(ANGOLA) - A Trine University professor has received a $70,000 grant from the American Chemical Society to support undergraduate research that could impact several industries.
Dr. Matthew Liberatore, chair of Trine's McKetta Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, received the funding through the society's Petroleum Research Fund for Undergraduate Research.
The three-year project will focus on developing improved water-based gels that could make underground oil recovery more efficient while using fewer chemicals. Similar gels are also used in products ranging from food and cosmetics to pharmaceuticals, meaning the research could have broader industrial applications.
The grant will pay for research materials, laboratory supplies, and stipends for students working on the project. It will also help fund travel so students can present their findings at regional and national scientific conferences.
Jacob Bilby, a chemical engineering student from Albany, is helping launch the project, with additional students expected to join during the research effort.
Liberatore said the work will give students hands-on experience designing experiments, running tests and analyzing data while using specialized lab equipment.
The goal is to create gels that are cheaper, easier to produce and more environmentally friendly while still strong enough for demanding industrial uses.
University officials say undergraduate research projects like this play a key role in preparing students to tackle real-world engineering and science challenges.