Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6887-5063

Semester

Summer

Date of Graduation

2025

Document Type

Dissertation (Campus Access)

Degree Type

PhD

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Chemical and Biomedical Engineering

Committee Chair

Cerasela Zoica Dinu

Committee Member

Jianli (John) Hu

Committee Member

Oishi Sanyal

Committee Member

Konstantinos Sierros

Committee Member

Xueyan Song

Abstract

Advances in technology demand not only cutting-edge research but also innovative educational approaches that prepare students to engage in complex, interdisciplinary challenges. This thesis provides both such imperatives by integrating a robust research investigation with a complementary educational component to familiarize graduate and undergraduate student populations with the application of organic and organic-based complexes in biotechnology.

For the research component of the thesis, applications in gas sensing are considered. Presently, the sensing and detection of gases rely on the implementation of optical, acoustic, and gas chromatography systems; however, these systems face challenges related to their miniaturization, flexibility, portability, sensitivity and specificity to environmental changes. Recent research proposed that hybrids combining organic (carbon-based) and inorganic (non-carbon-based, often metallic) components can be used to create systems with enhanced or novel properties for sensing as conferred by the high flexibility, tunability, and biocompatibility of the organic materials, complemented by the stability of the inorganic materials. Two types of complexes are considered for this research component: one based on metal-organic ligand and the second based on a metal-enzyme-based complex. Metal-organic ligand was explored through a systematic review, specifically in the application of ammonia, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide gas sensing, while the metal-enzyme-based complex was explored through a meta-analysis of synthesis with the exploration of its consequential characterizations. The interest in organic-based complexes was motivated by their potential to lead to the next generation of systems that allow for increased sensitivity and specificity towards greenhouse gases, as well as their ability to be user-designed and functionalized to allow usage over multiple cycles, all with high efficiency and sustainability. The research helped gain insight into how coordination of organic and inorganic compounds and user-controlled synthesis and optimization influences chemical and physical properties of such frameworks through, while also emphasizing how structure-function relationships can be used to create co-function for sensing.

The educational component of the thesis addresses a persistent gap in freshman engineering education, namely the difficulty of introducing real-world topics into inquiry-based learning in the engineering curriculum. By designing and implementing educational tools that incorporate current novel research findings related to the applicability of organic and organic-based complexes in biotechnological applications, the educational work demonstrated enhanced student engagement, increased understanding of abstract concepts, all while building a stronger bridge between academic research, engineering education and practical applications.

Together, these two facets of the work presented in this thesis demonstrate that research and teaching are strongly interconnected to generate knowledge that trains the next generation of engineers both at the graduate and undergraduate levels while making long lasting professional growth impacts.

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