Faculty of Chemical Engineering
Prof. Avi Schroeder
Research field: Nanotechnology in Agriculture for Nutritional Security
Research Project: Our laboratory develops nanotechnologies to address disease in humans, animals, and agricultural plants. The student will join the research team and learn to synthesize and characterize therapeutic nanoparticles and implement them in agricultural scenarios to fortify food crops.
Background requirements: Passionate about nanotechnology and research. Students with strong background in Computer Science and/or Chemical/Biotechnology or other Sciences and Engineering.
Prof. Dario Dekel
Research field: Dekel’s group focuses on green energy generation and conversion, green hydrogen and electrochemical energy devices. In particular, Dekel’s group develops Anion-Exchange Membranes (AEMs) and AEM-based electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells (AEMFCs), water electrolyzers (AEMWEs), and novel AEM oxygen generators and AEM CO2 sequestration, for a greener and more sustainable future.
Research project: The intern will focus on the design and test of the green oxygen generator, and in parallel will learn about all other activities in the group.
Background requirements: Students in their 3rd-4th year of chemistry, chemical engineering, material science/engineering, energy, or environmental science; as well as students in their final MSc year in those departments.
Asst. Prof. Dan Mendels
Research field: We focus on developing and applying computational tools for understanding and designing molecular systems and materials. Using molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations, we study systems with the prime objective of mapping and understanding their structure-dynamics-function relationships. To do this, we employ, develop and combine Physics-, Chemistry- and Artificial Intelligence-based tools.
Research project: We are offering a project aimed at developing deep learning models to optimize the dynamical behavior of physical and biological systems. Participants will work alongside our team to implement neural network architectures, fine-tune models, and analyze their performance on problems relevant to physics and biology. The project involves hands-on use of PyTorch and computational tools to study complex systems and interpret results.
Background requirements: This opportunity is intended for students who already have a basic understanding of deep learning concepts and experience with PyTorch, as it will build upon this foundation to address specific challenges in modeling and optimization.
https://mendelsgroup.net.technion.ac.il/
Associate Prof. Oz M. Gazit
Research fields: The research in the Gazit group is focused on developing new advanced functional materials as heterogeneous catalysts and adsorbents. Our goal is to solve challenges in the sustainable conversion of molecules derived from waste biomass, plastic, exhaust gas, and natural gas to value-added alternative fuels and chemicals. Of specific interest is in understanding the synergy between reactive catalytic centers and the surrounding chemical environment. We look for material design routes that can be applied to make better catalysts and more efficient chemical processes.
Research project: “Advanced catalytic method for the conversion of waste plastic to renewable chemicals”
Background requirements: Only students completing 2nd/3rd year undergraduate studies need to apply.
Applicants should be passionate about research in catalysis for a better environment.
https://chemeng.technion.ac.il/en/team/oz-m-gazit/
Associate Prof. Ofer Manor
Research field: We use theory and experiment to study surface phenomena and mass transport. We study mass and ion transport phenomena in the presence of seismic waves and ultrasound and the structure and properties of complex fluids. In current projects, we investigate mass transfer in thin liquid films and porous media and the electrokinetic spectroscopy of ions near surfaces. Our work on mass transfer in porous media explains observations of underground water movement following seismic waves; the technology is widely used for enhancing material transfer processes and chemical reactions in chemical industry unit operations and actuating microfluidic systems. In our work on electrokinetic spectroscopy, we are developing a new spectroscopic methodology for studying ion dynamics in electric double layers – one of the most common and fundamental mechanisms in biochemistry, colloid science, and membrane technology.
Research project:
(Experiment) Generating and controlling flow through porous paper using MHz-frequency acoustic waves
(Theory/Computation) Predicting the structure of complex liquids, comprising ions and nanoparticles, under stress
Background requirements: Students interested in the Theory/Computation project should have a background in numerical analysis (For example, a corresponding undergraduate course).
https://chemeng.technion.ac.il/en/team/ofer-manor/
Asst. Prof Alon Grinberg Dana
Research field: My research topic is a Generative Search for Novel Energetic Materials. Our goal is to develop a software tool that can suggest novel energetic materials with desired values of specific properties within ranges
defined by the user, considering synthesizability.
