Kai Loon Chen

Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering Program, Yale University, 2008
M.S. Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering Program, Yale University, 2004
M. Eng., Center for Water Research, National University of Singapore, 2003
B. Eng., Civil Engineering, National University of Singapore, 2001

E-mail: kailoon.chen@yale.edu

Kai Loon completed his B.Eng degree in Civil Engineering at the National University of Singapore with First Class Honors in 2001. In the following two years, he pursued a M. Eng degree, carrying out research on the development of a new method to characterize the fouling potential of feed water for reverse osmosis processes. He joined the Environmental Engineering Program at Yale in the Fall of 2003 and completed his Ph.D. in January of 2008. Advised by Professor Menachem Elimelech, his dissertation research focused on the aggregation and deposition behavior of both naturally occurring and engineered nanomaterials, including hematite and fullerene (C60) nanoparticles. The findings will allow for the prediction of the fate, transport, and bioavailability of these nanomaterials in aquatic systems. In the course of his research, he has employed novel techniques such as dynamic and static light scattering, the atomic force microscope (AFM) for interfacial force measurements, and the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). His investigation of the influence of solution chemistry on the aggregation and deposition behavior of these nanomaterials will eventually facilitate the development of appropriate methods for effective removal of the contaminants from effluent waters in water treatment plants. In his free time, Kai Loon enjoys reading, music, nature, and traveling.

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Journal Publications

1. Nguyen, T. H. and Chen, K. L. "Role of Divalent Cations in Plasmid DNA Adhesion to Natural Organic Matter", Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 41, (2007), pages 5370-5375.

2. Chen, K. L., Mylon, S. E., and Elimelech, M. "Enhanced Aggregation of Alginate-Coated Iron Oxide (Hematite) Nanoparticles in the Presence of Calcium, Strontium, and Barium Cations", Langmuir, Vol. 23, (2007), pages 5920-5928.

3. Chen, K. L. and Elimelech, M. "Influence of Humic Acid on the Aggregation Kinetics of Fullerene (C₆₀) Nanoparticles in Monovalent and Divalent Electrolyte Solutions", Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol. 309, (2007), pages 126-134.

4. Chen, K. L. and Elimelech, M. "Aggregation and Deposition Kinetics of Fullerene (C₆₀) Nanoparticles", Langmuir, Vol. 22, (2006), pages 10994-11001.

5. Chen, K. L., Mylon, S. E., and Elimelech, M. "Aggregation Kinetics of Alginate-Coated Hematite Nanoparticles in Monovalent and Divalent Electrolytes", Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 40, (2006), pages 1516-1523.

6. Mylon, S. E., Chen, K. L., and Elimelech, M. "Influence of Natural Organic Matter and Ionic Composition on the Kinetics and Structure of Hematite Colloid Aggregation: Implications to Iron Depletion in Estuaries", Langmuir, Vol. 20, (2004), pages 9000-9006.

7. Song, L., Chen, K. L., Ong, S. L., and Ng, W. J. "A New Normalization Method for Determination of Colloidal Fouling Potential in Membrane Processes", Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol. 271, (2004), pages 426-433.

8. Chen, K. L., Song, L., Ong, S. L., and Ng, W. J. "The Development of Membrane Fouling in Full-Scale RO Processes", Journal of Membrane Science, Vol. 232, (2004), pages 63-72.