Dr. Li-Fu Chen

Professor

B.S. Taiwan Chung Hsing University, M.S. and Ph.D. University of Wisconsin

Curriculum Vitae

Research

• Utilization of cellulose and starch as food and pharmaceutical ingredients: This project involves the rearrangement of inter and intra polymeric molecular structures of cellulose and starch in order to obtain specific properties for various applications. For example, one of the cellulose structures is used as molecular envelopes, bulking agents, stabilizers, and fat substitutes. The methods to rearrange molecules involve chemical and physical means. The properties and the structure of the rearranged molecules are determined by Instron testing, viscometers, X-ray diffraction, NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, DSC, and other advanced instruments in the department.
• Utilization of biomass as sources of fuel, paper and other industrial products.
• Fermentation technology to convert biomass to food, fuel, and chemicals: This project investigates the genetics and physiology of yeast cells that are important parameters in design of a fermentor.

Teaching

Undergraduate

Food Processing I

Graduate

Food Protein Chemistry
Food Processing, Engineering, and Packaging

Industrial

Research projects with members of the Food Science Department Industrial Associates. Consultant for sugar industries, food, and pharmaceutical ingredient companies

International

Collaborative research projects with Beijing Agricultural University, Beijing, China and Da-Yeh Institute of Engineering, Taiwan. Technical advisor for Chinese government

Contact Dr. Chen
e-mail: chen2@purdue.edu

Address:
Department of Food Science
745 Agriculture Mall Drive
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2009 Phone: (765) 494-8263