PSU/NSF-RET Program

Professor of Plastics Engineering Technology

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, Kansas 66762

EDUCATION

Doctor of Engineering, (Energy) Chemical Engineering

Louisiana Tech University, August, 1987

M.S., Natural Gas Engineering, Texas A&M University

Kingsville, Texas, December, 1983

B.S., Natural Gas Engineering, Texas A&M University

Kingsville, Texas, May, 1980

CURRENT POSITION AND RESEARCH INTERESTS

Dr. Christhoper C. Ibeh serves as the director of the PSU/NSF-REU program. As director and member of the executive board of the faculty advisory board, he is responsible for the overall implementation and success of this program. Dr. Ibeh has successfully carried out funded projects entitled: "Epoxies & Polyurethanes as Protective Coatings for Leather," "An Experimental Feasibility Study of Benzophenone-tetracarboxylic Dianhydride (BTDA) as a Recycling Agent for Quasi-Commodity and Engineering Thermoplastics," and "Product Design and Formulation of Bioresorbable Plastic Clips" for Stovall, Esq., ALLCO Chemical Corp. and K-VET, Inc., respectively.

Dr. Ibeh is the co-author of PSU's $8.7 million proposal to establish an Alternative Fuels Testing Center. His current position as an Professor of Plastics Engineering Technology and his direct responsibility of the materials testing laboratory give him expert knowledge of the operation of some of the equipment that will be used for this program.

Courses taught by Dr. Ibeh include:

Applied Thermodynamics -- ETECH 514

Heat Transfer -- ETECH 682

Thermoplastic Resins -- ETECH 387

Thermoplastic Resins Lab -- ETECH 389

Thermoset Resins -- ETECH 388

Thermoset Resins Lab -- ETECH 383

Advanced Engineering Materials -- ETECH 880

Research Topics in Polymers & Plastics -- ETECH 795

Dr. Ibeh's other teaching assignments include:

Development of graduate courses in Plastics Engineering Technology;

Responsibility for the Plastics Engineering Technology laboratory equipped with

the following instruments: Computer Driven Differential Scanning Calorimeter,

Thermal Mechanical Analyzer, Instrom Testing Machine(s), Brabender Two-Roll

Mill(s), Haake Rheocord System, Brabender Torque Rheometer, Macbeth Color-Eye 7000 Spectrophotometer, Bausch & Lomb Spectrophotometer, Monsanto

Viscometer, CSI Torsion Tester and TMI Impact Tester.

Capillary Rheometer, CSI Heat Distortion Tester, Beckman Arc Tester, Brookfield

One of the core components of the Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC) system is the binder. The binder, typically a plastic material such as polyolefins, burns off during cell start-up. MCFCs operate at 650 degrees C. The binder burn-off provides the necessary porosity and permeability for transfer and conduction of ions to and from the positive and negative electrodes in an electrochemical process that is the basis of the fuel cell power system. Some of the problems associated with the MCFC are cracking and leakage of the electrolyte matrix, and consequent short-circuiting of the MCFC during its high-temperature operation. These problems have delayed the successful commercialization of the MCFC and are attributable, in part, to the binder burn-off and the overall resilience of the MCFC at high temperatures.

In our research work, we are formulating and developing MCFC electrolyte matrix structures based on polyolefin binders such as polybutylene, polypropylene and polyethylene, and an in-house developed low pressure-controlling fabrication process. The developed matrix structures are characterized for electrical conductivity using a four-point probe, resistivity analyzer. Porosity and morphology studies on the samples are carried out using an infra-red spectrophotometer. Strength studies are carried out with an Instron testing machine. The goal is to determine the optimum combination of binder type, matrix composition and processing parameters for the high temperature operating condition of the

MCFC.

The nature of this research activity lends it to use for cooperative learning. Two or three students or more can be assigned to this project. All the students perform essentially the same research tasks. The matrix composition calculations and determination, sintering, blending and compression molding stages are similar, and the students can work together and

learn from each other and the faculty advisor. However, the binder materials are different and each student will be working on a specific binder. The results should be different; though the binders are of the polyolefin family, they exhibit different characteristics. The difference in binder composition makes the research work carried out by the students unique, and they can take pride in doing it.

