Publications

Infrastructure Materials

 

Polymers and Surfactants

  • Dynamic phase diagrams of surfactant solutions RSI 2024

  • Saltwater emulsions stabilized by anionic surfactants, ACS ES&T Water 2021

  • Spontaneous formation of environmentally harmful emulsions in oily wastewater systems, Langmuir 2020 and Langmuir 2021

  • Wall slip & plug flow manifests shear-thinning rheology for surfactant solutions, Rheo Acta 2019

 

Full List of Journal Publications (Google Scholar Profile; ORCID ID:  0000-0001-9238-1928; select publications available to public on Purdue ePubs)

49. P.U. Kelkar, M. Kaboolian, R.D. Corder, M. Caggioni, S. Lindberg, and K.A. Erk, “Effects of shear-induced crystallization on the complex viscosity of lamellar-structured concentrated surfactant solutions,” Soft Matter, accepted/in-press (2024). doi: 10.1039/D3SM01198D link

48. P.U. Kelkar, K.A. Erk, and S. Lindberg, “Dynamic Diffusive Interfacial Transport (D-DIT): A Novel Quantitative Swelling Technique for Developing Binary Phase Diagrams of Aqueous Surfactant Systems,” Review of Scientific Instruments, 95, 3 (2024). doi: 10.1063/5.0182771 link

47. C.J. Adams, B. Bose, E. Mann, J. Olek, and K.A. Erk, “Effect of binder characteristics on workability, hydration, and strength of 0.42 w/b cementitious systems with superabsorbent polymer admixtures,” Materials and Structures, 57, 20 (2024). doi: 10.1617/s11527-023-02286-7 link

46. M. Khan, R.D. Corder, K.A. Erk, and A.M. Ardekani, “Rheology of bi-disperse dense fiber suspensions,” Soft Matter, 20, 856-868 (2024). doi: 10.1039/D3SM00787A link

45. P.P. Nagrani, R.V. Kulkarni, P.U. Kelkar G, R.D Corder PD, K.A. Erk, A.M. Marconnet, and I.C. Christov, “Data-driven rheological characterization of stress buildup and relaxation in thermal greases,” Journal of Rheology, 67, 6, 1129-1140 (2023). doi: 10.1122/8.0000679 link

44. R.G. Dean, C.R. Davis, Y.E. Zheng, K.A. Erk, J.A. Howarter and C.J. Martinez, “Effect of dynamic ageing on the stability of oil-in-water emulsions with anionic and nonionic surfactants in high-salinity water,” ACS ES&T Water, 3, 3, 701-711 (2023) doi: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00497 link

43. R.D. Corder, Y.-J. Chen, P. Pibulchinda, J.P. Youngblood, A.M. Ardekani, and K.A. Erk, “Rheology of 3D printable ceramic suspensions: effects of non-adsorbing polymer on discontinuous shear thickening,” Soft Matter, 19, 882-891 (2023) doi: 10.1039/D2SM01396G link

42. H. Son, K.A. Erk, and C.S. Davis, “Substrate temperature effects on the peel behavior of temporary pavement marking tapes,” The Journal of Adhesion, 99, 2, 153-165 (2023). doi: 10.1080/00218464.2021.2008369 link

41. L.A. Serra, R.G. da Silva Cruz, D.M.R. Gutierrez, A.J. Goncalves Cruz, C.A. Torres Canizares, X. Chen, N. Mosier, D. Thompson, J. Aston, J. Dooley, P. Sharma, J.L. De Marco, J.R.M. de Almeida, K. Erk, E. Ximenes, and M.R. Ladisch, “Screening method for enzyme-based liquefaction of corn strover pellets at high solids,” Bioresource Technology, 363, 127999 (2022) doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127999 link

40. H. Jo, M. Giroux, K.A. Erk and C.S. Davis, “Mechanical testing methods for evaluating thermoplastic permanent pavement markings,” Transportation Research Record (2022) doi: 10.1177/03611981221090236 link

39. Y. Zheng, C.R. Davis, J.A. Howarter, K.A. Erk and C.J. Martinez, “Spontaneous Emulsions: Adjusting Spontaneity and Phase Behavior by HydrophilicLipophilic Difference-Guided Surfactant Salt, and Oil Selection,” Langmuir 38, 14, 4276-4286 (2022) doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c03444 link

38. C.J. Adams, B. Bose, J. Olek, and K.A. Erk, “Evaluation of mix design strategies to optimize flow and strength of mortar internally cured with superabsorbent polymers,” Construction and Building Materials, 324, 126664 (2022). doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.126664 link

