Program Overview

Please see file for the overview of the conference program.

APCChE 2012 Scientific / Technical Programs

(1) Macromolecular Science and Engineering [Chan Bee Eng, Mary (NTU), En-Tang Kang (NUS)]
This multi-disciplinary forum will bring together polymer scientists and chemical engineers to explore new frontiers in polymer science and engineering, and to highlight the contribution of macromolecular science and engineering to the present and future societal needs. It shall cover all aspects of polymerization, processing, micro- and nanofabrication, electronics, biomaterials, separation and purification, energy generation and storage, and environmental technologies.

(2) Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering [Chan Vincent (NTU), Neoh Koon Gee (NUS)]

(2a) Tissue Engineering [Tong Yen Wah (NUS), Chew Sing Yian (NTU), Dong-An Wang (NTU)]

(2b) Drug Delivery Systems [Wang, Chi-Hwa (NUS)]
The scope of this session broadly encompasses basic as well as applications-driven research in biomaterials and biomedical engineering. Examples of relevant topics include elucidation of cell-material interactions, biomechanics, biomaterials for tissue engineering, drug and gene delivery systems such as nano/microparticles and liposomes, use of stem cells in regenerative medicine, anti-infective materials, and development of diagnostic and therapeutic medical devices.

(3) Systems and Synthetic Biology [Lee Dong-Yup (BTI/NUS), Hao Song (NTU)]
This session covers topics in the development and application of top-down systems tools and approaches for better understanding, engineering, (re)designing and synthesizing biological systems. Suggested topics include, but not limited to, network inference, inverse modeling, systems analysis, and optimization applied to various biological systems, such as signaling pathways, gene regulatory networks, and metabolic networks. Submissions presenting research that uses a combination of in silico and wet-lab experiments, are encouraged.

(4) Synthesis and Processing of Nanomaterials [Zeng, Hua Chun (NUS), Timothy Tan (NTU),
Chen Yuan (NTU), Jianping Xie (NUS)]
The scope of this session is to provide an overview on recent advancement and R&D activities in the synthesis and processing of nanostructured materials (e.g., nanocomposites and nanohybrids) with a particular emphasis on chemical and environmental applications. Scientific topics that will be addressed are nanomaterial synthesis under various preparative and processing conditions (e.g., solution-based, ionic liquids, hydrothermal, and supercritical conditions etc), size/shape manipulation, and surface functionalization of complex nanomaterials. Tiered organizations among different constructional components and nanobuilding blocks will also be addressed including related architecture of interior porosity and modification of exterior surface texture. Technological topics for these advanced functional materials will be directed to emerging chemical engineering issues in pharmaceuticals, consumer products, electronics, chemical sensing, catalysis, energy recovery and environmental protection.

(5) Energy [Liu Bin (NUS), David Lou (NTU), Wang Qing (MSE, NUS)]
The scope of the energy section ranges from topics in basic research in energy harvesting and storage techniques to energy systems. This section intends to bring together engineers, experimentalists, and computational specialists to provide an interdisciplinary forum to discuss the state-of-the-art energy harvesting and storage materials, devices, and energy systems. Papers that focus on presenting research related to biomass, wind and solar energy resources and technologies, fuel cells and hydrogen energy, energy storage technologies, novel and advanced energy conversion systems, energy efficiency and management, energy process and system modeling and optimization are welcome.

(6) Biochemical Engineering / Biofuel [Loh Kai Chee (NUS), Susanna Leong Su Jan (NTU)]
Biochemical Engineering
The focus of this topical session is on highlighting the latest advances in integrating biomolecular sciences with chemical engineering. The topics of interest could include, but not limited to, biologics production and purification, bioseparation techniques, bioprocessing, green chemical engineering approaches to sustainability in pharmaceutical manufacturing, food sciences and processes, metabolic engineering and bioinformatics for biologics production, etc.
(6a) Biofuels
The focus of this topical session is on technologies related to secure, renewable and environmentally safe alternative energies based on biotransformations. Topics of interest could include, but not limited to, environmental biotechnology for green bioprocessing, metabolic engineering & bioinformatics for biofuels, bioconversion of solid wastes to energy and/or high-value added products, technologies involving microalgae for biofuels production and/or high value-added products, etc.

