Dr. Randy D. Weinstein
randy.weinstein@villanova.edu
215 White Hall
800 Lancaster Avenue
Villanova, PA 19085
610-519-4954
610-519-7354 (fax)
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('09-'11)
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Teaching
Dr. Weinstein's teaching expertise is in the area of
thermodynamics, the use of numerical methods to solve chemical engineering problems, nanomaterials, and surface science.
Recently he has taught Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics II (CHE 3131), Modeling
and Numerical Methods I (CHE 2432), Chemical Engineering Laboratory II (CHE 3922),
Chemical Engineering Laboratory III (CHE 4921), Nanomaterials and Surface Science (CHE 5633), Introduction to Engineering (EGR
1700), and Graduate Chemical Engineering
Thermodynamics (CHE 8575). Dr. Weinstein has supervised over 50
undergraduate theses and 5 graduate theses. Dr. Weinstein completed the National
Effectiveness Teaching Institute in June of 1999.
Research
Dr. Weinstein has several major research interests. First
he is studying the use of supercritical fluids as environmentally friendly replacements
solvents for chemical processing. Supercritical carbon dioxide is being explored as
an alternative solvent for chemical syntheses, for extracting impurities from biomedical
polymers and implanting pharmaceuticals into these polymers, and for extracting essential
oils and acids from hops and other fauna. It is also being use
for the formation of nano-materials and nano-catalysts. In collaboration with Dr. Kane
Jennings at Vanderbilt, he is also studying the formation of self-assembled monolayers
and ultra-thin polymer films in
supercritical carbon dioxide. Furthermore, sub- and supercritical water is being
used to create environments that facilitate organic waste destruction as well as the
production of value added chemicals. Another area of research focuses on
transient thermal management of electronic devices. In a collaboration with
several companies, Dr. Weinstein is exploring methods of controlling thermal loads of
electronic devices in hopes of prolonging device life and reliability.
He is using graphite nanofibers to enhance heat transfer in a variety of
applications. He is also developing experimental and computational techniques to assist
device designers so thermal loads are minimized on circuit boards. He
has over 40 publications and has participated in over $2.1 million in
funded research.
Service
Dr. Weinstein is active in service. He
has recently served on the Board of Trustees' Committee on Student Life and
the University Strategic Planning Steering Committee. He
was the academic advisor for the chemical engineering class of 2007 and 2009. He is also the
faculty advisor for the Villanova Student Chapter of AIChE as well as the Villanova
Student Chapter of Tau Beta Pi. He has served on the 2004-2005 University's
Who's Who Selection Committee. He is a recent past chair of the High
Pressure group (1f) of the National AIChE organization. He is
currently Grand Master of Ceremonies (3rd Vice President) for Alpha Chi
Sigma. In the fall of 2001, he supervised a student trip to Danville,
VA for Habitat for Humanity.
White Hall
Home to the Chemical Engineering
Department, this building is so perfectly designed that no windows need to be opened.
CO2 Reactor
One of Dr. Weinstein's many high pressure
reactors.
IR Image of Cell Phone
Dr. Weinstein is studying heat transfer in cell phones.