John L. Falconer
Mel and Virginia Clark Professor
University of Colorado President's Teaching Scholar
NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program Co-Director
ECCH 132
(303) 492-8005
john.falconer@colorado.edu
Curriculum Vitae
Falconer Research Group
Education:
Ph.D. (Chemical Engineering), Stanford University (1974)
B.E.S. (Chemical Engineering), The Johns Hopkins University (1967)
Awards:
• Boulder Faculty Assembly Service Award (2011)
• University of Colorado Hazel Barnes Prize (2008)
• College of Engineering Max S. Peters Outstanding Service Award (2008)
• University of Colorado CRCW Faculty Fellowship (2004-05, 1997-98, 1980-81)
• ASEE Annual Conference Best Zone Paper Award (2005)
• University of Colorado President's Teaching Scholar Scholar (the University’s highest teaching recognition, a lifetime appointment, 2000-present)
• Boulder Faculty Assembly Excellence in Research, Scholarly, and Creative Work Award (1999)
• Chemical Manufacturers Association National Catalyst Award for Excellence in Teaching (1997)
• ASEE Rocky Mountain Section Outstanding Teaching Award (1997)
• Departmental Outstanding Teaching Awards (1988, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000)
• James & Catherine Patten Professor (1992-1996)
• ACS Colorado Section Award in Chemistry (1992)
• College of Engineering Outstanding Advisor Award (1992)
• College of Engineering Research Award (1991)
• Hutchinson Memorial Teaching Award, College of Engineering (1990)
Selected Publications:
• M. Yu, H.H. Funke, J.L. Falconer, R.D. Noble, “Gated Ion Transport through Dense Carbon Nanotube Membranes”, J. American Chemical Society 132, 8285-8290 (2010).
• S.G. Sorenson, E.A. Payzant, R.D. Noble, J.L. Falconer, “Influence of Crystal Expansion/ Contraction on Zeolite Membrane Permeation”, J. Membrane Science 357, 98-104 (2010).
• M. Yu, H. Funke, J.L. Falconer, and R.D. Noble, “High Density, Vertically-Aligned Carbon Nanotube Membranes”, ACS Nano 9, 225-229 (2009).
• B. Tokay, J.L. Falconer, R.D. Noble, “Alcohol and Water Adsorption and Capillary Condensation in MFI Zeolite Membranes”, J. Membrane Science 334, 23-29 (2009).
• A. Avila, Y. Zhang, H.H. Funke, J.L. Falconer, R.D. Noble, “Concentration polarization in SAPO-34 membranes at high pressures”, J. Membrane Science 335, 32-36 (2009).10
• J.B. Lee, H.H. Funke, R.D. Noble, J.L. Falconer, “Adsorption-Induced Expansion of Defects in MFI Membranes”, J. Membrane Science 341, 238-245 (2009).
• S.G. Sorenson, J.R. Smyth, R.D. Noble, J.L. Falconer, “Correlation of Crystal Lattice Expansion and Membrane Properties for MFI Zeolites” Ind. Eng. Chem. Research 48, 10021-10024 (2009).
• Y. Zhang, S. Li, M.A. Carreon, H.H. Funke R.D. Noble, J.L. Falconer, “Scale-up of SAPO-34 Membranes for CO2/CH4Separation”, J. Membrane Science, in press (2010)
• Y. Zhang, A.M. Avila, H.F. Funke, J.L. Falconer, R.D. Noble, “Blocking Defects in SAPO-34 Membranes with Cyclodextrin” J. Membrane Science, (2009).
• W.T. Gibbons, Y. Zhang, J.L. Falconer, R.D. Noble, “Inhibiting Crystal Swelling in MFI Zeolite Membranes”, J. Membrane Science (2009).
Research Interests:
Professor Falconer's research focuses on inorganic membranes, heterogeneous catalysis, solar cells, and applications of atomic and molecular layer deposition to catalysts and membranes. Our laboratory has published more than 210 papers in refereed journals, and these papers have been cited more than 6,900 times. In addition, 9 patents have been issued from our research, and more than 20 patent applications are pending.
Inorganic membranes
In collaboration with Professors Rich Noble, Miao Yu, and Hans Funke, we are studying inorganic membranes for both gas and liquid separations. This research is concentrated in several areas;
Zeolite membranes
We are studying the effects of adsorption on the changes in permeation properties of MFI in zeolite A membranes. In particular, our studies have shown that the flux through membrane defects can change dramatically due to adsorbate-induced crystal expansion and contraction. X-ray diffraction studies have shown that small percentage changes in the size of zeolite crystals can result in large percentage changes in the size of the defects in the membranes. These changes have significant implications for the mechanisms of separations and for membrane characterization. We are also studying the separation of carbon dioxide and methane at high pressures because of the significant contamination of natural gas wells by carbon dioxide. These studies are focused on developing membranes with higher selectivities and higher fluxes when used at high pressures.
Carbon nanotube membranes
We have developed a method to prepare carbon nanotube membranes with aligned carbon nanotubes and high densities. These membranes have significantly higher fluxes than expected for Knudsen diffusion, and they exhibit some unusual behaviors for both gas and liquid permeations.
MLD modified membranes
We are using molecular layer deposition to prepare membranes with high selectivities for hydrogen separation. These membranes have been shown to be selective at high pressures and elevated temperatures and to have high fluxes. MLD layers are extremely thin, and such membranes have the potential to have dramatically higher fluxes than other types of membranes.
Dye sensitized solar cells
In collaboration with Professor Rich Noble and Miao Yu in chemical and biological engineering, and Professor Wei Zhang in chemistry and biochemistry, we are developing new approaches to preparing dye sensitized solar cells that have the potential to have much higher solar efficiencies.
Heterogeneous catalysis
In collaboration with Professors Will Medlin and Alan Weimer, we are studying the application of atomic layer deposition (ALD) and molecular layer deposition (MLD) to high surface area catalysts. These techniques are being used to modify catalysts to change selectivity, create new types of catalysts, and increase catalytic stability.
Educational Interests:
In collaboration with Professor Will Medlin and Dr. Janet DeGrazia, we are developing a library of conceptests and screencasts for chemical and biological engineering courses.
The screencasts may be accessed at learncheme.com.
The concept tests are available to faculty at learncheme.com.
These teaching materials are being developed with support from the National Science Foundation, the University of Colorado engineering excellence fund, and Shell.
Courses taught: undergraduate chemical engineering thermodynamics, undergraduate and graduate reaction kinetics/reaction engineering, graduate research methods and ethics.
Co-director of the National Science Foundation research experiences for undergraduates for the past 17 years.
