News
Wed, 05/13/2026
WISE Hosts Spring 2026 Wonderful Undergraduate Research Symposium
WISE proudly hosted its Spring 2026 Wonderful Undergraduate Research Symposium. Students presented projects related to refrigerant separation technologies and PFAS removal from water, as well as studies examining greener chemical processing methods and the effects of compressed CO2 on plastic hydrocracking. Other presentations highlighted the development of hands-on laboratory experiments using hydrogels and emulsions to support undergraduate education.
Tue, 05/12/2026
School of Engineering faculty member earns NSF CAREER Award for advancing sustainable plastics solutions
Ana Morais, assistant professor of chemical & petroleum engineering, received the prestigious award for research focused on improving how difficult-to-recycle plastics can be converted into useful products while advancing broader sustainability efforts through education and outreach.
Mon, 05/11/2026
Adsorption-Based Separation of Azeotropic Mixtures Using Porous Materials
Graduate student Emmanuel Ababio of the Wonderful Institute for Sustainable Engineering (WISE) at the University of Kansas has successfully completed his preliminary examination, advancing to PhD candidacy in chemical and petroleum engineering.
Mon, 05/11/2026
Separation of Azeotropic Refrigerant Mixtures Using Ionic Liquids
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.
Thu, 04/23/2026
Charles "CJ" Ponge Successfully Defends Dissertation on PFAS Removal Using Zeolites
Research Advances Sustainable, Regenerable Solutions for “Forever Chemical” Remediation
Mon, 04/20/2026
KU WISE Hosts Spring 2026 Safety Week Focused on Bystander Intervention
For Spring 2026, Safety Week centered on the importance of bystander intervention and how individuals can effectively respond to emergencies. Programming throughout the week encouraged participants to think critically about their role in maintaining a safe and supportive environment, both in and out of the lab.
Mon, 04/20/2026
Dr. Ana Morais Receives Prestigious NSF CAREER Award
The Wonderful Institute of Sustainable Engineering is proud to congratulate Dr. Ana Morais on receiving the highly competitive National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award.
Thu, 04/16/2026
KU Engineering Programs Earn National Recognition in U.S. News & World Report
Several graduate programs within the University of Kansas School of Engineering have earned national recognition in the latest rankings released by U.S. News & World Report.
Tue, 04/14/2026
Abdulrhman M. Arishi Completes PhD with Successful Final Dissertation Defense
WISE is proud to announce that Abdulrhman M. Arishi has successfully completed his doctoral dissertation defense, marking a significant milestone in his academic and research career.
Mon, 04/06/2026
Undergraduate Researchers from EARTH and WISE Take All Top Honors in Poster Competition
The 2026 Graduate Engineering Association (GEA) Engineering Research Showcase at the University of Kansas marked a standout moment for undergraduate research, with students from NSF Engineering Research Center for Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub (EARTH) and the Wonderful Institute for Sustainable Engineering (WISE) delivering an exceptional and sweeping performance in...
Tue, 03/17/2026
WISE Researcher Publishes Article Supporting Next-Generation Refrigerant Recovery Technologies
Yuniva Mendoza-Apodaca, a researcher with the Shiflett Research Group at the Wonderful Institute for Sustainable Engineering (WISE), has published a new research article in Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research focused on improving how refrigerants—critical to air conditioning and cooling systems—can be separated and reused more efficiently, supporting global efforts to reduce environmental impact.
Thu, 01/15/2026
Dr. Siakpebru Earns PhD for Research Advancing Sustainable Fuel Production from Biomass
Dr. Siakpebru has successfully defended his doctoral dissertation and received his PhD for research focused on developing more efficient ways to convert renewable plant materials into liquid fuels. His work addresses the growing demand for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by creating practical, carbon-efficient pathways for producing hydrocarbons from biomass.
Mon, 01/12/2026
Alan Allgeier named director of KU’s Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis
Alan Allgeier, Don W. Green Professor of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, has been named director of the Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis at KU, effective immediately.
The CEBC works to develop cleaner, safer, energy-efficient technologies that protect the planet and human health while training the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Tue, 12/23/2025
Dr. Mark Shiflett Awarded 50th Patent, Marking Major Milestone in Sustainable Engineering Innovation
Dr. Mark Shiflett has been awarded his 50th U.S. patent, marking a significant milestone in a career dedicated to advancing practical, sustainable engineering solutions.
Wed, 12/17/2025
WISE Researcher Advances Reliable Process Design for Ionic-Liquid-Based Refrigerant Separation
A new study helps engineers better understand how advanced materials called ionic liquids behave at high temperatures—knowledge that supports more efficient, reliable, and sustainable cooling technologies.
Tue, 12/09/2025
Wonderful Institute for Sustainable Engineering Hosts Fall 2025 Undergraduate Research Symposium
WISE proudly hosted its Fall 2025 Wonderful Undergraduate Research Symposium, showcasing the latest research from talented students in its undergraduate engineering programs.
