Sergio Mendez, PhD

EDUCATION

⬥ Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, University of New Mexico 2004

⬥ B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of California at Berkeley 1996

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Chief Technology Officer, Beach Biotech, Inc. 2021 – present

⬥ Start-up company developing diabetes sensor

⬥ Responsible for technological advancement of product

⬥ Seeking venture capital

Process Engineer, Intel Corporation 1996 – 1998

⬥ Refurbished (used) and installed (new) physical vapor deposition (PVD) equipment

⬥ Supervised team of equipment and process technicians

⬥ Co-authored qualification plan for new PVD process for AlCu, Ti and TiN thin films

Engineering Student Co-op, Intel Corporation 1995

⬥ Analyzed and catalogued wafer defects from PVD process

⬥ Streamlined database queries for statistical process control

Lifeguard, City of Los Angeles 1991 – 1992

⬥ Selected for three seasons at public swimming pools

Infantry Squad Leader, United States Marine Corps 1986 – 1990

⬥ Deployed to Southeast Asia, Mediterranean and South America

⬥ Rank of corporal; Good Conduct medal; Honorable Discharge

AWARDS

⬥ Impact Infuencer Award, U.S. Navy Talent Aquisition Group Pacific, 2022

⬥ Excellence in Teaching Award, National Society of Leadership and Success, 2018

⬥ College of Engineering Faculty Member of the Year, AESB 2011

⬥ Post-doctoral fellowship, NSF P.R.E.M., 2006 & 2007

⬥ Outstanding Graduate Student, UNM School of Engineering, 2004

⬥ Lamer award nominee (for Ph.D. dissertation), American Chemical Society, 2004

⬥ Padden award finalist (for Ph.D. research), American Physical Society, 2004

⬥ Top-Level award (for Ph.D. research), American Vacuum Society, 2004

⬥ Graduate fellowship, Ford Motor Company, 2003 & 2004

⬥ Graduate fellowship, NM AGEP, 2001 - 2004

⬥ Graduate fellowship, Sloan Foundation, 1998 - 2000

⬥ Scholarship, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, 2000 - 2002 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Reviewer for grant proposals

⬥ DOE Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) 2024

⬥ DOE BioEnergy Technologies Office (BETO) program 2022 

⬥ DOE Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program 2021

⬥ CSU Program for Education and Research in Biotechnology (CSUPERB) 2017

Reviewer for journal articles & books

⬥ Chemical Engineering Science journal 2024 (impact factor 4.7)

⬥ Cambridge University Press textbook 2022

⬥ Energies journal 2018 (impact factor 2.702)

Guest Editor

⬥ MDPI special issue of Sustainability journal (impact factor 3.9) 2021

Conference organizer and session chair

⬥ Session chair for Women in Engineering 2022 conference

⬥ IEEE Green Energy and Smart Systems Conference organizing committee, 2010-2017

U.S. PATENTS

⬥ Granted: N. Carroll, E. Derbins, S. Mendez, D. Petsev, S. Rathod and D. Weitz “Mesoporous Metal Oxide Microspheres and Method for Forming Same”, #8,334,013, 2012.

⬥ Not granted: T. Karwa, S. Mendez, M. Bernal and A. Milo, “Salivary Enzyme Test for Screening, Diagnosis, and Monitoring of Type II Diabetes Mellitus”, #17/346,188.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE 

Scientific Impact

⬥ Graduated 8 Master of Science in Chemical Engineering theses students

⬥ 25 peer reviewed publications: 19 journal articles + 2 book chapters + 4 proceedings

⬥ Over 57 presentations at technical conferences

⬥ Number of citations: over 2080+ (Google Scholar 4/24)

⬥ h-index 17, i10-index 21 (Google Scholar 4/24)

Areas of Expertise

⬥ Polymer solution thermodynamics and thermo-responsive polymer thin films

⬥ Nano-materials fabrication and characterization

⬥ Molecular modeling with theory and computer simulation

⬥ Green materials and biofuels

⬥ Development of biomedical devices

Postdoctoral Fellow, UNM, 2006 – 2009

⬥ Synthesized nanostructured particles within microfluidic devices

⬥ Modeled adhesion of biological cells onto polymer films with self-consistent field theory

⬥ Modeled capillary flow in membranes with COMSOL Multiphysics

⬥ Advisor: Dr. Dimeter Petsev

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Cornell University, 2004 – 2006

