Institute for Functional Nanomaterials

Nanoengineer

University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus

Biography

Born in Rincón, Puerto Rico, Cardona obtained a doctoral degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1989. Cardona is a researcher, faculty member, and Chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering of the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus. His research team focuses on the development of Nanostructured Catalytic Materials with enhanced performance for applications in environmental remediation, alternative fuel generation, and production of fine chemicals from renewable resources. They have developed improved photocatalysts that harvest both UV and visible light for detoxification of air contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and/or pathogens. Those nanostructured materials have been modified for the photocatalytic production of hydrogen from renewable biomass resources. In collaboration with the Center for Catalytic Reaction Synthesis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison they are currently developing bifunctional nanoporous materials for the catalytic conversion of cellulose into sugar alcohols that can be used as a sustainable source of renewable biorefinery feedstock. Finally, they are also involved in the development of novel catalysts for LPG production from synthesis gas.

Teams

Educational Team, Cluster II: Functional Nanostructures at the Interface

Phone

787-832-4040 ext. 3747, 3728

Mailing address

Department of Chemical Engineering
University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus
Mayagüez, PR 00681

E-mail

ncardona uprm edu

Website

http://inqu.uprm.edu/faculty/ncardona.html

Education

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison (1989)

Appointments

2003–2007	Chairman, Chemical Engineering Department – UPRM, Puerto Rico
2002–2003	Member, UPRM Administrative Board, Puerto Rico
1998–2003	Academic Senator, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
1997–present	Chemical Engineering Professor, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
1995	Summer Faculty Intern, Sandia National Labs, New Mexico, United States
1992–1997	Chemical Engineering Associate Professor, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
1992	Temporary Engineer, Mobil Research and Development, New Jersey, United States
1991	Temporary Engineer, Mobil Research and Development, New Jersey, United States
1989–1992	Chemical Engineering Assistant Professor, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Puerto Rico

Honors and awards

• 1996 Chemical Engineering Productivity Award, UPRM ()
• 1995 Distinguished Chemical Engineering Professor, UPRM ()
• 1987 The Giauque Memorial Award, Calorimetry Conference, Boulder, Colorado ()
• 1987 Chevron Fellowship, UW-Madison ()
• 1983 GPOP Fellow, UW-Madison ()
• 1983 Stefani Award, UPR-Mayagüez ()
• 1983 Engineering Faculty Award, UPR-Mayagüez ()
• 1983 Chemical Engineers Institute Award, PR Chemical Engineers Institute ()
• 1983 The American Institute of Chemists Student Research & Recognition Foundation, Inc., Award, The American Institute of Chemists Student Research & Recognition Foundation, Inc. ()

Publications

1. N. Cardona, C. D. Chang, . G. Santiesteban, S. A. Stevenson., P. Traverso, and J. C. Vartuli, "Characterization of the Acid Properties of Tungsten/Zirconia Catalysts Using Adsorption Microcalorimetry and n-Pentane Isomerization Activity", Journal of Catalysis, 187, 131 (1999)
2. N. Cardona, F. A. Diaz-Mendoza, and L. Pernett-Bolaño, "Effect of catalyst deactivation on the acid properties of zeolites used for isobutane/butene alkylation", Thermochimica Acta, 312, 47 (1998)
3. N. Cardona and R. Méndez-Román, "Relationship between the formation of surface species and catalyst deactivation during the gas-phase photocatalytic oxidation of toluene", Catalysis Today, 40, 353 (1998)

Grants

1. N. Cardona, A. J. Hernández, M. M. Martínez, A. M. Padovani, O. J. Perales, R. G. Raptis, C. Rinaldi, and J. Santos. Nanotechnology Center for Biomedical and Energy Driven Systems and Applications (NCBEDSA), National Science Foundation, CREST, 5 years, April 2008, Multiple PIs, Approved, $5,000,000.
2. N. Cardona. Sustainable Production of 2,5 – Furandicarboxylic Acid from Renewable Biomass Resources, National Science Foundation, University of Wisconsin's MRSEC, 1 year, January 2008, Single PI, Approved, $5,000.
3. N. Cardona, A. J. Hernández, and M. M. Martínez. MRI: Acquisition of an X-ray Diffraction Unit with in situ DSC and Reaction Capabilities for Nanotechnology and Materials Science Research at the University of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez, National Science Foundation, MRI, 2 years, August 2006, Multiple PIs, Approved, $341,532.
4. A. Acevedo, N. Cardona, C. Rinaldi, M. Torres, and C. Velázquez. ERC: Center on Structured Organic Particulate Systems, National Science Foundation, ERC, 5 years, July 2006, Multiple PIs, Approved, $1,665,000.

Presentations

1. N. Cardona (March 2006) "Nanocrystalline Materials with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity under Visible Light" in ACS 231ST Spring National Meeting.