The VCU College of Engineering, an innovation front-runner in academics and research, brings real-world education to Central Virginia. Our collaborative and multidisciplinary partnerships prepare undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students for leadership. Part of a premier research university, the VCU College of Engineering enhances regional and global prosperity through cutting-edge developments in tissue engineering, drug delivery, bioinformatics, cybersecurity, mechanical systems and particle science. We make it real by turning great ideas into breakthrough technologies. Our facilities are hubs of discovery, powered by an expanding student body and faculty committed to excellence.

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Fellow, American Institute of Chemical Engineers

Fellow, Alabama Academy of Science

SnO2/SnO based redox thermochemical CO2splitting cycle: Effect of inert gas flowrate, reduction temperature, and gas separation on the solar-to-fuel energy conversion efficiency

Facile Surface Coatings for Performance Improvement of NMC811 Battery Cathode Material

Graphitized Biocarbon Derived from Hydrothermally Liquefied Low-Ash Corn Stover

Lignin-Derived Carbon-Coated Functional Paper for Printed Electronics

Application of Zn-ferrite towards thermochemical utilization of carbon dioxide: A thermodynamic investigation

Phytoremediation of Nickel via Water Hyacinth for Biocarbon-Derived Supercapacitor Applications

Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) processing of unhydrolyzed solids (UHS) for hydrochar and its use for asymmetric supercapacitors with mixed (Mn,Ti)-Perovskite oxides

Production of levulinic acid and biocarbon electrode material from corn stover through an integrated biorefinery process

Supercapacitor Performance of Corn Stover-derived Biocarbon Produced from the Solid Co-products of a Hydrothermal Liquefaction Process

Thermochemical splitting of CO2 using solution combustion synthesized lanthanum-strontium-manganese perovskites

Development and application of high-throughput screens for the discovery of compounds that disrupt ErbB4 signaling: Candidate cancer therapeutics

Multifunctional Electrocatalytic Cathodes Derived from Metal-Organic Frameworks for Advanced Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Electrocatalytic Cathodes Based on Cobalt Nanoparticles Supported on Nitrogen-Doped Porous Carbon by Strong Electrostatic Adsorption for Advanced Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Electrocatalytic Activity of Bimetallic Ni-Mo-P Nanocrystals for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Beneficiation of coal using supercritical water and carbon dioxide extraction: sulfur removal.

Crystal Structure and Composition-Dependent Electrocatalytic Activity of Ni-Mo Nanoalloys for Water Splitting To Produce Hydrogen

Developments in the Encapsulation of Bioactives Using Supercritical CO2

Transition metal doped ceria for solar thermochemical fuel production

Recent advancements in semiconductor materials for photoelectrochemical water splitting for hydrogen production using visible light

Rapid transformation of heterocyclic building blocks into nanoporous carbons for high-performance supercapacitors

Nitrogen and oxygen dual-doped porous carbons prepared from pea protein as electrode materials for high performance supercapacitors

Lignin-derived heteroatom-doped porous carbons for supercapacitor and CO2 capture applications

Supercapacitance and oxygen reduction characteristics of sulfur self-doped micro/mesoporous bio-carbon derived from lignin

Heterostructure-Promoted Oxygen Electrocatalysis Enables Rechargeable Zinc-Air Battery with Neutral Aqueous Electrolyte

Heparin depolymerization by immobilized heparinase: A review

Solar thermochemical ZnO/ZnSO4 water splitting cycle for hydrogen production,

Immobilization Alters Heparin Cleaving Properties of Heparinase I

Synthesis of self-suspending silica proppants using photoactive hydrogels

Hierarchical nitrogen-doped porous carbon derived from lecithin for high-performance supercapacitors

Kinetic Study and Modeling of Homogeneous Thermocatalytic Decomposition of Methane over a Ni–Cu–Zn/Al2O3 Catalyst for the Production of Hydrogen and Bamboo-Shaped Carbon Nanotubes

CO2 Capture Using Aqueous Potassium Carbonate Promoted by Ethylaminoethanol: A Kinetic Study

