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Biographical Information



I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Process Systems Engineering Research Group in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and a member of the Center for Resilience at The Ohio State University.

Contact Details:

Presidential Fellow
Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
125 Koffolt Laboratories
140 West, 19th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
Email: khanna.105@osu.edu

Research Interests

Life Cycle Assessment, Industrial Ecology, Input-Output Analysis, Energy and Exergy Analysis, Multiscale and Multi-objective Optimization, Sustainable Engineering

Research Brief

Here is a brief summary of the different research projects that are part of my doctoral thesis.

Nanotechnology and Industrial Ecology

My research on the life cycle assessment of nanotechnology has resulted in a first life cycle energy model for the synthesis of carbon nanofibers (CNFs), a building block for several consumer products. We evaluated and compared the cradle-to-gate life cycle energy and environmental impact of CNF production with conventional materials (Khanna et al. 2008). We observed that on an equal mass basis, the life cycle impacts of CNFs are significantly higher than traditional materials. We also conducted the life cycle energy comparison of CNF based polymer composites (both thermoplastic and thermoset) with steel including their use in the body panels of automobiles as a potential replacement for steel (Khanna and Bakshi, Env. Sci. & tech. 2009). This research and our findings have addressed the much identified need for the systems analysis of nanotechnology.

Environmentally Conscious Process Engineering

Current research is on developing a multiscale, multi-objective, and thermodynamic framework to utilize the available information at multiple scales for gaining insights into the trade-off between ecological and economic aspects of manufacturing processes. Economic aspects are accounted via traditional cost analysis. Ecological aspects are considered via exergy analysis of the inputs at each scale as well as life cycle impact indicators. Current work is in progress for studying the implications of the proposed approach in guiding ecologically and economically conscious methods and heuristics for broader engineering design.

Input-Output Analysis and Risk Modeling

Lastly, I am also exploring the utility of Input-Output (I/O) models for studying the effect of sudden shocks and quantifying the associated risks on complex industrial systems. Economic Input-Output (EIO) models have been used for various purposes including exploring the effect of changes in final demand, taxes and other economic changes. Models based on the EIO model have also been developed for life cycle assessment by combining the EIO model with data about emissions and resource use (EIOLCA.net). We are using the Ecologically based life cycle assessment (Eco-LCA) model developed by our research group to understand the impact of changes in the availability of natural capital. This includes understanding the potential impact of loss of services such as pollination, water scarcities, and soil fertility. Such information is used to determine sectors that are likely to face maximum risk due to sudden disruptions. Although the EIO model considers a static and linear state of the economy, it is still appropriate for gaining insight into the short-term effects of disruptions before any adaptation due to market forces or policies. Such simulation is relevant to understanding the effect of environmental changes as well as human-induced changes. Connecting this coarse model with more detailed models of industrial processes will permit insight into process specific effects and appropriate responses to the perturbation.

Awards and Honors

  1. Presidential Fellowship, The Ohio State University (July 2008-June 2009).
  2. Christine Mirzayan National Academies Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship, Washington DC (June-August 2007).
  3. First Place Award, Student Technical Paper Contest IEEE, International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment, Orlando, FL (May 2007).
  4. Third Place Poster Award, Gordon Research Conference on Industrial Ecology 2008, New London, NH.
  5. Third Place Award, Student Technical Paper Contest IEEE, International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment, San Francisco, CA (May 2008).
  6. Chair's Travel Grant, Gordon Research Conference on Industrial Ecology 2008, New London, NH.
  7. Travel Scholarship, Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) Annual meeting, Boston, MA (December 2008).
  8. American Chemical Society (ACS) Sponsorship for Summer School on Green Chemistry, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (July 2005).
  9. University Fellowship, The Ohio State University (September 2004-August 2005).
  10. Departmental Scholarship of Panjab University (1998, 1999, and 2000).
  11. Member of Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Society.

In Press and Scientific Media

  1. The article, Carbon Nanofiber Polymer Composites: Evaluation of Life Cycle Energy Use by Khanna and Bakshi published in Environmental Science and Technology was covered on Nanowerk.

  2. COSMOS magazine: features a news item about our work on the life cycle assessment of carbon nanofibers.

  3. Environmental Science and Technology (ES&T) features a research watch story about our research paper on the LCA of carbon nanofibers in the Journal of Industrial Ecology.

  4. Professor Bhavik Bakshi talks on Earth and Sky Radio Series about the energy and environmental impact of engineered nanomaterials.

  5. Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies and Yale University features our research work on the life cycle environmental impacts of carbon nanofiber production published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology, Special issue on Nanotechnology and Industrial Ecology.

  6. The article, Carbon Nanofiber Production : Life Cycle Energy Consumption and Environmental Impact, by Khanna, Bakshi and Lee, published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology, was discussed in various news outlets such as FORBES, Science Daily, Small Times etc.

