Separation of Azeotropic Refrigerant Mixtures Using Ionic Liquids

Lawrence, KS — April 30, 2026 — Clarice “Claire” Sabolay, a graduate student in the Wonderful Institute for Sustainable Engineering (WISE), successfully passed her preliminary examination yesterday at the University of Kansas. Her presentation, titled “Separation of Azeotropic Refrigerant Mixtures Using Ionic Liquids,” showcased impactful research addressing critical challenges in refrigerant separation and sustainability.

Claire is mentored by Dr. Mark B. Shiflett, Director of the Wonderful Institute for Sustainable Engineering and the NSF Engineering Research Center - Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub (EARTH). Under his leadership and guidance, Claire conducts her research at the intersection of advanced separation science and environmentally responsible engineering, aligning closely with the mission and priorities of both WISE and EARTH.

Her research explores the use of ionic liquids as innovative materials for separating azeotropic refrigerant mixtures, gases that are traditionally difficult to separate using conventional methods. This work contributes to the development of more energy efficient, sustainable refrigerant technologies with potential applications across industry.

Successfully passing the preliminary exam marks a significant milestone in Claire’s graduate career, formally advancing her to PhD candidate. The achievement reflects both her technical expertise and the strong mentorship and collaborative research environment fostered by Dr. Shiflett through WISE and EARTH.

The EARTH and WISE communities congratulate Claire on this accomplishment and look forward to the continued progress and impact of her research.