​Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://kaust.zoom.us/j/91415823342

Bio: Geoffrey W. Coates received a B.A. degree in Chemistry from Wabash College in 1989, a Ph.D. in organic chemistry with Robert Waymouth at Stanford University in 1994, and was an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow with Robert Grubbs at the California Institute of Technology. He joined the Cornell University faculty in 1997, where he is now the Tisch University Professor.  

The research focus of the Coates Group is the development of new catalysts for the synthesis of macromolecules and small molecules. Professor Coates' research concentrates on developing new methods for reacting commodity feedstocks in unprecedented ways. His current research centers on the development of homogeneous catalysts for olefin polymerization, heterocycle carbonylation, epoxide homo- and copolymerization, the utilization of carbon dioxide in polymer synthesis, and new polymers for energy conversion and storage.

Professor Coates has been awarded the A. C. Cope Scholar Award, the ACS Award in Affordable Green Chemistry, the Hach Award For Entrepreneurial Success, the Applied Polymer Science Award, and the Carl S. Marvel Creative Polymer Chemistry Award. In 2011 he was inducted into the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. In 2017, Prof. Coates was elected to the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Inventors. He is the scientific cofounder of Novomer, Intermix Performance Materials, Ecolectro, and Imperion Coatings, and is an Associate Editor of JACS.

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• CONTACTAliyah Fakim
• EMAILaliyah.fakim@kaust.edu.sa

Abstract:

Polymer filaments and their manufacturing are critical in biology, tissue engineering, medicine, and pharmacology. We use high-speed video photography to investigate the impact and bouncing of a polymer drop to form such filaments on a micro-pillared surface. Different filament architectures can be drawn from the drop during bouncing depending on the super-hydrophobic surface, impact velocity and inclination angle.  The liquid drops comprise distilled water and a small amount of high molecular weight (4 MDa) polymer - poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). In addition, we describe a new approach for depositing fine polymer fibres, like DNA and protein, on super-hydrophobic pillared surfaces, which differs from prior methods that used an evaporating drop. Several impact velocities and substrate inclination angles are examined to optimise the thickness and length of the filaments.

Bio:

Ziqiang Yang earned his Bachelor degree in Process Equipment & Control Engineering from China University of Petroleum (Beijing) in 2014. Then he obtained his Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering (Thermofluids direction) in Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Sas Al Nakhl campus in Abu Dhabi, UAE in 2016. Now Ziqiang Yang is a PhD candidate of High-Speed Fluids Imaging Laboratory at KAUST working under the supervision of Professor Sigurdur Thoroddsen. His research interests focus on the use of ultra-high-speed video imaging to study the dynamics of free-surface flows and Tomo-PIV studies in turbulence. This includes the breakup of drops and bubbles, singularities in hydrodynamics and viscoelastic fluids. And he is also interested in applying fluid mechanics in biological systems, like DNA separation & biomedical applications.

Registration link to join the seminar:

https://kaust.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mxGB1dg5QF6rOlreJF90aA

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• CONTACTEmmanuelle Sougrat

Abstract:

The pre-chamber combustion concept (PCC) concept shows promises to improve engine efficiency through lean combustion while reducing cycle-to-cycle variations and engine-out NOx formations. The KAUST narrow-throat pre-chamber design, which can readily fit into the diesel injector pocket of a heavy-duty engine, has demonstrated an increased lean limit extension compared to conventional pre-chamber designs without a distinct throat. This study examines the effect of pre-chamber volume and nozzle opening area on the PCC concept by employing five different pre-chambers with fixed throat diameter. The engine was fueled with methane, and the combustion characteristics of each pre-chamber were assessed at fuel-lean conditions. A 1-D engine simulation model was utilized to estimate the temperature and mixture composition inside the pre-chamber and main chamber, which cannot be measured experimentally. A multi-chamber heat release analysis method was applied to determine the response of the main chamber heat release process with different pre-chamber geometries. Engine-out emissions were also measured to compare the emission performance between the different pre-chambers. It was found that an increased pre-chamber volume promoted earlier ignition in the main chamber, and the throat area was a critical limiting factor in determining the engine performance for the pre-chambers with different nozzle opening areas at a given pre-chamber volume.

Bio:

Ponnya Hlaing is a current Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, supervised by Professor James W. G. Turner and Professor Hong G. Im. He graduated with a Master of Science in Marine Engineering degree from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom. He received his Bachelor of Engineering in Marine Engineering degree from the Myanmar Maritime University, Thanlyin, Myanmar. The author has a special interest in applications of pre-chamber-initiated combustion systems in the internal combustion engine of marine and heavy-duty engines.

