Kalliat T. Valsaraj

Research

Research in the Valsaraj group involve several areas of environmental chemical and materials engineering.

1. Atmospheric Chemistry of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) at the Air-water Interface of Dispersoids (Fog, Ice) in the Environment: This work is to develop an understanding of the adsorption of PAHs at the air-water interface and the atmospheric oxidation by ozone and UV that converts these molecules to more harmful oxygenated products in atmospheric water droplets such as fog. We are also actively involved in field sampling of PAHs and other aromatic and aliphatic species in the outdoor environment such as the Gulf Coast regions of the U.S. This work is supported by the National Science Foundation.
   
   
2. Templated Synthesis of Metal Oxide Catalysts using HIPREs: This work involves the use of a highly stable high internal phase ratio emulsions (HIPREs) called polyaphrons as templates for the synthesis of catalysts such as silica and titania. We have also adapted this technique to produce extended structures of hydroxyapatite for biomedical applications.
   
   
3. Photonic Band Gap Materials for Photocatalysis Applications: Our on-going research in this area involves the use of highly ordered three-dimensional structures such as photonic crystals of titania for photocatalytic applications. These photonic crystals can influence electromagnetic waves in a manner similar to electrons in semiconductors. Fabricating them on optical fibers and using them in a monolith configuration is a vast improvement in current designs of photochemical reactors. This work is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
   
   
4. Transport of Contaminants through Sediment Caps and Air Emissions from Dredging Operations: Capping contaminated sediments is a current technology used to contain contaminants in sediments in waterways and lakes. We are currently investigating several aspects of this technology including the effects of biologically generated methane gas bubbles generated in sediments that could potentially destroy the cap. We are also actively investigating the air emissions resulting from dredging and dredge spoils in confined disposal facilities (CFDs). This work is supported by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Prof. Valsaraj’s Research Group

Last modified on December 18, 2006