Dipendu Saha, PhD
- Chair of Chemical & Materials Engineering
- Professor
- Engineering
- Science & Environment
- Technology
Affiliated Programs
Education
- PhD, Chemical Engineering (2009)
New Mexico State University (NM) - M. ChE, Chemical Engineering (2009)
Jadavpur University (India) - B. Tech, Chemical Engineering (2003)
Vidyasagar University (India)
About Me
My approach to teaching is grounded in the belief that engineering education should be a transformative experience that prepares students to solve real-world problems with confidence and creativity. In my classroom, I focus on connecting theoretical concepts to practical applications, often using everyday examples and problem-based learning to make complex ideas more accessible. I strive to create an engaging and supportive environment where students develop critical thinking skills and gain hands-on experience through interdisciplinary projects. Over the years, I contribute to developing and modernizing courses, integrating materials science into the chemical engineering curriculum, and introducing new topics that reflect emerging trends in industry and research.
I have outstanding researcher award from Widener University in 2021. My research focuses on designing advanced carbon-based materials for applications in energy storage and environmental remediation, including converting wastes to resources. I collaborate with researchers across the United States and internationally and publish in leading journals in the field. My work receives broad recognition, and I am invited to contribute as a reviewer and evaluator for research activities across multiple international academic and professional communities. A particularly rewarding aspect of my work is mentoring undergraduate and graduate students and involving them directly in impactful research.
As Department Chair, I am closely involved in shaping the direction and growth of the program. One of my key contributions is leading the transition of the department to Chemical and Materials Engineering, along with modernizing the curriculum to better align with industry needs. I also work to strengthen student engagement and enrollment through outreach initiatives and program development. In addition, I remain actively engaged in professional service, including organizing conference sessions, reviewing for major journals, and evaluating research proposals.
Overall, my work is driven by a commitment to excellence in teaching, meaningful research, and service to the academic and professional community. I am dedicated to helping students grow into skilled engineers and thoughtful problem-solvers, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to their success and to the advancement of the field.
Research Interests
- Materials for energy storage
- Materials for environmental remediation
Media Expertise
- Engineering
- Energy and environment
- Chemical engineering
- Engineering education
Publications
- Saha, D., Schlosser, R,. Lapointe, L., Comroe, M.L., Samohod, J., Whiting, E., & Young, D.S. Nanoporous Carbons from hydrothermally treated alga-Role in batch and continuous capacitive deionization (CDI), Molecules, 2025, 30(13), 2848
- Saha, D., Ruggiero, A., Gittinger, S., & Gross, M. Plastic derived Nanoporous Carbons for Supercapacitor, Waste Management, 2025, 201, 115255
- Gencoglu, Maria F., Amanda Spurri, Mitchell Franko, Jihua Chen, Dale K. Hensley, Caryn L. Heldt, and Dipendu Saha. "Biocompatibility of Soft-Templated Mesoporous Carbons." ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 6, no. 17 (2014): 15068鈥15077
- Saha, Dipendu, Yuan Lu, Karl Nelson, Jihua Chen, and Soydan Ozcan. "CO2, CH4 and N2 Adsorption in Micro-Mesoporous Graphene." J. Chemical and Engineering Data 60, no. 9 (2015): 2636鈥2645
- Saha, Dipendu, Yunchao Li, Zhonghe Bi, Jihua Chen, Jong K. Keum, Dale K. Hensley, Hippolyte A. Grappe, Harry M. Meyer, III, Sheng Dai, M.Parans Paranthaman, and A.K. Naskar. "Studies on Supercapacitor Electrode Material from Activated Lignin-Derived Mesoporous Carbon Material." Langmuir 30, no. 3 (2014): 900鈥910.
Professional Affiliations & Memberships
- American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
- International Carbon Society
Awards
- Fred A. Akl Endowed Professorship in Engineering (2025)
- Outstanding Researcher, Widener University (2021)
- Sabbatical Award, Fall 2019; Fall 2026
- Biographical addition in Marqui鈥檚 Who鈥檚 Who in America (2017-2018)
- Honors Certificate for maintaining perfect grade point average in PhD, New Mexico State University (2009)
- Graduate Assistants Award, New Mexico State University (2007-2008)
- Bruce Wilson Research Scholarship, New Mexico State University (Spring 2009)
News
In the Media
- Redefining Plastics Podcast
- Lancaster Online
- edugraph
- Delaware County Daily Times
Noteworthy
Dipendu Saha Receives Inaugural Fred Akl Endowed Professorship in Engineering
Dipendu Saha, associate professor and chair of chemical and materials engineering, was named the inaugural recipient of the Fred Akl Endowed Professorship in Engineering. Named in honor of former engineering dean and professor, the professorship was created to reward excellence and provide support to a talented Widener University faculty member in the School of Engineering who embodies the values of Widener as an outstanding academic citizen, teacher, and accomplished scholar.
The endowed professor is selected based on a distinguished record of teaching, exemplary leadership and service to the school, the university, and the academic and professional communities, and scholarly accomplishment appropriate to their discipline and their primary responsibilities.Share link: /news/noteworthy/dipendu-saha-receives-inaugural-fred-akl-endowed-professorship-engineering
Chemical Engineering Student Presents his Research at Middle States Annual Conference
By: Riya Sembhi '25 secondary education, English
Chemical engineering student Brian Hoffman 鈥23 recently presented his research at the Middle States Commission on Higher Education 2022 Annual Conference in Philadelphia where higher education faculty, administrators, and educators observed a wide array of student research projects.
Conducting this research as part of Widener鈥檚 Summer Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities (SURCA) program, his work entitled, 鈥淧orous Carbon from Non-Recyclable Plastic Wastes,鈥 aims to reduce Styrofoam waste through burning and converting Styrofoam into carbon-based materials that can then be repurposed for water and air filters, catalysts, and more. Brian appreciated the chance to share his research with a receptive audience that had a diverse range of occupational backgrounds.
Having been engaged in this research since Junior year, Brian aims to continue this work as his Senior project. Now in the 4+1 Program at Widener, he hopes to maintain the research with similar projects. He thanks Dr. Dipendu Saha for his guidance and mentorship, for the opportunity to be involved with the research, and his continuous support today.Share link: /news/noteworthy/chemical-engineering-student-presents-his-research-middle-states-annual-conference
Outstanding Researcher Award Goes to Engineering Associate Professor
School of Engineering Associate Professor Dipendu Saha has received the university's Outstanding Researcher Award. It recognizes a faculty member who has exhibited distinction in scholarly work and has made a significant contribution through research to advance the profession or discipline and the university鈥檚 mission.
Saha has an outstanding record of research within the environmental and sustainability sectors and is recognized for his investigations into novel engineering materials and processes. Saha has proven himself to be an outstanding mentor to the undergraduate and graduate chemical engineering students. At Widener University, he co-published with 8 graduate students and 20 undergraduate students. So far, Saha has published around 70 peer-reviewed journal articles and 45 conference presentations. He has been successful in making collaborations and collaborative publications with several researchers and professors both nationally and internationally. Saha also serves as a peer-reviewer of several scientific journals and expert reviewer of research proposals from America, Europe and Asia.
Share link: /node/22541Dipendu Saha Publishes Critical Review About CO2 Adsorption
Associate Professor Dipendu Saha published a critical review in Microporous and Mesoporous Materials about the role of oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur functionalities on the surface of nanoporous carbons in CO2 adsorption.
Share Link: /node/11381