Solid Waste Life Cycle

Elham Hasani

********@****.**.*** – 513-***-**** – Cincinnati, Ohio – LinkedIn Profile

SUMMARY

I am a Ph.D. candidate in Environmental Engineering under the supervision of Dr. McAvoy, focused on converting municipal solid waste into biofuels through an integrated biochemical process. My work combines experimental validation with predictive modeling, using GREET and OpenLCA to optimize performance and develop scalable, low-impact waste-to-energy solutions in collaboration with Idaho National Lab. In addition to my research, I have worked on sustainability projects evaluating solar PV systems, carbon footprint reduction, and life cycle trade-offs in renewable energy applications.

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Environmental Engineering Candidate, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 2023 - 2026 M.Sc., Energy Systems Engineering, Energy and Environment, Sharif University of Technology, Iran 2018 - 2021 B.Sc., Chemical Engineering, University of Arak, Arak, Iran 2013 – 2017 SKILLS

Life Cycle & Sustainability Software: OpenLCA, Simapro, GREET, BioSTEAM Simulation & Programming: COMSOL, Python, MATLAB, R, C++, GAMS General Software: Microsoft Office (Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Visio) Soft Skills: Teamwork, Active Listening, Adaptability and Flexibility, Time Management, Written Communication EXPERIENCE

Research Assistant, University of Cincinnati 2023 – Present

• High Precision Sorting, Fractionation, and Formulation of Municipal Solid Waste for Biochemical Conversion: Conducted LCA and TEA of municipal solid waste (MSW) conversion to biofuels using real facility data and tools such as OpenLCA and GREET. Collaborated with Idaho National Lab to develop a high-precision MSW separation method that improves energy efficiency and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

• Experimental MSW Sorting at Center Hill Facility: Conducted hands-on experimental work using magnetic separation and Dynamic Disc Screen (DDS) technology to improve the purity of the organic fraction for downstream biofuel production.

• In-Vessel Composting LCA: Conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA) comparing the environmental impacts of the Oklin GG-10 in-vessel composting system to a sanitary landfill, using real waste data from the University of Cincinnati. Teaching Assistant, University of Cincinnati Jan 2025-May 2025 Teaching Assistant on Quantitative Sustainability course:

• Taught students how to navigate and utilize OpenLCA software, including importing databases and setting up LCA projects. Sustainability Projects 2023-present

• PV for Metal Industries: Conducted a 3E (economic, environmental, energy) assessment of a 1 MWp PV system in steel and aluminum manufacturing facilities.

• PV for Food & Steel Sectors: Analyzed CO emission reductions and payback periods for PV deployment in the steel industry.

• Smart BIPV Configuration: Simulated off-grid residential PV setups in Hawaii for optimal performance and cost-effectiveness.

• lithium-ion battery performance: Used dual 1D–3D simulation to enhance efficiency and lifespan for sustainable electric vehicles.

• Electrocatalysts for Metal-Air Batteries: Enhanced metal-air battery efficiency using spinel-based electrocatalysts, supporting sustainable energy by enabling high-density, low-cost storage for renewable systems.

• Comparison of Calendar Life and Cycling Degradation: Compared battery aging from storage and use to help extend lifespan and support sustainable energy storage.

• In-Vessel Composting vs. Landfilling: Conducted LCA comparing commercial in-vessel composting systems with sanitary landfill for municipal solid waste, highlighting environmental advantages of composting.

• Precision Sorting of MSW for Biochemical Conversion: Evaluated high-precision waste sorting to improve the quality of organic fractions for sustainable biochemical processing.

• Thermal Management for EV Batteries: Designed and simulated systems to manage heat in lithium-ion batteries, improving efficiency and extending life in electric transportation.

• Integrated Simulation of EV Battery Pouch Cells: Applied dual-scale simulation to assess the thermal and electrochemical behavior of high-performance lithium-ion pouch cells.

• AI for Sustainable Medical Diagnosis: Developed AI-driven image classification tools for medical diagnostics, contributing to an efficient healthcare infrastructure.

• Electrochemical Modeling for Battery Optimization: Simulated lithium-ion battery behavior to enhance performance and guide sustainable design improvements.

• Battery Aging and Lifecycle Impact: Investigated how calendar aging compares with cycling degradation to inform long-term battery sustainability.

• Simulation of High-Power Battery Cells: Modeled next-generation pouch cell performance to support reliable high-capacity battery design.

• Advanced Thermal Design for Battery Systems: Engineered cooling strategies for EV batteries, contributing to energy efficiency and system longevity.

• LTO Battery Dynamics Modeling: Explored electrochemical characteristics of LTO batteries for improved storage sustainability.

• Graphene-Based Electrode Enhancements: Studied the role of graphene in improving LTO battery electrodes for high-efficiency energy storage systems.

Research Assistant, Sharif University of Technology 2018-2021

• Battery and Electrochemical Modeling: Developed 1D simulations using C++ and CFD for lithium-ion battery analysis and optimization.

• Environmental Impact Assessment: Evaluated Damavand power plant sustainability using a Leopold–LCA hybrid method.

• Water and Energy Nexus: Assessed the correlation between water use and energy production in the Damavand power plant.

• Carbon Footprint: Evaluated CO emissions of the Damavand plant to guide sustainable energy decisions. Internship at Color Science & Technology, Tehran, Iran May 2016-Sep 2016 I interned at this institute, where I supported research on eco-friendly materials and sustainable production practices in the textile and coatings industries. My work focused on evaluating the environmental impact of colorants and assisting in developing low-impact dyeing processes. This experience deepened my understanding of industrial sustainability challenges and strengthened my ability to apply life cycle thinking to material selection and process optimization in product design.

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