Techno-economic assessment of a cost and quality-based algal biodiesel production process
2021 – 2022
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To be published
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I presented this project at:​
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2022 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and won 2nd place in the Chemistry category
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2022 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) as a Top 40 Finalist
Optimizing Nannochloropsis Growing Conditions for Biodiesel Production Through Analysis of Lipid Content
2020 – 2021
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DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv.14551329.v1
Prospective publishing in Bioresource Technology
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I presented this project at:
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2021 National Junior Science and Humanities Symposia (NJSHS) and won 3rd place in the Chemistry Oral Presentation category
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2021 Pennsylvania Junior Science and Humanities Symposia (JSHS) and won 1st place in the Chemistry category
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2021 Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair (PRSEF) and won 1st place in the Chemistry category and was nominated as Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Finalist
Abstract
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Fossil fuels have propelled society to our current technology, but the future of energy lies in renewable resources. Energy-dense algae are more suitable feedstocks for biodiesel and circumvent many of the problems posed by current biodiesel feedstocks, such as the requirement for arable land. Nannochloropsis is a promising genus of algae due to its high productivity and lipid content. Here we show how to optimize the growing medium composition for increased biodiesel quality while maintaining high productivity by quantifying constituent fatty acid type and composition using gas chromatography. The maximum monounsaturated fatty acid concentration of 62.68% of total fatty acids in algae grown was reached in nutrient-stressed conditions, which corresponds to high-quality biodiesel. Through this study, a scientific breakthrough was achieved by maximizing both the quality of biodiesel produced, which is beyond any currently available biodiesel, and its productivity, which is greater than 100 times the current biodiesel feedstocks.
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Graphical Abstract
Are Electric Cars Really Better for the Environment?
Non-technical Summary
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Electric vehicles have become more popular in recent years. An important question is whether they are truly more environmentally friendly than traditional internal combustion (IC) vehicles. It is generally thought that electric vehicles must be better because they do not burn fossil fuels. The main problem is that this thought is scientifically incorrect because it neglects the fact that the electricity powering the vehicles is obtained commonly through burning fossil fuels in power plants. In my research, electric and IC vehicles are compared by developing a universal standard of energy efficiency to analyze which one is better for the environment.
2019 – 2020
Electronic Prevention of Rust
Non-technical Summary
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Rust has always been an enemy of steel, in particular any steel used in road construction. Rust weakens steel. When oxygen reacts with steel, the electrons of the iron inside the steel are transferred to the oxygen, producing iron oxide. My solution to this problem is to induce a potential difference between steel and another metal object with a dielectric constant in between to create a massive capacitor. Through the process of induction, there would be an excess number of electrons in the steel, which would satisfy the oxygen’s need.
2018 – 2019