The department is a major participant in the $3.35 million, six year project recently funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research titled "FAST Center for Environmental Remediation, Fate and Transport of Hazardous Chemicals". Dr. Kabadi is the principal investigator of the project, and Dr. Schimmel will lead the research efforts in the area of bioremediation. The objective of this project is to establish a center at A&T that conduct quality research in the area of environmental science and technology. The center will expand and continue its activities through the 21st century. Students interested in research in environmental areas are encouraged to apply for the M.S.E. program in chemical engineering. Inquiries about additional information on the FAST Center should be directed to the office of the principal investigator.

A major project in the thermodynamics laboratory is to develop computer software for the convenient evaluation of the thermodynamic properties ofcoal-derived liquids. A procedure for vapor-liquid equilibria calculation for these systems has been developed. The liquid mixtures are defined by continuous thermodynamics. Additionally, a high temperature, high pressure flow apparatus has been designed and built for measurement of VLE data necessary for further model development. The current efforts include extensions of the above work for estimating calorimetric properties of coal derived liquids and measurement of multi-component VLE data for model validations.

The diffusion measurements laboratory has excellent facilities for studying the diffusion of gases through porous media. The laboratory has a funded project to determine the diffusion of carbon dioxide and iodine through volcanic rock formations. A project to determine the diffusion of gases through model solids made from regular particles is also underway. Recently, the laboratory received support from U.S. DOE to develop composite membranes for separation of hydrogen from gas mixtures at high temperatures.

Mathematical modeling of sub-surface phenomena occurring during in situ bioremediation of hazardous organics is being carried out in cooperation with the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. Work is under way in the recently developed biochemical engineering laboratory to measure semiempirical parameters to which the model is most effective. Recently, the department received a grant from U.S. EPA to develop contained liquid membrane technology to extract and concentrate heavy metals from dilute waste streams.

The determination of the effect of surface treatment on the adhesion between a fiber and a matrix in carbon fiber reinforced polymeric composite materials is part of the interfacial studies in composite materials group. In particular, surface treatment by a low temperature plasma is being investigated. The surface properties are characterized using SEM, AES, and XPS techniques. Studies with air, argon, nitrogen, and ammonia plasmas can be made to evaluate the effect of physical shape and size factors, such as surface interlocking and molecular entanglement, on fiber-matrix adhesion. Further work in this area includes the study of kinetic reaction mechanisms to optimize condition for better chemical bonding between fiber surface and the polymeric matrix. Also, in Resin Transfer Mold (RTM) processing of carbon-epoxy composites, the effect of surface active agents on voids or air entrapment is being investigated.