⬥ Fabricated block copolymer nanofibers with the electrospinning process

⬥ Characterized nanostructures of self-assembling polymers with SAXS, SEM and TEM

⬥ Modeled rheology of copolymer/nanoparticle mixtures with molecular dynamics

⬥ Advisors: Professors Yong Joo and Fernando Escobedo

Ph.D. Student, UNM, 1998 – 2004

⬥ Dissertation can be downloaded here

⬥ Synthesized polymer thin films with atom transfer radical polymerization

⬥ Characterized films with neutron reflectivity, surface plasmon resonance and ellipsometry

⬥ Modeled temperature-responsive polymer thin films with SCF field theory

⬥ Modeled polymer solutions with integral equation theory and Monte Carlo

⬥ Thesis advisors: Professor Gabriel Lopez and Dr. John Curro (Sandia National Lab)

Undergraduate Student, UC Berkeley, summer 1995

⬥ Constructed multi-gas, temperature-controlled apparatus for metal catalysis studies

⬥ Advisor: Professor Enrique Iglesia

Undergraduate Student, UC Santa Barbara, summer 1994 

⬥ Utilized chemical treatments to eliminate pollutants from municipal drinking water supplies

⬥ Advisor: Professor Orville Sandal

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING THESES

(Advised by Dr. Mendez at CSULB)

[8] Fernando Arellano,"Industrial Project: Batch Process Control and Automation for Extraction of Essential Oils and CBD from Hemp", 2022, youtube video.

[7] Iraj Vatankhah,"Purification of Industrial Grade Urea for Diesel Exhaust Pollution Prevention", 2017, ISBN 9781369575460.

[6]  Sanubo Toeque II, Ed.D., "The Development of Indigenous Liquid Soap for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases in Impoverished Rural Communities", 2017, ISBN 9781369575477.

[5] Lisa AungYong, "Fabrication of Green Sustainable Sandwich Panels by Synthesis of Polyurethane-based Foams with Incorporated Waste Glycerol and Agricultural Waste Residue", 2014, ISBN 9781303984020.

[4] Aleke Kuoh, "Green Engineering: Sustainable Biodiesel Production using Aboriginal Chemical Processes for Self-Empowerment in Small Tropical Rural Villages", 2013, ISBN 9781303796050.

[3] Elaine Trinh, "Formulation of Green Adhesives from Mixtures of Soy Protein Isolates and Rosin Ester Resin", 2012, ISBN 9781267977595.

[2] Hsiang-Fu Cheng, "Green Engineering: Green Composite Material, Biodiesel from Waste Coffee Grounds, and Polyurethane Bio-Foam", 2012, ISBN 9781267460035.

[1] Chao-Chieh Chiang, "Synthesis of Green Polyurethane Foam Using Waste Glycerol and Hay Fibers", 2012, ISBN 9781267455512.

PUBLICATIONS 

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

[19] K. E. Chan, L. AungYong. Y. F. Ko and S. Mendez, “Experimental and numerical studies of sustainable sandwich biocomposites derived from plant-based resources”, 

J. Sandwich Structures and Materials, October 5, 2015, 1099636215608785.

[18] S. Mendez*, and L. AungYong, “Reinforcing Concepts of Transient Heat Conduction and Convection with Simple Experiments and COMSOL Simulations”, Chemical Engineering Education, 48, 215-220, 2014.

[17] S. Mendez*, E. M. Fenton, G. R. Gallegos, D. N. Petsev, S. S. Sibbett, H. A. Stone, Y. Zhang, and G. P. Lopez, “Imbibition in Porous Membranes of Complex Shape: Quasi-stationary Flow in Thin Rectangular Segments”, Langmuir, 26, 1380-1385, 2010.

[16] L. K. Ista, S. Mendez and G. P. Lopez, “Attachment and Detachment of Bacteria on Surfaces with Tunable and Switchable Wettability”, Biofouling, 26, 111-118, 2010.

[15] S. Mendez*, B. P. Andrzejewski, H. E. Canavan, D. J. Keller, J. D. McCoy, G. P. Lopez and J. G. Curro, “Understanding the Force-vs-Distance Profiles of Terminally Attached Poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) Thin Films”, Langmuir, 25, 10624-10632, 2009.

