Kinetics: Experiment, theory, computation
Focus Areas: Molecular modeling and reaction theory. Pyrolysis and combustion chemistry. Molecular industrial chemistry. Data science.
We’re kineticists in this group, curious about how reactions take place at the molecular scale in gas and condensed phases. To make these discoveries, we variously apply sophisticated experiments, computational quantum chemistry, reactive-flow modeling, and reactive molecular dynamics. At the same time, we’re reaction engineers, choosing reaction targets that are important to applications. Our current experimental research is on fundamental pyrolysis kinetics of solid rocket fuels, where we also develop kinetic models from computational chemistry for polymer pyrolysis and thermal destruction of PFAS and Novichok compounds.
Dr. Phillip R. Westmoreland
Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
B.S. Chemical Engineering, North Carolina State University (1973)
M.S. Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State University (1974)
Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1986)