Faculty + Staff

Dr. Ronald J. Willey

Professor Ph.D. (Chemical Engineering) University of Massachusetts, Amherst (1984) B.S. (Chemical Engineering) University of New Hampshire (1974) Contact: Phone: 617.373.3962 Email: r.willey@neu.edu

Research Focus/Background

Prof. Willey maintains a research laboratory of 600 ft2 at Northeastern University. The laboratory has the capability to synthesize single and mixed oxide aerogels materials. Equipment exists to analyze these materials for their surface area, and surface properties via infrared characterization techniques. In addition to material synthesis and characterization, Prof. Willey's laboratory has several tubular reactor systems with appropriate analyses units attached (on-line GC's) in which to investigate catalytic reactions. Finally, the laboratory has a specialized reaction calorimeter, called an ARC (adiabatic reaction calorimeter), that allows for the safe investigation of very reactive exothermic reactions.

Research Areas:

• Adsorption and Reaction of Molecules on Metal Oxides
• Surface Area and Surface Porosity and its Relationship to Adsorption and Reactivity
• Adiabatic Reaction Calorimetry
• Aerogel Mixed Oxide Synthesis

Publications:

Wang, C.-T., and Willey, R.J., "Mechanistic Aspects of Methanol Partial Oxidation over Supported Iron Oxide Aerogels," Journal of Catalysis, Vol. 202, 2001, pp. 211-219.

Hu, S., Willey, R.J., and Notari, B. "An Investigation on the Catalytic Properties of Titania-Silica Materials," Journal of Catalysis, Vol. 220, 2003, pp. 240-248.

Willey, R. J. and Shanley, E. S., "A Dust Explosion Apparatus Suitable for Use in Lecture Demonstrations," Chemical Engineering Education, Vol. 38 (3), 2004, pp. 188.

West, A. S., Hendershot, D., Murphy, J. F. and Willey, R. J., "Bhopal's Impact on the Chemical Industry," Process Safety Progress, Vol. 23 (4), 2004, pp. 229-230.

R. J. Willey, "Fundamentals of Chemical Transportation with Case Histories," prepared for SACHE (Safety and Chemical Engineering Education) as a product of the AIChE-CCPS. Aug 2004, ISBN 0-8169-0956-3