Anthropological sources, including emissions from power plants, industries, and vehicles, have decreased the quality of air that we breath over the last few centuries. This has led to concerns over the impact of air pollution on human health and the earth. Air pollution is a multi-faceted issue. ChE 202 – Air Pollution course, will study the science behind it, the policy implications on it, and the threats it poses. The focus of this course will be the underlying science behind air pollution and how it originates. Various types of air pollutants and the sources of these pollutants will be described. Physical and chemical interactions between pollutants will also be covered. The topic of indoor air pollution will be introduced which will also highlight the importance of duration of exposure to pollutants.

The course will move into studying some of the biological effects of exposure to air pollution, and how these effects are gauged. The apparent and projected effects of air pollution on the health of the earth will be examined. Policy interventions play an important role in the extent of air pollution. The effect of different policy interventions implemented across the world will be analyzed to understand the role that policy and regulation play on air pollution. Science-based and policy-based steps to mitigate air pollution will be presented to help describe possible pathways towards achieving cleaner air. Dr Shahana Khurshid from the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering will be teaching this course in Spring of 2022 at SBASSE, LUMS.

Dr. Basit Yameen, Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, SBASSE, recently spoke at the convention to counter plastic pollution through counter policy measures, organized by the Punjab Green Development Programme. Speaking to media, Dr. Basit said “It is a collective effort, in which we have key players like government, corporates, academic and last but not the least, our society and people. [Plastic] is an important resource but we need to raise more awareness on how to handle it.”

Dr. Basit hopes that a set of policies coupled with technology initiatives can be deployed to counter the bane of environmental hazards, which is a rising issue in our local landscape. He also hopes to educate the public on not only how to use plastic products more effectively but also how to dispose of its waste.

Dr. Basit is a renowned expert in polymers with more than 18 years of experience in developing functional polymers, smart materials, and interfaces. His current research activities are related to the development of smart materials for biomedical applications (nanomedicine and structural biology), (bio)sensing applications (biomarkers and environmental contaminants), alternative energy technologies (solar cells, fuel cells, batteries), environmental remediation, and antiviral and antibacterial surfaces. Dr. Yameen is also working in close collaboration with several industrial partners for developing products and processes for real life applications.

He also heads the research group ‘Yameen Group’ at LUMS, which focuses on Materials for Biomedical Applications, Materials for Bio and Chemical Sensing Applications, Materials for Alternate Energy Technologies, Materials for Environmental Remediation, Development of New Monomers and Sustainability and Circular Economy.

Watch his brief but insightful interview here. 

Through the tumbling of molecules in powerful magnetic fields, SBASSE offers a unique opportunity to explorers for understanding the structure of the microcosm. Dr. Adil Raees, NMR Lab Manager commented on the NMR Training Internship program, “The purpose is to help students better understand NMR theories and ideas by actively engaging them in a hands-on learning experience.”

NMR spectrometers allow us to characterize the structure of molecules, but it takes high skills to first acquire data and then analyze it through sophisticated computer software. Through this internship, students can learn and develop these skills. In addition, internship experience can offer students the important benefits of career exploration in various commercial industries that are already benefiting from the use of the NMR, include the pharmaceutical, petroleum, and materials industry.

The latest cohort saw two interns, Sumaira Hameed and Hina Khan, take on the challenge. The following is a snippet of their experience, in their own words.

Sumaira Hameed

I am currently enrolled in the MS Chemistry program at the Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering. The 600MHz NMR coupled with a triple resonance probe, installed in the basement of SBASSE was itself a motivation for me to play around with my curiosity.

This internship provided me a chance to get hands-on training on NMR sample preparation, acquisition of data on various multinuclear and multidimensional techniques, processing and plotting of acquired data after the Fourier transformation through the amazing software, Topspin. The most interesting session was finding troubleshooting strategies and the maintenance of the mammoth instrument. For maintaining NMR spectrometer, liquid nitrogen was used to provide the optimum temperature for its superconducting magnet, a refilling process that repeats weekly. I must acknowledge that refilling the NMR instrument needs skilled expertise, which Dr. Adil very diligently helped instill in us.

