Professor of chemical engineering
Dr. Vlachos joined the University of Massachusetts Amherst Department of Chemical Engineering in Amherst, MA in 1993 as an assistant professor. He was promoted to associate professor in 1998, after which he took a position as associate professor of chemical engineering at the University of Delaware in 2000. In 2003, he was promoted to the rank of professor of chemical engineering. In 2009, he became the Elizabeth Inez Kelley Professor of Chemical Engineering, a position which he held until 2016. In 2015, he became a professor (joint) of physics and astronomy at the University of Delaware.
Leadership roles
Vlachos has served in leadership roles with national and international oversight of chemical engineering research. In 2008, he became the director of the University of Delaware Center for Catalytic Science and Technology (CCST), which he held until 2011. [6] In 2009, he led the formation of the Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation (CCEI), a national Department of Energy research center with over 70 people from around the United States. [7] In 2016, he was appointed the director of the Delaware Energy Institute (UDEI). [8] He is also the fundamentals division leader within the Dept. of Energy RAPID Manufacturing Institute starting in 2017. [9]
Research
Vlachos' research has focused on four areas of chemical engineering and materials science:
Surface chemistry and catalysis
His contributions to catalysis and surface chemistry have addressed the challenges associated with combining experiment, calculation and modeling for complex catalysis. For example, he has published numerous papers on the reforming of hydrocarbons, including microkinetic descriptions of hundreds of reactions on supported metals. [10] Other research has addressed liquid phase dehydration and/or hydrodeoxygenation of biomass-derived molecules such as furfural, dimethylfuran, or benzoic acid. [11] He has expanded on general approaches to catalytic design by using descriptors in parallel with efforts to develop reaction models with the accuracy of first principles approaches. [12]
Nanoparticles and synthesis
His interest in nanoparticles includes his master's thesis entitled, "Step Dynamics for Modeling of Crystal Surfaces." A focus on crystal structures and growth behavior continued with a focus on the nucleation, growth and design of nanoporous materials including zeolites and MOFs. [13] His research on nanoparticle synthesis was frequently combined in the impact on applications including catalysis, adsorption, and separation via membranes. [14]
Modeling and simulation
Vlachos' approach to modeling is identified by its breadth of scale from molecular, to particle, and macroscale for applications across reaction chemistry, separations, and biology. [15] His interests also include advanced approaches to couple molecular dynamics with quantum mechanical simulations as well as accelerate stochastic simulations. [16]
Energy, fuels and reactors
Vlachos' research in engineering and science applications in to fuel and energy address broad areas including microreactor design, catalyst design, chemical reaction network development for fuel chemistry, and optimization of energy systems. [17] For example, his research on hydrocarbon microflame stability provides insight into the design principles of microburners. [18] He has also developed molecular-level descriptions of the pyrolysis of cellulose and biomass with applications in renewable biofuels. [19]
Broader impact
His research has had broader impact on the educational and industrial sectors by translation of his interests beyond the university.
His research in collaboration with his colleagues has directly led to the following technologies:
- Advanced electrodes for fuel cells: As a replacement for platinum, Vlachos and co-workers have developed a tungsten carbide material composed of nanoparticles with improved performance. [20]
- Renewable rubber for automobile tires: Chemical conversion of sugar to isoprene provides a renewable pathway to manufacture poly-(cis)-isoprene, the key rubber material in automobile tires. Vlachos and co-workers have developed a catalyst and process to synthesize isoprene at high yield. [21]
- Advanced soap and surfactants: The preparation of advanced soaps/detergents (i.e., surfactants), includes unique chemical properties and a chemical process for manufacture. As part of the Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation, Vlachos and co-workers have developed a class of "oleo-furan sulfonate" (OFS) surfactants with unique properties beyond conventional molecules. [22]
- Renewable PET polyester: Vlachos and co-workers have developed a catalyst and process to make para-xylene, the key monomer in the plastic PET (poly-ethylene-terephthalate). [23]
Teaching and advising
Vlachos has supervised and mentored over 50 graduate Ph.D. students and 40 post-doctoral scholars. [24] His advising has produced numerous industrial leaders and faculty in the academia, with several former students at leading institutions of research and education including Jeff Rimer (Univ. of Houston), Mark Snyder (Lehigh University), Ayman Karim (Virginia Tech), George Tsilomelekis (Rutgers University), and Giannis Mpourmpakis (Univ. of Pittsburgh). [25] [26] [27]
Awards and honors
Vlachos' contributions to research, education and service have received numerous awards, many of which demonstrate his interests in catalysis, mathematics and the problems associated with energy and sustainability. In 2016, he was appointed director of the University of Delaware Energy Institute. His appointment was highlighted as:
"Dion Vlachos has an international reputation as a leader in renewable energy research and catalysis,"
— Provost Domenico Grasso, Univ. of Delaware 2016 [33]
Other awards and honors include: [34]
- (2016) Philadelphia Catalysis Club Award [35]
- (2015) ICI Distinguished Lecture, University of Alberta [36]
- (2014) J.D. Lindsay Lecture Series, Texas A&M University
- (2011) R.H. Wilhelm Award in Chemical Reaction Engineering [37]
- (2009) AAAS Fellow [38]
- (2007) George Piercy Distinguished Visiting Professorship - Univ. of Minnesota
- (2003) Provost's Merit Award - Univ. of Delaware
- (1997) NSF Career Award
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“Dion Vlachos as The Allan & Myra Ferguson Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering” “Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation” 