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Dr. Mannan Interview with KHOU TV of Houston

The complex aspects of diesel engine explosions and their relation to the BP accidents of this year and 2005 were recently discussed by Regents Professor and Director of the Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center Sam Mannan as part of a news story by KHOU of Houston.

The June 8 story "The Diesel Connection: Investigators looking at similarities in BP explosions" features Mannan speculating on possible causes of both explosions. With his vast knowledge, and the wealth of information available through the Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center, Mannan was able to assist in understanding the causes behind these tragic events.

"All ignition sources are not alike," Mannan noted. "[A diesel engine] creates what’s known in the science as a bang-box type of explosion, which has more probability to lead to a high-intensity explosion." For more information, please go to: www.khou.com.

Center and Department Expands Process Safety and Chemical Engineering to Tianjin University, China

Continuing its efforts to provide students with enhanced study aboard opportunities throughout the world, the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering recently offered a three-week faculty-led study abroad program in Tianjin, China this past spring. The program, which partners with Tianjin University, offers chemical engineering students the opportunity not only to broaden their technical skills but also to become familiar with one of the most dynamic and culturally significant countries in the world. “As we educate leaders of the future, this study abroad program will play a significant role in giving the students a once in a lifetime experience that will be of tremendous help in their careers,” Mannan says.

Tianjin University, established in 1895 with the name of “Peiyang University,” is the first educational institution of higher learning in China. More than 1,800 students attend its School of Chemical Engineering where they receive instruction from 300 faculty members. “It’s imperative that chemical engineering students gain an international perspective that enables them to not only develop world-class leadership skills but also to appreciate diversity of both culture and thought when it comes to defining and overcoming engineering challenges,” said Department Head and Charles D. Holland ’53 Professor Michael V. Pishko.

Faculty Fellow News

TAMUQ Announces Visualization Contest Winners

DOHA TEXAS A&M University in Qatar (TAMUQ) announced the winners of its Visualisation Development Competition.

Dr Simon Waldram and his research group were awarded second place for their “Visualisation of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Spill and Dispersion: Safety Assessment” project.

The winners were awarded prizes at a function recently. It was attended by representatives of QSTP, QF, ExxonMobil, RasGas, Sidra and Qatar University. Full Story

Laird Named Student Organization New Adviser of the Year

COLLEGE STATION, Texas, April 12, 2010 – Carl Laird, assistant professor in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, has been named the Registered Student Organization New Adviser of the Year for 2009-2010 by Texas A&M University’s Department of Student Activities.

Laird has since 2008 served as adviser to the Texas A&M chapter of Omega Chi Epsilon, the National Honor Society for Chemical Engineering. He will be formally recognized with the university-level award at a Division of Student Affairs Awards Ceremony, scheduled for May 5. Full Story

Cheng Receives Tenure, Promotion to Associate Professor

COLLEGE STATION, Texas, April 9, 2010 – Zhengdong Cheng, a faculty member in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University, has received tenure and promotion to associate professor.

Cheng’s research focuses on the self-organization of intelligent colloids and anisotropic particles, the fabrication of photonic crystals and integrated photonic circuits, solar hydrogen production via water splitting, and the application of microfluidics to bio-encapsulation. The techniques developed are applicable to the modeling of phase transitions and liquid crystal materials, the engineering of nano-composites and semiconductor of light, solar energy harvesting, and a wide range of therapeutic treatments. Full Story

Jeong Honored with Teaching Excellence Award

COLLEGE STATION, Texas, March 9, 2010 – Hae-Kwon Jeong, assistant professor in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University, has been named a recipient of the Teaching Excellence Award, issued as part of a voluntary, student-selected honors program of The Texas A&M University System.

The winners represent the top 20 percent of participating faculty members from all 11 campuses of the Texas A&M System. Awards are based on rankings from evaluations created and administered by students, with weighting for factors such as class size, and all faculty members are eligible.

This semester Jeong teaches “advanced nanostructured materials”, which introduces the chemical synthesis and characterization of materials with structures and properties in the nanoscales. Full Story