Educational Background

Postdoc, Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering, Potsdam, Germany, 2014

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, 2013

M.S. in Chemical Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, 2011

B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, 2008

Professional Experience

• Senior member of American Chemical Society
• Senior member of American Institute of Chemical Engineers
• Member of Americal Society of Agricultural and Biological Society 
• Reviewer of funding agencies: Department of Energy-Basic Energy Science (DoE-BES), Department of Energy-Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), National Science Foundation (NSF), CONACYT-Canada, Horizon 2020-EU, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)-Canada
• Reviewer of journals: RSC Materials A, Carbon, Fuel, Energy Fuels, Environmental Science Technology, Bioresource Technology, ACS Sustainable Energy and Engineering, Journal of Cleaner Production, Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, Bioresources, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, Renewable Energy, Chemosphere, Waste Management, Asia-Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering, Fuel Processing Technology, Energy Conversion and Management, Environmental Progress.
• Session Chair of AIChE Annual Meetings at 2017, 2018, and 2019
• Session Chair ACS Annual Meeting 2017
• Served as judge for poster competition at AIChE 2017 and 2018 and presentations of ACS 2017
• Served as judge for poster competition at 2^ndHTC Symposium, Berlin, Germany
• Served as judge for District 12 Science Fair, State of Ohio in 2017 and 2018
• Served as judge for Ohio University Student Expo 2017, 2018, 2019
• Adjunct scientist of Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Engineering (ATB), Germany from 08/2014-12/2015

Current Courses

CHE 4151: Chemical Engineering Reactor Design

CHE 4284/5292: Industrial Safety

CHE 3103: Heat Transfer Processes

CHE 3170: Introduction to Environmental Engineering

Selected Publications

2023

1. Sultana, AI, Cheatham, R., Reza, T., Deep Eutectic Solvent Pretreatment Alters Surface Morphology and Functionality of Activated Hydrochar Resulting in Enhanced Carbon Dioxide Capture, Journal of CO­₂ Utilization, 2023, 68, 102350
2. Islam, Md Tahmid; Klinger, Jordan L.; Reza, M. Toufiq, Evaluating Combustion Characteristics and Combustion Kinetics of Corn Stover-derived Hydrochars by Cone Calorimeter, Chemical Engineering Journal, 2023, 452, 139419.
3. Hossain, S., Akter, S., Saha, C.K., Reza, T., Kabir, K.B., Kirtania, K., A comparative life cycle assessment of anaerobic mono- and co-digestion of livestock manure in Bangladesh, Waste Management, 2023, 157, 100-109

2022

1. (Invited) Islam, Md Tahmid; Al Ibtida Sultana, Cadianne Chambers, Swarna Saha, Nepu Saha, Kawnish Kirtania, Reza, M. Toufiq, Recent Progress on Emerging Applications of Hydrochar, Energies, 2022, 15 (24), 9340
2. Abu-Taher Jamal-Uddin, M. Toufiq Reza, Omid Norzi, Shakirudeen A. Salaudeen, Animesh Dutta, and Richard G. Zytner, Recovery and reuse of valuable chemicals derived from hydrothermal carbonization process liquid, Energies, in-press
3. Ghalandari, V., Smith, H., Volpe, M., Messino, A., Reza, T., Effect of Acidic Hydrochar on Plastic Crude Oil Produced from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Waste PVC, Processes, 2022, in-press.
4. Sultana, AI, Chambers, C., Ahmed, M.N., Pathirathna, P., and Reza, T., Multifunctional Loblolly Pine- Derived Superactivated Hydrochar: Effect of Hydrothermal Carbonization on Hydrogen and Electron Storage with CarbonDioxide and Dye Removal, Nanomaterials, 2022, 12, 3575.
5. (Featured Paper) Quaid, T., Ghalandari, V., Reza, T., Effect of Synthesis Process, Synthesis Temperature, and Reaction Time on Chemical, Morphological, and Quantum Properties of Carbon Dots Derived from Loblolly Pine, Biomass Journal, 2022, 2, 250–263.
6. Banivaheb, S., Ghalandari, V., Smith, H., Reza, Toufiq, SolvX: Solvothermal Conversion of Mixed Waste Plastics in Supercritical Toluene in Presence of Pd/C Catalyst, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2022, 10, 108622.
7. Chauhan , N., Accornero, F., Sultana, A.I., Ege, F., Reza, M.T., Pahinkar, D., Synthesis and Characterization of MIL – 101 (Cr) Adsorbent Coating on Microchannel Walls for Water Adsorption Heat Pumps, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 2022, 61, 39, 14573–14585.
8. (Invited) Ghalandari, V., Banivaheb, S., Peterson, J., Smith, H., Reza, T., Solvothermal Liquefaction of Waste Polyurethane using supercritical toluene in presence of noble metal catalysts, AICHE Journal, Future Issues 2022, in-press.
9. (Editorial) Toufiq Reza, Hydrothermal conversion, Energies2022, 15(15), 5491.
10. Sultana, AI, Reza, T., Investigation of hydrothermal carbonization and chemical activation process conditions on hydrogen storage in loblolly pine-derived superactivated hydrochars, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2022, 47 (62), 26422-26434.
11. Islam, Md Tahmid; Cadianne Chambers, Klinger, Jordan L.; Reza, M. Toufiq, Blending Hydrochar Improves Hydrophobic Properties of Corn Stover Pellets, Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery. 2022, In press
12. Sultana, AI, Reza, T., Techonomic Assessment of Superactivated Hydrochar Production by KOH Impregnation Compared to Direct Chemical Activation, Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery. 2022, In-press
13. Md Tahmid Islam, Cadianne Chambers, Toufiq Reza, Effects of Process Liquid Recirculation on Material Properties of Hydrochar and Corresponding Adsorption of Cationic Dye, Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 2022, 161, 105418.
14. Nepu Saha, Helal Uddin, Toufiq Reza, Preliminary Safety Evaluation of Solvothermal Liquefaction of Plastic Wastes using Toluene as Solvent, Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 2022. 24 (3), 801-813.