(7) Membrane Science and Technology for Emerging Applications [(Neal) Tai-Shung Chung (NUS),
Wang Rong (NTU), Liang Hong (NUS)]
Energy, water, affordable healthcare and global warming are four major concerns globally resulting from resource depletion, record high oil prices, clean water shortages, high costs of pharmaceuticals, and changing climate conditions. Among many potential solutions, advance in membrane technology is one of the most direct, effective and feasible approaches to solve these sophisticated issues. This membrane program is dedicated to summarize the most current membrane research and development for water reuses and desalination, energy development including biofuel, CO2 capture, pharmaceutical purification and separation, and biomedical applications. The proposed topics are:

a) Membranes for water reuses and desalination

b) Membranes for energy, gas separation and CO2 capture

c) Membranes for pharmaceutical separation and biomedical applications

d) Membrane materials and sciences

(8) Thermodynamics and Molecular Simulations [Jiang Jianwen (NUS), Kwak Sang Kyu (NTU)]
The session will cover topics in all aspects of thermodynamics and molecular simulations for complex fluids, solid-state materials, biomolecular systems, and other emerging areas. Papers presenting research related to experimental and molecular thermodynamics, advanced molecular simulations, fully atomistic and coarse-grained simulations, first-principles computation and modeling are invited.

(9) Biosensors and Biomolecules on Solid Surfaces [Yang Kun-Lin (NUS), Jiang Rongrong (NTU)]
The session welcomes papers related to immobilization of biomolecules on solid surfaces and relevant applications such as biosensors, biocatalysis and tissue engineering. Experimental work showing how to immobilize biomolecules on nanomaterials or theoretical work elucidating the behaviours of biomolecules on solid surfaces are both invited.

(10) Transport Phenomena [Raymond Lau (NTU), Chen Shing-Bor (NUS),
Rensheng Deng (Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology)]
The session will cover topics in all aspects of transport phenomena (momentum, heat and mass transfer) involving gas/solid, liquid/solid, and gas/liquid/solid phases. Papers presenting research related to experimental, analytical, and computational approaches in elucidating the mechanism of reactive and non-reactive fluid-particle interactions and their effects on the flow systems are invited.

(11) Microfluidics for Chemistry and Life Sciences [Saif Khan (NUS)]
The session will cover advances in fundamentals and applications of microfluidic technology in chemical and life science applications. Theoretical, computational and experimental papers presenting research on topics including (but not limited to) microchannel-based chemical synthesis and processing, lab-on-a-chip analytical and diagnostic devices, drops and bubbles in microchannels, and portable energy processing are invited.

(12) Separation Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future [Farooq, Shamsuzzaman (NUS),
Arvind Rajendran (NTU)]
The symposium is intended to be a showcase of latest advances in separation science and technology for clean energy and water purification applications which are likely to have significant impact on the Asia Pacific region. Papers are invited to cover experimental/theoretical/computational studies on new materials as well as process innovations. Separation challenges in clean energy applications.

