Mark C. Thies, Ph.D., P.E. -- Research Activities

The focus of Dr. Thies's work is on separation processes where thermodynamics and phase equilibria play a major role, with an emphasis on dense gases and supercritical fluids as the separating agents.  Energy- and materials-related applications are of particular interest.  Projects of current interest include thermochemical cycles for the large-scale, "carbon free" production of hydrogen by water-splitting; dense-gas extraction for the molecular design of carbonaceous pitches for advanced carbon materials; the development of an equation of state for predicting liquid crystal formation in carbonaceous oligomers; and rapid expansion of supercritical fluids for the synthesis of polymeric and organic nanoparticles.

Additional Information on Research Activities:

Producing Hydrogen “Carbon Free” by the Splitting of Water

Dense-Gas Extraction for the Molecular Design of Advanced Carbon Materials

Sponsored Research

“The Molecular Design of Petroleum Pitches for Carbon–Carbon Composites,” Air Force Research Laboratory (thru AFOSR), $75,000 (2007-2008).
 
“Carbonaceous Oligomers,” NSF ERC, Topic Leader, $168,267 (2006-2007).

“Development of Metal-Containing Activated Carbon Fibers for Advanced Hydrogen Storage,” Department of Energy, Principal Investigator (PI), $225,000 (2005-2007).

"The Molecular Design of Petroleum Pitches for Advanced Materials," Petroleum Research Fund, Principal Investigator, $80,000 (2005-2007).

"The Molecular Design of High-Performance Carbon Materials", Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Principal Investigator, $240,000 (2005-2007).

"The Sulfur-Iodine Cycle: Process Analysis and Design Using Comprehensive Phase Equilibrium Measurements and Modeling", Principal Investigator, Department of Energy, $856,467 (2005-2007).

"Advanced Carbon Materials for Transportation," NSF ERC, Topic Leader, $200,000 (2005-2006).

"Molecular Characterization of Mesophase Pitches", Air Force Research Laboratory, Principal Investigator, $50,000 (2004-2005).

"Supercritical Processing," NSF ERC, Topic Leader $200,000 (2004-2005).

"Molecular Characterization of Mesophase Pitches", Air Force Research Laboratory, Principal Investigator, $60,000 (2003-2004).

"Fractionation and Characterization of Petroleum Pitches", Conoco-Phillips, Principal Investigator, $109,938 (2002-2004).

"Supercritical Processing," NSF ERC, Topic Leader $680,000 (2002-2004).

"VLE Measurements for Asymmetric Mixtures of Fischer-Tropsch Hydrocarbons", Department of Energy, Principal Investigator, $49,999 (2001-2003).

"Rheological and Molecular Characterization of Petroleum Pitches", Conoco Inc., Principal Investigator, $191,314 (2001-2002).

Characterization and Fractionation of Petroleum Pitches, Conoco Inc., Principal Investigator, $59,872 (2000-2001).

"Nanomaterials with Novel Optical and Electronic Properties," NSF, Co-I, $500,000 (1999-2002).

"Design of Mesophases for the Matrix Phase of Carbon-Carbon Composites," Universal Technology Corporation, PI, $26,933 (1999-2000).

"Low-Cost Isotropic Carbon Fibers for Structural Composites," MSNW, Inc., Co-PI, $ 20,000 (1999-2000).

"Supercritical Solution Processing," NSF ERC, Topic Leader $1,221,137 (1998-2002).

"D&D of PCB Sites at DOE: Extraction, Electrokinetics, and Hydrothermal Oxidation," DOE (Co-PI), $326,672 (1998-2001).

"Design of Mesophases for the Matrix Phase of Carbon-Carbon Composites," Universal Technology Corporation, PI, $18,760 (1998).

"Henry's Law Constants for Heptane in Extracted Pitch Oil by G-L Chromatography," Westvaco, PI, $6,000 (1998).

"Carbon Fibers and Carbon-Carbon Composites from Supercritically Extracted Precursors," U.S. Army Research Office, (PI), $368,999 (1997-2001).