[14] V. Kalra, S. Mendez, F. Escobedo and Y. L. Joo, “Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics Simulation on the Placement of Nanoparticles within Symmetric Diblock Copolymers under Shear Flow”, Journal of Chemical Physics, 128, 164909, 2008.

[13] N. J. Carroll, S. B. Rathod, E. Derbins, S. Mendez, D. A. Weitz and D. N. Petsev, “Droplet Based Microfluidics for Emulsion and Solvent Evaporation Synthesis of Monodisperse Mesoporous Silica Microspheres”, Langmuir 24, 658, 2008.

[12] V. Kalra, S. Mendez, J.H. Lee, H. Nguyen, M. Marquez and Y. L. Joo, “Confined Assembly in Coaxially Electrospun Block Copolymer Fibers”, Advanced Materials 18, 3299, 2006.

[11] V. Kalra, P.A. Kakad, S. Mendez, T. Ivannikov, M. Kamperman and Y.L. Joo, "Self-Assembled Structures in Electrospun Poly(styrene-block-isoprene) Fibers", Macromolecules 39, 5453, 2006.

[10] H. Yim, M.S. Kent, S. Mendez, G.P. Lopez, S. Satija and Y. Seo, “Effects of Grafting Density and Molecular Weight on the Temperature-Dependent Conformational Change of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Grafted Chains in Water”, Macromolecules 39, 3420, 2006.

[9] H. Yim, M. S. Kent, S. Satija, S. Mendez, S. S. Balamurugan, S. Balamurugan and G. P. Lopez, "Evidence for Vertical Phase Separation in Densely Grafted, High Molecular Weight Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Brushes in Water”, Physical Review E 72, 051801, 2005.

[8] S. Mendez, J. G. Curro, J. D. McCoy and G. P. Lopez, “Computational Modeling of the Temperature-Induced Structural Changes of Tethered Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) with Self-Consistent Field Theory”, Macromolecules 38, 174, 2005.

[7] S. Mendez and J. G. Curro, “Integral Equation Theory of Polymer Solutions: Application to Polyethylene/Benzene Solutions”, Macromolecules 37, 1980, 2004.

[6] H. Yim, M. S. Kent, S. Mendez, S. S. Balamurugan, S. Balamurugan, G. P. Lopez and S. Satija, "Temperature-Dependent Conformational Change of PNIPAM Grafted Chains at High Surface Density in Water", Macromolecules 37, 1994, 2004.

[5] H. Yim, M. S. Kent, S. Satija, S. Mendez, S. S. Balamurugan, S. Balamurugan, and G. P. Lopez, "Study of the Conformational Change of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Grafted Chains in Water with Neutron Reflection: Molecular Weight Dependence at High Grafting Density", Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics 42, 3302, 2004.

[4] S. Mendez, L. K. Ista and G. P. Lopez, “Use of Stimuli Responsive Polymers Grafted on Mixed Self-Assembled Monolayers to Tune Transitions in Surface Energy”, Langmuir 19, 8115, 2003.

[3] S. Balamurugan, S. Mendez, S. S. Balamurugan, M. J. O’Brien II and G. P. Lopez, “Thermal Response of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Brushes Probed by Surface Plasmon Resonance”, Langmuir 19, 2545, 2003.

[2] S. Mendez, J. G. Curro, M. Puetz, D. Bedrov and G. D. Smith, "An Integral Equation Theory of Polymer Solutions: Explicit Inclusion of the Solvent Molecules", Journal of Chemical Physics 115, 5669, 2001.

[1] L. K. Ista, S. Mendez, V. H. Perez-Luna and G. P. Lopez, "Synthesis of Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) on Initiator-Modified Self-Assembled Monolayers", Langmuir 17, 2552, 2001.

Peer-Reviewed Book Chapters

[2] N. J. Carroll, S. Mendez, J. Edwards, D. A. Weitz and D. N. Petsev, “Droplet-Based Microfluidics: Picoliter-Sized Reactors for Mesoporous Microparticle Synthesis”, in Structure and Functional Properties of Colloidal Systems, R. Hidalgo-Alvarez, Editor.  CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group: Boca Raton, Florida, 2010, pp. 429-444.

