Reaction Chemistry & Engineering Blog

Dr. Hilal Ezgi Toraman, Wilson Faculty Fellow is an Assistant Professor of Energy Engineering and Chemical Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Toraman is the Elected Director for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AICHE) Catalysis and Reaction Engineering Division and Elected President of Pittsburgh-Cleveland Catalysis Society (PCCS). She is the member of the International Editorial Board for Fuel Communications and ACS Engineering Au. Dr. Toraman’s research is in the field of chemical reaction engineering and catalysis with a focus on developing new processes, materials and technologies for efficient and sustainable use of non-traditional feedstocks such as shale gas, biogas, biomass and plastic waste. Dr. Toraman has received prestigious recognition and awards from prominent organizations in the field of chemistry and chemical engineering. She has been selected to receive the Virginia S. and Philip L. Walker Jr.  Faculty Fellowship in Materials Science and Engineering and the Fuel Science Program at Penn State University. She has been acknowledged as a Rising Star by the American Chemical Society’s Division of Energy & Fuels, and was recently selected as one of the 2023 Pioneers of Catalysis and Reaction Engineering (CRE) in the honorary session by the CRE division of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). Additionally, Dr. Toraman has been honored by being recognized in Chemical & Engineering News’ esteemed list of Talented 12 in 2023. Toraman was selected for her research in technologies that turn waste into fuels, chemicals and other products. Prior to joining the Penn State University, she was a postdoctoral researcher in Prof. Dionisios Vlachos’ group at the Delaware Energy Institute, and Department of Chemical Engineering at University of Delaware. She received her B.S. and M.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Middle East Technical University, Turkey. She received her Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering from Ghent University, Belgium, under the supervision of Prof. Kevin Van Geem and Prof. Guy Marin.

Read Ezgi’s Emerging Investigator article, ‘Catalytic co-pyrolysis of LDPE and PET with HZSM-5, H-beta, and HY: experiments and kinetic modelling – Reaction Chemistry & Engineering‘, DOI: 10.1039/D2RE00144F

1. How do you feel about RCE as a place to publish research on this topic?

As a researcher working in the field of reaction engineering and catalysis, having a platform as Reaction Chemistry and Engineering to publish our research enables to reach easily the interested audience and go beyond considering the interdisciplinary topics that RCE publishes as well.

2. What aspect of your work are you most excited about at the moment and what do you find most challenging about your research?

I’ve always been drawn to the intricacies of complex chemistries, whether they stem from the challenges at the reaction level—like activating and converting highly stable molecules such as methane—or arise from diverse feedstock sources like biomass and more recently, used plastics. The dynamic nature of these chemistries presents a multifaceted puzzle, and I’m exhilarated by the prospect of contributing solutions to comprehend and eventually control these processes.
One aspect that truly excites me is the current stage of our experimental capabilities. We’re now able to conduct experiments under precisely defined and controlled conditions, even for demanding solid-to-gas chemistries, and pair them with cutting-edge analytics. This technological leap offers immense opportunities for exploration and innovation in our field.

Additionally, the accessibility of data science tools is a significant advantage that I believe holds the potential to accelerate scientific progress. However, one of the most pressing challenges I encounter, not only in my own research but across the entire field, is effectively managing and ensuring the quality of the vast amounts of data generated. Achieving efficient data organization and maintaining data quality is paramount for leveraging the full potential of these tools and advancing our understanding.

3. Can you share one piece of career-related advice or wisdom with other early career scientists?

As scientists, we often gravitate toward challenging problems, and coupled with our high expectations, the journey can be inherently stressful, especially for those juggling additional responsibilities, such as being a professor. Through my own experiences, I’ve learned the value of maintaining an open-minded approach to regularly revising strategies. Embracing the whole process rather than fixating solely on the end result has been a crucial revelation.

My advice to fellow early career scientists is to acknowledge the inherent difficulty in our chosen paths and to prioritize adaptability. Embrace the journey, focusing not just on the destination but on each step along the way. Allow yourself the flexibility to reassess and refine strategies as needed, finding fulfillment in the learning process itself rather than being consumed by the pressure of achieving immediate results. Remember, it’s the iterative journey toward understanding and discovery that truly shapes our scientific endeavors.

You can read more about Ezgi’s research here: https://sites.psu.edu/toramanlab/

You can see Ezgi’s Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilal-ezgi-toraman-0726a4133/

Professor Nicholas Warren graduated with a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Sheffield in 2012 specialising in Polymer synthesis and self-assembly under the supervision Prof Steve Armes and Prof Beppe Battaglia. He continued as a post-doc in Sheffield where he worked with Prof Steve Armes to develop new block copolymer materials using polymerisation-induced self-assembly, with a particular focus on hydrogels for stem-cell storage. In 2016 he was appointed as a University Academic Fellow at the University of Leeds and was subsequently promoted to Associate Professor in 2021. His research group focusses on enhancing precision of controlled polymer synthesis through the application of new ‘enabling’ technologies, including flow-reactors, online monitoring and artificial intelligence. His contribution to this field resulted in him being awarded the Macro Group UK Young Researchers Medal in 2022.

Read Nick’s Emerging Investigator article, ‘Continuous synthesis of block copolymer nanoparticles via telescoped RAFT solution and dispersion polymerisation in a miniature CSTR cascade‘, DOI: 10.1039/D2RE00475E

How do you feel about RCE as a place to publish research on this topic?

Within our group we are striving to develop technologies which can accelerate R&D in polymer science, but many aspects are highly transferrable across the chemical sciences. In this context, publication of RCE enables us to disseminate our work to this broader audience in the hope that it will enhance impact across the discipline.

What aspect of your work are you most excited about at the moment and what do you find most challenging about your research?

Within science and engineering, advanced technologies such as automation and AI are having a huge impact. We are really excited to be able to apply these for developing the next generation of polymer materials and to encourage uptake across the discipline. As a chemist by trade, there is a steep learning curve in the context of automation, and from a physical aspect there are many challenges associated with dealing with polymer materials such as mixing, flowing and separation.

In your opinion, what are the most important questions to be asked/answered in this field of research?

The major question in the field is whether it is possible to generate new polymers which can be sustainable, affordable and provide the performance beyond that of current materials. Current R&D approaches are not sufficient to provide these materials on reasonable timescales, so it needs to be determined whether developing new technologies can do so.

Can you share one piece of career-related advice or wisdom with other early career scientists?

Until now, my strategy has consisted of leveraging my existing knowledge and combining it with novel and unfamiliar concepts that I believe can make a significant difference in areas I am passionate about. To do this effectively, my advice is to establish an interdisciplinary network comprising individuals from both industry and academia across all career stages, recognising that these relationships will continue to be valuable for the rest of your career.

Find out more about Nick’s research on his website

Follow Nick and his research group on these social media:

Twitter: @njwarren1, @CpegLeeds1