We are excited to announce that Michael Bentel has joined the research group, starting in January 2021. Dr. Bentel earned his PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of California Riverside, and brings expertise in chemical reaction mechanisms of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). At Clemson, he will explore new materials and improved mechanistic understanding of photocatalytic and hydrothermal approaches to PFAS destruction.
Author Archives: Ezra Cates
Photocatalytic reactor concepts for PFAS degradation published in ACS ES&T Engineering
Article may be found here: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsestengg.0c00086
Welcome to new group members
The Cates Lab is pleased to announce that two new PhD students have joined the group and will conduct research toward their degrees in Environmental Engineering and Science:
Yufei Sui comes with a Masters in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florida.
Marc Mason joined after completing his B.S. in Chemical Engineering at Clemson.
Hamed Torkzadeh receives presentation award
We are proud to announce that PhD student Hamed Torkzadeh received the 2nd place award for best student presentation at the International Ultraviolet Society’s Americas Conference in Orlanda, FL. Hamed presented his ongoing research on “Opportunistic pathogen deterrence in premise plumbing using UVC point-of-use devices: Minimum surface irradiation intensities for biofilm prevention”. The award was presented by Ron Hoffman, President, IUVA.
Dr. Cates speaks at DoD SERDP Symposium
The annual symposium of the DoD’s Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program in Washington, DC, Dr. Cates presented our ongoing research in photocatalytic technologies for destruction of PFAS in investigation-derived wastewater.
Perspective published on design of UV-equipped showerheads
PFAS research featured in Charleston Post and Courier article
Clemson College of Engineering recognizes work on photocatalytic treatment
Patent awarded for membrane biofouling prevention technology
See news release here
Biofilm irradiation methods presented at AEESP conference
PhD student Hamed Torkzadeh presented his work on development of experimental methods for quantitative assessment of UVC intensity responses by microbial biofilms at the poster session of the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors in Tempe, AZ. These methods will be used to establish rational design principles for UV point-of-use devices for prevention of Legionella infections and other waterborne opportunistic respiratory pathogens.