Sibel Irmak, Ph.D.

Sibel Irmak, Ph.D.

  • Research Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
227 Agricultural Engineering Building
Shortlidge Road
University Park, PA 16802

Areas of Expertise

  • Chemical and thermochemical conversions of lignocellulosic biomass and other byproducts (including wastes) into value-added products (e.g. platform chemicals and hydrogen gas)
  • Developing catalysts for various conversion processes using nanotechnological approaches
  • Developing degradable biofilm formulations for agricultural applications
  • Various applications of advanced oxidation processes (degradation of toxic organic chemicals in wastewaters, depolymerization of biomass)
  • Evaluation of the effects of various fumigation treatments/technologies on the quality characteristics of food products

Websites

Education

  • B.S. Chemistry, Cukurova University (Turkey) 1997
  • Ph.D. Chemistry, Cukurova University (Turkey) 2003

Professional Preparation

  • Courtesy Research Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (06/2020–present).
  • Research Associate Professor, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (08/2014–July/2021).
  • Visiting Associate Professor, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (01/2014–08/2014).
  • Associate Professor (Tenured), Department of Chemistry, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey (10/2012–12/2013).
  • Assistant Professor (Tenure track), Department of Chemistry, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey (01/2008–09/2012).
  • Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey (09/2006–12/2007).
  • Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Grain Science and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas (08/2005–08/2006).
  • Post-doctoral Researcher, Food and Agricultural Products Research and Technology Center, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma (09/2003–07/2005).
  • Research Scholar, Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas (2000–2001).


Publications

The following subscripts are used to indicate students and co-authors listed in my publications:

  1. Undergraduate student/part time worker under my supervision
  2. Master’s student; 2a: under my supervision, 2b: serving in his/her committee
  3. Ph.D. student; 3a: under my supervision, 3b: serving in his/her committee
  4. Postdoctoral researcher

1. Bamaca Saquic, B.E.2a, S. Irmak, M. Wilkins, T. Smith. 2021. Effect of precursors on graphene supported platinum monometalic catalysts for hydrothermal gasification of biomass compounds to hydrogen. Fuel 290, 120079.

2. Verma, T.3b, B.D. Chaves, S. Irmak, J. Subbiah. 2021. Pasteurization of dried basil leaves using radio frequency heating: A microbial challenge study and quality analysis. Food Control 124, 107932.

3. Tiryaki, O.N.2a, S. Irmak. 2020. Evaluation of various corn variety kernels for hydrogen gas production by APR. Biomass and Bioenergy 134, 105480.

4. Chen, L.2b, S. Irmak, B.E. Chaves, J. Subbiah. 2020. Microbial challenge study and quality evaluation of cumin seeds pasteurized by continuous radio frequency processing. Food Control 111, 107052.

5. Irmak, S., J. Kang4, M. Wilkins. 2020. Depolymerization of lignin by wet air oxidation. Bioresource Technology Reports 9, 100377.

6. Irmak, S., Tiryaki, O.N.2a 2020. Is it economical and beneficial to produce hydrogen from excess corn kernels? Fuel 272, 117747.

7. Tiryaki, O.N.2a, S. Irmak, D. Ramchandran, J. Subbiah, M. Morton. 2019. Utilization of excess corn kernels for hydrogen gas biofuel production. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 44, 29956-29963.

8. Chen, L.2b, X. Wei, S. Irmak, B.E. Chaves, J. Subbiah. 2019. Inactivation of Salmonella enterica and Enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354 in cumin seeds by radiofrequency heating. Food Control 103, 59-69.

9. Kang, J.4, S. Irmak, M. Wilkins. 2019. Conversion of lignin into renewable compounds by advanced oxidation processes. Renewable Energy 135, 951-962.

10. Al‑Saman, M.A., A. Abdella, K.E. Mazrou, A.A. Tayel, S. Irmak. 2019. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of different extracts of the peel of kumquat (Citrus japonica Thunb). Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization 13, 3221-3229.

11. Wei, X.2b, S.K. Lau, J. Stratton, S. Irmak, J. Subbiah. 2019. Radiofrequency pasteurization process for inactivation of Salmonella spp. and Enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354 on ground black pepper. Food Microbiology 82, 388–397.

12. Irmak, S., and Tiryaki, O.N.2a 2018. Alternative biomass materials to corn for production of value-added products. UNL Extension NebGuide G2310 (Index: Crops, Crop Production/Field Crops, Issued October 2018).

13. Xinyao, W.2b, S.K. Lau, J. Stratton, S. Irmak, A. Bianchini, and J. Subbiah. 2018. Radio-frequency processing for inactivation of Salmonella enterica and Enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354 in black peppercorn. Journal of Food Protection 81(10), 1685-1695.

14. Irmak, S., B. Meryemoglu, A. Sandip1, J. Subbiah, R.B. Mitchell, and G. Sarath. 2018. Microwave pretreatment effects on switchgrass and miscanthus solubilization in subcritical water and hydrolysate utilization for hydrogen production. Biomass and Bioenergy 108, 48-54.

