February 22, 2017
In this issue:

Hiden Intelligent Gravimetric Analyzer (IGA)
now operational
News from C&PE
The Shiflett group is excited to announce that their Hiden
Intelligent
Gravimetric Analyzer (IGA) is now operational. The
 Upcoming Events
Hiden IGA shown in Figure 1 is a precision gravimetric
microbalance capable of conducting a range of gas sorption
 New Publications
(absorption, adsorption and desorption) measurements as well as
 Quote of the Month
kinetic and surface area studies over a wide range of experimental
conditions. The instrument utilizes a force balance method to
measure changes in a sample’s mass with an
accuracy of ±0.5 µg. The instrument is capable of
pressures ranging from high vacuum (10-6 torr) to
20.0 bar with a temperature range of –200°C to
1000°C and can accommodate both solid and
liquid samples. Additionally, it is coupled with an
in-line mass spectrometer which can be used for
thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The
equipment as shown is located in a custom
ventilated enclosure with a gas detector so that
toxic and flammable gases can be handled safely.
In addition to the instrument shown, the
Shiflett group is also currently setting up three
new Hiden instruments including a second IGA
Figure 1: Intelligent Gravimetric Analyzer (IGA)
microbalance with a mass spectrometer, a XEMIS
Microbalance – Hiden Isochema
microbalance, and an IGASorp instrument. The
XEMIS gravimetric microbalance can operate at high pressure up to 170 bar with corrosive and
toxic gases such as NH3 and H2S. The IGASorp instrument is a microbalance specifically
designed to measure the sorption properties of vapors such as water, alcohols, and ketones. The
IGA and XEMIS microbalances are intended for use with dry gases such as H 2, He, Ar, O2, N2,
N2O, CO, CO2, SO2, hydrocarbons and fluorocarbons. The Hiden Company provided a
significant discount ($400K) on the equipment to the University of Kansas. Once fully
operational, the Shiflett lab will have the most advanced gravimetric microbalance laboratory in
the U.S. Several companies are now meeting with us to discuss collaboration programs. Please
contact us if you have interest in learning more about our measurement capabilities.
Kinetics Experiment Added to Undergrad Teaching Laboratory
In January, 2017 a new kinetics experiment
shown in Figure 1 was completed and added to
the undergraduate chemical engineering
teaching laboratory in time for C&PE 626
taught in the Spring semester. The experiment
will also be integrated into C&PE 524 Chemical
Kinetics. A lecture is being prepared which will
be taught by Dr. Shiflett in the kinetics course
along with Senior undergraduates currently
taking C&PE 626 to the Juniors in kinetics to
Figure 1: New Kinetics Experiment – Iodination of introduce the Initial Rates Method. The fact
that the experiment is portable will allow them
Acetone – C&PE 626 Chemical Engineering Lab II
to wheel the experiment into the classroom for
demonstration during the lecture. The students in C&PE 524 will learn how the experiment
works, the methods for data analysis and be assigned a homework set based on actually
experimental data being measured by the Senior class. This will connect the lab course with the
kinetics course and familiarize the Juniors in C&PE 524 with the kinetics experiment they will
do the following semester in the undergraduate course C&PE 616 which is the course where the
kinetics experiment is planned to be used. In addition, future experiments can be conducted
with other reactants such as bromine and the effect of different catalysts can be studied. Click
here for more information about this experiment’s setup and process of integration into C&PE
curriculum.
Study Abroad Advising Sessions Now Available
Beginning February 9, the KU Office of Study Abroad will offer walk-up advising for
engineering students interested in studying abroad. An advisor will be available to meet with
students in the McClendon Atrium in LEEP2 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. every Thursday. No
appointments are necessary. Stop by to learn more about your study abroad options as well as
funding opportunities, please visit http://studyabroad.ku.edu/. For questions, contact Alexis
Jones [email protected] or 785-864-7812.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Feb. 22 School of Engineering
Graduation Workshop will be held at
3pm in 1415A LEEP2. A PowerPoint
presentation is available here for those
unable to attend.
Feb. 22 Workshop to Focus Copyright
in the Classroom in Watson Library
3West from 4-5:30pm.
Feb. 27 Self Engineering Leadership
Fellows Program applications due.
Mar. 1 FAFSA Priority Deadline.
Mar. 10 Undergraduate Scholarship
Applications due to 1415 LEEP2.
Apr. 7 Freshman Renewable
Scholarship Extension Application due
to 1415 LEEP2.
NEW PUBLICATIONS
Azita Ahosseini, Wei Ren, Laurence R. Weatherley, Aaron
M. Scurto. Viscosity and self-diffusivity of ionic liquids
with compressed hydrofluorocarbons:1-Hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide and 1,1,1,2
-tetrafluoroethane. Fluid Phase Equilibria (2017) (accepted
for publication.)
L.R. Weatherley and A Anand. The Performance of
Microbial Lipase Immobilized onto Ion Exchange Resins
and onto the Natural Zeolite, Clinoptilolite. International
Journal of Chemical Separation Technology volume 2,
issue 2 – November 2016.
K. Kamiński, L.R. Weatherley, J . Peter a. Application of
numerical modelling to scaling-up of electrically induced
extraction from an organic mixture using an ionic liquid.
Polish Academy of Sciences, Chem. Process Eng., 2016,
37 (1), 133-148
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“There’s nothing I believe in more strongly than getting young people
interested in science and engineering, for a better tomorrow, for all
humankind.”
- Bill Nye
C&PE Department
4132 Learned Hall | 1530 W 15th St | Lawrence, KS 66045 | 785-864-4965
WEBSITE | [email protected] | [email protected]
This newsletter was designed by Grace Lamar and distributed by the C&PE department representative, Martha Kehr: [email protected].
Photo courtesy of USFWSmidwest, flikr.com
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