Current News

July 21, 2008: Science Teachers "Think Green" at CEBC This Summer

Four area high school teachers spent six weeks this summer doing research at the Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis (CEBC) with funding from the Kansas NSF EPSCoR program. 

All of the research projects had one thing in common – the environment.

Alan Gleue (center left), physics teacher at Lawrence High, focused on capturing sunlight with fruit-based dyes.  These “smoothie” solar cells are cheaper to make than standard solar cells, but not as effective.  One of the key ingredients is titanium oxide.  With help from Dr. Javier Guzman, Alan determined that the solar cells work best with “nano-sized” titanium oxide, tiny particles that are 1000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair.   

Jason Sutton (far right), biology teacher at Gardner-Edgerton High, studied the environmental effects of a new class of chemicals called ionic liquids.  While these chemicals do not evaporate and cause air pollution, little is known about how they will impact land and water resources.  Dr. Aaron Scurto helped Jason test the effects of ionic liquids on pond water snails.  This work has been turned into an inexpensive and simple “ecotoxicology” lab activity for high school students.       

Carolyn Pearson (far left), physics teacher at Bonner Springs High, and Steve Stultz (center right), biology teacher at J.C. Harmon High, both in Kansas City, Kan., worked with Dr. Susan Williams to study biodiesel formulations.  Carolyn and Steve made biodiesel from different blends of soybean oil and coconut oil and tested their shelf-life and fuel properties.        

All of the teachers created lesson plans related to their summer research.  Thus, not only did these four teachers gain from this opportunity, but their future students will benefit as well.

June 1, 2008: CEBC Announces New PhDs, New Careers for Students

Eight CEBC students have earned PhDs this year, and three have earned Masters degrees.

	Gbenga Ajiobye, PVAMU - MS, Chemical Engineering - Schlumberger	Angela McIver, UI - PhD, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering - Danisco/Genencor
	Emmanuel Ankudey, UI - PhD, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering - Faculty at a university	Adam Okerlund, UI - PhD, Biochemistry, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering - Optherion Inc.
	April French, KU - PhD, Chemistry - Faculty at a university	Bhuma Rajagopalan, KU - PhD, Chemical Engineering - DuPont
	Debangshu Guha, WUStL - PhD, Chemical Engineering - ConocoPhillips	Sagar Sarsani, KU - PhD, Chemical Engineering - Dow Chemical
	Chad Johnson, KU - PhD, Chemical Engineering - Eastman Chemical Company	Jay Schleicher, KU - MS, Chemical Engineering - General Electric
	Arya Tulva, KU - MS, Engineering Management

February 22, 2008: Touchable Bubble Contest at Engineering Expo

The theme for the 2008 Engineering Expo, "Planet Engineering," was perfect for highlighting CEBC efforts at developing fuels and chemicals from renewable plant-derived resources. To educate the more than 500 middle and high school students about sustainability issues, CEBC awarded biodegradable Jayhawk ornaments to those students who could bounce giant carbon dioxide-filled bubbles in their hands. This engaging 'touchable bubble' contest was a fun way to share CEBC research and green chemistry principles with the public.

Past News

2007: New Degrees, Careers for CEBC Grads / CEBC Faculty Member Receives Kemper Fellowship / NSF Grant Awarded to CEBC Faculty / Eastman and SI Join CEBC

2006: GCIPR Joins CEBC / CEBC Reaches out to High School Teachers / Claudia Bode and Javier Guzman join CEBC team / CEBC Faculty Win NSF CAREER Awards / ADM project latest in series of university/industry collaborations / CEBC Welcomes New Members / CEBC Collaborator wins PNNL Inventor of the Year

2005: ExxonMobil Chemical Co. Joins CEBC / Tonya Peeples receives Distinguished Service Award / CEBC Associates Win Green Chemistry and Engineering Awards / Gibson Elected To National Academy Of Sciences / Katie Kollhoff wins Udall Honorable Mention

2004:  Ed Atchison is newest CEBC staff member / Hong Jin, CEBC Doctoral Student /Outreach at Science City Successful