Acquisition of a Lab-scale Spray Dryer and a Particle Size Analyzer for the Improvement of Undergraduate and Graduate Research and Education Capabilities at Tuskegee University
Abstract
The goal of this proposal is to acquire a mini spray dryer along with a particle size analyzer to strengthen interdisciplinary research capabilities and education programs at Tuskegee University (TU). TU, located in the black belt region of Alabama, is an HBCU that serves a predominately African-American population. Faculty members from College of Engineering (Engineering and Materials Science), College of Agriculture, Environment & Nutrition Sciences, and College of Arts and Sciences (Chemistry and Biology), will be the primary beneficiaries of these instruments. This instrumentation package will support a diverse, interdisciplinary team of investigators to conduct research in the areas of: 1) Bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing process. 2) Particle engineering through spray drying. 3) Improving bioavailability of poor water-soluble drug candidates. 4) Production of bio-active compounds in cancer research arena. 5) Processing agrochemical and food related products via a gentle and economically viable unit operation, and 6) Adopting spray drying method to fabricate microcapsules for corrosion control applications. As spray drying process is a ubiquitous industrial operation found in numerous industrial sectors, acquisition of a lab-scale spray dryer along with a particle sizer as a characterizing tool, will allow us to conduct critical research into many areas from food and pharmaceutical industries to civil and military vehicular industries. Among others, this proposal addresses Air Force Office of Scientific ResearchÕs solicitation on developing resistant aerospace materials (e.g. cement, metal and inorganic composites) which exhibit superior structural, functional and/or multifunctional performance for extreme environments., and interdisciplinary research areas related to the Army Research Office on Chemical Sciences, Materials Science, and Life Sciences. Acquisition of a lab-scale spray dryer and a particle size analyzer will immediately: 1) Add increased capabilities to the research infrastructure at TU. 2) Attract new faculty in the general areas of bio-engineering, material science, and food engineering. 3) Enable higher quality research training of undergraduate and graduate students to pursue terminal degrees in sciences and engineering. 4) Increase research and academic opportunities for underrepresented minority students in fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 5) Enhance Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) curriculum approval with respect to instrumentation and research opportunities. 6) Incorporate engineering into bio-pharmacy to attract more female students and in turn, augment enrollment in engineering majors. 7) Increase our value and capacity as a partner in national-wide collaborations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1910508
Entities
People
- Sadegh Poozesh
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Tuskegee University