Education

Ph.D., University of South Carolina, 2000

B.S., Catholic University of Chile, Chile, 1995

Research

Dr. Ebner's major research interest is the application of magnetic fields to the separation, collection and/or manipulation of magnetic particles from a fluid medium, with particular emphasis in the use of high gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) principles. This technique consists on the use of fine ferromagnetic elements that as a result of the application of an external magnetic field become energized and create magnetic gradients large enough to collect particles that because of their small size and/or low magnetism their collection cannot be otherwise realized. Today major emphasis and potential for HGMS is found in the medical area where the technique can be used to assist magnetic drug targeting for cancer treatment, restenosis, embolization control as well as for rapid detoxification.

Other research interests of Dr. Ebner are the development and understanding of complex hydrides for hydrogen storage and the development of new process designs (i.e, PSA and TSA) for gas separation processes. In terms of complex hydrides, major efforts are currently devoted to understanding the mechanistic role of catalysts such as Ti, Zr, V as well as that of co-dopants such as Fe, Ni and others in the observed enhanced kinetics of dehydrogenation and hydrogen regeneration of alanates. In terms of gas separation processes, efforts are concerted into CO2 removal for spatial air revitalization (NASA) and CO2 sequestration from flue-gas (EPA) using high temperature adsorbents (e.g., hydrotalcites).

Selected Publications

• Chen H., Ebner A. D., Rosengart A. J., Kaminski M. D., and J. A. Ritter, "Analysis of Magnetic Drug Carrier Particle Capture by a Magnetizable Intravascular Stent. 1. Parametric Study with Single Wire Correlation," J. of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, 2004, in print
• Ritter J. A., Ebner, A. D. Daniel K. D., and Stewart K. L., "Application of High Gradient Magnetic Separation Principles to Targeted Drug Delivery," J. of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, 2004, in print.
• A. D. Ebner and J. A. Ritter, "Equilibrium Theory for Separation of a Binary Mixture by Dual Reflux Pressure Swing Adsorption," AIChE Journal, in print, 2004.
• A. D. Ebner and J. A. Ritter, "Equilibrium Theory Analysis of a Rectifying Pressure Swing Adsorption Process for Producing Pure Heavy Component," AIChE Journal, 48, 1679-1691, 2002.
• A. D. Ebner, J. A. Ritter, and H. J. Ploehn, "Feasibility and Limitations of Nanolevel High Gradient Magnetic Separation," Separation and Purification Technology, 11, 199-210,1997.