Career Highlights

Education

  • The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma; Aug 1986 – Sep 1989; Ph.D., Chemical Engineering; dissertation title: Experimental & Theoretical Electrodialysis Investigations; Research Advisor: Dr. John F. Scamehorn
  • Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana ; Aug 1980 – Jun 1986; B.S., Chemical Engineering

Industrial Experience

  • Rockstraw Consulting & Expert Witness Services, Mesilla, NM (1997-present)
  • Los Alamos National Laboratories, Los Alamos, NM (summers:1997-2000)
  • DuPont/Conoco, Corporate Process Development, Ponca City, OK (1990-1995)
  • Ethyl Corporation, R&D, Orangeburg, SC (1989 – 1990)
  • Kraft, Inc. R&D, Glenview, IL (1981 – 1986)

Select Journal Publications

  • Corrected rate law for sulfite oxidation mechanism with ethanol-inhibition, D. A. Rockstraw, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 51(35), p. 11587 (2012).
  • Old Dead Guy Trading Cards, D. A. Rockstraw, Chemical Engineering Education, 46(1), Winter 2012.
  • Synthesis of Nanowires by Spray Pyrolysis, K. C. Pingali, S.Deng, and D. A. Rockstraw, Journal of Sensors, Article ID 683280 (2009), doi: 10.1155/2009/683280.
  • Synthesis of Ru-Ni Core-Shell Nanoparticles for Potential Sensor Applications, S. Deng, K. C. Pingali, D. A. Rockstraw, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Sensors Journal: Nanosensors for Defense and Security, 8(5-6), pp. 730-734 (2008).
  • Synthesis and Thermal Stability of Carbon Supported and Carbon Coated Ru-Ni Core-and-Shell Nanoparticles, K. C. Pingali, S. Deng, D. A. Rockstraw; Powder Technology, 187 (2008) pp. 19–26.
  • Effect of Ammonium Nitrate on Nanoparticle Size Reduction, K. C. Pingali, S. Deng, D. A. Rockstraw; Research Letters in Nanotechnology, Volume 2008, Article ID 756843, doi:10.1155/2008/756843.
  • Deposition of Ru-Ni-S Nanoparticles on Carbon by Spray-Pyrolysis: Effects of Solvent, K. C. Pingali, S. Deng, D. A. Rockstraw; Current Nanoscience(2007), 3, 215-221.
  • Physicochemical properties of carbons prepared from pecan shell by phosphoric acid activation, Y. Guo and D. A. Rockstraw, Bioresource Technology (May 2007),98(8), 1513-1521.
  • Direct synthesis of Ru-Ni nanoparticles with core-and-shell structure, K. C. Pingali, S. Deng, D. A. Rockstraw; Chemical Engineering Communications, 194(6), 780-786 (2007).
  • Activated carbons prepared from rice hull by one-step phosphoric acid activation, Y. Guo and D. A. Rockstraw, Microporous & Mesoporous Materials, 100(1-3); 12-19 (March 23, 2007).
  • Physical and chemical properties of carbons synthesized from xylan, cellulose, and Kraft lignin by H3PO4 activation, Y. Guo, D. A. Rockstraw,Carbon, 44(8); 1464-1475 (July 2006).
  • Synthesis of carbon nanoparticle thin film with spray pyrolysis, K. C. Pingali, S. Deng, D. A. Rockstraw; New Mexico Journal of Science, 44, 149-163 (August 2006).
  • Silver nanoparticles from ultrasonic spray pyrolysis of aqueous silver nitrate, K. C. Pingali, D. A. Rockstraw, S. Deng, Aerosol Science and Technology, 39(10), pp. 1010-1014 (October 2005).
  • Aspen Plus® in the Chemical Engineering Curriculum: Suitable Course Content and Teaching Methodology, D. Rockstraw, Chemical Engineering Education, 39(1) (Winter 2004).
  • A Generating Equation for Mixing Rules and Two New Mixing Rules for Interatomic Potential Energy Parameters, A. Al-Matar, D. A. Rockstraw,Journal of Computational Chemistry, 25(5), p. 660-668 (April 2004).
  • Rapid oxidation of sulfide mine tailings by reaction with potassium ferrate, M. Murshed, D.A. Rockstraw, A.T. Hanson, M.D. Johnson,Environmental Pollution, 125(2), 245-253 (Sep 2003).
  • A model for the adsorption of multiple metal ion solutes in aqueous solution onto activated carbon produced from pecan shells, S. A. Dastgheib, D.A. Rockstraw, Carbon, 40(11), 1853-1861 (2002).
  • A model for the adsorption of single metal ion solutes in aqueous solution onto activated carbon produced from pecan shells, S. A. Dastgheib, D.A. Rockstraw, Carbon, 40(11), 1843-1851 (2002).
  • Copper and strontium adsorption by a novel carbon material manufactured from pecan shells, Shawabkeh R.A., Rockstraw D.A., Bhada R.K.,Carbon, 40(5), 781-786 (2002).
  • Pecan shell activated carbon: synthesis, characterization, and application for the removal of copper from aqueous solution, S. A. Dastgheib, D.A. Rockstraw, Carbon, 39(12), 1849-1855 (2001).
  • Rare Earths and Actinides: Science, Technology and Applications IV, (ISBN: 0-87339-470-4), Bautista and Mishra, editors, “Vitrified Magnesia Dissolution and Its Impact on Plutonium Residue Processing,” K.W. Fife, J.L. Alwin and D.A. Rockstraw, pp. 123-135.

Professional Awards

Patents

  • U.S. Patent #6,225,256, May 1, 2001, Activated Carbon Feedstock.
  • U.S. Patent #5,104,843, April 14, 1992, Na/K Catalyst Composition.
  • U.S. Patent #5,157,186, Oct, 20, 1992, Process for Catalytic Coupling of an Alkene with an Aromatic.

Professional Service Activities

  • American Institute of Chemical Engineers
    • named Fellow, 2015
    • Advisor to the NMSU Student Chapter of AICHE  (2006 – present)
  • National Society of Professional Engineers
    • 2014 NSPE Board of Directors

      2014 NSPE Board of Directors

      Board of Directors, Interest Groups Representative (2013 – present)

    • Professional Engineers in Higher Education (PEHE) representative to the House of Delegates (2013 – present)
    • Trustee, Education Foundation (2013 – present)
    • Licensure and Qualifications to Practice Committee (2013 – present)
    • Legislative and Government Affairs Committee (2014 – present)
    • PEHE Past Chair (2011-2012)
    • PEHE Chair (2010-2011)
    • PEHE Chair-Elect (2009-2010)
    • PEHE SW region Vice Chair (2008 – 2010)
  • Governor of the Educational Practice Division of the New Mexico Society of Professional Engineers (2000-2010)
  • Advisor to the NSPE@NMSU Student Chapter (2011-present)
  • Advisor to the NMSU Energy Club (2013-present)
  • Faculty advisor to the NMSU Hockey Club (1997-2006)

Civic Activities

  • Las Cruces Inline Hockey Association, Director (2000-2008)
  • Town of Mesilla; Planning, Zoning, & Historical Significance Commissioner (2009-2011)
  • Mesilla Valley Preservation, Inc. (mvpres.org), Board of Directors, 2010 – present