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Matthew G. Kellum |
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Education |
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Ph.D. Polymer Science and
Engineering The |
May 2008 (Projected Date) |
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Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering The |
May 2003 |
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Research Interests |
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1. Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization 2. Stimuli responsive (salt, pH, and/or temperature) block copolymers 3. Sequestration studies of hydrophobic substances into micelles 4. Novel monomer synthesis |
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Current Research Activities |
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My research focuses on the synthesis of stimuli responsive block copolymers to be used for enhanced oil recovery. Stimuli responsive block copolymers consist of a permanently hydrophilic block and another block that is hydrophilic in certain conditions, but can be triggered by various stimuli to become hydrophobic. Some of the various stimuli that can be used to cause this “trigger” effect include a change in salt concentration, solution pH, or temperature, depending on the nature of the responsive block. Once the block copolymer is triggered to become hydrophobic, micelles are formed in solution. Micelles consist of a hydrophilic corona and a hydrophobic core. We propose that the hydrophobic core can be used as a transportation vehicle for oil and hence enhance oil recovery from reservoirs. Due to the fact that oil reservoirs typically have high salt concentrations, an increased pH, and high temperatures, many of the block copolymers that we synthesize are feasible for this application. Below is a simple schematic showing how these block copolymers can be used for the purpose of recovering more oil from reservoirs. |
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Publications |
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