Dr. Jeffrey Rimer
Assistant Professor

Dept. of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
S222 Engineering Building 1
University of Houston
4800 Calhoun Ave.
Houston, TX 77204-4004
Office Location: S227
Telephone: (713) 743-4131
Fax: (713) 743-4323
E-mail: jrimer "at-sign" central "dot" uh "dot" edu

EDUCATION

— B.S., Chemistry, Allegheny College (2001)
— B.S., Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis (2001)
— Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware (2006)

COURSES

— Topics in Colloid and Interface Science (Fall 2009)

› back to top

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Microporous Materials Synthesis and Characterization for Catalytic and Biomedical Applications; Pathological Biomineralization of Kidney Stones and Vascular Calcification; Crystal Engineering; Nanomaterials Self-Assembly; X-Ray and Neutron Scattering; Atomic Force Microscopy

Current Research

My research program focuses on crystal engineering, nanomaterials self-assembly, and pathological biomineralization at both the microscopic and macroscopic levels to address challenges of materials design for applications in catalysis and medicine. Research projects involve collaborative partnerships with both industry and medical centers to investigate fundamental problems in three general areas:

Design of Microporous Nanomaterials
We use bio-inspired approaches for selectively tuning zeolite properties through tailored growth inhibitors that bind to specific faces on zeolite surfaces via molecular recognition and alter crystal habit. Interactions of growth inhibitors with zeolite surfaces and their effect on growth kinetics are investigated at an interfacial level using atomic force microscopy. We seek to exploit this approach of controlled zeolite crystallization to improve nanomaterials for applications in catalysis and separations, and for nanoparticle toxicology studies of elongated mineral particles.

Mechanism of Vascular Calcification
We investigate calcium phosphate formation in arterial plaque using surfaces that mimic endothelial cells to examine in vitro self-assembly of calcium deposits, the effect of arterial constituents, such as proteins and lipids, on heterogeneous nucleation and crystal growth, and the role of calcification in the adverse physiological effects of heart disease.

Pathological Biomineralization of Kidney Stones
We focus on the formation of calcium oxalate monohydrate and L-cystine stones to quantitatively investigate crystal nucleation and growth at various physiological conditions and in the presence of urinary proteins that are integral in regulating stone formation. We explore therapeutic approaches for treating stone disease through tailored growth inhibitors, which significantly alter crystal habit, yield, and growth kinetics. This approach is an alternative to current therapies, which suppress but do not completely prevent stone formation, and often cause adverse side effects, such as nausea, fatigue, and skin allergies.

› back to top

HONORS & ACTIVITIES

— Philadelphia Catalysis Club Poster Award, Wilmington, DE 2006
— Robert L. Pigford Teaching Assistant Award, University of Delaware 2005
— Dual Degree Chemical Engineering Award, Washington University in St. Louis 2001
— Harold P. Brown Fellowship, Washington University in St. Louis (1999 – 2001)
— Presidential Honor Scholarship, Allegheny College (1996 – 1999)
— Sandra Doane Turk Award, Allegheny College 1999
— Most Outstanding Junior Chemist Award, Allegheny College 1998
— ACS Polymer Division Award for Outstanding Performance in Organic Chemistry, 1998
— ACS Most Outstanding Freshman Chemistry Student, 1997

› back to top

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

1. Rimer, J.D., Lee, M.H., An, Z., Wesson, J.A., Goldfarb, D.S., Ward, M.D.. “Tailored Growth Inhibition of L-Cystine Crystallization” (In Preparation).
   
2. Pragasam, V., Rimer, J.D., Beshensky, A.M., Zachowicz, W.J., Ward, M.D., Kleinman, J.G., Wesson, J.A.. “Calcium oxalate monohydrate aggregation induced by aggregation of desialylated Tamm-Horsfall protein” (Submitted).
   
3. Rimer, J.D., Trofymluk, O., Lobo, R.F., Navrotsky, A., Vlachos, D.G.. Thermodynamics of Silica Nanoparticle Self-Assembly in Basic Solutions of Monovalent Cations, J. Phys. Chem. C, 112 (2008) 14754-14761.
   
4. Rimer, J.D., Trofymluk, O., Navrotsky, A., Lobo, R.F., Vlachos, D.G.. Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies of Silica Nanoparticle Dissolution, Chem. Mater. 19 (2007) 4189-4197.
   
5. Rimer, J.D., Roth, D.D., Lobo, R.F., Vlachos, D.G.. Self-Assembly and Phase Behavior of Germanium Oxide Nanoparticles in Basic Aqueous Solutions, Langmuir, 23 (2007) 2784-2791.
   
6. Rimer, J.D., Fedeyko, J.M., Vlachos, D.G., Lobo, R.F.. Silica Self-Assembly and the Synthesis of Microporous and Mesoporous Silicates, Chem. Eur. J. 12 (2006) 2926-2934.
   
7. Rimer, J.D., Vlachos, D.G., Lobo, R.F.. Evolution of Self-Assembled Silica Tetrapropylammonium Nanoparticles at Elevated Temperatures, J. Phys. Chem. B 109 (2005) 12762-12771.
   
8. Rimer, J.D., Lobo, R.F., Vlachos, D.G.. Physical Basis for the Formation and Stability of Silica Nanoparticles in Basic Solutions of Monovalent Cations, Langmuir 21 (2005) 8960-8971.
   
9. Fedeyko, J.M., Rimer, J.D., Lobo, R.F., Vlachos, D.G.. Spontaneous Formation of Silica Nanoparticles in Basic Solutions of Small Tetraalkylammonium Cations, J. Phys. Chem. B 108 (2004) 12271-12275.
   
10. Kragten, D.D., Fedeyko, J.M., Sawant, K.R., Rimer, J.D., Vlachos, D.G., Lobo, R.F.. Structure of the Silica Phase Extracted from Silica/(TPA)OH Solutions Containing Nanoparticles, J. Phys. Chem. B 107 (2003) 10006-10016.

› back to top