Mark A. Benvenuto

Analysis of Dietary Supplements with a Hand-held XRF Analyzer

Nine dietary supplements purchased from various dollar stores and two standard reference materials (SRMs) obtained from the National Institute of Standards and Technology were analyzed using a hand-held X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer. This method of analysis produced rapid results while still keeping the costs low. The results from the analysis of the SRMs with the handheld XRF were within 23% of the reported values for potassium, calcium, and zinc; 11% for manganese and lead; and 6% for titanium and iron. The XRF-determined values for titanium, manganese, iron, zinc, and lead were not statistically, significantly different than those reported for the SRMs. Each dietary supplement contained less than the reported amounts of the expected element and several of the supplements contained additional elements.

An Interdisciplinary Graduate Level Course in Battery Systems Engineering

The recent introduction of plug-in hybrid electric and fully electric vehicles by major automotive manufacturers signals the advent of technologies that can help us move away from petroleum and towards a more sustainable transportation future. As the demand for electric vehicles grows, there will be an increased need for engineers who can design battery systems that satisfy the stringent energy storage and power delivery demands of passenger vehicles. This paper describes a new course at the University of Detroit Mercy intended to teach students about battery systems engineering. The course is offered as part of a newly-established Advanced Electric Vehicle graduate-level certificate program. The design of a battery system is highly interdisciplinary in nature. Engineers must address mechanical concerns such as packaging, vibration, torsional loads, impact resistance and thermal management; electrical aspects such as those associated with battery monitoring and control; and the electrochemical phenomena that governs capacity, power delivery and absorption, degradation and operating temperatures. A key challenge in the course design was tailoring the material to students with diverse backgrounds which include undergraduate degrees in mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering. The paper describes the development process for the course outcomes, the typical student audience, the structure of the team delivery and the topics covered including examples of lecture material and student assignments. It concludes by summarizing student and instructor feedback along with plans for future course delivery.© 2011 ASME

Synthesis of “three-legged” tri-dentate podand ligands incorporating long-chain aliphatic moieties, for water remediators, and for isolating metal ions in non-aqueous solution

Abstract Two molecules, each including tris-2-amino-ethyleneamine (tren), have been produced using a Schiff’s base condensation and long-chain, aliphatic aldehydes. The syntheses are straightforward and can be run in air at ambient temperature. The ability of these molecules to complex with metal ions makes them good candidates for water remediation. The ability of these ligands to hold metal ions in 0.03 M non-aqueous solutions was unexpected. Their syntheses and characterization are discussed.