[1] L. K. Ista, S. Mendez, S. S. Balamurugan, S. Balamurugan, V. G. Rama Rao and G. P. Lopez, “Smart Surfaces for the Control of Bacterial Attachment and Biofilm Accumulation”, in Smart Coatings II, American Chemical Society Symposium Series, volume 1002, 2009, chapter 4, pp. 95-110.

Peer-Reviewed Conference Proceedings

[4] I. Cervantes, L. AungYong, K. E. Chan, Y. F. Ko and S. Mendez, “Flexural Retrofitting of Reinforced Concrete Structures using Green Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Plates”, International Conference for Sustainable Infrastructure, Long Beach, November 2014.

[3] S. Mendez* and L. AungYong, "Simple Experiments and 3-D COMSOL Simulations to Enhance the Learning of Transient Heat Transfer", American Society of Engineering Educators Pacific Southwest section conference proceedings, pp. 501-510, Riverside, CA April 2013.

[2] J. Chiang, K. Cheng, B. Bahr, Y.F. Ko and S. Mendez*, "Developing BioFoam by Incorporating Hay and Biodiesel Waste Glycerol into Polyurethane Foam", Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) conference proceedings, Baltimore, MD, May 2012. 

[1] S. Mendez*, Y.F. Ko, R. C. Lo, D. Bahr and K. Cheng, "Preliminary Studies of Natural Fiber Composites for use in Wind Turbine Blades", SAMPE conference proceedings, #1398, Long Beach, CA, May 2011.

Non-Peer-Reviewed Conference Proceedings

[6] S. Mendez*, L. AungYong, K. Chen and Y.F. Ko, “Fabrication of Polyurethane-Based Foams with Incorporated “Waste” Glycerol from Transesterification Synthesis and “Waste” Agricultural Residues (Chopped Rice Hull Fibers)”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers national conference, San Francisco, CA, November 2013.

[5] S. Mendez*, “The Use of COMSOL Multiphysics Simulations to Enhance the Learning of Basic Concepts of Heat and Momentum Transfer”, Proceedings of the American Society of Engineering Educators national conference, Vancouver, BC June 2011.

[4] V. Kalra, P. A. Kakad, S. Mendez, M. Kamperman and Y. L. Joo, "Self Assembled Structures in Electrospun PS-b-PI Fibers", Proceedings of the 228th American Chemical Society National Meeting, March 2006.

[3] S. Mendez, B. Subramanian, S. S. Balamurugan, G. P. Lopez, H. Yim, M. S. Kent, J. G. Curro and J. D. McCoy, "Characterization and Modeling of Temperature-induced Structural Changes of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Brushes", Proceedings of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, November 2003.

[2] S. Mendez, S. S. Balamurugan, B. Subramanian and G. P. Lopez, "Synthesis and Temperature-induced Conformational Changes of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Brushes", Proceedings of the XXXVIII Congreso Mexicano de Quimica, September 2003.

[1] S. Mendez, S. Balamurugan, S. S. Balamurugan, M. J. O’Brien and G. P. Lopez, “LCST Phase Behavior of End-grafted Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)”, Proceedings of the 225th American Chemical Society National Meeting, U617, March 2003.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS

(during tenure at CSULB, students underlined)

[5] L. AungYong, Y.F. Ko, S. Mendez* and K. Chan, “Fabrication of Polyurethane-Based Foams with Incorporated “Waste” Glycerol from Biodiesel Synthesis and “Waste” Agricultural Residues (Chopped Rice Hull Fibers)”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers national conference, San Francisco, CA, November 2013.

[4] J. Chiang, K. Cheng, B. Bahr, Y.F. Ko and S. Mendez*, "Developing BioFoam by Incorporating Hay and Biodiesel Waste Glycerol into Polyurethane Foam", Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) conference proceedings, Baltimore, MD, May 2012. 

[3] S. Mendez*, D. Bahr, K. Cheng and R. Lo, “Use of Natural Fibers in Small-Scale Wind Turbine Blades”, Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering, Long Beach, CA, May 2011.

[2] D. Bahr, K. Cheng, J. Chiang, Y.F. Ko, R.C. Lo, B. Bahr, and S. Mendez*, “Chemical and mechanical analysis of green composites materials made from natural fibers of hemp, flax, and hay”, Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research in Chemistry, U.C. Santa Barbara, May 2011.