2021

1. (Invited Publication) Nepu Saha, Soudeh Banivaheb, Toufiq Reza, Towards Solvothermal Upcycling of Mixed Plastic Wastes: Depolymerization Pathways of #5 – #7 Plastics in Sub-and Supercritical Toluene, Energy Conversion and Management X, 2021, 100158.
2. (Invited Publication) Islam, Md Tahmid; Sultana, Al Ibtida; Saha, Nepu; Klinger, Jordan L.; Reza, M. Toufiq, Deep Eutectic Solvent Pretreatment Enhances Fuel Properties of Hydrochar, I&EC Research. Invited Manuscript for the 2021 Class of Influential Researchers. 2021, 60 (43), 15479-15491
3. (Editorial) Toufiq Reza, Thematic issue: Hydrothermal conversion of biomass, Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 2021, In press. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-021-01927-7
4. Al Ibtida Sultana, Nepu Saha, Toufiq Reza, Upcycling simulated food wastes into superactivated hydrochar for remarkable hydrogen storage, Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 2021, 159, 105322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2021.105322
5. Mohammadreza Aghaaminiha, Ramin Mehrani, Toufiq Reza, Sumit Sharma, Comparison of machine learning methodologies for predicting kinetics of hydrothermal carbonization of selective biomass, Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 2021, In press. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-021-01858-3
6. MaurizioVolpe, Fabio Codignole Luz, Nepu Saha, Toufiq Reza, Maryanne Mosonik, Roberto Volpe, Antonio Messineo, Enhancement of energy and combustion properties of hydrochar via citric acid catalysed secondary char production, Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 2021.

7. Kyle McGaughy, M. Toufiq Reza, Liquid-Liquid Equilibrium of Deep Eutectic Solvent-Aromatic-Aliphatic Ternary Systems: Experimental Study with COSMO Model Predictions, Processes 2021, 9(7), 1169; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9071169

8. Thomas Quaid, Toufiq Reza, Carbon Capture from Biogas by Deep Eutectic Solvents: A COSMO Study to Evaluate the Effect of Impurities on Solubility and Selectivity, Clean Technologies, 2021, 3 (2), 490-502.

9. Danhui Xin, Nepu Saha, Toufiq Reza, Jeffrey Hudson, Pei Chiu, Pyrolysis Creates Electron Storage Capacity of Black Carbon (Biochar) from Lignocellulosic Biomass, ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 2021, 9 (19), 6821-6831.

10. Nepu Saha, Kyle McGaughy, Sarah Davis, Toufiq Reza, Assessing Hydrothermal Carbonization as Sustainable Home Sewage Management for Rural Counties: A Case Study from Appalachian Ohio, Science of the Total Environment, 2021, 781, 146648.

