About

Sibani Lisa Biswal is the William M. McCardell Professor in Chemical Engineering and serves as the Department Chair in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CHBE) at Rice University. She holds a joint appointment with the Department of Material Science and Nanoengineering (MSNE). Professor Biswal completed her Ph.D. in 2004 at Stanford University and conducted postdoctoral research at UC Berkeley from 2004 to 2006. She earned her B.S. degree in 1999 from Caltech. She is recognized as a Fellow of both the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and the American Physical Society (APS).

Research topics

• Chemistry
• Materials science
• Chemical engineering
• Artificial Intelligence
• Inorganic chemistry
• Physics
• Computer Science
• Nanotechnology
• Physical chemistry
• Ecology
• Quantum mechanics
• Chromatography
• Statistical physics
• Nuclear magnetic resonance
• Chemical physics
• Biology
• Condensed matter physics
• Organic chemistry

Selected publications

• Polymer-Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles for Inhibiting Asphaltene Deposition in Wellbores and Pipelines

  Offshore Technology Conference · 2026-04-27

  articleSenior author

  Abstract The oil and gas sector faces a critical flow assurance challenge due to asphaltene precipitation and deposition during crude oil production, often referred to as the "cholesterol of crude oil production." This phenomenon impedes crude oil flow in pipelines, leading to increased maintenance and remediation costs as well as reduced productivity. This study investigates the use of polymer-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles as a novel treatment for mitigating asphaltene deposition. The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of these functionalized nanoparticles in reducing asphaltene buildup on pipelines and improving flow assurance in offshore oilfield operations. In this study, magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles functionalized with an acrylic acid-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid copolymer (AA-AMPS) were used. The AA-AMPS copolymer used is a water-based polymer and the magnetic core (magnetite) is naturally occurring and generally considered low-toxicity compared to complex organic inhibitors. These nanoparticles provide steric hindrance via polymer brushes and electrostatic repulsion against negatively charged asphaltene aggregates. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using a zetasizer apparatus to measure zeta potential and hydrodynamic diameter. Three crude oil samples with varying asphaltene content (11.7, 17.9, and 5.1%) were passed through custom-built flow cells containing sections of different pipeline materials (stainless steel and chromium steel) to evaluate asphaltene deposition. Asphaltene accumulation on the metal surfaces before and after applying the nanoparticle coating was quantified using UV-Vis spectroscopy and Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Results showed that AA-AMPS-Magnetic Nanoparticles (MNPs) coatings reduce asphaltene deposition by up to 91% in terms of mass, demonstrating their effectiveness across different crude oil compositions and pipeline materials. Stainless steel surfaces exhibited the greatest reduction in asphaltene deposition. These results indicate that combining both electrostatic and steric repulsion forces in the coating is highly effective in mitigating asphaltene fouling. ToF-SIMS analysis revealed that nanoparticles inhibit aliphatic-rich asphaltenes more effectively than aromatic-rich asphaltenes, providing insight into the inhibition mechanism. Overall, the study’s findings suggest that AA-AMPS-MNP coatings are a cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution to mitigating asphaltene-related flow assurance issues in upstream oilfield production systems. This paper demonstrates a novel solution based on the use of a polymer-modified magnetic nanoparticles coating that utilizes steric and electrostatic repulsion to reduce the deposition of asphaltenes on actual world industry pipeline material. This research helps advancing the knowledge of the petroleum industry through the discovery of an innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly way to reduce asphaltene deposition during crude oil production.