37. C. Schroefl, K.A. Erk, W. Siriwatwechakul, M. Wyrzykowski, and D. Snoeck, “Recent progress in superabsorbent polymers for concrete,” Cement and Concrete Research, 151, 1, 106648 (2022). doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2021.106648 link

36. Y. Zheng, E.A. Caicedo-Casso, C.R. Davis G, J.A. Howarter, K.A. Erk and C.J. Martinez, “Impact of mixed surfactant composition on emulsion stability in saline environment: Anionic and nonionic surfactants,” Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology (2021) doi: 10.1080/01932691.2021.1999255 link

35. R. Szeto, J.C. Overton, A.C.F. dos Santos, C. Eby, N.S. Mosier, E. Ximenes, M.R. Ladisch, and K.A. Erk, “Rheology of enzyme liquefied corn stover slurries: The effect of solids concentration on yielding and flow behavior,” Biotechnology Progress, e3216 (2021). doi: 10.1002/btpr.3216 link

34. C.R. Davis, C.J. Martinez, J.A. Howarter, and K.A. Erk, “Predicting spontaneous emulsification in saltwater environments using the HLD model,” Langmuir, 37, 29, 8866-8875 (2021). doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c01277 link

33. C.R. Davis, C.J. Martinez, J.A. Howarter, and K.A. Erk, “Impact of saltwater environments on the coalescence of oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by an anionic surfactant,“ ACS ES&T Water, 1,8,1702-1713 (2021). doi: 10.1021/acsestwater.1c00066 link

32. J.A. Gohl, T.C. Thiele-Sardina, M.L. Rencheck, K.A. Erk, and C.S. Davis, “A modular peel fixture for tape peel tests on immovable substrates,” Experimental Mechanics (2021). doi: 10.1007/s11340-021-00738-1 link

31. M.L. Rencheck, J.A. Gohl, H.P. Grennan, K.A. Erk and C.S. Davis, “Assessing the elastic modulus of pavement marking tapes using the tape drape test,” Transportation Research Record, 2675, 8, 570-579 (2021). doi: 10.1177/0361198121999623 link

30. B. Bose, C.R. Davis, and K.A. Erk, “Microstructural refinement of cement paste internally cured by polyacrylamide composite hydrogel particles containing silica fume and nanosilica,” Cement and Concrete Research, 143, 106400 (2021). doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2021.106400 link

29. M. Nuruddin, R. Chowdhury, R. Szeto, J.A. Howarter, K.A. Erk, C.R. Szczepanski and J.P. Youngblood, “Structure-property relationship of cellulose nanocrystals-polyvinyl alcohol thin films for high barrier coating applications,” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 13, 10, 12472-12482 (2021). doi: 10.1021/acsami.0c21525 link

28. A.C. Freitas dos Santos, E. Ximenes, D.N. Thompson, A.E. Ray, R. Szeto, K. Erk, B.S. Dien, and M.R. Ladisch, “Effect of using a nitrogen atmosphere on enzyme hydrolysis at high corn stover loadings in an agitated reactor,” Biotechnology Progress, 26, 6, e3059 (2020). doi: 10.1002/btpr.3059 link

27. C.R. Davis, C.J. Martinez, J.A. Howarter, and K.A. Erk, “Diffusion-controlled spontaneous emulsification of water-soluble oils via micelle swelling,” Langmuir, 36, 26, 7517-7527 (2020). doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c01121 link

26. J.L. Sargent, X. Chen, M.C. Brezina, S. Aldwin, J.A. Howarter and K.A. Erk, “Behavior of polyelectrolyte gels in concentrated solutions of highly soluble salts,” MRS Advances, 5, 17, 907-915 (2020). doi: 10.1557/adv.2020.10 link

25. E.A. Caicedo-Casso, J.E. Bice, L.R. Nielsen, J.L. Sargent, S. Lindberg, and K.A. Erk, “Rheo-physical characterization of microstructure and flow behavior of concentrated surfactant solutions,” Rheological Acta (special issue on Novel Trends in Rheology), 58, 467-482 (2019). doi: 10.1007/s00397-019-01147-x. link

24. A.V. Walter, L.N. Jimenez, J. Dinic, V. Sharma, and K.A. Erk, “Effect of salt valency and concentration on shear and extensional rheology of aqueous polyelectrolyte solutions for enhanced oil recovery,” Rheological Acta, 58, 3, 145-157 (2019). doi: 10.1007/s00397-019-01130-6. link

