I am a research assistant and PhD candidate in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Minnesota. I am working with my advisor, Jane Davidson, to characterize the adsorption of low concentration gaseous mixtures on activated carbon.

The motivation for pursuing this research is to improve methods of designing and evaluating adsorption filters used to remove undesirable gases and vapors from homes, offices, and other enclosed spaces like cars and airplanes.

Adsorption is the process by which gases and vapors become trapped in the microscopic pores of an adsorbent. Activated carbon is a common adsorbent. Figure 1 shows activated carbon granules that are bound together in a commercial filter (the round globules are binder). The many small pores within each granule give adsorbents a tremendous amount of internal surface area. One gram of activated carbon can have a surface area equivalent to that of a football field.

Figure 1 - Scanning electron microscope photo of carbon granules.