Boric Acid Production from Colemanite Together with ex Situ CO2 Sequestration

Interfacially Active Hydroxylated Soybean Lecithin Dispersant for Crude Oil Spill Remediation,

Catalytic Upgrading of Methane to Higher Hydrocarbons in a Nonoxidative Chemical Conversion

Advancements in Crude Oil Spill Remediation Research After the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Interfacial adsorption and surfactant release characteristics of magnetically functionalized halloysite nanotubes for responsive emulsions

Graphitic Biocarbon from Metal-Catalyzed Hydrothermal Carbonization of Lignin, Demir

Surfactant-Loaded Halloysite Clay Nanotube Dispersants for Crude Oil Spill Remediation

Soybean Lecithin as a Dispersant for Crude Oil Spills

Release of Surfactant Cargo from Interfacially-Active Halloysite Clay Nanotubes for Oil Spill Remediation

A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Solid and Solubilized Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate (DOSS) on Oil Dispersion Using the Baffled Flask Test, for Crude Oil Spill Applications

Nanotechnology in Solar and Biofuels

Deoxy-liquefaction of switchgrass in supercritical water with calcium formate as an in-situ hydrogen donor

Special issue-10th International Symposium on Supercritical Fluids

Conversion of the Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol (ABE) Mixture to Hydrocarbons by Catalytic Dehydration

Formation of itraconazole/L-malic acid cocrystals by gas antisolvent cocrystallization

Preparation of rifampicin/lactose microparticle composites by a supercritical antisolvent-drug excipient mixing technique for inhalation delivery

Formation of Itraconazole-Succinic Acid Cocrystals by Gas Antisolvent Cocrystallization

Catalytic pyrolysis of green algae for hydrocarbon production using H+ZSM-5 catalyst

Catalytic Pyrolysis of Biomass over H+ZSM-5 under Hydrogen Pressure

pH Control of Ionic Liquids with Carbon Dioxide and Water: 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Acetate

Production of Biocrude from Biomass by Acidic Subcritical Water Followed by Alkaline Supercritical Water Two-Step Liquefaction

Preparation of thalidomide nano-flakes by supercritical antisolvent with enhanced mass transfer

Nanoparticle Technology for Drug Delivery

Production of hydrocarbon fuels from biomass using catalytic pyrolysis under helium and hydrogen environments

Single-step preparation and deagglomeration of itraconazole microflakes by supercritical antisolvent method for dissolution enhancement

30.	Enhancement of Biochar Gasification in Alkali Hydrothermal Medium by Passivation of Inorganic Components Using Ca(OH)2

31.	Hydrogen production from catalytic gasification of switchgrass biocrude in supercritical water

Influence of Pyrolysis Operating Conditions on Bio-Oil Components: A Microscale Study in a Pyroprobe

Hydrothermal pretreatment of switchgrass and corn stover for production of ethanol and carbon microspheres

Hydrogel Nanopowder Production by Inverse-Miniemulsion Polymerization and Supercritical Drying

Physiochemical properties of bio-oil produced at various temperatures from pine wood using an auger reactor

Stability of cerium-modified .gamma.-alumina catalyst support in supercritical water

Simultaneous production and co-mixing of microparticles of nevirapine with excipients by supercritical antisolvent method for dissolution enhancement

Cellulose pretreatment in subcritical water: Effect of temperature on molecular structure and enzymatic reactivity

The world is currently faced with two significant problems: fossil fuel depletion and environmental degradation, which are continuously being exacerbated due to increasing global energy consumption. As a substitute for petroleum, renewable fuels have been receiving increasing attention due a variety of environmental, economic, and societal benefits. The first-generation biofuels - ethanol from sugar or corn and biodiesel from vegetable oils - are already on the market. The goal of this book is to introduce readers to second-generation biofuels obtained from non-food biomass, such as forest residue, agricultural residue, switch grass, corn stover, waste wood, municipal solid wastes, and so on. Various technologies are discussed, including cellulosic ethanol, biomass gasification, synthesis of diesel and gasoline, bio-crude by hydrothermal liquefaction, bio-oil by fast pyrolysis, and the upgradation of biofuel. This book strives to serve as a comprehensive document presenting various technological pathways and environmental and economic issues related to biofuels.

