Dr. Realff’s broad research interests are in the areas of process design, simulation, and scheduling. His current research is focused on the design and operation of processes that minimize waste production by recovery of useful products from waste streams, and the design of processes based on biomass inputs. In particular, he is interested in carbon capture processes both from flue gas and dilute capture from air as well as the analysis and design of processes that use biomass.

Research Interests

• Creating, understanding, and engineering nanoporous materials and membranes through innovative processing strategies.
• Basic and applied problems in advanced separations, process intensification, energy production and storage, petro- and bio-based chemicals and materials, and critical materials.

Teaching Interests

Professor Nair’s teaching interests encompass core chemical engineering principles at both undergraduate and graduate levels, including separations, process safety engineering, and advanced materials. His instruction emphasizes foundational concepts and their practical applications, aiming to develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills. He actively engages students in learning processes that integrate theoretical knowledge with experimental understanding, supporting development across chemical engineering disciplines.

Education

B.Tech ChE 1997, Indian Institute of Technology DelhiM.S. Physics 2002, Univ. of Massachusetts AmherstPh.D. ChE 2002, Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst

Recent Publications

VD Brandão, O Long, S Zhong, R Fushio, A Venkataraman, H Song, ..., Local pH Effects on the Temperature Dependence of Product Formation in CO2 Electrolyzers, Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2026

M Realff, Q Fu, Y Chiang, S Nair, Adsorption System and Process for Biofuel Precursor and Adsorbent Material for the Same, US Patent App. 19/068,859, 2025

N Yutthasaksunthorn, KSK Zaw, SA Sinquefield, S Nair, Pillared and Reduced Graphene Oxide Membranes for Organic Solvent Nanofiltration, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 64 (38), 18817-18825, 2025

OA Ojelade, S Nair, CW Jones, Thermodynamic Analysis of the Hydrodeoxygenation of Hydroxy Acid Mixtures, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 64 (47), 22552-22562, 2025

N Yutthasaksunthorn, Y Chang, VS Nguyen, KSK Zaw, SA Sinquefield, ..., Graphene Oxide Membranes for Sustainable Recycling: Poly (styrene) Fractionation by Organic Solvent Nanofiltration, ACS Engineering Au, 2025

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