23. E. Caicedo-Casso, J. Sargent, R. M. Dorin, U. B. Wiesner, W. A. Phillip, B. W. Boudouris, and K. A. Erk, "A rheometry method to assess the evaporation-induced mechanical strength development of polymer solutions used for membrane applications," Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 136, 47038 (2019). doi: 10.1002/app.47038. link

22. V. Mechtcherine, D. Snoeck, C. Schrofl, N. De Belie, A.J. Klemm, K. Ichimiya, J. Moon, M. Wyrzykowski, P. Lura, N. Toropovs, A. Assmann, S.-I. Igarashi, I. de la Varga, F.C.R. Almeida, K. Erk, A.Bettencourt Ribeiro, J. Custodio, H. W. Reinhardt, and V. Falikman, “Testing superabsorbent polymer (SAP) sorption properties prior to implementation in concrete: results of a RILEM round-robin test,“ Materials and Structures, 51, 28 (2018). doi: 10.1617/s11527-018-1149-4 link

21. M.J. Krafcik, B. Bose, and K.A. Erk, "Synthesis and characterization of polymer-silica composite hydrogel particles and influence of hydrogel composition on cement paste microstructure," Invited article in ASTM Advances in Civil Engineering Materials (special issue on Advances in Internal Curing of Cementitious Materials), 7, 4 (2018). doi: 10.1520/ACEM20170144. link

20. J.J. Nash, P.T. Spicer, and K.A. Erk, "Controllable internal mixing in coalescing droplets induced by the solutal Marangoni convection of surfactants with distinct headgroup architectures," Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 529, 224-233 (2018). doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2018.06.011. link

19. M.J. Krafcik, N.D. Macke, and K.A. Erk, "Improved concrete materials with hydrogel-based internal curing agents," Invited article in Gels (special issue on "Polyelectrolyte Gels"), 3 (4), 46 (2017). doi: 10.3390/gels3040046. link

18. C.R. Davis, S.L. Kelly, and K.A. Erk, “Comparing laser diffraction and optical microscopy for characterizing superabsorbent polymer particle morphology, size, and swelling capacity,” Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 135 (14), 46055 (2018). doi: 10.1002/app/46055. link

17. L.R. Murray, J.E. Bice, E.G. Soltys, C. Perge, S. Manneville, and K.A. Erk, "Influence of adsorbed and non-adsorbed polymer additives on the viscosity of magnesium oxide suspensions," Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 135 (3), 45696 (2018). doi: 10.1002/app.45696. link

16. J.J. Nash and K.A. Erk, "Stability and interfacial viscoelasticity of oil-water nanoemulsions stabilized by soy lecithin and Tween 20 for the encapsulation of bioactive carvacrol," Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 517, 1-11 (2017). doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2016.12.056. link

15. T.L. Thornell, K. Subramaniam, and K.A. Erk, "The impact of damage accumulation on the kinetics of network strength recovery of a physical polymer gel subjected to shear deformation," Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics, 54, 1693-1701 (2016) doi: 10.1002/polb.24071. link

14. M.J. Krafcik and K.A. Erk, "Characterization of superabsorbent poly(sodium-acrylate acrylamide) hydrogels and influence of chemical structure on internally cured mortar," Materials and Structures, 49, 4765-4778 (2016) doi: 10.1617/s11527-016-0823-7. link

13. L.R. Murray, C. Gupta, N.R. Washburn, and K.A. Erk, "Lignopolymers as viscosity-reducing additives in magnesium oxide suspensions," Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 459, 107-114 (2015) doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2015.07.037. link

12. L.C. Liston, Y. Farnam, M. Krafcik, W.J. Weiss, K.A. Erk, and B.Y. Tao, "Binary mixtures of fatty acid methyl esters as phase change materials for low temperature applications," Applied Thermal Engineering, 96, 501-501 (2016). doi: 0.1016/j.applthermaleng.2015.11.007 link

11. Y. Farnam, M. Krafcik, L. Liston, T. Washington, K.A. Erk, B. Tao, and W.J. Weiss, "Evaluating the use of phase change materials in concrete pavement to melt ice and snow," Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 04015161 (2015). doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001439 link

10. Q. Zhu, C.W. Barney, and K.A. Erk, "Effect of ionic crosslinking on the swelling and mechanical response of model superabsorbent polymer hydrogels for internally cured concrete," Materials and Structures, 48, 2261-2276 (2015) doi: 10.1617/s11527-014-0308-5. link

