diff --git a/content/academia/pva-aiche.md b/content/academia/pva-aiche.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..aa8904f --- /dev/null +++ b/content/academia/pva-aiche.md @@ -0,0 +1,41 @@ +--- +title: "Measuring Diffusion of Trichlorethylene Breakdown Products in Polyvinylalginate" +date: 2018-10-29 +cardImage: library +draft: false +featured: false +keywords: + - bioremediation + - polyoxometalate + - hydrogel polymers + - proton transport + - chemical engineering +type: "Poster" +authors: + - Thomas A. Christensen II + - Samuel R. Wolfe + - Jonathan Counts + - Mark F. Roll + - Kristopher V. Waynant + - James G. Moberly +journal: "AIChE Annual Meeting" +location: "Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania" +awards: + - '3rd Place Environmental III Division Undergraduate Poster Competition' +--- + +Trichloroethylene (TCE), a toxic and carcinogenic contaminant, presents unique +challenges for cleanup because of its water solubility, density, and volatility. +Bioremediation of TCE is a promising cleanup method; however, metabolism of TCE +results in acid generation that inhibits remediating microorganisms. Calcium +alginate(CA)-polyvinylalcohol (PVA) hydrogels show promise for protecting +remediating microbes, however diffusion of TCE or its byproducts through these +polymers is unknown. To measure the effective diffusion coefficient of TCE and +byproducts through hydrogel membranes, we used a modified diaphragm cell. +Measured effective diffusion coefficient of each species was (cm {{< sup 2 >}}/s +× 10{{< sup 6 >}}): 14.0 ± 1.91 for H{{< sup "+" >}} ions, 12.4 ± 1.64 for TCE, +7.83 ± 0.54 for cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (DCE), and 4.68 ± 4.14 for vinyl +chloride. These results aid in engineering biobeads and suggest that CA-PVA +hydrogel blends are effective in slowing diffusion of protons, buffering acids +produced by trichloroethylene metabolism, and remains suitable for encapsulation +of microorganisms involved in bioremediation.