Research
Detailed Analysis of Complex Chemical Mixtures
Complex chemical mixtures (e.g., fuels, environmental air, human breath, pharmaceuticals) are combinations of hundreds or thousands of chemicals, of which the composition is qualitatively and quantitatively not fully known. We use comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) techniques for quantitative and qualitative (targeted and untargeted) analyses of various gas, liquid, and solid samples.
Mapping Biodegradation of Subsurface Oil in Huntington Beach Sands
In October 2021, a failure occurred in a pipeline connecting the Port of Long Beach to an offshore oil platform resulting in ~140,000 gallons of post-production crude oil being washed up on local beaches. This project aims to study the interactions between beach sands and oil via GC×GC to understand the human health risks from oil-polluted beaches better. This project is funded by the California State University Council on Ocean Affairs, Science & Technology (COAST).
Microplastics Analysis
Microplastics (MPs) are small plastic fragments that are defined as 5 mm in size and below. Due to their extremely small size, they exist in our food, water, and even the air we breathe. Our research aims to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze organic compounds adsorbed on the MPs surfaces via GC-TOFMS and GC×GC-TOFMS using SPME fibers and pyrolysis autosampler. Since MPs are virtually undegradable, understanding the types of compounds adsorbed onto their surfaces will provide a deeper understanding of the toxicity of MPs.
Time since Deposition/Aging Studies for Latent Fingerprints
In forensic science, determining the age of a fingerprint remains an elusive problem. Fingerprint residues represent a complex mixture of chemical components, including amino acids, saturated fatty acids, triglycerols, cholesterol, and squalene. We use GC-TOFMS and GCxGC-TOFMS to analyze these compounds.
Chemometrics
Data analysis is an important step for extracting information from chemical systems. Our main goal is to fundamentally understand and describe how the chemical composition influences the properties of complex chemical mixtures on a molecular level. Current projects include the description of the relationship between hydrocarbon mixtures' chemical composition and their freezing points.
Chemical Conversion of Plastic Waste into Fuel
We collaborate with Dr. Nien-Hwa Linda Wang from Purdue University to improve her new chemical conversion process (hydrothermal processing). Dr. Wang's technology utilizes plastic wastes and converts them into useable chemicals, polymers, and liquid transportation fuels such as gasoline and diesel. We also collaborate with UCT Prague and analyze their products from pyrolysis of waste tires and plastic foils.
