Dr. George G. Chase, professor of chemical engineering, has come
full circle at The University of Akron— from an undergraduate
student to the recipient of one of the College’s most prestigious
awards, the Louis A. Hill, Jr. Award.
Dr. Chase is well thought of by his students as well as his
peers. He is recognized within the University as well as professionally
for his significant research contributions and as a co-founder
of the Microscale Physiochemical Engineering Center. He served
as the Center’s director from 1997-1999.
“I am honored to receive this award,” he said. “I
hoped to receive this award some day. The Louis A. Hill award
confirms to me that what I have done is recognized by fellow
faculty members, and they acknowledge my work as worthwhile.”
Dr. Chase’s affiliation with the University of Akron stems
back to the 1970s when he was an student pursuing a bachelor
of science degree in chemical engineering. He earned his degree
in 1978 and was then called to active duty for the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers until 1983. While on active duty he served
as platoon leader, a company commander of a mechanized engineer
company and as a project officer at the U.S. Army Engineer School.
He also served in the Army Reserves until 2001.
Dr. Chase returned to the University and earned his doctorate
degree in chemical engineering in 1989. He was promptly hired
by the University as assistant professor. In 1995, he was promoted
to associate professor, a position he held until 2000 when he
was promoted to professor.
“Akron is a great university,” he said. “ I
enjoy working with the people at Akron.
During the past five or six years, we have developed research
collaborations with people in other disciplines (physics, polymers,
chemistry, etc.) that are very rewarding and seemingly more difficult
to develop at other schools.”
Dr. Chase teaches Multiphase Transport Phenomena, Fluid and
Thermal Operations, and Solids Processing; however, his students
receive more than book knowledge.
“I try to teach my student the skills they will need to
contribute to society, to be a good citizen and to follow good
ethical and moral standards,” he said. “My philosophy
for engineering and research starts with the fundamental principles.
It is always rewarding when you see the lights turn on in student
minds, when they grasp what you have been trying to teach them.
I also encourage creativity. There are so many (engineering)
problems to solve.”
He has advised 23 graduate students and directed 19 undergraduate
projects. He is currently working with 10 graduate students and
three undergraduates.
Dr. Chase is a top researcher as well. His work centers on the
application of volume averaged continuum theory for multiphase
systems. His current projects include fluid/solid separations
and flows through porous media. Specific applications include
cake filtration, depth filtration, cross flow filtration, electrorheological
fluid flow through packed beds, and droplet coalescence in fibrous
filters. Other areas of interest include nanofibers, high temperature
fibers, fiber orientation in filter media, non-Newtonian flows
in porous media, ground water flows, aerosol and hydrosol separation,
and interfacial phenomena.
A registered professional engineering in Ohio and Virginia,
Dr. Chase has generated more than $2 million in external research
funds. He holds two patents. Other companies and organizations,
such as Exxon Mobil, Lubrizol, Benian Filter, ABB, Xerox, Coal
Technology Corporation, US Army Environmental Center, and the
Florida Institute of Phosphate Research, have benefitted from
Dr. Chase’s expertise through his consulting work.
Dr. Chase has been recognized in other areas as well as he has
received numerous awards. Most recently, he received the Frank
Tiller Award for Leadership in Engineering and Education (2003)
and Senior Scientist Technical Award (2000) from The American
Filtration and Separations Society, and from The University of
Akron, the College of Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award
(2002) and the College of Engineering Outstanding Researcher
Award (2000).
Dr. Chase has authored/co-authored 55 journal and chapter publications,
and 65 proceedings papers. In addition, he has participated in
invited lectures, seminars and workshops. He is a technical editor
for Fluid/Particle Separations Journal.
He is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers,
American Chemical Society, American Filtration and Separations
Society, American Society of Engineering Educators and Sigma
Xi.
Dr. Chase is equally committed to his community. He and his
wife, Nancy, and their two children live in Wadsworth, where
Dr. Chase is involved in a number of activities, including judging
local science fairs and participating in his church. Dr. Chase
is president of the ROTC alumni organization at The University
of Akron. He also enjoys sports, especially running.
As for spare time, Dr. Chase said, “My most recent spare
time challenge is raising a new puppy.”
