ENERGY

Objective:

Exploit multi-scale architectures, microfluidics, new chemistries to produce high C, long cycle life, high E battery system.

Problem/Opportunity:

Pb acid batteries need to be replaced due to their environmental concerns. Li ion battery

limitations such as cost, availability of raw materials preclude it from large scale stationary

applications. Sodium ion batteries provide a promising pathway that leverages current Lithium

ion technology. However the low energy density and cycling limitations of Sodium ion

technology needs to be overcome. This is the problem we tackle.

FOOD

Objective:

Reduce environmental impact of waste substrate.

Problem/Opportunity:

Reduce environmental impact of food processing industry waste.

ion technology. However, the low energy density and cycling limitations of Sodium ion

technology needs to be overcome. This is the problem we tackle.

FOOD

Objective:

Platform technology development for valorization of food waste.

Problem/Opportunity:

Reduce environmental impact of food processing industry waste.

ADVANCED MANUFACTURING

Objective:

To develop advanced materials with potential applications in solar cells, and energy harvesting & energy storage devices by using high manufacturing technologies.

Problem/Opportunity:

During the process of developing new materials, one needs to address issues regarding their manufacturability properties so that their physical, chemical, electrical and mechanical properties are fully achieved so that the manufactured device performed well. In this sense, the use of micro injection molding and forcespinning technologies would be explored.

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Objectives:

a. Developing an effective wastewater treatment for removal of emerging contaminants.

And characterize the degradation capacity of laccases versus microbial communities treating

emerging contaminants.

b. Develop a prototype reactor for production of Prodigiosin drug molecule based on

microbial fuel cell, electrode-biofilm interaction and protonation mechanism.

c. Base on a bio refinery concept our team will work on the design of circular economy to

reduce environmental impact of food processing industry waste and turn into value added

products.

d. The influence of microbiota composition in the development of eczema in Mexican

infants and toddlers.

e. Production of fungal biocontrol agents through solid state fermentation of agroindustrial

wastes

Problem/Opportunity:

Emerging contaminants (EC) pose a substantial threat for the environment and public health. Currently, many studies are reporting the occurrence and toxicity of EC in natural and engineered ecosystems. Some countries included European countries and USA are working to set regulatory levels for EC based on the toxicological reports available until now. We face a pressing need to develop cost-effective and efficient treatment approaches to remediate pollution with EC.
Most MFC investigations focus on the generation of wastewater treatment and electricity, by using different substrates and different microorganisms. Nevertheless, little attention has been attracted to a complete integration of different processes production of bacterial metabolites of interest under bioelectrochemicaly active environment. An integrated system will be developed in order to generate electricity by biodegrading wastewater in the anodic chamber and prodigiosin production in cathode chamber by a wild strain of Serratia marcescens isolated from the northeast of Mexico. Serratia marcescens is a Gram negative, rod shaped bacteria produces a red colored pigment prodigiosin which exhibits biological properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, nematicidal, immunosuppressive, and anticancer.
Eczema is a term for several different types of skin swelling. Eczema is also called dermatitis. Most types cause dry, itchy skin and rashes on the face, inside the elbows and behind the knees, and on the hands and feet. Scratching the skin can cause it to turn red, and to swell and itch even more. Eczema is not contagious but it can be related to some type of cancer. The cause is not known. It is likely caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Eczema may get better or worse over time, but it is often a long-lasting disease. People who have it may also develop hay fever and asthma. The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis. It is most common in babies and children but adults can have it too. As children who have atopic dermatitis grow older, this problem may get better or go away. But sometimes the skin may stay dry and get irritated easily. Therefore, the development of new strategies to improve the available treatments for eczema disease represents a huge opportunity.
Major chemical pesticides (CPs) developed in the current century, currently being used are providing the crop protection required to satisfy the growing world food demand. However, recent awareness about undesirable effects on natural resources, and animal and human health, are driving a search for more environmentally friendly solutions able to not only maintain bit also expand food production levels. Biopesticides (BPs), particularly fungi-based BPs, pose an attractive alternative featuring negligible non-toxic residues, rapid biodegradability, high specificity, low likelihood of resistance development, practically no known health risks, and suitability for integrated pest management schemes. However, BP limitations such as unsuitable mass production procedures, narrow spectrum of action, heterogeneous performance, and short shelf life combined with legislation registry constraints, end-user resistance and lack of knowledge are slowing down its adoption.