[1] D. Hernandez, A. Lamb, S. Derakhshan, W. Dong, T. Faltens, and S. Mendez*, “Synthesis and Characterization Titanium Dioxide Composites with Applications in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells”, Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research in Chemistry, U.C. Santa Barbara, May 2011.

(prior to tenure at CSULB)

[19] V. Kalra, J. Lee, S. Mendez, F. Escobedo, Y.L. Joo, “Using external fields to control the location of nanoparticles in block copolymers: Experiments and simulations”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, Conference Proceeding, 503d, 2008.

[18] K. Dotson, J.D. McCoy, S. Mendez, J. Curro, B. Andrzejewski, G.P. Lopez and D. Keller, “Comparison of AFM and Density Functional Theory Force Profiles”, American Physical Society Meeting, New Orleans, LA, March 2008.

[17] S. Mendez, H. Canavan, J.G. Curro and J. D. McCoy, "Modeling the Force-Distance Profiles of Tethered Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) with Self-Consistent Field Theory", 7th Southern School on Computational Chemistry and Materials Science, Jackson, MS, April 2007.

[16] S. Mendez, V. Kalra, L. T. J. Korley, J. H. Lee and Y. L. Joo, "Effect of Cylindrical Confinement on Self-Assembly of Block Copolymers within Co-axial Electrospun fibers", American Institute of Chemical Engineers, San Francisco, CA, November 2006.

[15] S. Mendez, V. Kalra, P. A. Kakad, M. Kamperman and Y. L. Joo, "Electrospun poly(styrene-b-isoprene) fibers that exhibit internal structure", American Physical Society Meeting, Baltimore, MD, March 2006.

[14] M. Kent, S. Mendez, S. Balamurugan, G.P. Lopez, S. Satija and Y.S. Seo, 

“Temperature-dependent conformational changes of PNIPAM grafted chains in water: effects of molecular weight and grafting density” American Physical Society Meeting, 2005.

[13] J.G. Curro, S. Mendez, J.D. McCoy and G.P. Lopez, “Computational Modeling of the Temperature-Induced Structural Changes of Tethered Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)”,

American Physical Society Meeting, 2005.

[12] S. Mendez, G. P. Lopez, J. G. Curro, M. S. Kent and J. D. McCoy, “Synthesis, Characterization and Modeling of Tethered Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)”, American Vacuum Society 51st International Symposium, Anaheim, CA, November 2004.

[11] S. Mendez, B. Subramanian, S. S. Balamurugan, G. P. Lopez, H. Yim, M. S. Kent, J. G. Curro and J. D. McCoy, “Application of Self-Consistent Field Theory to Model the Temperature Response of Tethered Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Chains”, American Physical Society Meeting, Montreal, Canada, March 2004.

[10] S. Mendez, “I. Synthesis, Characterization and Modeling of Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) Brushes with Self-Consistent Field Theory II. Modeling Polymer Solutions with an Integral Equation Theory”, Cornell University, chemical engineering department seminar, March 2004.

[9] S. Mendez, B. Subramanian, S. S. Balamurugan, G. P. Lopez, H. Yim, M. S. Kent, J. G. Curro and J. D. McCoy, "Characterization and Modeling of Temperature-induced Structural Changes of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Brushes", American Institute of Chemical Engineers, San Francisco, CA, November 2003.

[8] (Invited speaker) S. Mendez, S. S. Balamurugan, B. Subramanian and G. P. Lopez, "Synthesis and Temperature-induced Conformational Changes of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Brushes", XXXVIII Congreso Mexicano de Quimica, Ixtapa, Mexico, September 2003.

[7] (Invited speaker) S. Mendez, G. P. Lopez, “Stimuli Responsive Polymers for the Control of Interfacial Properties”, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico City, September 2003.

[6] S. Mendez, S. Balamurugan, S. S. Balamurugan, L. K. Ista, G. P. Lopez, H. Yim, M. S. Kent, J. G. Curro and J. D. McCoy, "Synthesis and Temperature-Induced Conformational Changes of Poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide) Brushes", American Vacuum Society - New Mexico Chapter 39th Annual Symposium, Albuquerque, NM, April 2003.

[5] S. Mendez and J. G. Curro, "Modeling Polyethylene/Benzene Solutions with an Integral Equation Theory", American Physical Society Meeting, Austin, TX, March 2003.