"A More Benign and Effective SCF Solvent System for Producing Mesophase Pitch," U.S. Army Research Office, PI, $80,000 (1997-1999).

"Feasibility Study in Area of Supercritical Fluid Solubility," McWhorter Technologies, Co-PI, $3,000 (1997-1998).

"Benign Solvents for Acetate Manufacture," Hoechst Celanese Corporation, PI, $21,900 (1997).

"Economic Analysis of Mesophase Production by SCF Extraction," Office of Naval Research, PI, $85,219 (1996-1999).

"Supercritical Fluid Extraction for High Thermal Conductivity Carbon Fibers," SC EPSCoR, PI, $34,298 (1995-1996).

"Separation of Fischer-Tropsch Wax from Catalyst by Supercritical Fluid Extraction," U.S. Department of Energy, PI, $199,996 (1994-1998).

"Supercritical Fluid Extraction for High Thermal Conductivity Carbon Fibers," U.S. Army Research Office, PI, $297,000 (1994-1998).

"Engineering Feasibility Study," Conoco, Inc., PI, $22,000 (1994-95).

"Polymer Fibrils and Microparticles by the Rapid Expansion of Supercritical Solutions," Industrial Sponsor, PI, $109,896 (1993-1996).

"Engineering Fibers and the Micromechanics of Their Composites," National Science Foundation (South Carolina EPSCoR), Co-Investigator, $3,300,000 (1992-1995).

"Supercritical Fluid Extraction: Preparing a Superior Mesophase Precursor for Carbon Fibers," U.S. Army Research Office, PI, $133,000 (1992-1994).

"Supercritical Fluid Extraction: A New Process for Producing High-Performance, Low-Cost Carbon Fibers," Army Research Office, PI, $312,194 (1989-92).

"Phase Equilibria of Petroleum Pitch in Supercritical Toluene," Conoco, Inc., PI, $16,000 (1989).

"Fluid-Phase Equilibria for Biocompound-Water Mixtures at Elevated Temperatures and Pressures," National Science Foundation, PI, $67,188 (1988-90).

"Fluid-Phase Equilibria for the Methyl Chloride-Water System," Hoechst-Celanese Corp. Co-Investigator, $6,000 (1987-90).

"Transitions in Fluid-Phase Behavior for Normal Hydrocarbon-Water Mixtures at Elevated Temperatures and Pressures," Petroleum Research Fund of the American Chemical Society, PI, $18,000 (1987-90).

"Supercritical Extraction of Pitch for the Production of Higher Quality Carbon Fibers," E. I. Dupont de Nemours & Co., PI, $60,000 (1987-89).

"The Extraction of Compounds of Low Volatility with Compressed Polar Solvents at Elevated Temperatures and Pressures," Westvaco Corp., PI, $48,000 (1986-90).

"The Dehydration of Ethanol/Water Mixtures with Compressed Light Hydrocarbon or Halogenated Hydrocarbon Gases," S. C. Energy Research and Development Center, Co-Investigator, $15,000 (1986-87).

"The Dehydration of Ethanol/Water Mixtures with Compressed Light Solvents," Celanese Corp. Co-Investigator, $11,000 (1986-87).

"A New Process for Removing Water from Grain Alcohol," Provost Research Award, PI, $2,000 (1986-87).

"Experimental Measurements of Phase Equilibria at High Pressures," University Research Grant Committee Award, PI, $2,000 (1985-86).

"The Solubility of a Coal-Derived Compound in Supercritical Toluene at High Temperatures and Pressures," Olin Corporation Charitable Trust, PI, $5,000 (1985-86).

Equipment Grants

"Supercritical Fluid Extraction for High Thermal Conductivity Carbon Fibers,"            DEPSCoR, Co-Investigator, $129,400 (1993-1994).

"Supercritical Fluid Extraction: A New Process for Producing High-Performance,            Low-Cost Carbon Fibers," Defense University Research Instrumentation            Program, Co-Investigator, $145,500 (1988-1989).

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