(Dr. Christopher C. Ibeh, Associate Professor, cibeh(c)pittstate.edu, and Dr. George Graham, Professor, ggraham@pittstate.edu, Plastics Engineering Technology)

(Dr. Christopher C. Ibeh, Associate Professor, Plastics Engineering Technology, cibeh@pittstate.edu , and Dr. Robert Pavlis, Professor, rpavlis@pittstate.edu, Department of Chemistry)

(Dr. Christopher C. Ibeh, Associate Professor, cibeh@pittstate.edu

and Prof. Robert Susnik, bsusnik@pittstate.edu, Plastics Engineering Technology)

SELECTED RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS

1. Ibeh, C., C., Hensley, O., Donovan, M., Otter, J., ÒCUES-AMD WorkshopÓ, National Annual Conference of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), Montreal, Canada, June 16-19, 2002.

2. Ibeh, C. C., Hensley, O., Donovan, M. Otter, J., ÒEpistecybernetics and The Accreditation Process,Ó National Annual Conference of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), Montreal, Canada, June 16-19, 2002.

3. Ibeh, C. C., Hensley, O., Donovan, M., ÒCUES for Enhanced Student Learning,Ó Thirty First Annual Conference of the International Society for Exploring Teaching Alternatives (ISETA) Proceedings, October 18-20, 2001, Indianapolis, IN.

4. Ibeh, C. C., "Low Temperature Performance Starch-Reinforced Bioresorbable Plastic Materials (II): Bio Copolyester-Hydroxypropyl Cellulose-Based Formulations," International Conference on Composites Engineering (ICCE/8), Tenerife, Spain, August, 2001.

5. Ibeh, C. C., ÒResearch, Report Writing and Representation: The Most Viable 3Rs for Critical Thinking and Effective Communication Skills in SMET Education, American Society for Engineering Education Annual National Conference, Albuquerque, NM, June 24 Ð 27, 2001

6. Ibeh, C. C., Hensley*, O., Donovan, M., Otter, J., Androsova, A., ÒConsortium for Upgrading Educational Standards,Ó Best Assessment Processes IV: A Working Symposium, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN, April 7-8, 2001.

7. Ibeh*, C. C., Fonda, J., Ò A Student-Oriented Fuel Cell Project At Pittsburg State University (II): Low Pressure-Based Fabrication Process For The Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC) Electrolyte Matrix SupportÓ, American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual National Conference Proceedings, June, 2000.

8. Ibeh, C. C., "The Term (Project) Paper: A Viable Instructional Tool for Undergraduate Engineering and Technology Education," American Society for Engineering Education Annual National conference Proceedings, Charlotte, NC, June, 1999.

"Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) And Torque Rheometry: A Via ble Combination For Determining Processing Parameters Of Thermosetting Plastics", Soceity of Plastics Engineers, Annual Technical Conference (ANTEC) Proceedings, May 1998.

"Simulation Techniques For In-Lab Cost-Effective Optimization Of Thermosetting Polymeric Materials Processes", American Soceity for Engineering Education, Midwest Section, 32nd Annual Conference Proceedings, April, 1997.

"Phenolics." Amino Resins. Chapters 2 & 3 of the book: Handbook of Thermoset Resin, Noyes Publications, N.J., 2nd Edition, Sidney Goodman-Editor.

"A Student-Oriented Fuel Cell Project at Pittsburg State University," American Society for Engineering Education, Midwest Section, 31st Annual Conference Proceedings, April, 1996.

The Glass-Transition Temperature (Tg); A Thermodynamical Parameter for Determining Low Temperature Performance of Bioresorbable Plastic Materials, Society of Plastics Engineers, Annual Technical Conference Proceedings, May, 1994.

The Potential of the Proposed Alternative Fuels Testing Center at PSU for Academic and Economic Development, American Society for Engineering Education, Midwest Section, 29th Annual Meeting Conference Proceedings, April, 1994.

Benzophenonetetra Carboxylic Dianhydride (BTDA): A Recycling Agent for Polyethylene Terephthalate, Society of Plastics Engineers, Annual Technical Conference Proceedings, May, 1993.

An Experimental Study of the Excess Solubility Model for Thirteen Benzoic Acid Derivatives in Denatured Ethanol-Water Systems, Dissertation, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, August, 1987.

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

AICHE, SPE, Phi Delta Kappa, ASEE, KNEA, ASME

(Dr. Christopher C. Ibeh, Professor, Plastics Engineering Technology, cibeh@pittstate.edu)

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