[4] S. Mendez, S. Balamurugan, S. S. Balamurugan, G. P. Lopez, J. G. Curro, M. S. Kent, H. Yim and J. D. McCoy, “Synthesis, Characterization and Modeling of Tethered Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) Chains”, American Chemical Society 17th Rocky Mountain Regional Meeting, Albuquerque, NM, October 2002.

[3] S. Mendez, J. G. Curro, M. S. Kent, H. Yim and J. D. McCoy, “Molecular Modeling of Tethered Polymer Chains” American Physical Society Meeting, Indianapolis, IN, March 2002.

[2] S. Mendez, J. G. Curro, M. S. Kent and J. D. McCoy, “Molecular Modeling of Tethered Polymer Chains”, 13th Rio Grande Regional Symposium on Advanced Materials, Albuquerque, NM, October 2001.

[1] S. Mendez, J. G. Curro, M. Puetz, D. Bedrov and G. D. Smith, "Integral Equation Theory of Polymer Solutions: Explicit Treatment of the Solvent", American Physical Society Meeting, Seattle, WA, March 2001.

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

(during tenure at CSULB, students underlined)

[29] T. Karwa S. Mendez*, A. Milo, M. Bernal and A. Tohmeh “Development of a handheld biomedical device for saliva screening”, Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, Honolulu, HI, July 2018.

[28] V. Delgado and S. Mendez*, “Polyurethane Foam Synthesis of from castor oil and waste agricultural residues”, ACS Southern California Undergraduate Research Conference, U.C. San Diego, April 2015.

[27] H. Gomez and S. Mendez*, “Fabrication Process to Improve Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Efficiency”, Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM, Washington DC, February 2014.

[26] S. Mendez*, L. AungYong and Y.F. Ko, “Synthesis of Green Polyurethane Foam Using Waste Glycerol and Hay Fibers”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers national conference, San Francisco, CA, November 2013.

[25] H. Gomez and S. Mendez*, “Development of a Fabrication Process to Improve the Efficiency of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell”, CSULB Summer Research Program, Long Beach, CA, August 2013.

[24] K. Braun, A. Fuhr, R.C Lo and S. Mendez*, “Droplet-based microfluidics for high-throughput studies of enzymatic reactions” California State University Program for Education and Research in Biotechnology annual symposium, Anaheim, CA, January 2013.

[23] M.A. Gomez and S. Mendez*, “Effect of Dye and TiO2 on Electric Power Generation from Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell”, IEEE Green Energy Forum, Long Beach, CA, November 2013.

1st place award at student poster session

[22] T. Salt and S. Mendez*, “Biodiesel from Algae”, IEEE Green Energy Forum, Long Beach, CA, November 2013.

2nd place award at student poster session

[21] C. Montgomery, S. Mendez*, “Fabrication of Wind Turbine Blades from Green Composite Materials and Carbon Fibers”, IEEE Green Energy Forum, Long Beach, CA, November 2013.

[20] M.A. Gomez and S. Mendez*, “Effect of Dye and TiO2 on Electric Power Generation from Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Technology Workshop, UCLA, April 2012.

[19] T. Salt and S. Mendez*, “Algae Oil Extraction and Separation for the Use in Biodiesel Fuel”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Technology Workshop, UCLA, April 2012.

[18] A. Fuhr, K. Cheng, J. Chiang, A. Nazmi, R.C. Lo, and S. Mendez*, “Determination of the Michaelis-Menten Constants of the Hydrogen Peroxide/Horseradish Peroxidase Assay on a Microfluidic Chip”, Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research in Chemistry, CSU Channel Islands, April 2012.

[17] T. Salt and S. Mendez*, “Algae Oil Extraction and Separation for the Use in Biodiesel Fuel”, Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research in Chemistry, CSU Channel Islands, April 2012.

[16] C. Montgomery, S. Mendez*, “Fabrication of Wind Turbine Blades from Green Composite Materials and Carbon Fibers”, NOBCChE regional meeting, San Diego, CA, March 2012.

[15] S. Mendez*, K. Cheng, and R. C. Lo, “Droplet-based microfluidics for high-throughput studies of enzyme catalyzed reactions”, AIChE Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, October 2011.

[14] K. Cheng, D. Bahr, R. C. Lo, and S. Mendez*, ”Chemical and mechanical analysis of green composites materials made from natural fibers of hemp, flax, and hay”, AIChE Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, October 2011. 

