This recording discusses research performed during the spring 2024 graduate class at the University of Arkansas titled “Manufacturing of Asphalt Emulsion.” Reach more below if you want the full background story.
Here are links to the author’s LinkedIn account:
Mohammad Tahir Ansari (www.linkedin.com/in/mdtahiransari/)
Jackson Hedden (www.linkedin.com/in/jackson-hedden-59a47b278/)
Toluwanimi Ogundipe (www.linkedin.com/in/toluwanimi-ogundipe/)
Anik Roy (www.linkedin.com/in/anik-roy-66357417b/)
Amarjeet Tiwari (www.linkedin.com/in/amarjeet-tiwari-969041184/)
Andrew Braham (www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-braham-7a069b27/)
Here is a citation for the full research paper:
Turben, T., Ansari, M. T., Hedden, J., Ogundipe, T., Roy, A., Tiwari, A., Eiland, J., Braham, Comparison of lab-produced asphalt emulsions by manufacturing equipment type, Road Materials and Pavement Design, published online October 8, 2024.
doi: doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2024.2409867
Full background story:
I have been very fortunate to have received several research grants over the years that have allowed me to purchase various types of equipment to manufacture asphalt emulsion in the lab. During the fall 2023 semester, I had set aside seven blocks of four hours to go down to the lab and help my research group get familiar with all of the pieces of equipment. As with any semester, things got busy, and I only made one of the seven sessions. I felt terrible about this. The recirculating mill, high speed shear mixer, and in-line mills are extremely powerful pieces of equipment if used correctly. In order to not repeat the same mistake, I decided to teach a graduate level class to my six graduate students during the spring 2024 semester.
The entire class revolved around manufacturing asphalt emulsion. We met Friday afternoons, from 2-5pm (!), and either spent three hours in the classroom discussing the various facets of manufacturing asphalt emulsion, or in the lab making and testing asphalt emulsion. Joey and I would make an emulsion on one of the pieces of equipment, and then over the following weeks the six students broke into pairs and produced three emulsions on each mill. The only deliverables for the class were draft versions of this publication. It was challenging, but I can’t tell you how proud I am of my group: Tanner, Tahir, Jackson, Tolu, Anik, and Amarjeet took the project by the horns and ran with it. They far exceeded my expectations, and at the end of the semester, had produced this journal article. Simply incredible.
The course reminded me of two concepts I spend quite a bit of time thinking about. First, surround yourself with good people. You need people who are not only technically strong, but also strong in character. Second, challenge them, set high expectations, provide the necessary resources, and get out of the way. People sometimes ask me what my favorite part of academia is, and that is seeing my students succeed. A huge thank you to my six graduate students. I am 100% dependent on you, and I appreciate all that you do!