Registration link to join the seminar:

https://kaust.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mxGB1dg5QF6rOlreJF90aA

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• CONTACTEmmanuelle Sougrat

​ZOOM WEBINAR PRESENTATION

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Abstract: The reservoir quality of unconventional resources is highly variable due to the complex nature of the depositional settings and physical processes. Multidisciplinary integration of sedimentology, ichnology, and geochemistry on extensive set of long cores allowed us to construct a detailed depositional model and sequence stratigraphic framework for the Horn River Shales; the third largest gas reservoir in Canada. Detailed analysis of cores indicated that depositional conditions range between low-energy anoxic conditions to higher-energy oxygenated conditions. Utilizing major changes in the sedimentological, ichnological, and geochemical characters, I identified eight major surfaces and nine systems tracts including highstand, transgressive, lowstand, and falling-stage systems tracts. Our results show that high resolution sequence stratigraphy is applicable in unconventional basins, and major surfaces and systems tracts can be delineated in as much detail as in shallow-water siliciclastic settings. I also applied a forward stratigraphic modelling approach in order to numerically simulate a 3D stratigraphic model for the Horn River Basin that I compared to the observed stratigraphic patterns, enabling us to test importance of parameters such as basin bathymetry, timing and magnitude of sea level cycles, and the volume of extra- and intra-basinal input. Forward stratigraphic modelling is a powerful tool to predict reservoir potential in sedimentary basins, although it has rarely been applied to unconventional basins. The results presented herein show that forward modelling can be applied to unravelling sequence stratigraphic units in unconventional reservoirs.

Biography:Dr. Ayranci completed his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees at the Geological Eng. Dept., Akdeniz University, Turkey. He obtained his Ph.D. degree from the Earth Science Dept., Simon Fraser University, Canada. Following his Ph.D. he join the research group of Dr. Nick Harris at the University of Alberta, Canada, as a Post-doctoral research fellow and later became a Research Associate at the same department. He is currently an assistant professor at the College of Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. He has a diverse background in sedimentology, marine geology, stratigraphy, ichnology, and forward stratigraphic modelling. The overarching theme of his research is modern and ancient marine settings, and unconventional reservoirs. Under this umbrella, his research can be divided into four sub-categories:

1. Sedimentological and ichnological characterization of deep- and shallow-water deltaic settings
2. Sediment transport mechanisms in marine environments.
3. Depositional characterization and sequence stratigraphy of unconventional reservoirs
4. Applications of forward stratigraphic modelling in shale basins and deltaic settings
   

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• CONTACTProf. Thomas Finkbeiner
• EMAILthomas.finkbeiner@kaust.edu.sa

​Abstract: Drilling is crucial to many industries, including hydrocarbon extraction, CO₂ sequestration, geothermal energy, and others. During penetrating the subsurface rocks, drilling fluid (mud) is used for drilling bit cooling, lubrication, removing rock cuttings, and providing wellbore mechanical stability. Significant mud loss from the wellbore into the surrounding formation causes fluid lost-circulation incidents. This phenomenon leads to cost overrun, environmental pollution, delays project time, and causes safety issues. Although lost-circulation exacerbates wellbore conditions, prediction of the characteristics of subsurface formations can be obtained. Generally, four formation types cause lost-circulation: natural fractures, and induced fractures, vugs and caves, and porous/permeable medium. The focus of this work is on naturally fractured formations, which is the most common cause of lost circulation. In this work, a novel prediction tool is developed based on analytical solutions and type-curves (TC). Type-curves are derived from the Cauchy equation of motion and mass conservation for non-Newtonian fluid model, corresponding to Herschel-Bulkley model (HB). Experimental setup from literature mimicking a deformed fracture supports the establishment of the tool. Upscaling the model of a natural fracture at subsurface conditions is implemented into the equations to achieve a group of modified type-curves (MTC) alongside another set of derivative-based type-curves (DMTC). The developed approach is verified with numerical simulations. Further, verification is performed with other analytical solutions. This proposed tool serves various functionalities; It predicts the volume loss as a function of time, based on wellbore operating conditions. The time-dependent fluid loss penetration from the wellbore into the surrounding formation can be computed. Additionally, the hydraulic aperture of the fracture in the surrounding formation can be estimated. Due to the non-Newtonian behavior of the drilling mud, the tool can be used to assess the fluid loss stopping time. Validation of the tool is performed by using actual field datasets and published experimental measurements. Machine-Learning is finally investigated as a complementary approach to determine the flow behavior of mud loss and the corresponding fracture properties.

Zoom Meeting https://kaust.zoom.us/j/99757086778

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• CONTACT Rami Albattat
• EMAIL Rami.Albattat@kaust.edu.sa

Abstract:

Photoelectrochemistry (PEC) is a promising approach for hydrogen production, CO2 reduction, and chemical synthesis using solar light as energy input. However, the low efficiency of PEC at the current stage makes it economically inviable. Using concentrated light is a desirable way to amplify the energy output while reducing the manufacturing cost of photoelectrode. We present a numerical model to understand the charge transfer process within the PEC device under high light intensity. The effect of quasi-fermi level splitting is considered in the model. The non-linear response of photocurrent along with light intensity under concentrated illumination is for the first time captured by a model. Based on the model, the operation regions of a PEC cell are mapped. Pathways to further promote the energy efficiency of PEC are proposed from the aspect of kinetics and thermodynamics.

Bio:

Dr Hao Zhang obtained his PhD degree in chemical and mechanical engineering from East China University of Science and Technology in 2015. He is currently a research associate at the School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh. His research interest lies in sustainable and renewable energy solutions through electrochemical and photoelectrochemical approaches. He is also interested in green chemical engineering. He has published 24 journal articles in areas of renewable energy and sustainable chemical engineering. 

Registration link to join the seminar:

https://kaust.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mxGB1dg5QF6rOlreJF90aA

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• CONTACTEmmanuelle Sougrat