Carl Lira

Carl T. Lira is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at Michigan State University (MSU), within the College of Engineering. He specializes in thermodynamics of complex systems, molecular simulations, and bio-derived fuels research. His work focuses on experimental measurements and modeling of phase equilibria, adsorption behavior, and separation design for renewable chemicals. He co-authored the textbook Introductory Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics and collaborates with the MSU Reactive Distillation Facility.

Education: PhD (1986), MS (1984), and BS (1981) in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and Kansas State University.

Research Interests: Thermodynamic properties of bio-derived fuels, liquid metals, supercritical fluids, and adsorptive separations. His methods include infrared spectroscopy, association theory modeling (e.g., Wertheim’s theory), and molecular simulations.

Awards: Multiple Withrow Teaching Excellence Awards (2022, 2004, 1992), Outstanding Professor of the Year (1999, 1998, 1991), and the Amoco Excellence in Teaching Award.

Grants & Collaborations: NSF-funded research on association models for bio-based separations (2016–2021), and US Army-funded jet fuel development (2020). His work bridges thermodynamic fundamentals with industrial applications in the bioeconomy.

Labs & Facilities: Leads the Thermodynamic Properties Facility at MSU and collaborates on reactive distillation processes for biofuel synthesis.