Founder at Next-ChemX, United States
Dr. Nikolai Kocherginsky 🎓 is the Founder and Chief Scientist at Next-ChemX 🔬, with a strong legacy in membrane technology and chemical innovation. Holding a Ph.D. from the Institute of Chemical Physics, Moscow 🇷🇺, and an M.S. in Chemistry from Moscow State University 🧪, he has taught and conducted research globally 🌍, including at UIUC 🇺🇸, Technion 🇮🇱, and NUS 🇸🇬. His groundbreaking work in lithium extraction and biomimetic membranes has gained international recognition 💧⚗️. Dr. Kocherginsky’s dedication to sustainable technologies and education 📘 has shaped both industrial advancements and academic development worldwide 🧠🌱.
Professional Profile:
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🔹 Education & Experience
📚 Education:
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🎓 Ph.D. – Institute of Chemical Physics, Moscow, USSR
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📘 M.S. in Chemistry – Moscow State University
👨🏫 Academic & Research Experience:
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🧠 George A. Miller Visiting Scholar, UIUC (USA)
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🌏 Visiting Professor – Naresuan University, Thailand
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🕍 Lady Davis Fellow – Technion, Haifa, Israel
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🧪 Associate Professor – National University of Singapore
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🧬 Visiting Scholar – Dartmouth Medical School, USA
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🏆 Faculty Fellowship – U.S. Department of Energy (via AWU Inc.)
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📖 Taught General, Physical, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Membrane Science
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💻 Developed web-based learning tools and lab manuals
🔹 Professional Development
Dr. Kocherginsky’s professional development 🌟 spans multiple continents, blending cutting-edge research with academic mentorship 🧑🏫. His work focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to chemical engineering and membrane technology ⚗️🌍. He has continuously evolved through visiting professorships 🧳 and global collaborations, notably with institutions like UIUC 🇺🇸 and Technion 🇮🇱. He has innovated in curriculum design 💡, particularly in web-based and lab-intensive chemical education 🧫🖥️. His professional path reflects a balance of industry-driven innovation and academic excellence 📈, pushing the frontiers in sustainable tech and separation sciences ♻️💧. His global mindset and adaptability make him a leader in next-gen chemistry applications 🔋🧠.
🔹 Research Focus
Dr. Kocherginsky’s research centers around membrane science, green chemistry, and advanced separation technologies 🧪🔍. His projects emphasize nontraditional, biomimetic membranes for water purification 💧, lithium extraction 🔋, and radioactive metal separation ☢️. With a strong background in physical and organic chemistry ⚛️, he develops environmentally responsible methods for critical resource recovery 🌿. Supported by major agencies like ASTAR 🇸🇬, his work addresses global challenges in clean water, sustainable energy, and chemical waste reduction 🌎♻️. This multidisciplinary approach blends chemistry, environmental science, and nanotech innovation 🧬, contributing significantly to next-generation industrial applications and sustainability goals.
🔹 Awards & Honors
🏅 Awards & Fellowships:
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🧠 George A. Miller Visiting Scholar – UIUC
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🕍 Lady Davis Fellowship – Technion, Israel
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🎓 Faculty Fellowship – U.S. Department of Energy via AWU, Inc.
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🌟 Recognized for securing nearly $1 million in research grants (e.g., ASTAR, Singapore)
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📜 Honored globally for contributions to membrane-based separation science and education
Publication Top Notes
1. Recent advances in supported liquid membrane technology
Authors: N.M. Kocherginsky, Q. Yang, L. Seelam
Journal: Separation and Purification Technology, 2007, Vol. 53(2), pp. 171–177
Citations: 542
Summary:
This review outlines the principles, benefits, and limitations of supported liquid membrane (SLM) technology. It explores its evolution, mechanisms of mass transfer, membrane stability, and scale-up potential for industrial applications such as metal ion separation and waste treatment.
2. Nitroxide spin labels: reactions in biology and chemistry
Authors: N. Kocherginsky, H.M. Swartz
Publisher: CRC Press, 1995
Citations: 382
Summary:
A comprehensive monograph on the chemistry and biological applications of nitroxide spin labels, especially in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The book delves into their synthesis, stability, and use as probes in studying biomolecular structures and dynamics.