15. Meryemoğlu, B., A. Hasanoğlu, M. Kurtuluş, and S. Irmak. 2018. Investigation of organic solvents effects on kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) biomass conversion in subcritical water. JOTCSA 5(3), 1423-1430.

16. Ozsel, B.K., B. Nis, B. Meryemoglu, A. Hasanoglu, and S. Irmak. 2018. Utilization of waste cotton linter for preparation of activated carbon to be used as catalyst support in aqueous-phase reforming process. Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy 38, 445-450.

17. Irmak, S. 2018. Factors affecting hydrogen production from biomass in hydrothermal conditions. International Journal of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering 1(1), 1-5.

18. Irmak, S. and B. Meryemoglu. 2017. Comparison of perennial grasses and corn based agricultural biomass materials for high-yielding hydrogen gas production. Transaction of the ASABE 60(3), 601-606.

19. Irmak, S., H. Canisag1, C. Vokoun1, B. Meryemoglu. 2017. Xylitol production from lignocellulosics: Are corn biomass residues good candidates? Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology 11, 220-223.

20. Irmak, S. 2017. Carbon-based supported catalysts for biomass conversion. Journal of Biochemical Engineering & Bioprocess Technology, 1(1), 1-2.

21. Virtanen, S., R. R. Chowreddy, S. Irmak, K. Honkapää, and L. Isom. 2016. Biodegradable mulch films from food industry co-streams. Journal of Polymers and the Environment 25(3), 1110-1130.

22. Meryemoglu, B., S. Irmak, and A. Hasanoglu. 2016. Production of activated carbon materials from kenaf biomass to be used as catalyst support in aqueous-phase reforming process. Fuel Processing Technology 151, 59-63.

23. Hasanoglu, A., B. Meryemoglu, S. Irmak, M. Kurtulus, and O. Erbatur. 2016. A new approach for high-yield hydrogen production: Atmospheric pressure vapour-phase catalytic reforming of biomass hydrolysate. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 41, 12880-12887.

24. Huang, X., S. Irmak, Y. F. Lu, I. Pipinos, G. Casale, and J. Subbiah. 2015. Spontaneous and coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy of human gastrocnemius muscle biopsies in CH-stretching region for discrimination of peripheral artery disease. Biomedical Optics Express 6, 2766-2777.

25. Irmak, S., B. Meryemoglu, B.K. Ozsel, A. Hasanoglu, and O. Erbatur. 2015. Improving activity of Pt supported metal catalysts by changing reduction method of Pt precursor for hydrogen production from biomass. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 40, 14826-14832.

26. Kaya, B.3b, S. Irmak, A. Hasanoğlu, and O. Erbatur. 2015. Developing Pt based bimetallic and trimetallic carbon supported catalysts for aqueous-phase reforming of biomass-derived compounds. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 40, 3849-3858.

27. Irmak, S., B. Meryemoğlu3a, A. Hasanoğlu, and O. Erbatur. 2015. Does reduced or non-reduced biomass feed produce more gas in aqueous-phase reforming process? Fuel 139, 160-163.

28. Kaya, B.3b, S. Irmak, A. Hasanoğlu, and O. Erbatur. 2014. Evaluation of various carbon materials supported Pt catalysts for aqueous-phase reforming of lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysate. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 39, 10135-10140.

29. Meryemoğlu, B.3a, A. Hasanoğlu, S. Irmak, and O. Erbatur. 2014. Biofuel production by liquefaction of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) biomass. Bioresource Technology 151, 278-283.

30. Meryemoğlu, B.3a, A. Hasanoğlu, B. Kaya, S. Irmak, and O. Erbatur. 2014. Hydrogen production from aqueous-phase reforming of sorghum biomass: An application of the response surface methodology. Renewable Energy 62, 535-541.

31. Meryemoğlu, B.3a, S. Irmak, A. Hasanoğlu, O. Erbatur, and B. Kaya. 2014. Influence of particle size of support on reforming activity and selectivity of activated carbon supported platinum catalyst in APR. Fuel 134, 354-357.

32. Irmak, S., M. Kurtuluş2a, A. Hasanoğlu (Hesenov), and O. Erbatur. 2013. Gasification efficiencies of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin fractions of biomass in aqueous media by using Pt on activated carbon catalyst. Biomass & Bioenergy 49, 102-108.

33. Meryemoglu, B.3a, S. Irmak, A. Hesenov, and O. Erbatur. 2012. Preparation of activated carbon supported Pt catalysts and optimization of their catalytic activities for hydrogen gas production from the hydrothermal treatment of biomass-derived compounds. Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 37, 17844-17852.