11. Pretom Saha, Nepu Saha, Shanta Mazumder, Toufiq Reza, Transformation of Sulfur during Co-Hydrothermal Carbonization of Coal Waste and Food Waste, Energies, 2021, 14 (8): 2271.

12. Md. Tahmid Islam, Nepu Saha, Sergio Hernandez, Jordan Klinger, Toufiq Reza, Integration of Air Classification and Hydrothermal Carbonization to Enhance Energy Recovery of Corn Stover, Energies, 2021, 14 (5), 1397.

13. Md. Rifat Hasan, Nepu Saha, Thomas Quaid, Toufiq Reza, Formation of Carbon Quantum Dots via Hydrothermal Carbonization: Investigate the Effect of Precursors, Energies, 2021, 14 (4), 986.

14. Al Ibtida Sultana, Nepu Saha, Toufiq Reza, Synopsis of factors affecting hydrogen storage in biomass-derived activated carbons, Sustainability, 2021, 13 (4), 1947.

2020

1. Vahab Ghalandari, Mohamadreza Esmaeilpour, Naser Payvar, M. Toufiq Reza, A case study on energy and exergy analyses for an industrial-scale vertical roller mill assisted grinding in cement plant, Advanced Powder Technology, Impact Factor: 4.2, In-press
2. Toby Adjuik, Abbey Rodjom, Kimberley E. Miller, M. Toufiq Reza, Sarah C. Davis, Hydrochar, digestate, and synthetic fertilizer applied to a Miscanthus x giganteus crop, Applied Sciences, 2020, 10 (24), 8953, Impact Factor: 2.47
3. Nepu Saha, Kyle McGaughy, M. Toufiq Reza, Elucidating hydrochar morphology and oxygen functionality change with hydrothermal treatment temperature ranging from subcritical to supercritical conditions, Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 2020, 152, 104965. Impact Factor: 3.91
4. Nepu Saha, Kyle McGaughy, Akbar Saba, Toufiq Reza, Effect of supercritical water temperature and Pd/C catalyst on upgrading fuel characteristics of gumweed-derived biocrude, Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery. In-press. Impact factor: 2.60
5. Nepu Saha, Maurizio Volpe, Roberto Volpe, Luca Fiori, Antionio Messineo, M. Toufiq Reza, Cationic dye adsorption on hydrochars of winery and citrus juice industries residues: performance, mechanism, and thermodynamics, Energies, 2020, 13 (18), 4686. Impact Factor: 3.06
6. Edward Drabold, Kyle McGaughy, Joel Agner, Daniel Sellers, Rick Johnson, Ahmad Abu Hajer, Toufiq Reza, David Bayless, Challenges and Process Economics for Algal Carbon Capture with Novel Integration: Hydrothermal Carbonization, Bioresource Technology Reports, 2020, 12, 100556
7. Nepu Saha, Kyle McGaughy, Michael Held, Toufiq Reza, Hydrothermal degradation of β-estradiol and oxytetracycline at selective reaction severities, Springer Nature Applied Science, 2020, 2 (9), 1-9. Impact Factor: NA
8. Kyle McGaughy, Toufiq Reza, Liquid-Liquid Extraction of Furfural from Water by Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Solvents: Improvement of Density Function Theory Modeling with Experimental Validations, ACS Omega, in-press, Impact Factor: 2.87
9. Novin Mehrabi, Umar Haq, Toufiq Reza, Nirupam Aich, Application of Deep Eutectic Solvent for Conjugation of Magnetic Nanoparticles onto Graphene Oxide for Lead (II) and Methylene Blue Removal. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2020, 8(5), 104222, Impact factor: 4.30
10. Shanta Mazumder, Pretom Saha, Akbar Saba, Kyle McGauhgy, M. Toufiq Reza, Technoeconomic Analysis of Co-Hydrothermal Carbonization of Coal Waste and Food Waste. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery. In-press. (2020).
11. Shanta Mazumder, Pretom Saha, M. Toufiq Reza, Co-Hydrothermal Carbonization of Coal Waste and Food Waste: Fuel Characteristics. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery. In-press. (2020).
12. Akbar Saba, Nepu Saha, Keenan-Conrad Williams, Charles Coronella, M. Toufiq Reza, Binder-free torrefied biomass pellets: significance of torrefaction temperature and pelletization parameters by multivariate analysis. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery. In-press. (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-020-00737-7
13. Kyle McGauhgy, M. Toufiq Reza, Systems Analysis of SO₂-CO₂ Co-Capture from a Post-Combustion Coal-Fired Power Plant in Deep Eutectic Solvents, Energies, 2020, 13(2), 438