My experience during the Internship was one filled with gathering knowledge of new things. Through the mentorship of Dr. Adil Raees I was able to groom my sampling and instrumental handling skills.

I highly recommend this program to my juniors and to upcoming, specifically to those who want to pursue higher studies. In conclusion, I would like to thank Dr. Shahzad ul Hussan and Dr. Ghayoor Abbas for considering me for this memorable opportunity.

Hina khan 

I have recently completed MS in Chemistry from SBASSE. For my masters, I pursued research in organic chemistry which involves the analysis and characterization of the synthesized compounds and drugs by different analytical techniques like FT-IR, GC-MS and NMR spectroscopy, of these techniques NMR holds great importance in research because it can help a researcher confirm formation of the desired compounds. This formed the basis of my interest and therefore I applied for the training. Fortunately, I got the chance to avail the training of NMR Instrument under the supervision of Dr. Adil Raees.

It was a great learning experience for me. I was amazed at such a huge and sensitive NMR instrument and how effortlessly it helped analyze our synthesized compounds. I also learned how to run 1D, 2D, proton, carbon (Broadband), DEPT, COSY, NOESY, etc. We were trained on how to prepare a sample and what should be the most suitable solvent according to the nature and solubility of the sample and the choice of a suitable experiment. We then took on plotting and interpretation of spectra after data acquisition. Thus, data reduction and analysis were also great learning experiences for me.

Overall, it was a highly engaging experience. I recommend this training to my juniors. Finally, I would like to thank Dr. Ghayoor Abbas and Dr. Shahzad ul Hussan for considering my application and giving me this opportunity to learn.

Introducing Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering, an elective course set for Fall 2022.

Anyone with an interest can get enrolled if they have taken CHEM 101 in their freshman year. The course will cover water contamination and treatment processes, air pollution, solid waste management, and mathematical models to calculate the distribution of pollutants in the environment.

For more information, please contact the instructor Dr. Tauqeer Abbas: tauqeer.abbas@lums.edu.pk

“I did not know that Pakistan has one of the largest textile industries in the world.” This was the response of two of the most prominent personalities in the field of membrane sciences, Dr Richard Baker and Prof. Haiqing Lin, after attending the first International Conference on Membrane Separations (ICMS) on February 27th and 28th, 2023.         

Organized by the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and the Laboratory of Advanced Membranes and Separations at LUMS, this one-of-its-kind conference in Pakistan brought leading membrane researchers in academia and practitioners from across Pakistan to exchange ideas with global membrane experts. The first ICMS also saw significant participation from students representing 21 universities from across Pakistan and Europe.      

The textile industry is one of the country’s most important industries alongside the oil and gas industry, pharmaceuticals, water treatment, chemical and metal processing industries, which employ membrane technology. A membrane acts as a filter separating different substances by allowing some substances to pass through while blocking others. The technique is often used in the process of separating and purifying materials. For instance, Mr Fauz-ul-Azeem from Interloop, one of the leading textile manufacturers in Pakistan, spoke about the use of membrane technology for reusing resources, especially textile dyes. While Prof. Haiqing Lin from the State University of New York at Buffalo discussed the ongoing research on efficiently purifying dye solutions used in textile dyeing.               

“While academia provides ground-breaking research, the industries are the true driving force in the field of membrane technology,” the principal organiser of the conference, Dr Faheem Akhtar, shared his idea behind gathering people from academia and the industry from around the world under one roof. The conference covered all technical areas of membrane science and separations but focused on their application in carbon capture, water treatment, gas separation and solvent separation. Dr Faheem chose these areas based on the needs of the local enterprise. Other than Interloop, delegations from Mari Petroleum Company Limited, Descon Oxychem Limited, Packages Limited and Bulleh Shah Packaging were enthusiastic participants in the ICMS. Several internationally acclaimed researchers within the four domains of membrane applications, namely, carbon capture, water treatment, gas separation and solvent separation, were invited.      

