Professor Gabriel Gwanmesia Renewable Energy Director
Professor Gabriel Gwanmesia is the Delaware State University (DSU) Director of the Renewable Energy Education Center (REEC). He is a Professor of Physics and Engineering with primary research interests in the geophysics (Mineral Physics) field.
Mineral Physics studies the properties of materials that constitute the Earth and planetary interiors, especially at high pressures and temperatures comparable to those in the planetary interiors. Materials properties are essential for constraining models of the internal structures, chemical and mineralogical composition, and internal dynamics of deep planetary interiors.
The research focuses on experimental measurements of the sound wave velocities and elastic properties of mantle materials at the pressure and temperature conditions in the Earth’s mantle. A critical research component is fabricating high acoustic-quality synthetic polycrystalline mantle mineral samples by applying pressure and heat to induce chemical structural changes in the mineral, which also leads to changes in the physical properties of the created mineral phase. The process is similar to converting graphite, a soft material, to diamond, a hard and brittle material.
The sample synthesis occurs at Stony Brook University High-Pressure Laboratory and the mineral’s sound wave velocity and elasticity at high pressure and temperature measurements under synchrotron X-radiation at Chicago’s Advanced Photon Light Source (APS). Comparison of the data with seismic data yields valuable information about the mineralogy and chemical composition of the Earth’s mantle.
Professor Gwanmesia has adapted high-pressure techniques to study the mechanical properties of energy materials such as calcium Cobaltite (Ca3Co4O9), a thermo-electric material with critical practical applications in power generation for converting waste heat into electrical energy and solid-state refrigeration devices.
Although the efficiency of thermoelectric oxides is generally lower than that of conventional thermoelectric materials such as sulfides and tellurides, oxides are chemically stable under adverse environmental conditions. Compared to traditional thermoelectric materials such as sulfides and tellurides, oxides are chemically and thermally durable, inexpensive, and readily available, although of lower efficiency.
Professor Gwanmesia is an Associate Member of the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), “The most respected, well-established, and widely recognized certification organization for professionals in the field of renewable energy.”
Dr. Otim Odong
My name is Dr. Otim Odong, and I am currently an adjunct professor in the Department of Physics at Delaware State University. My highest level of education is a PhD in Physics from the University of Connecticut – Storrs.
My areas of teaching are Mathematics and Physics. I have taught at the college level for more than 7 years. My greatest satisfaction in teaching is seeing my students succeed academically. I look forward to working with my students in their quest for academic success.
I conduct research within the area of ultra-cold atoms in optical lattices, which is a branch of Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics (AMO physics). I have produced scholarly works, and these can be accessed via the links below:
- Google scholar profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=jUHF5HYAAAAJ&hl=en
- Research gate profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Otim-Odong
- Google scholar profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=jUHF5HYAAAAJ&hl=en
- Research gate profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Otim-Odong
Aristides Marcano
Aristides Marcano is a Research Professor of Physics at the Division of Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science at Delaware State University. Dr. Marcano has published extensively in the areas of Applied Optics, Nonlinear Optics, Laser Spectroscopy, photothermal Effects, and Raman, most recently on the interaction of laser light with biosamples and renewable energy education programs. He has also organized laboratory hands-on experiences on diverse aspects of renewable energy science.
Dr. Khan Professor of Electrical Engineering
Dr. Khan is a professor of Electrical Engineering at Delaware State University, where he leads a research group focused on designing and developing novel laser-based photonic sensors and sensor networks to measure trace pollutants, particles, or greenhouse gases for environmental sensing, global climate change, and industrial and biomedical applications. He received his Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. He was a postdoctoral researcher at the Center of Mid-InfraredTechnologies for Health and the Environment and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Princeton University. Dr. Khan’s research spans the areas of precision sensing using infrared and mid-infrared laser systems with a particular focus on environmental sensing applications, defense, and industrial sensing applications. His most recent work involves open-path methane, carbon dioxide, and water-vapor sensors for unmanned aerial systems, developed using quantum cascade lasers for high-spectral resolution, selectivity, and sensitivity of trace molecules in the mid-infrared region of the spectrum. Currently, his group has several undergraduate and graduate students. Over the summer, his groups also engaged high school students in STEM experiences. Dr. Khan received his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA. He was a postdoctoral researcher at the Center of Mid-Infrared Technologies for Health and the Environment and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Princeton University.
Photonic-based Methane sensor deployed at DSU
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