carolina State University. Currently, he is the Alcoa Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Director of the NC State Biotechnology Program. He has also served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies from 2000-02. Among the honors he has received are the ACS BIOT Marvin Johnson Award (2004) and the AIChE Food, Pharmaceutical and Bioengineering Award (2007). He is currently an Editor for the ASM journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Dr. Kelly's research interests center on the biology and biotechnology of extremophilic microorganisms.