Research project: Creating a script for molecular global optimization that resembles a known global optimization method. The goal is to be able to optimize an initial set of molecules with a given objective function.
Requirements: A solid foundation in Python and a basic understanding of global optimization.
https://dana.net.technion.ac.il/
Asst. Prof Lucy Liberman
Research field: In our research, we develop novel polymers and block copolymers sourced from natural materials. Our primary focus lies in understanding the molecular-structural-property relationships inherent in these materials. At the heart of our research is the fusion of chemical synthesis techniques with state-of-the-art characterization methodologies. Through meticulous design and synthesis, we aim to engineer polymers with exceptional properties, relevant for various industrial sectors. Simultaneously, our efforts contribute to advancing the fundamental understanding of polymeric systems.
Research project for the intern: Characterization of the properties of amphiphilic and biocompatible methylcellulose-derived polymer aqueous solutions.
Requirements: Background in polymers.
https://chemeng.technion.ac.il/en/team/lucy-liberman/
Prof. Simon Brandon
Research field: The research I am involved with covers different types of systems and problems, all of which are addressed via computational analysis techniques. In a nutshell, I am interested in computational analysis of transport phenomena and interfacial equilibria and kinetics in connection with and with application to specifizc crystal growth
processes, as well as electrochemical systems. The nature of the studies ranges from fundamental to applicative. Specific examples of general topics include analyzing anisotropy in crystals grown from the melt, developing new approaches to the computation of radiative heat transport, modeling the operation and stability of fuel cells, and studying wetting phenomena.
Research project: The Surface Evolver is a powerful public-domain computational tool for the analysis
of minimum-energy surfaces. Among other things, it is capable of predicting complex three-dimensional geometries of drops and bubbles in contact with non-trivial substrates. We wish to pick up on this and re-apply this tool to
this and possibly other systems in which liquids interact with surfaces in a non-trivial and important manner
Background requirements: Basic (or better) programming skills (e.g. in python) as well as in numerical analysis techniques. Knowledge of the physics of wetting phenomena is an advantage but not a necessity.
https://chemeng.technion.ac.il/en/team/simon-brandon/
Prof. Yaron Paz
Research field: In our research, we try to find ways to utilize the energy of photons to induce chemical reactions, mostly for decontamination of water, air, and surfaces, but also for hydrogen and methanol production. As part of these endeavors, we were the first to develop (together with Prof. A. Heller of UT Austin) the first photocatalytic self-cleaning glass. Over the years we studied ways to obtain specificity and selectivity in photocatalytic processes, worked on integrating biological and photocatalytic techniques for water treatment, discovered a process for photolytic oxidation of H2S in water, and developed characterization ways that may assist in predicting the activity of new photocatalytic materials by measuring transient changes in their FTIR spectra following excitation. Recently, we combined molecular imprinting on the surface of photocatalysts and Atomic Layer Deposition to obtain enantiomeric enrichment of racemic mixtures.
Research projects:
The student(s) may join any of the following projects:
Solar conversion of CO2 to methanol
Origin of life: photocatalytic synthesis of nucleic acids from phosphate-containing minerals and formamide.
Enantiomeric separation of chiral mixtures relevant to the pharmaceutical industry using molecularly imprinted photocatalysts.
Remediation of water containing heavy metal ions by selective separation of these ions using imprinted substrates.
Remediation of water by a combined bio-photocatalytic treatment
Required background:
Reliable, excellent, and enthusiastic undergrad students completing their 3rd year, who seriously consider a PhD track.
https://pygroup.net.technion.ac.il/
Prof. Viatcheslav (Slava) Freger
Research field: We work on diverse projects in the fields of water and energy. Our group explores novel
types of membranes such as polyelectrolyte complex membranes for water purification and electrospun composite membranes for fuel cells and electrolyzers. We also strive to understand how membranes work at the
fundamental level using advanced experiments, modern theories, and molecular modeling (DFT, MD, QMD).
