People
William M. Clark
Associate Professor
Faculty Listing
Office: Goddard Hall, 125
Phone: +1-508-831-5259
Fax: +1-508-831-5853
wmclark@wpi.edu
Educational Background
- B.S., Clemson University, 1979
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Ph.D., Rice University, 1984
Research & Teaching Interests
Industrial and environmental separation processes, particularly those with applications in biotechnology: aqueous two-phase extraction, affinity partitioning, membrane filtration, electrophoresis; thermodynamic and transport properties of materials in fluid mixtures; computer-aided learning
IQP Advising Interests
Air pollution; water pollution; biotechnology issues; oil, natural gas & coal; education of health-care professionals; computers & education; introducing new teaching materials.
Research
Separation processes are essential to nearly all industrial chemical operations and are a key component of many analytical techniques. Bioseparations are of particular interest to those seeking to commercialize recent advances in molecular biology. Dr. Clark's research is aimed at improving separation processes by understanding and exploiting thermodynamic and transport properties of materials and establishing criteria for process design and optimization. Separation processes studied include extraction using aqueous two-phase systems, filtration using inorganic membranes, and electrophoresis. Applications include waste treatment and traditional chemical processes as well as bioseparations.
Another research area for Professor Clark is that of efficient teaching and learning. Multimedia learning tools are being developed and evaluated with regards to student learning, student satisfaction, and faculty and staff time requirements. A new sophomore curriculum that emphasizes integration of material, active and cooperative learning, and use of technology to enhance learning is being developed, implemented, and evaluated.
Two-Phase Electrophoresis
Extraction using aqueous two-phase polymer solutions provides a separation process particularly well-suited to biological materials. Prof. Clark and his students have developed an enhanced extraction process that is perhaps best described as two-phase electrophoresis. Current studies focus on recovery of protein from fermentation processes. Positively charged protein is directed, by an applied electric field, into one phase of a two-phase system while negatively charged cell debris, endotoxin, nucleic acid, and contaminating protein are directed into the other phase. Once fully developed, two-phase electrophoresis may prove useful as an alternative to filtration, centrifugation, or expanded bed chromatography for the cell debris removal step in downstream processing of biological products.
Filtration Using Inorganic Membranes
Due to their mechanical strength and chemical and temperature resistance, inorganic membranes made of alumina, zirconia, carbon or stainless steel are emerging as alternatives to polymeric membranes for some applications. Studies are conducted to evaluate and optimize the performance of these membranes for bioseparations. Projects range from a fundamental study of protein adsorption and fouling to applied studies of product recovery from fermentation broth. Protein adsorption and fouling during filtration is being quantified using the digital x-ray mapping capabilities of an electron microscope.
Curriculum Reform
Together with Profs. DiBiasio and Dixon, Prof. Clark is developing a project-based, spiral curriculum for chemical engineering sophomores. The spiral curriculum emphasizes repetition and integration of important topics with increasing complexity throughout the year. It is designed to increase motivation for learning and retention of basic skills and concepts. The new curriculum features multimedia learning tools, a peer-assisted cooperative learning structure, a "just-in-time" learning paradigm, and industrially relevant projects that introduce design concepts early in the year. The goal is to address problems with the traditional academic structure that include poor retention, segmented learning, and the need to deliver a cost-effective education to learners with diverse backgrounds and learning styles.