Jeremiah Masime

Postdoctoral Research Leadership in Green Chemistry for Sustainable Fuel Production

This project focused on advancing green chemistry research for sustainable biofuel production, specifically biodiesel synthesis from renewable and low-value feedstocks. The research prioritized process optimization, waste minimization, and energy efficiency by applying green chemistry principles such as atom economy, reduced solvent use, and safer reaction conditions. Life-cycle assessment tools were used to evaluate environmental impacts throughout the production process, from feedstock sourcing to product purification.

The leadership outcomes of this project included translating postdoctoral research findings into teaching modules, laboratory protocols, and undergraduate research projects to enhance institutional capacity in green fuel technologies. The project aimed to position biodiesel production as a practical platform for training students in green metrics, sustainability assessment, and responsible chemical innovation to address regional and global energy challenges.

Development of Sustainable Heterogeneous Catalysts for Green Chemical Processes

This project focused on designing, synthesizing, and evaluating heterogeneous catalysts for biodiesel production and other green chemical transformations. The emphasis was on developing solid base and solid acid catalysts from low-cost, locally available, or waste materials to improve catalyst recyclability and reduce environmental impact. Catalyst performance was optimized for activity, selectivity, stability, and reusability to enable multiple reaction cycles with minimal efficiency loss.

The research integrated process optimization and green performance metrics, including reduced reaction time, lower energy input, improved conversion efficiency, and simplified downstream separation. Life-cycle considerations guided catalyst selection and process design to align with sustainable development goals. The project also served as a mentoring platform, training students in catalysis, reaction engineering, and sustainability-focused research methodologies applicable to academic and industrial green chemistry applications.