Assistant Professor Office: SH 455 Tel: (216) 687 2569 Email: l.t.novak84@csuohio.edu
	B.S., M.S., & Ph.D., Chemical Engineering Michigan State University

Reaction engineering, catalysis, polymer engineering, physical properties, process design.

• Industrial Experience
• Publications, Parents & Grants
• Teaching

Research Interests

Physical Property Modeling

The viscosity of liquid mixtures and diffusion coefficients are important physical properties in product and process research, development, and engineering. Molecular theory-based mixture viscosity models are under development and evaluation for correlating and predicting the viscosity of liquid mixtures and diffusion coefficients in liquids. Reliable and practical transport property models are needed in fluid dynamic, heat transfer, and mass transfer calculations. Also, interpretation of mixture viscosity data and diffusion data with molecular-theory based viscosity models has potential for understanding and characterizing the structure of individual molecules and mixtures. Potential business application areas include petroleum, synfuels, organic chemicals, polymers, lubricants, coatings, personal care, biotechnology, biochemical, and biomedical.

Catalytic Reaction Engineering

Catalyst R&D has historically been primarily empirical and art-based. In this work, theory-based catalyst/enzyme and reactor models are developed and applied to correlate and predict reactor performance in terms of catalyst/enzyme properties and process conditions. Potential business application areas include petroleum, synfuels, organic chemicals, polymers, biotechnology, biochemical and biomedical.