Dr. Faruque Hasan, assistant professor and Kim Tompkins McDivitt ’88 and Phillip McDivitt ’87 Faculty Fellow in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University, was recently named to the 2019 Class of Influential Researchers by the journal Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research. A global team of editors and editorial advisory board members from the journal selects the winners independently, without nominations or suggestions.
The 2019 Class of Influential Researchers, who are in the early stages of their careers, were chosen on the basis of the quality and impact of their work. Hasan is renowned for his research in the field of computer-aided process systems design and process intensification. Using fundamental optimization theory and process systems engineering methodologies, his work has led to the development of novel technologies for integrated carbon capture and conversion, natural gas utilization and cleaner energy solutions.
Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research published a virtual special issue showcasing papers from the honorees. In his article, “Mapping the Material-Property Space for Feasible Process Operation: Application to Combined Natural-Gas Separation and Storage,” Hasan takes a novel approach to identifying the optimal materials and process configurations for combined natural-gas separation and storage.
More often than not, the researchers involved in natural-gas separation and storage operate in silos, with each group working to optimize the performance of their particular area of emphasis. However, in this research, Hasan lays out a new framework that considers material and process development simultaneously. For the design of new processes, especially for those that have not identified the proper materials, it is important to evaluate the designs for a range of candidate materials. As such, Hasan has developed a framework to identify the ideal materials when developing a whole new process.
In 2017, Hasan was awarded the prestigious American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund New Doctoral Investigator Grant aimed at tapping underutilized gas resources. In 2018, he was a finalist in the 2018 World Technology Awards. Also in 2018, a team led by members of Hasan’s research group won the annual U-Challenge contest at Texas A&M University.