Fine Solids and Particulate Systems Engineering Laboratory

Faculty:
Dr. Sheena M. Reeves
Tel: (936) 261-9413

Dr. Sheena Reeves analyzing data from the XRD

Dr. Sheena Reeves analyzing data from the XRD

Email: smreeves@pvamu.edu

The overall goal of the Fine Solids and Particulate System Engineering Laboratory is to train students in the synthesis and characterization of fine solids or particulate materials such as nanoparticles, powders, or catalysts. The laboratory focuses on both the chemical properties and mechanical properties of the material and has equipment capable of determining particle shape, particle size distributions, dissolution rates, disintegration times, friability percentages, compression characteristics, crystal structure, and other chemical/mechanical properties.

Research Interest:

  • Renewable and sustainable materials
  • Nanomaterials as excipients or binders for advanced manufacturing
  • Granulation and crystallization processes
  • Characterization of nanomaterials or particulates such as pharmaceuticals and catalytic materials
  • Chemical and dissolution kinetic modelling
  • Solid-liquid and solid-solid interactions in mixtures

Research Activities/Projects:

  1. Synthesis of Metal Oxide Nanocomposites
  2. Analysis of CuO, ZnO, and AgO Nanoparticles Synthesized from Leaf Extracts
  3. Solid State Chemistry and Nanomaterial Characterization
  4. Synthesis of Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites using a Modified Hummers Method

Figure 1. APAP Tablet formed in 3D printed mold

Figure 1. APAP Tablet formed in 3D printed mold

Figure 2. Prototype 1-A tablet mold design

Figure 2. Prototype 1-A tablet mold design

Graduate Students:

Uche Stanley Chukwuemeka

Chinenye Chisom Eze

Grants:

DOE-BES RENEW Building a Diverse Workforce in Nanomaterial Characterization and Solid-State Chemistry

PI: Dr. Sheena Reeves, Co-PI(s): Drs. Sunil Karna, Gururaj Neelgund from PVAMU and Jason Gardner, Thomas Ward from Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Award Amount: PVAMU – $1,725,000; ORNL – $380,000 over 3 years

 

Recent Publications:

  1. Geremew A, Carson L, Woldesenbet S, Wang H, Reeves S, Brooks N Jr., Saganti P, Weerasooriya A and Peace E (2023) Effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized from Carya illinoinensis leaf extract on growth and antioxidant properties of mustard (Brassica juncea). Front. Plant Sci. 14:1108186. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1108186.
  2. Geremew A, Gonzalles J, Peace E, Woldesenbet S, Reeves S, Brooks N Jr, Carson L. “Green Synthesis of Novel Silver Nanoparticles Using Salvia blepharophylla and Salvia greggii: Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Potential and Effect on Foodborne Bacterial Pathogens. Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Jan 11;25(2):904. doi: 10.3390/ijms25020904.
  3. Geremew A, Palmer L, Johnson A, Reeves S, Brooks N, Carson L. Multi-functional copper oxide nanoparticles synthesized using Lagerstroemia indica leaf extracts and their applications. Heliyon. 2024 Apr 30;10(9):e30178.
  4. Reeves, S.M. “Recent Innovations of Nanomaterials in Manufacturing Process”: in Functionalized Nanomaterials for Cancer Research: Applications in Treatments, Tools and Devices, Elsevier, March 22, 2024. ISBN: 9780443155185
  5. Shamim, N., Nguyen, A., Reeves, S., Bhuiyan, A. (2022, August), Work in Progress: Motivation and Interest on the Design and Optimization of 3D-Printed ABS and PLA Scaffolds Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN. https://strategy.asee.org/41221
  6. Reeves, S. M. (2022, March), “Factors Affecting the Success Rate of First Year Chemical Engineering Students.” Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Gulf Southwest Annual Conference , Prairie View, Texas. https://peer.asee.org/39182
  7. Rincon, Y. B., & Reeves, S. M. (2022, March), “Design of 3D Printed Molds for Tablet Formation.” Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Gulf Southwest Annual Conference , Prairie View, Texas. https://peer.asee.org/39170
  8. Reeves, S. M., Jackson, J., and A. Lawal, “Characterization and surface impact of paracetamol granules formed by binder dropping,” Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 61, February 2021, 102153.
  9. P. J. Hill and S. M. Reeves, “Effect of particle breakage conditions on child particle aspect ratio,” Powder Technology, 355, 564-572, (2019).

Major Research Equipment:

  • Shimadzu 7000 XRD Unit (Powder X-ray Diffraction)
  • Agilent BioDis Apparatus 3 Reciprocating Cylinder Dissolution Unit
  • Shimadzu Vicker’s Microhardness Unit
  • Shimadzu EZ-SX Mechanical Property Tester
  • SoTax F2 Tablet Friability Tester
  • Agilent 100 Disintegration Apparatus
  • Shimadzu UV-1280 Spectrometer
  • Anton Par DMA5000 Density Meter
  • Branson Sonifier 250 Homogenizer
  • Agilent Cary 630 Compact FTIR Spectrometer

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  1. Uche Stanley Chukwuemeka, Current Student
  2. Kibrom Asfaha, “Recent Innovations of Nanomaterials in Manufacturing Processes.” Project Completed December 2022.
  3. Nigel Brooks, Jr., “The Characterization of Natural Ingredients as Pharmaceutical Excipients in Paracetamol Tablets.” Thesis Completed December 2022.
  4. Oluwatoyin Salami, “Investigating and Improving the Efficiency of Titanium Dioxide as a Photocatalyst Semiconductor in Remediation of Produced Water” Thesis, Completed May 2020.
  5. Fuad “CJ” Balogun, “Development of Cooling Tower Unit and Experiment,” Project completed Spring 2019.
  6. Adetutu Martins, “Dissolution Kinetics and Hardness of Paracetamol Granules.” Thesis, Completed May 2019.
  7. Adewale Lawal, “Formation, Drop Impact, and Dissolution Characteristics of Paracetamol Granules.” Thesis, Completed May 2017.
  8. Mathias Oyedepo, “Project Development of Stripping Distillation Column and Liquid-Liquid Extraction Unit for CHEG Lab Courses.” Project completed December 2017.
  9. Jean-Claude Francois, “QRIA/D Isothermal Reactor with Distillation (edibon) – Reconnection and Applications.” Project completed August 2017.
  10. Abdulraheem Hassan, “Impact of Nano-particles on the Environment.” Project completed May 2017.
  11. Orlando Acosta, “Developing Crystals for Usage in the Scintillation Process.” Project completed May 2016.
  12. Ashley D. Jones, “Growth Optimization Analysis of Prepared Nano-sized Paracetamol in Aqueous Solutions.” Project completed December 2015.

Contact Us

Mailing Address:
Department of Chemical Engineering
P.O. Box 519, MS 2505
Prairie View, TX 77446

By Phone or Email:
Email: chlove@pvamu.edu
Telephone: 936-261-9400
Fax: 936-261-9419

Physical Address:
Campus Map (Building 36)
Department of Chemical Engineering
C.L. Wilson, Room 200
550 Anne Preston Street
Prairie View, TX 77446