Publications

Book Chapters

  1. V. Khanna, Y. Zhang, G. F. Grubb, and B. R. Bakshi. Assessing the life cycle environmental implications of nanomanufacturing: Opportunities and Challenges. Chapter in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology- Environmental and Health Impacts: Ed. V. H. Grassian, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2008.

Refereed Journal Papers

  1. V. Khanna and B. R. Bakshi. Using EcoLCA and Input-output modeling for risk assessment. In Preparation.
  2. V. Khanna and B. R. Bakshi. A multiscale, multiobjective, and thermodynamic approach for environmentally conscious process engineering, In Preparation.
  3. V. Khanna and B. R. Bakshi. Carbon nanofiber reinforced polymer composites: evaluation of life cycle energy use, Environmental Science and Technology, 43(6):2078-2084, 2009.
  4. V. Khanna, B. R. Bakshi, and L. J. Lee. Carbon nanofibers: life cycle energy consumption and environmental impact. Journal of Industrial Ecology, Special issue on nanotechnology and industrial ecology. 12(3):394-410, 2008.

Proceedings Publications

  1. V. Khanna, J-K. Choi, B. R. Bakshi, T. C. Haab. Assessing the risks to complex industrial networks due to loss of natural capital and its implications to process design. In proceedings of Foundations of Computer- aided Process Design, Breckenridge, Colorado, June 7-12, 2009. (Peer Reviewed)
  2. V. Khanna and B. R. Bakshi. Modeling the risks to complex industrial networks due to loss of natural capital. In proceedings of IEEE International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technology, Phoenix, Arizona, May 18-20, 2009.
  3. V. Khanna, B. R. Bakshi, and L. J. Lee. Assessing life cycle environmental implications of polymer nanocomposites. In proceedings of IEEE International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment, San Francisco, California, May 18-21, 2008.
  4. V. Khanna, B. R. Bakshi, and L. J. Lee. Life cycle energy analysis and environmental life cycle assessment of carbon nanofibers production. In proceedings of IEEE International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment, Orlando, Florida, May 10-13, 2007.
  5. B. R. Bakshi, V. Khanna, and Y. Zhang. Evaluating the environmental life cycle aspects of emerging technologies: How can emergy analysis help? In proceedings of Fourth Bienniel Emergy Research Conference, University of Florida, Gainsville, Florida, January 19-21, 2006. (Peer Reviewed)

Conference Presentations

  1. V. Khanna, Jun-Ki Choi, and B. R. Bakshi. Foundations of Computer-Aided Process Design, Breckenridge, Colorado, June 7-12, 2009.
  2. V. Khanna and B. R. Bakshi. IEEE International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technology, Phoenix, Arizona, May 18-20, 2009.
  3. V. Khanna and B. R. Bakshi. Society for Risk Analysis Annual Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts, December 7-10, 2008.
  4. V. Khanna and B. R. Bakshi. American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 16-21, 2008.
  5. V. Khanna and B. R. Bakshi. American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 16-21, 2008.
  6. V. Khanna and B. R. Bakshi. Gordon Research Conference on Industrial Ecology, New London, New Hampshire, August 17-22, 2008.
  7. V. Khanna, B. R. Bakshi, and L. J. Lee. IEEE International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment, San Francisco, California, May 18-21, 2008.
  8. V. Khanna, B. R. Bakshi, and L. J. Lee. American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah, November 4-9, 2007.
  9. B. R. Bakshi, L. J. Lee, V. Khanna, G. F. Grubb, and Y. Zhang. Interagency workshop on the Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology, Washington DC, September 5-7, 2007.
  10. V. Khanna, B. R. Bakshi, and L. J. Lee. International Society for Industrial Ecology (ISIE) Conference, University of Toronto, Canada, June 17-20, 2007.
  11. V. Khanna, B. R. Bakshi, and L. J. Lee. IEEE International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment, Orlando, Florida, May 10-13, 2007.
  12. V. Khanna, B. R. Bakshi, and L. J. Lee. International Conference on Nanotechnology Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety, Cincinnati, Ohio, December 4-7, 2006.
  13. V. Khanna, B. R. Bakshi, and L. J. Lee. American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California, November 12-17, 2006.
  14. V. Khanna, B. R. Bakshi, and L. J. Lee. NSF and EPA Nanograntees Workshop, Arlington, VA, November 13-14, 2006.
  15. V. Khanna and B. R. Bakshi. PSIEC, Angola, Indiana, April 1-2, 2006.
  16. V. Khanna, B. R. Bakshi and L. J. Lee. National Science Foundation Site Visit, Columbus, Ohio, June 1, 2006.
  17. V. Khanna and B. R. Bakshi. Research Experience for Undergraduates, Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, August 4, 2005.
  18. V. Khanna and B. R. Bakshi. American Chemical Society, Summer School on Green Chemistry, Mcgill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, July 6-14, 2005.

Professional Affiliations