Luis Ricardez-Sandoval

Professor, Chemical Engineering

Research interests: multiscale modeling of process systems; density function theory studies of industrial catalyst systems; new nanomaterials

Biography

Professor Luis Ricardez-Sandoval’s expertise is in the fields of deterministic and stochastic modeling, control systems theory, process design and optimization of dynamic systems under uncertainty and multiscale modeling of process systems. Ricardez-Sandoval has developed efficient and practical tools that have been applied for optimal process design under uncertainty. Ricardez-Sandoval has also conducted Density Function Theory (DFT) studies that have provided insight on industrially-relevant catalytic systems and enabled the development of new nano-materials for their application as supercapacitor materials.

Ricardez-Sandoval received his B. Sc. degree from the Instituto Tecnologico de Orizaba in Orizaba, Mexico. He obtained his M. Sc. degree from the Instituto Tecnologico de Celaya in Celaya, Mexico. He received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Canada. Prior to joining the graduate program at UW, Ricardez-Sandoval worked in the manufacturing and Oil & Gas industry for several years. Ricardez-Sandoval has received the Chemical Engineering Undergraduate student award for being the best student in his class and the J.M Smith award for being the best student in the Master in science program. Ricardez-Sandoval’s current research interests include: multiscale modelling and control of chemical processes, optimal design and control of dynamic systems under uncertainty and dynamic modelling and control of industrially-relevant processes.

Education

PhD, University of Waterloo
MSc, Instituto Tecnologico de Celaya, Mexico
BSc, Instituto Tecnologico de Orizaba, Mexico

Luis Ricardez-Sandoval

Research

My current research interests in nanotechnology are primarily focused on the development of multiscale models for manufacturing processes and industrially-relevant catalytic processes, e.g., thin film deposition, methane cracking for hydrogen production, new nano-materials for portable electronic devices. Multiscale models are becoming the preferred tool to study the behaviour of systems where the phenomenological events occurring at the microscopic and molecular scales are key to product quality.

Part of my research is centered on the development of mathematical tools and efficient algorithms that enable the development of uncertainty analyses for general multiscale modelling processes. The key idea in this research is to develop probabilistic-based methodologies that enable an accurate (non-conservative) description of the key properties of a multiscale system in the presence of uncertainty in the model parameters. Similarly, multiscale modelling approaches are used in my group to assist in the design of new nano-materials with high energy storage capabilities. This research is of high importance for the electronic devices manufacturing sector since it can identify the next generation of supercapacitor materials. Furthermore, my research also includes the development of hierarchical multiscale models to study of industrially-relevant catalytic processes. These models are usually developed using a bottom-to-top approach and include various modelling techniques such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Monte Carlo (MC) simulations, Molecular Dynamics (MD) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) analysis.

Publications

Selected References

Hassan, F.M., Chabot, V., Li, J., Kim, B.K., Ricardez-Sandoval*, L.A., Yu*, A., (2013) ‘Pyrrolic-structure enriched nitrogen doped grapheme for highly efficient next generation supercapacitors’, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 1, pp. 2904-2912.
Li, J., Croiset, E., Ricardez-Sandoval*, L. A. (2012) “Methane dissociation on Ni(100), Ni(111) and Ni(553): A comparative density function theory study”, Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical, 365, pp. 103-114.
Ricardez-Sandoval*, L. (2012) “Optimal design and control of dynamic systems under uncertainty: A probabilistic approach”, Computers and Chemical Engineering, 43, pp. 91-107.
Harun, N., Nittaya, T., Douglas, P., Croiset, E. and Ricardez-Sandoval*, L. (2012) “Dynamic Simulation of MEA Absorption Process for CO₂ Capture from Power Plants”,International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control. 10, pp. 295-312.
Ricardez-Sandoval*, L.A. (2011) “Current Challenges in the Design and Control of Multiscale Systems”, Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 89 (6), pp. 1324-1341. Invited paper
Ricardez-Sandoval, L.A., Budman*, H. and Douglas, P., (2010), “Simultaneous Design and Control: A new approach and comparison with existing methodologies”, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 49 (6), pp. 2822-2833.
Ricardez Sandoval, L.A., Budman*, H. and Douglas, P. (2009). “Integration of Design and Control for Chemical Processes: A Review of the Literature and Some Recent Results”, Annual Reviews in Control, 33 (2), pp. 158-171.Invited paper
Ricardez Sandoval, L.A., Budman*, H. and Douglas, P. (2009). “Simultaneous Design and Control of Chemical Processes with Application to the Tennessee Eastman Process”. Journal of Process Control, 19 (8), pp.1377-1391.