34. Kaya, B.3b, S. Irmak, A. Hesenov, O. Erbatur, and C. Erkey. 2012. Effect of support materials on supported platinum catalyst prepared using a supercritical fluid deposition technique and their catalytic performance for hydrogen-rich gas production from lignocellulosic biomass. Bioresource Technology 123, 723-726. 35. Meryemoglu, B.3a, B. Kaya, S. Irmak, A. Hesenov, and O. Erbatur. 2012. Comparison of batch aqueous-phase reforming of glycerol and lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysate. Fuel 97, 241-244.

36. Naeem, H.A., D. Paulon, S. Irmak, and F. MacRitchie. 2012. Developmental and environmental effects on the assembly of glutenin polymers and the impact on grain quality of wheat. Journal of Cereal Science 56, 51-57.

37. Hesenov, A., H. Kınık, G. Puli, B. Gözmen, S. Irmak, and O. Erbatur. 2011. Electrolysis of coal slurries to produce hydrogen gas: Relationship between CO2 and H2 formation. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 36, 5361-5368.

38. Meryemoglu, B.2b, A. Hesenov, S. Irmak, O.M. Atanur, and O. Erbatur. 2010. Aqueous-phase reforming of biomass using various types of supported precious metal and raney-nickel catalysts for hydrogen production. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 35, 12580-12587.

39. Ozturk, I.2a, S. Irmak, A. Hesenov, and O. Erbatur. 2010. Hydrolysis of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) stems by catalytical thermal treatment in subcritical water. Biomass & Bioenergy 34, 1578-1585.

40. Irmak, S. and I. Ozturk2a. 2010. Hydrogen rich gas production by thermocatalytic decomposition of kenaf biomass. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 35, 5312-5317.

41. Irmak, S., K. Solakyildirim1, A. Hesenov, and O. Erbatur. 2010. Study on the stability of supercritical fluid extracted Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) essential oil. Journal of Analytical Chemistry 65, 899-906.

42. Jonnala, R. S., S. Irmak, F. MacRitchie, and S. R. Bean. 2010. Phenolics in the bran of waxy wheat and triticale lines. Journal of Cereal Science 52, 509-515.

43. Dunford, N.T., S. Irmak, and R.S. Jonnala. 2010. Pressurised solvent extraction of policosanol from wheat straw, germ and bran. Food Chemistry 119, 1246-1249.

44. Dunford, N.T., S. Irmak, and R.S. Jonnala. 2009. Effect of the solvent type and temperature on phytosterol contents and compositions of wheat straw, bran, and germ extracts. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 57, 10608-10611.

45. Irmak, S., R.S. Jonnala, and F. MacRitchie. 2008. Effect of genetic variation on phenolic acid and policosanol contents of Pegaso wheat lines. Journal of Cereal Science 48, 20-26.

46. Irmak, S., H.A. Naeem, G.L. Lookhart, and F. MacRitchie. 2008. Effect of heat stress on wheat proteins during kernel development in wheat near-isogenic lines differing at Glu-D1, Journal of Cereal Science 48, 513-516.

47. Irmak, S., N.T. Dunford, S.E. Gilliland, V. Banskalieva, and M. Eisenmenger. 2006. Biocatalysis of linoleic acid to conjugated linoleic acid. Lipids 41, 771-776.

48. Irmak, S., N.T. Dunford, and J. Milligan. 2006. Policosanol contents of beeswax, sugar cane and wheat extracts. Food Chemistry 95, 312-318.

49. Irmak, S., H.I. Yavuz, and O. Erbatur. 2006. Degradation of 4-chloro-2-methylphenol in aqueous solution by electro-Fenton and photoelectro-Fenton processes. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 63, 243-248.

50. Irmak, S., O. Erbatur, and E. Kuşvuran. 2006. Degradation of alkylphenolic compounds in aqueous media by Fenton and ultraviolet induced Fenton reaction. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin 15, 1601-1606.

51. Irmak, S. and N.T. Dunford. 2005. Policosanol contents and compositions of wheat bran varieties. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 53, 5583-5586.

52. Irmak, S., O. Erbatur, and A. Akgerman. 2005. Decomposition of 17β-estradiol and bisphenol-A in aqueous medium by using ozone and ozone/UV techniques. Journal of Hazardous Materials 126, 54-62.

53. Kuşvuran, E., S. Irmak, H. I. Yavuz, A. Samil, and O. Erbatur. 2005. Comparison of treatment methods efficiency on decolorization and mineralization of reactive black 5 azo dye. Journal of Hazardous Materials 119, 109-116.

54. Irmak, S., E. Kuşvuran, and O. Erbatur. 2004. Degradation of 4-chloro-2-methylphenol in aqueous solution by UV irradiation in the presence of titanium dioxide. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 54, 85-91.

55. Kuşvuran, E., O. Gulnaz, S. Irmak, O.M. Atanur, H.I. Yavuz, and O. Erbatur. 2004. Comparison of several advanced oxidation processes for the decolorization of reactive red 120 azo dye in aqueous solution. Journal of Hazardous Material