David A. Bruce, Ph.D. -- Research Activities

Professor Bruce's principal research interests are in the areas of catalysis, kinetics, molecular sieve synthesis, pollution abatement, and molecular modeling. Some particular areas of interest include the development of heterogeneous chiral catalysts that can be used in the production of pharmaceutical and agricultural products; preparation of molecular sieve materials using metal complexes or polymers as templates; development of advanced waste treatment processes, such as sonochemical oxidation and supercritical water oxidation.

Another area of interest includes molecular modeling of biodegradable and chiral polymers. These efforts involve the use of parallelized molecular dynamics (MD) methods, such as replica exchange MD and parallel replica MD, to predict polymer structure and transport properties. Additional efforts involve the use of nonequilibrium MD techniques to examine longer time scale transport phenomena.

Also see information on these Research Activities:

Zeolitic and Mesoporous Material Development

Molecular Modeling of Polymers

Sonochemical Reactions and Remediation Technologies

Supercritical Water Oxidation

Sponsored Research

“Environmental, Economic, and Energetic Costs and Benefits of Biodiesel and Glycerin Based Chemicals Derived from Rendered Animal Fats”, ACREC, PI (100%), $52,605 (2007-2009)

“Catalytic Process for the Synthesis of Ethanol from Coal-Derived Syngas”, DOE (DE-PS26-06NT42801), Co-PI (20%), $1,275,721 (2006-2009)

“Enantioselective Epoxidation Catalysts on Helical Polymer Supports”, NSF (CTS-0626143), PI (100%), $248,156 (2006-2009)

“Analysis of 3-D Support Material Structure on Catalyst Activity”, Toyota, PI (100%), $450,000 (2006-2009)

“Force Field Development for Protein Adsorption Modeling”, NIH (1R01EB006163-01), Co-PI (10%), $1,795,139 (2006-2011)

“Life Cycle of Animal Fats”, ACREC, PI (100%), $5,500 (2006-2007)

“The Sulfur-Iodine Cycle: Process Analysis and Design Using Comprehensive Phase Equilibrium Measurements and Modeling”, DOE (DE-FC07-051D14677), Co-PI (20%),
$856,000 (2005-2008)

“Heterogeneous Catalyst Development for Biodiesel Synthesis”, USDA (68-3A75-3-147), Co-PI (20%), $894,203 (2003-2006)

“Fracture Dissolution of Carbonate Rock: An Innovative process for Gas Storage”, DOE (DE-FC26-02NT41299), Co-PI (25%), $647,194 (2002-2006)

“Center for Advanced Engineering Fibers and Films (CAEFF)”, NSF (EEC-9731680), Co-Investigator (2%), $12,848,680 (2004-2008)

“REU-Experimental Research in Novel Materials”, NSF, Co-Investigator (10%), $165,152 (2002-2005)

“REU-Innovations in Biomaterials”, NSF, Co-Investigator (5%), $299,919 (2002-2004)

“CAREER - Synthesis and Modeling of Novel Mesoporous Materials”, NSF, PI (100%), $200,000 (2000-2004)

“Advanced Catalytic Materials for Environmental and Pharmaceutical Applications”, SC-CHE, PI (50%), $103,000 (2000-2001)

“Application of Hierarchical Cognitive Model to Education of Undergraduate Engineering Students”, NSF, Co-Investigator (5%), $349,550 (2000-2003)

“Metal-Containing Pitch-Based & Activated Carbon Fibers for Environmental Applications”, NSF, Co-PI, $28,505 (2000-2002)

“Nano-Materials with Novel Optical and Electronic Properties”, NSF/EPSCoR, Co-Investigator (2%), $500,000 (1999-2001)

“Improvement of Electrochemical Etch Processing of Aluminum Anode Foil”, St. Jude Medical-Maven Capacitors, PI (100%), $10,000, (1999-2001)

“Connectivity Between the Center for Advanced Engineering Fibers and Films and the Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Polymer Science and Technology”, NSF, Co-PI (15%), $250,000 (1999-2001)

“Decontamination and Decommissioning of PCB Sites at DOE: Extraction, Electrokinetics, and Hydrothermal Oxidation”, SCUREF/DOE, Co-PI (50%), $326,672 (1998-2001)

“Synthesis and Modeling of Chiral Catalysts and Adsorbents”, NASA/SCSGC, PI (100%), $8,000 (1998-1999).

“ReactIR, Reaction Analysis System”, Roche Carolina, PI (100%), $45,000 in donated equipment (1998).

“Polymer Evaporator Capability Improvement”, DuPont, PI (100%), $55,500 (1997).

“Development of Novel Catalysts for the Production of Pharmaceuticals”, CU-URGC, PI (100%), $3,000 (1997).

“PDS Polymer Development”, Ethicon, Inc., PI (100%), $15,000 (1996).

“VOC Testing on PCFA Top Coat Finishes”, Hoechst Celanese, PI (100%), $ 1,200 (1996).

Last Updated: May 27, 2008 -- Site Maintained by: Donna Kilbourne
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Clemson University, 127 Earle Hall, Clemson, SC 29634-0909
Phone: (864) 656-3055 -- FAX: (864) 656-0784

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