Mon, 12/08/2025
EARTH Researchers Publish New Study on Low-GWP Refrigerants to Advance Sustainable Cooling
EARTH researchers published a new study evaluating low-GWP refrigerants, specifically HFC-32/HFO-1234yf mixtures, as alternatives to R-410A. Their modeling shows that blends such as R-454B and pure HFC-32 can significantly improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and lower operating costs. The work supports the cooling industry’s transition toward cleaner, next-generation refrigerants.
Tue, 11/04/2025
Sarah Walsh Wins KU Excellence in Community, Education, and Leadership (ExCEL) Award
The NSF Engineering Research Center for Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology (EARTH) proudly recognizes Sarah Walsh, a Chemical Engineering student and member of the Shiflett Research Group, for being named the recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Community, Education, and Leadership (ExCEL) Homecoming Award at the University of Kansas.
Thu, 10/30/2025
KU Chemical Engineering PhD Candidate Featured on Journal Cover for Innovative Refrigerant Research
Kevin Turner, a PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering at the University of Kansas, was featured on the cover of Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research for his collaborative study on refrigerant flammability limits conducted with Hudson Technologies. His work advances safer and more sustainable cooling solutions.
Wed, 10/08/2025
KU engineering professor wins Blavatnik Award for Young Scientists
Elaina Sutley, associate professor of civil, environmental & architectural engineering and KU Engineering associate dean for impact & belonging, is the laureate of the 2025 Blavatnik National Award for Young Scientists in the Physical Sciences and Engineering category. She is KU’s first-ever laureate.
Mon, 09/22/2025
KU and Chromis Technologies Achieve First-Ever Separation of Azeotropic Refrigerant Blend
Researchers from the Wonderful Institute for Sustainable Engineering (WISE) at the University of Kansas, in collaboration with Chromis Technologies, have been awarded U.S. Patent No. 12,427,473 for a breakthrough fluoropolymer-coated membrane that can separate previously inseparable azeotropic refrigerant blends.
Sun, 09/07/2025
Dr. Mark Shiflett Reaches 11,000 Career Citations
Dr. Mark Shiflett, Foundation Distinguished Professor of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering at the University of Kansas reaches a career milestone of 11,000 citations.
Thu, 09/04/2025
EARTH Director Presents Plenary Lecture at International Fluorine Chemistry Symposium
Dr. Mark Shiflett, Director of the newly funded National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center "Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub (EARTH)", delivered an invited Plenary Lecture at the 21st European Symposium on Fluorine Chemistry (ESFC-21) in Lisbon, presenting the vision and mission of the NSF-funded EARTH ERC.
Fri, 08/29/2025
Abbie Peters Named Awardee at the 2025 Future Leaders in Chemical Engineering Symposium
Abbie Peters has been selected as an awardee for the 2025 Future Leaders in Chemical Engineering Symposium, a premier national event hosted by the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at North Carolina State University.
Tue, 08/26/2025
Evanna Dominic of the Shiflett Research Group was selected for 2025 Millennium Fellowship
Out of 60,396 applicants from more than 7,500 institutions worldwide, 26 University of Kansas students have been selected for the 2025 Millennium Fellowship, a leadership development program overseen by the Millennium Campus Network in partnership with United Nations Academic Impact.
Tue, 08/19/2025
6 KU innovations selected for Rock Chalk Ready commercialization program
The University of Kansas Center for Technology Commercialization (KUCTC) has selected six promising research projects for its inaugural Rock Chalk Ready program, a universitywide initiative designed to mature early-stage innovations and position them for commercialization success.
Mon, 07/21/2025
Wonderful Institute for Sustainable Engineering Research Team Awarded $31,000 for Sustainable Catalyst Innovation
The KU Center for Technology Commercialization (KUCTC) announced today that a Wonderful Institute for Sustainable Engineering research team has been selected for funding through the Rock Chalk Ready Opportunity Development Program. The awarded project, led by Professors Mark Shiflett and Aaron Scurto, will receive $31,000 to advance the development of safer, more sustainable acid catalysts for industrial use.
Wed, 07/02/2025
Kevin Turner Passes Preliminary Exam with Insightful Presentation on Refrigerant Flammability
Kevin Turner, a Graduate Student working in the Shiflett Research Group, has successfully passed his preliminary examination, marking a major milestone in his academic journey. His presentation, titled "Refrigerant Flammability Metrics, Methodologies, and Modeling," showcased a deep understanding of critical safety and performance factors in refrigerant technologies. ...
Fri, 06/13/2025
Julia Espinoza Mejia Successfully Passes her PhD Comprehensive Exam
Julia Espinoza Mejia of the Shiflett Research Group has successfully passed her PhD Comprehensive Exam! Julia’s proposal was titled “Ionic Liquid-Based Extractive Distillation for Sustainable Refrigerant Recovery”. Congratulations to Julia for her success in passing her Comprehensive Exam!! 🎉🎉🎉...
Fri, 05/16/2025
Abdulrhman Arishi Successfully Passes his PhD Comprehensive Exam
Abdulrhman Arishi of the Shiflett Research Group has successfully passed his PhD Comprehensive Exam! Arishi’s proposal was titled “Separation of Hydrofluorocarbon Mixtures using Extractive Distillation with an Ionic Liquid Entrainer”. Congratulations to Arishi for his success in passing his Comprehensive Exam!! 🎉🎉🎉...