  PublisherDOI

• Effects of Pressure Oscillations on Foam Transport in Porous Media

  Transport in Porous Media · 2025-06-06 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  The effects of pressure and temperature on foam flow through porous media, critical for applications such as subsurface gas storage and enhanced oil recovery, have yet to be completely understood. This study provides valuable new insights into foam behavior by directly measuring both pressure drop and capillary pressure during a series of foam quality scan experiments conducted at 20 °C and 50 °C and under ambient and 500 psi pressures. A key innovation of this work is the development of an in-house-designed capillary pressure probe, which captures capillary pressure dynamics at the mid-length of the sandpack This allows for precise measurements of foam stability mechanisms as a function of foam quality. Experiments were conducted in two sandpacks with identical silica sand, one with a translucent polycarbonate tube for ambient conditions and another with a stainless-steel tube for high-pressure and temperature experiments. Results reveal that foam strength increases with pressure at moderate flow rates due to increased pressure oscillations that promote foam generation, while higher temperatures reduce foam strength, driven by reduced liquid viscosity and accelerated gas diffusivity. These findings challenge the conventional understanding of “limiting capillary pressure” by showing that foam in homogeneous sandpacks becomes generation-limited at high qualities, providing a foundation for improved modeling and application of foam in porous media.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Oncogenic KRAS regulates secretion of extracellular vesicles and surface membrane charge via regulation of phosphatidylserine in pancreatic cancer

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2025-09-21 · 1 citations

  preprintOpen access

  Abstract Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have the potential to be used as a liquid biopsy for cancer detection and treatment response assessment. Although the potential of EVs as disease-specific biomarkers has been promising, the rapid and specific enrichment of EVs from body fluids in the clinical setting remains challenging. To address this limitation, we developed a Microfluidic Electrophoresis (MEP) device, that allows label-free enrichment of EVs based on charge from the serum of patients with pancreatic cancer (PaCa). The ability of MEP to enrich anionic EVs was validated using cell line-derived EVs and PaCa serum-derived EVs. We observed a positive correlation between the KRAS status, secretion of EVs, and net negative zeta potential (ζ-potential) of EVs. Further analyses identified phosphatidylserine (PS) and extraluminal DNA as molecular determinants of the enhanced anionic nature of PaCa-derived EVs. Overall, this work introduces a new microfluidic device to enrich cancer EVs in circulation with potential for further rapid detection of PaCa.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Micro-Silicon/Carbon Nanotube Composite Anodes with Metal-Free Current Collector for High Performance Li-Ion Batteries

  ECS Meeting Abstracts · 2025-11-24

  articleSenior author

  The rising demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in high energy and power density applications, such as electric vehicles and grid storage, necessitates advancements in electrode materials and architecture. Silicon (Si) continues to be a promising anode material due to its high theoretical capacity being almost ten times that of conventional graphite. However, practical adoption of Si is hindered by its substantial volume change during cycling, causing solid electrolyte interface (SEI) instability, loss of electrical contact, and rapid capacity depletion. This study addresses these challenges by developing a micro-Si/CNT composite electrode using a scalable, non-corrosive weak acid mixing process, followed by slurry casting onto a non-woven CNT fabric (CNTf) current collector. The 3D conductive CNT network effectively encapsulates Si particles, ensuring electrical contact and structural integrity during cycling. The combined flexibility and conductivity of CNTs also eliminate the need for multiple additives, maximizing the active material content of the electrode and enhancing the gravimetric capacity. Furthermore, the use of metal-free CNTf current collector reduces the electrode weight, leading to ~25% improvement in gravimetric energy density compared to conventional copper current collector. The proposed method leverages inexpensive, commercially available Si without requiring specialized techniques, making it viable for industrial-scale production. The composite anodes were characterized using structural and chemical analysis tools, such as electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, revealing a flexible, yet robust CNT framework within the composite. Electrochemical testing in coin cell configurations demonstrated stable cycling performance with enhanced capacity and energy density, highlighting the potential of this approach for next-generation, high performance LIBs.

  PublisherDOI

• Navigating ionic conductivity in MOF electrolytes: addressing measurement pitfalls and performance limits

  Journal of Materials Chemistry A · 2025-01-01 · 7 citations

  articleOpen access

  Schematic of a solid-state battery with a MOF-based electrolyte, where Li + ions migrate through the porous framework, facilitating ionic conduction between the cathode and anode.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Supramolecular self-assembly of metal complex surfactants (MeCS) into micellar nanoscale reactors in aqueous solution

  Chemical Science · 2025-01-01 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access