9. T. Thornell, B. Helfrecht, S. Mullen, A. Bawiskar, and K.A. Erk, "Fracture-healing kinetics of thermoreversible physical gels quantified by shear rheophysical experiments," ACS Macro Letters, 3, 1069-1073 (2014) doi: 10.1021/mz500524d. link

8.  L.R. Murray and K.A. Erk, "Jamming rheology of model cementitious suspensions composed of comb-polymer stabilized magnesium oxide particles," Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 131, 40429 (2014) doi: 10.1002/app.40429. link

7.  B.M. Elliott, K.E. Steckbeck, L.R. Murray, and K.A. Erk, "Rheological investigation of the shear strength, durability, and recovery of alginate rafts formed by antacid medication in varying pH environments," International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 457, 118-123 (2013). doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2013.09.034 link

6.  K.A. Erk, J.D. Martin, J.T. Schwalbe, and S.D. Hudson, “Shear and dilational interfacial rheology of surfactant-stabilized droplets,” Journal of Colloids and Interface Science, 377, 442-449 (2012). doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2012.03.078 link

5.  K.A. Erk, J.D. Martin, Y.T. Hu, and K.R. Shull, “Extreme strain localization and sliding friction in physically associating polymer gels,” Langmuir, 28, 4472-4478 (2012). doi: 10.1021/la204592r link

4.  K.A. Erk and K.R. Shull, “Rate-dependent stiffening and strain localization in physically associating solutions,” Macromolecules, 44, 932-939 (2011). doi: 10.1021/ma102156p link

3.  K.A. Erk, K.J. Henderson, and K.R. Shull, “Strain stiffening of synthetic and biopolymer networks,” Biomacromolecules, 11, 1358-1363 (2010). doi: 10.1021/bm100136y link

2.  K.A. Erk, D.C. Dunand, and K.R. Shull, “Titanium with controllable pore fractions by thermoreversible gelcasting of TiH2’” Acta Materialia, 56, 5147-5157 (2008). doi: 10.1016/j.actamat.2008.06.035 link

1.  K.A. Erk, C. Deschaseaux, and R.W. Trice, “Grain-boundary grooving of plasma-sprayed yttria-stabilized zirconia thermal barrier coatings,” Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 89, 1673-1678 (2006). doi: 10.1111/j.1551-2916.2006.00944.x link

Technical Reports

2. C.J. Adams, B. Bose, E. Mann, K.A. Erk, A. Behnood, A. Castillo, F.B. Rodriguez, Y. Wang, and J. Olek, Superabsorbent Polymers for Internally Cured Concrete (Joint Transportation Research Program Publication No. FHWA/IN/JTRP-2022/04). 2022 West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284317366

1. H. Jo, H. Son, M. Rencheck, J. Gohl, D. Madigan, H. Grennan, M. Giroux, T. Thiele-Sardina, C.S. Davis, and K.A. Erk. Mechanical Properties of Durable Pavement Marking Materials and Adhesion on Asphalt Surfaces (Joint Transportation Research Program Publication No. FHWA/IN/JTRP-2021/29). 2021 West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284317357

Book Chapters and Proceedings

5. C.R. Davis, B. Bose, A.M. Alcaraz, C.J. Martinez, and K.A. Erk, “Altering the Crosslinking Density of Polyacrylamide Hydrogels to Increase Swelling Capacity and Promote Calcium Hydroxide Growth in Cement Voids,” In: Boshoff W., Combrinck R., Mechtcherine V., Wyrzykowski M. (eds) 3rd International Conference on the Application of Superabsorbent Polymers (SAP) and Other New Admixtures Towards Smart Concrete. SAP 2019. RILEM Bookseries, vol 24. Springer, Cham. 2020 Doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-33342-3_3. link

4. K.A. Erk and B. Bose, "Using Polymer Science to Improve Concrete: Superabsorbent Polymer Hydrogels in Highly Alkaline Environments," in Gels and Other Soft Amorphous Solids 2018, American Chemical Society Symposium Series - Vol. 1296, 333-356. doi: 10.1021/bk-2018-1296.ch017. link

3. S.L. Kelly, M.J. Krafcik, and K.A. Erk, “Chapter 9: Synthesis and Characterization of Superabsorbent Polymer Hydrogels Used as Internal Curing Agents: Impact of Particle Shape on Mortar Compressive Strength,” in International Congress on Polymers in Concrete (ICPIC 2018): Polymers for Resilient and Sustainable Concrete Infrastructure, Mahmoud M. Reda Taha (ed.), Springer International Publishing AG, 2018. pp. 91-97. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-78175-4_9 link

2. K.A. Erk and J.F. Douglas, “Stretched exponential stress relaxation in a thermally reversible, physically associating block copolymer solution,” MRS Proceedings, 1418 (2012). doi:10.1557/opl.2012.335 link

1. C.A. Handwerker, K.A. Erk, A. Hess, A. Squire, M. Yarbrough, R.D. Parker, and M. Webster, “Void formation: emerging issues in materials compatibility and reliability of Pb-free assemblies,” Proceedings of Going Green - CARE INNOVATION 2006, WEEE/RoHS Implementation to Future Sustainable Electronics, Vienna, Austria. November 13-16, 2006. link

Patents

2. K. Erk, R. Gold, E. Francoeur, L. Mick, J.H. Park, A.N. Seshadri, K. Kelkar, and S. Han, Emesis containment system, method of use, and dissolvable charge therefor. US Provisional Patent No. 63/563,724. Filed on March 11, 2024.

1. K. Erk. Cementitious mixtures, compositions for use in cementitious mixtures, and methods of producing cementitious mixtures. U.S. Patent 10,752,547. Issued on August 25, 2020.

Educational Publications and Online Products

10. J. Radloff, B. Capobianco, J. Weller, S. Rebello, D. Eichinger, and K.A. Erk, “Aligning Undergraduate Science Curricula with Three-Dimensional Learning,” Accepted/in press Journal of College Science Teaching, in press (2022).

9. D.R. Ely, J.E. Bice, and K.A. Erk, “Work in Progress: Leveraging the Diverse Backgrounds of Community College Students to Teach Team-Based, Multidisciplinary Engineering,” ASEE Conference Proceedings, 125th Annual American Society of Engineering Education Conference & Exposition, Salt Lake City, UT, June 24-27, 2018. Paper ID # 22218. doi: 10.18260/1-2--31295 link

8. K.A. Erk, J.J. Nash and H.K. Woods, "Using mechanical testing of disposable plastic cups to illustrate processing-structure-property relationships in an introductory materials laboratory course", ASEE Conference Proceedings, 123rd Annual American Society of Engineering Education Conference & Exposition, New Orleans, LA, June 26-29, 2016. Paper ID# 15426 doi: 10.18260/p.27150 link

7. K.A. Erk, M. Rhein, M. Krafcik, and S. Ydstie, "Demonstrating the Effects of Processing on the Structure and Physical Properties of Plastic Using Disposable PETE Cups," Journal of Chemical Education, 2015. doi: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.5b00082. link

6. A. Coughlan, D.R. Johnson, T.A. Faltens, K.A. Douglas, H.A. Diefes-Dux, K. Erk and A. Strachan, "Enhanced learning of mechanical behavior of materials via combined experiments and nanoHub simulations: learning modules for sophomore MSE students," Materials Research Society Fall 2014 Proceedings, Boston, MA. mrsf14-1762-aaa06-03 (2015). doi: 10.1557/opl.2015.152.

5. K.A. Erk, J. Lumkes, J. Shambach, L. Braile, A. Brickler, and A. Matthys, "Designing a sound reducing wall," Science and Children (National Science Teachers Association), 53 (1), 52-59 (2015). doi: 10.2505/4/sc15_053_01_52 link (PDF)

4. K.A. Erk, A. Kirchmaier, J. Lumkes, J. Peterson, and J Shambach, “Save the Wolf (Simple Machines) Grade 4 Design Activity,” (2014) In: STEMEd online hub. https://stemedhub.org/resources/2254.

3. K.A. Erk, A. Kirchmaier, J. Lumkes, J. Peterson, and J. Shambach, “Designing Safer Roadways (Transportation Systems) Grade 3 Design Activity,” (2014)  In: STEMEd online hub. https://stemedhub.org/resources/2256.

2. K.A. Erk, J. Lumkes, L. Braile, A. Brickler, and A. Matthys, “Light - Just Right! (Electricity) Grade 4 Design Activity,” (2013) In: STEMEd online hub. https://stemedhub.org/resources/1790.

1. K.A. Erk, J. Lumkes, L. Braile, A. Brickler, and A. Matthys, “Sound Absorbing Wall (Sound Waves) Grade 3 Design Activity,” (2013) In: STEMEd online hub. https://stemedhub.org/resources/1766.