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CEMS > About > Faculty > Ed Cussler

Edward L. Cussler

Edward Cussler

Information

IT Distinguished Professor

Phone: 612-625-1596
Email: cussler@umn.edu


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Degrees

  • B.E., Chemical Engineering, Yale University, 1961
  • M.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Wisconsin at Madison, 1963
  • Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Wisconsin at Madison, 1965
  • D.Sc. (Honoris Causa), University of Lund, 2002

Research Areas

Research in our group centers on two topics, thin films and small scale energy generation. The thin film work,which is the larger topic, centers on membranes made from block copolymers. In some cases, these membranes are etched to make monodisperse pores 2 - 100 nm in diameter. These membranes are used for water purification. In other cases, the membranes form 30 nm lamellae of glassy and rubbery polymers. Here, we seek coatings which have the low permeability of the glass but the flexibility of the rubber. Such coatings can inhibit corrosion. Other impermeable membranes developed here can retard release of carcinogens from landfills by over 100 times.

The work on energy generations aim to make a single farm energy self-sufficient. The best developed part of this topic purifies hydrogen made from agricultural waste for use in fuel cells. These fuel cells can generate more electricity than the farm needs.

Selected Publications

  • Electro-Osmosis in Nafion 117, Polystyrene Sulfonic Acid and Polybenzimidazole," (with B. Pivovar, and W.H. Smyrl) J Electrochem Soc. 152(1), A53-60 (2005).
  • Barrier Membranes of Self-Assembled Lamellar Poly(Lactide-Isoprene-Lactide) Triblock Copolymers, (with N.M. Lape, H. Mao, D. Camper, and M.A. Hillmyer) J. Memb. Sci. 259, 1-9 (2005).
  • Barrier membranes with different sizes of aligned flakes, (with J.P. De Rocher, B.T. Gettlefinger, J. Wang, and E.E. Nuxoll) J. Memb. Sci. 254, 21-30 (2005).
  • Barrier films made with various lamellar block copolymers, (with J. Wang, J.P. DeRocher, L. Wu, and F.S. Bates) J. Memb. Sci. 270, 13-21 (2006).
  • Chemical Product Design, (with G.D. Moggridge) UNESCO Encyclopedia.
  • Membranes containing crystalline silicotitanate as a barrier for cesium ion, (with A.M. Warta, W.A. Arnold, and E.L. Cussler) Environ Sci Tech, 39(24), 9738-9743 (2005).
  • Hollow Fibers as Structured Packing for Olein/Paraffin Separation, (with D. Yang, R.S. Barbero, D.J. Delvin, and C.W. Colling M.E. Carrera) J. Memb. Sci. (accepted).
  • Anisotropic Transport in Flake-Filled Barrier Membranes, (with J.D. White) J. Memb. Sci. (accepted).
  • High Density Polyethylene Membrane Containing Feo as a Containment Barrier, (with T. Shimotori, and W.A. Arnold) J. Environ. Engng (accepted).
  • Fate of Mobile Products Generated Within Reactive Membranes, (with T. Shimotori, and W.A. Arnold) J. Memb. Sci. (submitted).
  • Wang, J., J.P. DeRocher, L. Wu, F.S. Bates, and E.L. Cussler, "Barrier films made with various lamellar block copolymers," J. Memb. Sci. 270, 13-21 (2006).
  • Yang, D., R.S. Barbero, D.J. Delvin, E.L. Cussler, C.W. Colling and M.E. Carrera, "Hollow Fibers as Structured Packing for Olefin/Paraffin Separation," J. Memb. Sci. 279, 61-69 (2006).
  • Cooney, D.T., M.A. Hillmyer, E.L. Cussler, and G.D. Moggridge, "Diffusion in nanoporous materials made from block copolymers," Crystallography Reviews 121, 13-24 (2006).
  • Shimotori, T., E.L. Cussler and W.A. Arnold, "High Density Polyethylene Membrane Containing Feo as a Containment Barrier," J. Environ. Engng (accepted).