Dr Richard William Baker, the founder of Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. (MTR), one of the leading companies in membrane research, development, engineering, and production of membranes for carbon capture, was among the distinguished international guests. Dr Richards’s ground-breaking contributions to the field of membrane technology for more than 60 years make him one of the most prominent personalities in the domain. Having worked with Dr Faheem before, he immediately accepted the invitation to the first ICMS.  Prof. Klaus-Viktor Peinemann, the first employee in MTR paid rich tribute to Dr Baker during his opening remarks.  Prof. Peinemann later founded GMT Membrantechnik in Germany and became recognized as a leader in developing and manufacturing innovative membranes and modules. His research centers around developing unique membrane morphologies for pressing separations.              
 

    
Prof. Suzana Nunes pictures while sharing her insights with the audience. She is also the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs at KAUST. 

Due to prior engagements, Prof. Suzana P. Nunes, the Professor of Chemical and Environmental Science and Engineering at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), only joined the conference for one day. Her lecture discussed the recent discovery of her team on membranes for the selective separation of hydrocarbons and crude oil mixtures that could eclipse current industrial thermal processes. Prof. Cafer Yavuz, also from KAUST, shared strategies for effective carbon capture in his scintillating talk.  Another prominent European researcher, Prof. Ivo Vankelecom from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven), spoke about solvent-resistant membranes and discussed some of their recent discoveries published in the journal Science. With five plenary speakers and sixteen keynote speakers, the two-day conference became a synergy of ideas spanning both theoretical and practical applications of membrane technology. 

Prof. Klaus-Viktor immensely enjoyed the mix of speakers, but he was genuinely fascinated by interacting with an engaging audience. “What impressed me was the number of questions from the audience and the lively discussion that took place. This is quite unusual. Most conferences I have attended only have a few or no questions from the auditorium,” remarked Prof. Klaus-Viktor. 

Students actively participated in the conference discussions and showcased their research through poster presentations. Fifty students from within and outside Pakistan presented their posters. Muhammad Hafi Wadgama from LUMS, Victor Manuel, PhD candidate from the University of Cantabria in Spain and Ayesha Bilal from COMSATS Lahore won the first, second and third prize respectively. 

One of the main thrusts of the ICMS was bridging the industry-academia gap in a post-Covid-19 world. It was noted that many new industries evolved during COVID-19 such as the influx of membrane-based face masks and the use of membranes for separating nitrogen and oxygen gases in oxygen cylinders. For instance, Dr Zeeshan Khatri from the Department of Textile Engineering at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology shared how he and his team made their membrane-based masks during the pandemic. In his talk “Nanofibers Membranes: Mass Production and Commercial Uses”, Dr Zeeshan also shared the use of nanofibers in making tents for flood victims in the province of Sindh. This was only one of the sixteen keynote lectures during the two days. Dr Faheem, however, made sure to get a laugh out of the audience every now and then, either with a witty joke or a provoking question in between the lectures.     

A day before the conference, the international visitors also explored historical sites around Lahore, like the Walled City and Badshahi Mosque. The pleasant spring weather enhanced the enjoyment of riding on the traditional Rangeela Rickshaw around Lahore.  The excursion ended with dinner at the famous Haveli Restaurant overlooking Badshahi Mosque.  

“Why would anyone come to Pakistan to discuss membrane technology?” Dr Faheem recalls wondering while planning the first ICMS. A sterling line-up of speakers, both plenary and keynote, the participation of enthusiastic students and representation of some of the largest industries across Pakistan made this conference an excellent platform for learning and networking. As Dr Richard Baker put it so beautifully, “This is a great opportunity to interact with people from this side of the world, both Pakistan and other countries like Japan and Saudi Arabia, because membrane technology is, after all, focused around the US and Europe.” While sharing his fascination over Pakistan having one of the world's largest membrane gas separation plants, Dr Richard posited “Pakistan is in a sense a leader in membrane applications”. Other international speakers shared the same enthusiasm about Pakistan.  Though it was Prof. Klaus-Viktor Peinemann’s first visit to Pakistan, it will certainly not be his last. The German scientist is already looking forward to returning to explore the potential of collaborations in the country.      