2019

1. Nepu Saha, M. Toufiq Reza, Effect of pyrolysis on basic functional groups of hydrochars, Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 2019, 1, 1-8
2. Kyle McGaughy, Ahmad Abu Hajer, Edward Drabold, David Bayless, M. Toufiq Reza, Algal Remediation of Wastewater Produced from Hydrothermally Treated Septage, Sustainability, 2019, 11 (12), 3454
3. Kyle McGaughy, Jay Wilhelm, M. Toufiq Reza, Ion Selective Electrodes for Flue Gas Desulfurization Wastewater Monitoring: Effects of Ionic Strength on Selective Ions, Applied Sciences,2019, 9(15), 3085
4. Nepu Saha, Danhui Xin, Pei Chiu, M. Toufiq Reza, Effect of pyrolysis temperature on acidic functional groups and electron storage capacities of pyrolyzed hydrochars, ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 2019, 7, 8387-8396
5. Pretom Saha, M. Helal Uddin, M. Toufiq Reza, A steady-state equilibrium-based carbon dioxide gasification simulation model for hydrothermally carbonized cow manure, Energy Conversion and Management, 2019, 191, 12-22
6. Nepu Saha, Akbar Saba, Pretom Saham Diana Franqui-Villanueva, William Orts, William M Hart-Cooper, M. Toufiq Reza, Hydrothermal carbonization of various paper mill sludges: an observation of solid fuel properties, Energies, 2019, 12, 858-868
7. Akbar Saba, Kyle McGaughy, M. Toufiq Reza, Techno-economic Assessment of Co-Hydrothermal Carbonization of a Coal-Miscanthus Blend, Energies, 2019, 12, 630-640
8. Nepu Saha, Akbar Saba, M. Toufiq Reza, Effect of hydrothermal carbonization temperature on pH, dissociation constants, and acidic functional groups on hydrochar from cellulose and wood, Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 2019, 137, 138-145
9. Md. Rifat Hasan, M. Toufiq Reza, Hydrothermal deformation of Marcellus shale: Effects of subcritical water temperature and holding time on shale porosity and surface morphology, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 2019, 172, 383-390
10.  Pretom Saha, Kyle McGaughy, Md. Rifat Hasan, M. Toufiq Reza, Pyrolysis and carbon dioxide gasification kinetics of hydrochar produced from cow manure, Environmental Progress and Sustainable Energy, 2019, 38 (1), 154-162

Recognition & Awards

• American Chemical Society- Petroleum Research Fund (ACS-PRF) Award 2019
• Marvan E. and Ann D. White Research Award 2019, Russ College of Engineering, Ohio University
• Innovation Strategy Award 2016 and 2017, Ohio University
• Stocker faculty enrichment award 2016, 2017, and 2018, Ohio University
• Recognition as Outstanding Graduate Student Researcher 2013, by the Governor, State of Nevada
• Outstanding Graduate Student Researcher award 2013, UNR
• Recognition as Outstanding International Student 2012, College of Engineering, UNR.

Research

Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC): In this process, wet biomass (e.g., garbage, food waste, animal waste, sewage sludge, mixed plastics) are treated at high temperature and high pressure. Water being a reaction medium for HTC is beneficial as the wet biomass could be utilized without expensive drying. Depending on process conditions and catalysts, HTC process yields solid fuel (hydrochar), liquid fuel (biocrude), and renewable natural gas (methane). Solid hydrochar could also be activated for energy storage and use to adsorb contaminants from water. 

Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES): This is a new class of solvents targeted for specific applications including but not limited to BTX from naphtha, platform chemicals from HTC process water, clean-up oil spills, and wastewater treatment from power plants. DES are mixtures of two or more components (i.e., hydrogen-bond acceptor (HBA) and hydrogen-bond donor (HBD) molecules) with melting points significantly lower than either of their individual components.

Pyrolysis and Torrefaction: Dry biomass could be converted to biochar, solid fuel, or liquid biocrude at high temperature in inert atmosphere. Torrefaction occurs at 200-350 C, where volatile materials from biomass leaves an energy dense solid fuel. Meanwhile, pyrolysis occurs at 350-650 C, where a carbon-rich porous biochar formed. Biochar can be used as carbon sequestration, soil amendment, and slow-release fertilizer.

Research Fundings:

On-going Projects (Total Budget: $4.65 M)

1. Simultaneous Adsorption of Red Tide and Brevotoxins by Low-Cost Clay-Biochar Complex, 08/2022 – present, Toufiq Reza (PI), Fire, Lovko (Mote), $75 K
2. Controlling Pyrodinium Outbreaks of Tampa Bay Estuary by Low-Cost Biochar, 08/2022 – present, Toufiq Reza (PI), Fire, Lovko (Mote), $104 K
3. Prevention and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms in St. Lucie Estuary by Low-cost Sargassum-derived Biochar, EPA-R4-South Florida Geographic Initiative, 02/2022 – present, Toufiq Reza (PI), Fire (FIT), Encomio (UF), Ellis (GCS LLC.), $330 K
4. Controlling Pyrodinium Outbreaks in the Indian River Lagoon Estuarine System (IRLES) using Low- cost Biochars, Florida Sea Grant Office, 12/2021-present, Toufiq Reza (PI), Fire (FIT), Sadmani (UCF), $187 K
5. Engineered Solutions for Prevention and Control of Eutrophication using Novel Biosorbents, USDA-NIFA-ARFI, 07/2021- present, Toufiq Reza (PI) Aich-UB (co-PI), Sharma-OU (co-PI), $450 K
6. Renewable Hydrogen Generation with Carbon Recycling (ReHyCaRe) from Biogenic Residues of Bangladesh, USAID, 04/2021 – present, Kirtania- BUET-Bangladesh (PI), Saha – BAU-Bangladesh (co-PI), Islam- DU-Bangladesh (co-PI), Reza (co-PI), $174 K
7. INFEWS/T2: Organic Waste Lifecycles at the interface of Food, Energy, Water Systems (OWL-FEWs), 10/2019-present, NSF, Derek Kauneckis (PI), M. Toufiq Reza (co-PI), Total budget $2,000,000, FIT Budget $292,000
8. Thermodynamics and Kinetics of BTX Phase Transfer from Alkanes to Phosphonium-based Deep Eutectic Solvents: Experimental Studies and Computational Modeling, 09/2019-present, ACS-PRF-DNI, M. Toufiq Reza (PI), $110,000
9. Development and Optimization of MildHydrothermalPreprocessing for High AshBiomass intoPelletizedBiorefineryFeedstocks, 10/2019- present; S. Department of Agriculture, M.ToufiqReza (PI), $943,000

   Completed Projects (Total: $2.47M)

10. Value-added products from rural wastes, 06/2019-06/2022, Sugar Bush Foundation, M. Toufiq Reza (PI), $202,000
11. Novel Hydrothermal Upgrading of Coal Refuse-Biomass Blend into High Quality Solid Fuel, 04/2018-present, Ohio Coal Development Office, M. Toufiq Reza (PI), $156,105
12. Novel CO₂-SO₂ Co-capture Process by Deep Eutectic Solvents, 07/2017-08/2018, Ohio Development Service Agency, M. Toufiq Reza (PI), $93,000
13. Reclaiming abandoned lands with co-production of biofuels and high value bioproducts, Ohio University Innovation Strategy Award, Sarah Davis (PI), M. Toufiq Reza (Co-PI), $20,000
14. OHIO Multistage FGD Wastewater Sensor: Application of Ion Selective Electrode (ISE) based sensor modules for real-time multi-points water quality monitoring of Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) wastewater, 01/2017- 01/2019, Ohio Coal Development Office, M. Toufiq Reza (PI), $160,000
15. Gasification of biocarbons produced from hydrothermal carbonization of manure, 08/2016- 06/2018, Western Sun Grant Initiative prime US Department of Agriculture, M. Toufiq Reza (PI), $60,000
16. Ohio Coke based Carbon Quantum Dots for Supercapacitor, 01/2017- 06/2019, Ohio Coal Development Office, John Staser (PI), M. Toufiq Reza (co-PI), $160,000
17. Preventing a Bust: Innovations for Sustainable & Enhanced Economic Outcomes from Shale, 05/ 2016- 12/2018, Innovation Award, Ohio University, David Bayless (PI), M. Toufiq Reza (co-PI), $1,600,000
18. Novel Thermal Treatment Process for Recovery of Nutrients in Animal-Derived Wastes, 01/2016-12/2016, Ohio Water Development Board, Jason Trembly (PI), M. Toufiq Reza (co-PI) $200,000