Dipendu Saha

Dr. Dipendu Saha is an Associate Professor and Chair of Chemical & Materials Engineering at Widener University's School of Engineering. He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from New Mexico State University (2009) and leads research in sustainable materials design. His pedagogical approach emphasizes analytical reasoning and real-world applications in both classroom and laboratory settings.

His research focuses on functional nanoporous materials for environmental and energy applications, including gas separation, water purification, PFAS degradation, rare earth element recovery, and plastic waste upcycling. Current projects involve carbon-based nanoporous materials, plasmonic photocatalysts, and 3D-printed carbon monoliths.

Dr. Saha has published over 70 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work emphasizing sustainable material synthesis (e.g., plastic/graphene-derived carbons) and advanced separation technologies. His publications show consistent focus on environmental remediation, resource recovery, and nanomaterial innovation across energy/chemical sectors.

• Major Awards: Fred Akl Endowed Professorship (2025), Outstanding Researcher Award (2021), ACS Petroleum Research Fund (2014-2016)
• Grants & Leadership: Secured NSF funding; Serves as AIChE session chair; Reviews for international journals/funding agencies
• Student Advising: Mentored 8 graduate and 20 undergraduate researchers (e.g., Brian Hoffman's EPS upcycling project)

He directs the Saha Research Group, specializing in functional nanoporous materials and photocatalysts. The group maintains active collaborations with national/international institutions and focuses on scalable environmental solutions.