After the successful execution of the first ICMS by Dr Faheem and his team, with attendees already eager to know when the next conference would take place, it is safe to say, “Why won’t anyone want to come to Pakistan to attend the International Conference on Membrane Separations?”

An industrial visit to Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited (FFL) was arranged for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering students, courtesy of Dr. Faheem Hassan Akhtar. The visit took place from February 12th to 13th, 2023.    

Hey there! I am Zainab Jawad Khan, a sophomore at LUMS. I am one of those rare species at LUMS that have opted to major in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering because of my deep interest and passion for the subject. Therefore, when I learnt about this educational excursion, my excitement was on another level, and it truly turned out to be a rewarding experience for me.  Join me as I take you through my exhilarating trip.   

This two-day trip to Sadiqabad was a massive success, serving as a stepping stone towards the realization of LUMS’ objectives of learning without borders, as well as the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering department’s goal of amalgamating and implementing science into engineering and vice versa.

The underlying objectives of this visit were predetermined and spot-on for all participants. The senior batch hoped to receive aid in their job-hunting process, junior batches were informed about various aspects of the industry, assisting them in deciding between grad school and an industrial profession. For sophomores like me, it provided an opportunity to witness the application of theoretical concepts learned in the classroom in a real-world setting.

On Sunday morning, we departed from LUMS and headed towards FFL Sadiqabad. This eight-hour long drive was indeed tiring, but the welcome and warmth we received on our arrival were truly sterling. After checking into our rooms, we were accompanied by the senior management for a regal, red-carpeted dinner where we had casual chit-chat about what to expect from this trip. After dinner, we thoroughly enjoyed strolling around the FFL township until late at night. The gated community was highly secure and well-lit thanks to FFL’s self-generated power.  

Since its establishment in 2005, FFL has been a major contributor to the fertilizer industry in Pakistan. FFL produces a range of fertilizers including urea, Nitro-Phosphate(NP) and Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN). With a production capacity of 1.4 million tons per year, FFL is a significant player in the industry.    

The next day brought amazement, learning, fun and the experience of a lifetime. We kicked off our day with an information session at the Learning and Development Centre (L&DC). During the session, we learned how FFL encourages innovation and is rigorously progressing towards the latest technologies for fertilizer production that are both environmentally friendly and efficient. I was delighted to learn that FFL holds the Guinness World Record for 60,220,000 safe man-hours.   

Furthermore, the FFL management briefed us on the methods used to produce various types of fertilizers, quality control standards, and stringent monitoring required in this process because little negligence can be extremely lethal. We also learned about the everyday life of a worker at FFL and how the organization strives to drive away monotony. After this informative session, we put on our helmets and geared up for the visual tour of the site.   

 

First, we were given a tour of the control centre, which housed various monitoring devices. To our amazement, they also employed artificial intelligence (AI) tools for accurate data collection. The smoke chimneys, mammoth heating chamber, cooling tower- all of which I had only read about in textbooks – were so captivating in reality. The scale and grandeur of the site left us all astounded, and we took pictures to preserve this beautiful memory. After our visit to the plant, we returned to the township for lunch with the senior management, who gave us lovely souvenirs before we bid farewell to this incredible place.   
 

This trip, though short, was indeed an enriching experience clustered with a plethora of lovely memories and valuable insights into industrial operations. We were given a golden opportunity to witness firsthand the various processes involved in manufacturing fertilizers, using advanced technology and machinery which helped us apprehend the practical application of theoretical concepts. Interacting with experts allowed us to broaden our horizons and clarify our doubts regarding the stereotypical perception of industrial jobs being monotonous and tiring.

To recapitulate, this industrial visit was a valuable learning experience that I will cherish for years to come.