Institute for Functional Nanomaterials

Nanoscientist and Engineer

University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus

Biography

Acevedo obtained a doctoral degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware in 2006. He is currently a junior faculty member in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus. Acevedo's developing research group focuses on the use of external fields, such as electric and flow fields, to control the orientation of nanotubes/nanorods and nanostructures in polymer matrices, primarily in liquid crystalline polymers. Control of the orientation of nanoparticles within a polymer matrix improves the thermal, electrical and mechanical properties, while maintaining the flexibility in the processing and manufacturing of polymers. The aim of this research is to design and develop multifunctional nanomaterials at low cost, with reduced environmental impact and with production processes that can be scaled-up. The institute is providing the necessary support through start-up funds to develop this research program.

Teams

Cluster I: Functional Dispersed Nanostructures

Phone

787-832-4040 ext. 2473

E-mail

aldo.acevedo upr edu

Education

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware (2006)
• B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus (2000)

Appointments

2006–present	Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
2005–2006	Instructor, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico

Honors and awards

• Robert L. Pigford Award — for Outstanding Teaching Assistant, University of Delaware (2004)
• Graduate Sloan Foundation Fellow Graduate (2000–2001)
• Undergraduate Sloan Foundation Fellow Graduate (1998–1999)

Publications

1. A. Acevedo and V. Florián-Algarín, "Effect of Silica Nanoparticles on Rheological Properties and Gelation Temperature of Biodegradable Polymer Gels", NanoTech, (2009)
2. A. Acevedo and A. R. Cameron-Soto, "Electric Field Effect on the Rheology of MWCNT Dispersions in Liquid Crystalline Polymers", NanoTech, (2009)
3. A. Acevedo, S. L. Avilés-Barreto, and A. R. Cameron-Soto, "Rheology and Electrorheology of Nanorod-Loaded Liquid Crystalline Polymers", Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc., 1129, V5.3 (2009)
4. A. Acevedo and V. Florián-Algarín, "Rheology and Gelation Temperature of Aqueous Sodium Alginate Solutions", Journal of Pharmaceutical Innovation, (2009)
5. A. Acevedo, C. Rinaldi, and D. I. Santiago, "Suspensions of Magnetic Nanoparticles in Polymer Liquid Crystals: A New Type of Ferronematic", Journal of Applied Physics, 105, 07B512 (2009)
6. A. Acevedo and V. Florián-Algarín, "Rheology and Gelation Temperature of Aqueous Gelatin and Sodium Alginate Solutions", AIP Conference Proceedings, 1027(1), 618 (2008)
7. A. Acevedo and S. L. Avilés-Barreto, "Rheology of Nanoparticles Suspensions in Hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) Solutions", AIP Conference Proceedings, 1027(1), 764 (2008)

Grants

1. A. Acevedo. BRIGE: Colloidal Dispersions in Liquid Crystalline Polymers as Novel Multifunctional Nanocomposites, National Science Foundation, BRIGE, 2 years, July 2009, Single PI, Pending, $175,000.
2. A. Acevedo. Extrusion of Solid-Particle Loaded Biopolymer Strips, Other, INDUNIV, 1 year, July 2009, Single PI, Pending, $40,000.
3. A. Acevedo, P. Ortiz, and C. Rinaldi. A Food Microbial Sensor to Support a Self-Sustaining Environment in Space, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA Innovative Developments to Enhance Aerospace Education and Research Program , 1 year, May 2009, Multiple PIs, Approved, $60,000.
4. A. Acevedo, Z. Iqbal, O. J. Perales, R. Romanach, and L. S. Taylor. MRI: Acquisition of NIR Chemical Imaging Spectrometer to Study Novel Organic Composites, National Science Foundation, MRI, 2 years, August 2008, Multiple PIs, Approved, $295,975.
5. A. Acevedo. Rheology and Modeling of Gelatin Formulations - Renewal, Other, INDUNIV, 1 year, July 2008, Single PI, Approved, $40,000.
6. 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. A. Acevedo, V. Florian-Algarin, and A. Gonzalez (March 2009) "Effect of Formulation Parameters on Gelation Temperature of Biopolymers Mixtures" in 29th Puerto Rico Interdisciplinary Scientific Meeting/44th ACS Junior Technical Meeting.
2. A. Acevedo and A. R. Cameron-Soto (March 2009) "Electric Field Effect on the Rheology of MWCNT Dispersions in Liquid Crystalline Polymers " in 29th Puerto Rico Interdisciplinary Scientific Meeting/44th ACS Junior Technical Meeting.
3. A. Acevedo and F. G. Miranda-Mendoza (March 2009) "Thermal and Rheological Studies of Nematic PHBA/PET Nanocomposites" in 29th Puerto Rico Interdisciplinary Scientific Meeting/44th ACS Junior Technical Meeting.
4. A. Acevedo, S. L. Avilés-Barreto, and A. R. Cameron-Soto (December 2008) "Rheology and Electrorheology of Nanorod-Loaded Liquid Crystalline Polymers " in Symposium V of the 2008 Materials Research Society (MRS) Fall Meeting .
5. A. Acevedo and A. R. Cameron-Soto (October 2008) "Extensional Rheology of Silica Suspensions in Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Solutions" in 2008 Annual Best Practices Conference on Teaching and Learning.
6. A. Acevedo and S. L. Aviles-Barreto (October 2008) "Rheology of Nanoparticle-Loaded Liquid Crystalline Polymers" in 2008 Annual Best Practices Conference on Teaching and Learning.
7. A. Acevedo and V. Florián-Algarín (October 2008) "Evaluation of the Rheology and Thermal Gelation of Sodium Alginate for Film-Forming Applications " in Johnson & Johnson 2008 Innovation and Technology Summit.
8. A. Acevedo and V. Florián-Algarín (August 2008) "Rheology and Gelation Temperature of Aqueous Gelatin and Sodium Alginate Solutions" in XVth International Congress on Rheology/80th Annual Meeting of the Society of Rheology.
9. A. Acevedo and S. L. Avilés-Barreto (August 2008) "Rheology of Nanoparticles Suspensions in Hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) Solutions" in XVth International Congress on Rheology/80th Annual Meeting of the Society of Rheology.
10. A. Acevedo and B. J. Haskins (July 2008) "Extrusion and Characterization of Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline PHBA/PET Copolymer Nanocomposites" in Latin American Federation of Chemical Associations (FLAQ) 28th Latin American Chemical Congress.
11. A. Acevedo, S. L. Aviles-Barreto, and A. R. Cameron-Soto (July 2008) "Rheology and Electrorheology of Nanoparticle-Loaded Liquid Crystalline Polymers" in Latin American Federation of Chemical Associations (FLAQ) 28th Latin American Chemical Congress.