3. Demulsification of water-in-oil emulsions via filtration through a hydrophilic polymer membrane
Authors: N.M. Kocherginsky, C.L. Tan, W.F. Lu
Journal: Journal of Membrane Science, 2003, Vol. 220(1-2), pp. 117–128
Citations: 239
Summary:
This paper investigates the mechanism and efficiency of separating water-in-oil emulsions using hydrophilic polymer membranes, offering a novel physical method of demulsification without surfactants.
4. Antiplasmodial activity of ferrocenyl chalcones: investigations into the role of ferrocene
Authors: X. Wu, E.R.T. Tiekink, I. Kostetski, N. Kocherginsky, et al.
Journal: European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2006, Vol. 27(2–3), pp. 175–187
Citations: 157
Summary:
This research explores the biological activity of ferrocene-containing chalcones against Plasmodium falciparum, linking ferrocene’s redox properties to enhanced antimalarial efficacy.
5. Copper corrosion in mildly alkaline water with the disinfectant monochloramine
Authors: X. Zhang, S.O. Pehkonen, N. Kocherginsky, G.A. Ellis
Journal: Corrosion Science, 2002, Vol. 44(11), pp. 2507–2528
Citations: 145
Summary:
A detailed study on the corrosion behavior of copper pipes in water treated with monochloramine, examining the roles of surface film formation and redox chemistry using electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques.
6. DSC and EPR investigations on effects of cholesterol component on molecular interactions between paclitaxel and phospholipid within lipid bilayer membrane
Authors: L. Zhao, S.S. Feng, N. Kocherginsky, I. Kostetski
Journal: International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2007, Vol. 338(1–2), pp. 258–266
Citations: 112
Summary:
This work uses Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and EPR spectroscopy to study how cholesterol modulates drug-membrane interactions between paclitaxel and phospholipids, relevant to liposomal drug delivery systems.
7. The first fully characterized 1,3-polyazulene: High electrical conductivity resulting from cation radicals and polycations generated upon protonation
Authors: F. Wang, Y.H. Lai, N.M. Kocherginsky, Y.Y. Kosteski
Journal: Organic Letters, 2003, Vol. 5(7), pp. 995–998
Citations: 110
Summary:
Describes the synthesis and characterization of a 1,3-polyazulene polymer, highlighting its unique conductive properties due to proton-induced charge delocalization, a promising material for organic electronics.
8. Copper recovery and spent ammoniacal etchant regeneration based on hollow fiber supported liquid membrane technology: from bench-scale to pilot-scale tests
Authors: Q. Yang, N.M. Kocherginsky
Journal: Journal of Membrane Science, 2006, Vol. 286(1–2), pp. 301–309
Citations: 100
Summary:
Describes a scalable process using hollow fiber SLMs for recovering copper from spent etchants. The work presents both experimental optimization and industrial pilot-scale results.
9. Doping-dependent ion selectivity of polyaniline membranes
Authors: L. Wen, N.M. Kocherginsky
Journal: Synthetic Metals, 1999, Vol. 106(1), pp. 19–27
Citations: 75
Summary:
Investigates how dopant types and levels affect the ion transport properties of polyaniline membranes, suggesting applications in chemical sensing and selective separations.
10. Copper removal from ammoniacal wastewater through a hollow fiber supported liquid membrane system: modeling and experimental verification
Authors: Q. Yang, N.M. Kocherginsky
Journal: Journal of Membrane Science, 2007, Vol. 297(1–2), pp. 121–129
Citations: 72
Summary:
This paper presents mathematical modeling and experimental studies for optimizing the removal of copper ions from wastewater using SLM systems, reinforcing the method’s efficiency and predictability.
Conclusion
Dr. Nikolai Kocherginsky exemplifies the ideal profile for a Best Researcher Award—a visionary scholar with decades of impactful research, global academic service, and translational science that bridges laboratory innovation and industrial application. His career achievements, especially in membrane technology for sustainable separation processes, make him a deserving and high-impact candidate for recognition.