  Surfactants are amphiphilic molecules that can form micellar structures with a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic corona in water. In this work, we combine the remarkable properties of photoactive metal complexes with the supramolecular organization of surfactants to create photoactive vessels that support photocatalytic processes in aqueous media, even for starting materials that are insoluble in water. Herein, we report a library of photoactive metal complex surfactants (MeCSs) and their photophysical and photochemical properties. These properties are modulated by the length of an alkyl chain attached to the polypyridyl ligand of the metal complex. Finally, an alkene hydroxytrifluoromethylation photocatalytic reaction was demonstrated in aqueous solution, suggesting the usefulness of metal complex surfactants for the development of green aqueous photoreactions.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Topological edge flows drive macroscopic reorganization in magnetic colloids

  Physical Review Research · 2025-04-28

  articleOpen access

  Magnetic colloids can be driven with time-varying fields to form clusters and voids that re-organize over vastly different timescales. However, the driving force behind these nonequilibrium dynamics is not well-understood. Here, we introduce a topological framework that predicts protected edge flows despite strong thermal motion. Notably, these edge flows produce shear stress that creates global rotation of clusters but not of voids. We verify this theory experimentally using micrometer-sized superparamagnetic colloids to demonstrate these emergent physical predictions and show how they drive system reorganization differentially at long timescales. Our results elucidate fundamental principles that shape and control nonequilibrium colloidal aggregates.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Impact of brine composition on the rheological behavior and adsorption characteristics of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) solutions on sandstone rock

  Colloids and Surfaces A Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects · 2025-08-21 · 3 citations

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Characterization of N2 foam flow with in-situ capillarypressure measurements in a high-permeability homogeneous sandpack: effect of surfactant concentration and flowrate

  Scientific Reports · 2025-04-13

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Determining the capillary pressure during foam flow in porous media is important because bubbles are thought to coalesce by lamella rupture as the "limiting capillary pressure" is approached. In this study, the role of surfactant concentration on capillary pressure and apparent viscosity of a foam flowing, at different flowrates, through porous media was explored. An in-house capillary-pressure probe was constructed, and it was utilized to characterize the capillary pressure of a foam flowing in a 145-Darcy homogenous sandpack. In-situ capillary pressures were determined for seven foam-quality-scan experiments with different gas velocities and surfactant concentrations. By comparing the test results, collected under different flowrates and surfactant concentrations, the apparent viscosity and the capillary pressure decreased for a quality greater than the transition foam quality, at the peak of apparent viscosity. The transition foam quality increases with increasing surfactant concentration and flow rate. For the slowest velocity, a minimum surfactant concentration is required to generate strong foam. While above this minimum surfactant concentration, foam-apparent viscosity is similar for different surfactant concentrations at the same velocity.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• A direct electrochemical Li recovery from spent Li-ion battery cathode for high-purity lithium hydroxide feedstock

  Joule · 2025-11-08 · 5 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• CAREER: Colloidal Origami: Directing and Designing Complex Colloidal Assemblies Using Magnetic Fields

  NSF · $428k · 2009–2015

• Probing 2-D Coalescence and Aggregation with Tunable Paramagnetic Colloidal Clusters

  NSF · $357k · 2017–2020

• PFI-RP: Micellar Nanofluids to Reduce Use of Harmful Solvents in Oil and Gas Production

  NSF · $550k · 2022–2026

Frequent coauthors

• George J. Hirasaki

  Rice University

  57 shared

• Maura Puerto

  Rice University

  32 shared

• Kun Ma

  26 shared

• Keith P. Johnston

  The University of Texas at Austin

  16 shared

• Guoqing Jian

  15 shared

• R. Farajzadeh

  Delft University of Technology

  14 shared

• Francisco M. Vargas

  Rice University

  12 shared

• Yu‐Jiun Lin

  United States Military Academy

  11 shared

Labs

• Biswal LabPI

  The Biswal Lab focuses on the study of brain connectivity and its role in cognitive processes.

Education

• Ph.D. Chemical Engineering

  Stanford University

  2004

• B.S. Chemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering

  California Institute of Technology

  1999

Awards & honors

• Young Investigator Award from the Office of Naval Research
• National Science Foundation CAREER Award
• George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching