Mineral Resources Research Center (MRRC)
Report to the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs
College of Engineering
2003-2008

Contact Information

205 Particle Science & Technology, Gainesville, FL 32611, Ph: 352.846.1194, Fax: 352.846.1196, Email: info@perc.ufl.edu

Overview:

The Mineral Resources Research Center (MRRC) at the University of Florida, affiliated with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), was originally funded by the State of Florida with the mission to develop the fundamental engineering science of minerals and material systems, and to educate engineers and scientists in the practice of mineral and materials processing. Since its inception the MRRC has facilitated and promoted research and technology developments in the field of mineral resources. MRRC research contributions are recognized at the State, National and International levels. MRRC related research was an enabling catalyst and building block of the Particle Engineering Research Center (PERC) funded by NSF from 1994 to 2005.

The level of research activity in MRRC has sustained its focus on innovation and education. Industry interest in this field has remained constant; several ongoing projects have been and still are directly sponsored by PERC Industry Advisory Board members. The MRRC, its director, Brij M. Moudgil, and its affiliated faculty continue to educate engineers and scientist in the practice of mineral and materials processing attracting funding from federal, state, and industry sources.

Faculty and Key Personnel Associated with MRRC:

(1982- Present) Brij M. Moudgil- MRRC Director. Affiliated Faculty: H. El-Shall (MSE), W. Sigmund (MSE), B. Koopman (Env. Eng), S. Svoronos (ChE), K. Powers (PERC), D. Shah (ChE). Project specific collaborations include other faculty from departments such as Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Chemistry. Administrative Support: MRRC activities are facilitated by PERC administrative staff.

Publications:

• B. Moudgil as a member of the Committee, National Research Council, “Mineral, Critical Minerals, and the U.S. Economy “, The National Academy Press, 2008
• Yeruva, V. Krishna, H. El-Shall and B. Moudgil, “Nanomaterials,” Handbook  of Industrial Minerals and Rocks, 7TH Edition, 1441-1451, 2006.  
• Brown, S.C. and Moudgil, B.M., "Influence of nanoscale roughness on surface wettability,” Minerals & Metallurgical Process. J., 21(1), 33-35, 2004. 
• Brown, S. C., Rabinovich, Y. I., and Moudgil, B.M., "Calcium activation of silica surfaces with sodium oleate Collector", Minerals & Metallurgical Process. J., 21(3), 164-170, 2004.
• Zaman, A. A., B. M. Moudgil, and H. El-Shall, “Influence of Dispersants and Solution Conditions on Kaolin Stability Mechanisms,” Functional Fillers and Nanoscale Minerals, J. Kellar, M. Herpfer, and B. M. Moudgil, Eds., SME, 2003, pp. 165-174
• Moudgil, B. M. and Brown, S. C., “Influence of nanoscale roughness on flotation,” Proceedings of the XXII International Mineral Processing Congress, Vol. 2, L. Lorenzen, D. J. Bradshaw, C. Aldrich, J. J. Eksteen, M. Wright, and E. Thom (Eds.), South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 1044-1049, 2003, Cape Town, South Africa.
• Brown, S. C., Oliviera, R. C. G. and Moudgil, B. M., “Improved measurement technique for particle wettability,” Proceedings of the XXII International Mineral Processing Congress, Vol. 2, L. Lorenzen, D. J. Bradshaw, C. Aldrich, J. J. Eksteen, M. Wright, and E. Thom (Eds.), South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 1044-1049, 2003, Cape Town, South Africa.
• Kellar, J. J., Herpfer, M. A., and Moudgil, B. M. (Eds.), Functional Fillers and Nanoscale Minerals, Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Inc., Littleton CO, 2003.
• Vakarelski, I. U, Y. I. Rabinovich, and B. M. Moudgil, “Mechanical Properties of Steric Dispersant Layers,” Functional Fillers and Nanoscale Minerals, J. Kellar, M. Herpfer, and B. M. Moudgil, Eds., SME, 2003, pp. 113-118.
• El-Shall, H., Abdel-Khalek, N.A., Moudgil, B.M., Zaman, A.A., “Dispersion/Flocculation Issues in Processing of Multiphase Systems: A Selective Flocculation Study,” Proceedings of the Conference on “Flotation-Flocculation, from Fundamentals to Applications 7/28/2002 to 8/2/2002, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

Awards and other Indicators of national/international recognition:

• The MRRC contributions have been nationally and internationally recognized as indicated also by the following honors and awards to MRRC Director, Dr. Brij M. Moudgil.
• President, Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., 2006.
• Foreign Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering, 2005
• “Distinguished Alumnus Award for the Year 2003” conferred by the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
• Member, Science Advisory Board, Particle Fluids Research Center, University of Melbourne, Australia, 2003-2008
• Editorial Advisory Board, Powder and Bulk Engineering, 2003 - Present
• Board of Directors, Florida Institute of Phosphate Research (Gubernatorial appointment), 2003; Elected Chair, 2003 - Present
• KONA Powder and Technology Editorial Board - Americas Block; Elected Chair, 2003 – Present
• Election of MRRC Director to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, 2002
• As part of its ongoing outreach programs, MRRC periodically hosts the visits to the University of Florida and the knowledge exchange of scientists and engineers experts in mineral and particulate resources from leading national and international institutions in this field. Examples are: the Florida Institute of Phosphate Research at Bartow, Florida; the Central Metallurgical Research & Development Center (CMRDI) in Egypt; the Particle Fluids Processing Centre (PFPC) at the University of Melbourne, Australia; and the Particle Technology Group at Delft University of Technology in The Netherlands.

Graduate students supported by MRRC:

Since 2003, 10 MSE PhD students have graduated with dissertation topics related to MRRC research focus. Majority of them are currently working in the U.S. Industry in different R&D roles. A couple of the students returned to their countries of origin and are working there as MSE professionals. Funding to support these students was mostly leveraged through PERC as NSF funding and industrial support for sponsored projects.

External and Internal Resources:

Value of the MRRC:

The most current economic and environmental concerns have promoted a surge in exploring and developing alternative management of natural resources on a sustainable basis. MRRC has the history, experience and credibility to help in this task and potentially serve as a necessary link for developing more sustainable processing and utilization of earth resources.