(13) Catalysis and Reaction Engineering [S. Kawi (NUS), Yang Yan Hui (NTU), Wong Pui Kwan (ICES), Armando Borgna (ICES)]
The session will cover topics in the experimental, theoretical and computational aspects of catalysis (heterogeneous, homogeneous, polymer and bio-catalysts) and chemical reaction engineering for a sustainable future. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to,
(a) energy & fuel production (syngas & H2 production / Fischer-Tropsch synthesis & gas-to-liquids / photo & electrochemical synthesis / biomass conversion to fuels)
(b) industrial chemicals (commodity, specialty or fine chemicals & polymers / acid-base, selective oxidation & hydrogenation, organometallic catalysis / non-petrochemical feedstocks or green/alternative processes)
(c) environmental protection (mobile/stationary source emissions control / photo- & electrocatalysis / CO2 capture & utilization / clean feedstocks & fuels (HDN, HDS) / VOC, water treatment)
(d) fundamental of catalysis
(e) novel materials (nano-structured materials / synthesis and characterization / energy conversion & storage)
(f) advanced reactor technologies (novel reactors, membrane reactor, electrochemical reaction system, fuel cell, microreactor, fluidized bed and multiphase reactors)

(14) Green and Sustainable Processes [Li Zhi (NUS), Wu Jinchun (ICES), Armando Borgna (ICES)]
The session will cover topics in all aspects of green and sustainable processes for the production of bulk chemicals, fine chemicals, speciality chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and polymers, such as biocatalysis and biotransformation, green chemical processes, green solvents, minimization of downstream processing and wastes, continuous process development, use of renewable resources as raw materials, bio-based chemicals and polymers, and green process design. Papers presenting research related to these topics are invited.

(15) Chemical Engineering Education: [M.P. Srinivasan (NUS), Jim Yang Lee (NUS)]
The session will address issues in chemical engineering education in the context of current and future technological challenges, integration of molecular and macro sciences, modes and use of advanced and innovative tools in learning, and development of holistic approaches including technical and social aspects.

(16) Chem-E-Car Competition [Tay Kheng Siong (Singapore Polytechnic), Yow Kum Pang
(Nanyang Polytechnic), Mirko Stoll (Ngee Ann Polytechnic), Lakshminarayanan Samavedham (NUS)]
This is a student competition focusing on the design and construction of a car that is powered with a chemical energy source. The car will carry a certain load to move a given distance and stop. The car will be judged based on the combination of completion of a defined task, design creativity and issues related to safety, environment and health as the model car handles chemical fuel.

(17) Process Systems Engineering [Rangaiah Gade Pandu (NUS), Vinay Kumar Kariwala (NTU)]
Process Systems Engineering (PSE) continues to play a critical role for developing and optimizing the design and operation of chemical, refining, pharmaceutical, polymerization and related processes as well as in biomedical applications. It is also essential for achieving sustainable processes and conserving precious resources. Papers describing novel techniques for and/or important applications on modeling, design, control, operation and optimization of chemical and related processes are invited for presentation in the PSE symposium.

(18) Environmental Science and Technology [Sun Dalai Darren (NTU), Ting Yen Peng (NUS)]
This session provides a forum for scientists and engineers to discuss both fundamentals and recent advances in environmental science and technology in providing possible solutions to pressing global problems. The broad scope of this session includes, but is not limited to:

(19) Industry – Petrochemical, Specialty Chemicals, Polymers, Semiconductors

(20) Industry – Pharmaceutical, Food and Beverage, Health Care and Home Products
 [Kamalesh Sengothi (Roche)]

(21) Bioenergy from Biomass and environmental microbiology [He Jianzhong (NUS), Yang Kun-Lin (NUS)]
Given the threat of unsteady crude oil supply and negative impact of fossil fuels on the environment, there is a tremendous interest in bioenergy and value-added products derived from renewable biomass. Thus, it is critical to develop efficient and cost effective bioconversion processes by using novel enzymes, microbes and fungi. However, to advance our current technologies requires fundamental understanding of biological process and metabolic pathways from molecular viewpoints. In this symposium supported by National Research Foundation (NRF), we welcome papers dealing with converting biomass such as agricultural and forest residues into bioenergy and value-added products, fundamental studies on functional microbes, as well as genomics and proteomics related to bioenergy areas. Additionally, other environmental microbiology related topics such as bioremediation are also welcome.


Please see file for the overview of the conference program.

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