Chemical Engineer
Chemical Engineer

Biography

Dr. Luke El Khoury joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in 2023 after finishing his PhD in chemical engineering at the University of Washington under the advisor John C. Berg (thesis title: Control of Adhesion in Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymeric Composites). He is a chemical engineer in the Nuclear Sciences Division within PNNL’s Energy and Environment Directorate.

His specialties encompass interfacial phenomena such as colloidal interactions, adhesion, polymer composites, surface functionalization and characterization, and particle analysis. In addition to his research, El Khoury specialized in interpersonal and scientific communication by teaching more than 120 students in the Surface and Colloid Science Laboratory five separate times, and was nominated by his students for the 2023 College of Engineering Teaching Award. As an undergraduate student-athlete, he competed on the men’s rowing team at the University of Washington, winning two national titles and three PAC-12 Championship titles.

At PNNL, El Khoury leverages his skills in interfacial phenomena by taking an intense interest in the adsorption kinetics of harmful gases such as mercury and iodine and developing a more profound knowledge of PUREX separation processes. Specifically, he is working on a project for the Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management to enhance supply chain resilience by establishing alternative methods and techniques to reduce the amount of harmful mercury off-gas produced during Hanford Site waste treatment.

Research Interest

  • Interfacial Phenomena
  • Surfaces
  • Polymer Composites
  • Adhesion
  • Colloids
  • Adsorption
  • Fluid Properties
  • Marangoni Effect

Disciplines and Skills

  • Electronics, Microcontrollers, and Instrumentation
  • Surface Modification
  • Adhesion Modification
  • Public Speaking
  • Mechanical Testing
  • Science Communication

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy, chemical engineering, University of Washington
  • Master of Science, chemical engineering, University of Washington
  • Bachelor of Science, chemical engineering, University of Washington

Awards and Recognitions

  • Intercollegiate Rowing Association and PAC 12 All-Academic 2016- 2018
  • 101 Club Scholar-Athlete Award recipient 2017 – 2018
  • Chuck Holtz Student-Athlete Scholarship recipient

Publications

2024

  • Schonewill P.P., L.G. El Khoury, C.A. Burns, and R.C. Daniel. 2024. Simulant Development of Potential 200 West Area Waste Feeds. PNNL-36628. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Simulant Development of Potential 200 West Area Waste Feeds

  • 2034

  • Luke El Khoury and John C. Berg (2023). The tailoring of interfacial adhesion and its effects on material properties for carbon-fiber reinforced polymeric composites, Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology, 37:21, 3030-3051, DOI: 10.1080/01694243.2023.2171702
  • Luke El Khoury and John C. Berg (2023). Strategies for the enhancement of adhesion between carbon fibers and polyolefin matrices, Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology, 37:5, 897-912, DOI: 10.1080/01694243.2022.2047276