[13] S. Mendez*, H. Nasoordeen and D. Hernandez, ”Synthesis of Anisotropic Porous Titanium Dioxide thin films by Using Magnetically Aligned Microparticles”, AIChE Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, October 2011. 

[12] L. AungYong, M. Tran and S. Mendez*, “Experimental and Computational Simulations To Maximize the Power Output of Polymer Membrane Fuel Cells”, IEEE Green Energy Forum, Long Beach, CA, November 2011. 

1st place award at student poster session

[11] L. Palomec and S. Mendez*, “An Examination of Biodiesel Synthesis and the Presence of Unwanted By-Products using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Gas Chromatography”, IEEE Green Energy Forum, Long Beach, CA, November 2011. 

2nd place award at student poster session

[10] L. Aungyong, S. Nguyen and S. Mendez*, “The Use of COMSOL Multiphysics to Simulate the Transfer of Heat through Solids, and the Flow Behavior of Liquids”, Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research, Walnut, CA, November 2011.

[9] L. Palomec and S. Mendez*, “An Examination of Biodiesel Synthesis and the Presence of Unwanted By-Products using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Gas Chromatography”, Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research, Walnut, CA, November 2011.

[8] S. Mendez*, “The use to COMSOL Multiphysics Simulations to Enhance the Learning of Basic Concepts of Heat and Momentum Transfer”, American Society of Engineering Education, Vancouver, Canada, June 2011.

[7] E. Ngo, S. Mendez and S. Faraji*, “Kinetic Studies of Sodium Acetate Production from Biodiesel Wastewater” Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research in Chemistry, U.C. Santa Barbara, May 2011.

[6] K. Cheng, J. Chiang, A. Nazmi, R. Lo and S. Mendez*, “Development of high-throughput microfluidics to study enzyme catalyzed reactions” Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research in Chemistry, U.C. Santa Barbara, May 2011.

[5] S. Mendez*, D. Hernandez and S. Derakhshan, “Optimizing the Photocatalytic Activity of Nanostructured Titanium Dioxide/Carbon Nanotube Composites by Modifying the Surface Chemistry” American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, November 2010.

[4] A. Lamb, D. Hernandez, C. Grundmann, S. Derakhshan, and S. Mendez*, “Effect of Dyes on Titanium Dioxide Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, November 2010. 

1st place award at student poster session

[3] D. Hernandez, A. Lamb, S. Derakhshan, W. Dong, T. Faltens, and S. Mendez*, “Characterization and Analysis of Carbon Nanotube/Titanium Dioxide Composite Powders and Their Application in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells”, IEEE Green Energy Workshop, Long Beach, CA, November 2010.

 1st place award at student poster session

[2] N. Anatuanya, B. Lascelles, J. Medina and S. Mendez*, “Synthesis and Analysis of Biodiesel from Renewable Oils”, IEEE Green Energy Workshop, Long Beach, CA, November 2010.

[1] D. Hernandez, A. Lamb, S. Derakhshan, W. Dong, T. Faltens, and S. Mendez*, “Characterization and Analysis of Carbon Nanotube/Titanium Dioxide Composite Powders and Their Application in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells”, Mexican American Engineers and Scientists Symposium, Anaheim, CA, November 2010.

(prior to tenure at CSULB)

[4] S. Mendez, B. Andrzejewski, D. H. Keller, H. Canavan, G. P. Lopez, J. G. Curro and J. D. McCoy, “Modeling Force versus Distance Profiles of Terminally Anchored Poly(N-isopropylacrlamide) with Self-Consistent Field Theory”, American Vacuum Society, Seattle, WA, October 2007.

[3] S. Mendez, V. Kalra, Y. L. Joo and F. Escobedo, “Simulation of Block Copolymer / Nanoparticle Composites Under Shear”, Polymer Outreach Program, Cornell University, May 2006.

[2] S. Mendez, S. Balamurugan, S. S. Balamurugan, M. J. O’Brien and G. P. Lopez, “LCST Phase Behavior of End-grafted Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)”, 225th American Chemical Society National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, March 2003.

[1] S. Mendez, S. Balamurugan, L. K. Ista and G. P. Lopez, "Surface Plasmon Resonance Techniques for In Situ Detection of LCST Behavior on Surface-Grafted Polymer Films" American Vacuum Society 48th International Symposium, San Francisco, CA, October 2001.