Gasoline, Diesel, and Ethanol Biofuels from Grasses and Plants

Nanoparticles, products of nanotechnology, are of increasing interest to the pharmaceutical community. They can increase drug solubility, enhance bioavailability, allow tissue targeting, offer decreased side-effects, and improve therapeutic efficacy. Presenting the most pertinent and practical issues in the manufacturing and biological application of nanoparticles, this source presents state-of-the-art scientific contributions by seasoned authorities in the field.

Nanoparticle Technology for Drug Delivery (Drugs and the Pharmaceutical Sciences)

From Methane to Hydrogen―Making the Switch to a Cleaner Fuel Source  The world’s overdependence on fossil fuels has created environmental problems, such as air pollution and global warming, as well as political and economic unrest. With water as its only by-product and its availability in all parts of the world, hydrogen promises to be the next great fuel source.  All of the Key Aspects of Hydrogen Fuel  Hydrogen Fuel: Production, Transport, and Storage describes various aspects of hydrogen fuel, including production from both renewable and nonrenewable sources, purification, storage, transport, safety, codes, and carbon dioxide sequestration. The book examines the unique properties and uses of the hydrogen molecule, its ability to be produced from numerous energy sources, and its separation and purification. It explains how to transport hydrogen using pipelines and tankers, and how to store it using compressed tanks, metal hydrides, carbon adsorbents, and chemical hydrides. The expert contributors also discuss codes and standards, monitoring techniques, and safety designs.  The Path to a Cleaner World and Energy Independence  Focusing on a clean, economical alternative to nonrenewable energy, this volume provides the latest information on the hydrogen fuel economy.

Hydrogen Fuel: Production, Transport, and Storage

Supercritical fluid extraction is an environmentally safe and cost-effective alternative to traditional organic solvents. Carbon dioxide is widely used as the solvent of choice for applications such as caffeine and nicotine extraction due to its mild critical temperature, nontoxicity, nonflammability, and low cost. Introducing the most complete collection of supercritical CO2 solubility data currently available, Solubility in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide features experimental data on more than 780 solutes in consistent units and an easily accessible format. This book reflects the authors’ painstaking efforts to compile solubility data for an extensive variety of compounds including liquids, solids, polymers, foods, drugs, nutraceuticals, pesticides, dyes, and metal complexes. Each of the more than 1200 tables is arranged in alphabetical order by compound, includes a graphical plot of its data, and features the following information:   Compound      name, molecular formula, and molecular weight  Temperature      and pressure given in Kelvin and bar, respectively  Name      and amount of cosolvent, if applicable  Molar      or mass solubility, when applicable  Mole-      or mass-fraction solubility  Synonyms      for the compound, where available  Reference      source for the data  Density data for CO2 appears in one appendix, while a complete list of solutes by molecular formula appears in the other. Clear, consistent, and carefully organized, Solubility in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide is the most convenient quick-lookup guide for reliable data.

Solubility in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Now in its eighth edition, Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook offers unrivaled, up-to-date coverage of all aspects of chemical engineering. For the first time, individual sections are available for purchase. Now you can receive only the content you need for a fraction of the price of the entire volume. Streamline your research, pinpoint specialized information, and save money by ordering single sections of this definitive chemical engineering reference today.    First published in 1934, Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook has equipped generations of engineers and chemists with an expert source of chemical engineering information and data. Now updated to reflect the latest technology and processes of the new millennium, the Eighth Edition of this classic guide provides unsurpassed coverage of every aspect of chemical engineering-from fundamental principles to chemical processes and equipment to new computer applications.    Filled with over 700 detailed illustrations, the Eighth Edition of Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook features:    *Comprehensive tables and charts for unit conversion *A greatly expanded section on physical and chemical data  *New to this edition: the latest advances in distillation, liquid-liquid extraction, reactor modeling, biological processes, biochemical and membrane separation processes, and chemical plant safety practices with accident case histories

Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook 8/E Section 20:Alternative Separation Processes

 Compendium of Hydrogen Energy, Volume 2: Hydrogen Storage, Distribution and Infrastructure focuses on the storage and transmission of hydrogen. As many experts believe the hydrogen economy will, at some point, replace the fossil fuel economy as the primary source of the world’s energy, this book details hydrogen storage in pure form, including chapters on hydrogen liquefaction, slush production, as well as underground and pipeline storage.  Other sections in the book explore physical and chemical storage, including environmentally sustainable methods of hydrogen production from water, with final chapters dedicated to hydrogen distribution and infrastructure.Covers a wide array of methods for storing hydrogen, detailing hydrogen transport and the infrastructure required for transition to the hydrogen economyWritten by leading academics in the fields of sustainable energy and experts from the world of industry Part of a very comprehensive compendium which looks at the entirety of the hydrogen energy economy

Compendium of Hydrogen Energy: Hydrogen Storage, Distribution and Infrastructure (Woodhead Publishing Series in Energy)

Batteries and Supercapacitors

Pharmaceutical manufacturing

Sustainable fuel

Ram B. Gupta began his tenure as an associate dean and professor in the College of Engineering at the Virginia Commonwealth University on August 15, 2014.  Since then, the College has enhanced its national reputation as an engine of education and research and made important contributions to the success of student, staff, and faculty. With his passion and expertise is in creating and maintaining an innovative, healthy, and excellent academic and research environment, he  grew the sponsored research multi-fold.

Widely regarded as one of the nation’s leading researchers on sustainable energy, materials, and technologies, Gupta is a frequent keynote speaker and writer on the new developments and innovations. Media outlets, including Reuters, London Daily Mail, Japan News, Science Newsline, Chemistry News, and Agriculture Markets, have covered his work.  His books are Nanoparticle Technology for Drug Delivery (2006, Taylor & Francis), Solubility in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (2007, CRC Press), Hydrogen Fuel: Production, Transport, and Storage (2008, CRC Press), Gasoline, Diesel and Ethanol Biofuels from Grasses and Plants (Cambridge University Press, 2010), and Compendium of Hydrogen Energy (Elsevier, 2015), which are used worldwide.     

Previously, Gupta served the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) as director of the Energy for Sustainability program.  Currently, he provides expert help to NSF in its Engineering Research Centers program.  He began his career a faculty member in engineering at Auburn University, rising through the ranks and serving as the chair of graduate program in chemical engineering. For his academic excellence, he has been given many notable awards, endowed professorships, and 54 research grants. 

Gupta is a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and a Fellow of the Alabama Academy of Science.  He received B.E. from Indian Institute of Technology, M.S. from University of Calgary, and Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, all in chemical engineering. After that, he completed postdoctoral work at the University of California, Berkeley.  Recently, he completed Management Development Program at Harvard University.

Batteries

Electrochemical engineering

Bio-carbon

Supercritical carbon dioxide technology

Nanotechnology

Nanoparticles

Nanomedicine

Controlled release

Supercritical water technology

Hydrogen fuel

Renewable fuels

Bio-energy

Liquid fuels from methane and biomass

CO2 sequestration

Photochemical engineering

Oil spill remediation using benign dispersants

Renewable materials

Nickel-cobalt-Manganese cathode

Google Scholar Profile

PubMed Profile

VCU receives $2.5M grant to extend battery life development

Particulate formulations for enhancing growth in animals

Particulate Formulations For Improving Feed Conversion Rate In A Subject

Fabric having ultraviolet radiation protection, enhanced resistance to degradation, and enhanced resistance to fire

Biomass to biochar conversion in subcritical water

Fabric having ultraviolet radiation protection

Method of forming nanoparticles and microparticles of controllable size using supercritical fluids with enhanced mass transfer

Associate Dean for Research | Professor of Chemical & Life Science Engineering

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