Dr. Pradeep W. Samarasekere

Dr. Pradeep W. Samarasekere
Teaching Subjects
1. Chemistry for Technology
2. Introduction to Engineering Materials
3. Waste Management and Technology
4. Commercialization Concepts in Technology
2. Introduction to Engineering Materials
3. Waste Management and Technology
4. Commercialization Concepts in Technology
Research Topics
1. Applied coordination chemistry for the selective extraction of precious and rare metals from urban mines (e-waste recycling).
2. Sustainable chemistry for affordable and clean energy technologies.
3. Low-dimensional Solid-state materials for electronic, magnetic, and superconducting applications.
4. Advanced materials (electronic, photonic and magnetic materials)
5. Waste management and recycling
6. Battery materials and energy storage technologies
2. Sustainable chemistry for affordable and clean energy technologies.
3. Low-dimensional Solid-state materials for electronic, magnetic, and superconducting applications.
4. Advanced materials (electronic, photonic and magnetic materials)
5. Waste management and recycling
6. Battery materials and energy storage technologies
Professional Contributions
1. Student Counselor Faculty of Computing and Technology
Memberships of Professional Bodies/Societies
1. Member of American Chemical Society (ACS)
2. Member of American Society for Metals (ASM International)
3. Member of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS)
Publications
Patents
- Jacobson, A. J.; Samarasekere, P. “An improved process for the recovery of rare earth metals from permanent magnets” Patent application publication - WO/2017/011368, Publication Date: January 19, 2017 (Licensed to REEcycle Inc.)
- Jacobson, A. J.; Samarasekere, P. “Methods and systems for recovering rare earth elements”, Granted patent - US9376735 B2, Patent Date: June 28, 2016 (Licensed to REEcycle Inc.)
- Jacobson, A. J.; Samarasekere, P. “An improved process for the recovery of rare earth metals from permanent magnets” Patent application - US 62/191238, Filling Date: July 10, 2015 (Licensed to REEcycle Inc.)
- Jacobson, A. J.; Samarasekere, P. “Methods and systems for recovering rare earth elements” Patent application publication - WO2014144463 A1, Filling Date: March 15, 2014 (Licensed to REEcycle Inc.) [PDF] from googleapis.com
Articles and Proceedings
- Samarasekere, P.; Wang, X.; Kaveevivitchai, W.; Jacobson, A. J. “Reactions of Hydrated Nitrates and Rare earth Oxides with Formamide: Relevant to Recycling Rare Metals" Crystal Growth & Design, 2015, 15, 1119-1128. Check @ Victoria
- Samarasekere, P.; Wang, X.; Jacobson, A. J.; Tapp, J.; Moeller, A. “Synthesis, Crystal Structures, Magnetic, and Thermal Properties of Divalent Metal Formate–Formamide Layered Compounds.” Inorg. Chem. 2014, 53, 244-256. [PDF] from researchgate.net Check @ Victoria
- Samarasekere, P.; McNeil, C. “Sustainable Rare Earth Element Recycling From Neodymium Magnets – Pilot Plant Testing and Development" – Book of Abstracts NSF SBIR/STTR Phase II Grantee Conference; June 4-7, 2017; Atlanta, GA, US
- Samarasekere, P.; Tran, S. “Sustainable Rare Earth Element Recycling From Neodymium Magnets" - NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I Grantee Conference; September 28-30, 2015; Washington DC, US
- Samarasekere, P.; Wang, X.; Jacobson, A. J. “Reactions of Hydrated Lanthanide Nitrates and Oxides with Formamide" Book of Abstracts 247th ACS National Meeting & Exposition; March 20, 2014; Dallas, TX, US
- Samarasekere, P.; Jacobson, A. J. “Reactions of Divalent Transition Metals with Formamide: Synthesis and Structure Property Relationships of a Series of Transition Metal Formates" Chemistry Graduate Research Symposium; March 21, 2013; University of Houston, Houston, TX, US
- Samarasekere, P.; Jacobson, A. J. “Green Chemistry for Recycling Rare Earth Elements Based on Synthesis of Formate Bridged-Metal Organic Frameworks" Book of Abstracts 44th TcSUH Semi-annual Symposium; December 5, 2012; Texas Center of Superconductivity, Houston TX, US
- Pillows, L.; Samarasekere, P.; Jacobson, A. J. “Green method for recycling fluorescent light bulb phosphors" In Preparation for Green Chemistry.
Awards
Grants
- US National Science Foundation Grant - NSF1632711 - $750,000 - Principal Investigator - SBIR II: Sustainable Rare Earth Element Recycling from Neodymium Magnets (2016)
- US National Science Foundation Grant - NSF1520410 - $150,000 - Principal Investigator - SBIR I: Sustainable Rare Earth Element Recycling from Neodymium Magnets (2015)
Awards
The following awards were conferred in recognition of the innovation related to the patent US9376735 B2 and the commercialization plan through Rare Resource Recycling Inc. (REEcycle Inc.).
- Edison Award – Best New Product Award in Energy Sustainability™ - 2017 - Gold
- US Department of Energy - National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition - 2014
- Grand Prize
- Investor's Choice Award
- People’s Choice Award - Caltech First Look West (FLoW) - National Cleantech Business Plan Competition – US Department of Energy - Western Region – 2014 - Grand Prize
- Texas A&M University New Venture Competition – 2014 - Grand Prize
- Baylor University New Venture Competition - 2014 - Grand Prize
- MIT Clean Energy Prize - 2014 – Investor Choice Award
Honors and Fellowships
- Inventor Patent Award - University of Houston – 2017
- Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship Inventors Award – University of Houston -2017
- Graduate Student Travel Award - Texas Center for Superconductivity – 2014
- Doctoral Student Tuition Fellowship - University of Houston - 2010 – 2014
- Graduate Research Assistantship - University of Houston - 2009 – 2014