Publications

Journal Papers

  1. S. Ruzzante, R. Hoque, M. M. Rahman, and A. M. Bilton, “A cross-over experiment for on-farm evaluation of a novel pond aquaculture aeration device in Bangladesh,” Aquaculture Research, Sep. 2022, doi: 10.1111/are.16108
  2. N. R. Sarker, P. Cherukupally, I. Gourevich, J. Wilbur, S. D. Jons, and A. M. Bilton, “Multi-scale visualization of incipient CaCO3 scaling on the polyamide layer of reverse osmosis membranes,” Desalination, vol. 539, 115956, Oct. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2022.115956
  3. F. C. Cruz, A. Marouchos, and A. M. Bilton, “Experimental characterization of an oxygen transfer model of a fine pore diffuser aerator,” Aquacultural Engineering, vol. 98, 102259, Aug. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.aquaeng.2022.102259
  4. Y. Chen and A. M. Bilton, “Water Stress, Peri-Urbanization, and Community-Based Water Systems: A Reflective Commentary on the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City,” Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, vol. 4, 790633, Apr. 2022, doi: 10.3389/frsc.2022.790633
  5. M. Akhshik, A. M. Bilton, J. Tjong, C. V. Singh, O. Faruk, and M. Sain, “Prediction of greenhouse gas emissions reductions via machine learning algorithms: Toward an artificial intelligence-based life cycle assessment for automotive lightweighting,” Sustainable Materials and Technologies, vol. 31, e00370, Apr. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.susmat.2021.e00370
  6. P. Cherukupally, W. Sun, D. R. Williams, G. A. Ozin, and A. M. Bilton, “Reclamation of Oily Wastewater at High Temperatures Using Polyurethane-Nanosilicon Sponges,” ACS Applied Polymer Materials, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 1544-1550, Mar. 2022, doi: 10.1021/acsapm.1c00944
  7. N. R. Sarker, and A. M. Bilton, “Real-time computational imaging of reverse osmosis membrane scaling under intermittent operation,” Journal of Membrane Science, vol. 636, 119556, Oct. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.memsci.2021.119556
  8. S. Ruzzante and A. M. Bilton, “A Meta-Analysis Dataset of Empirical Agricultural Technology Adoption Literature,” Data-in-Brief, vol. 38, 105599, Oct. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.dib.2021.107384
  9. S. Ruzzante, R. Labarta, and A. M. Bilton, “Adoption of agricultural technology in the developing world: A meta-analysis of the empirical literature,” World Development, vol. 146, 105599, Oct. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2021.105599
  10. S. Amrose, A. M. Bilton, and B. Kramer, “The future of development engineering: Our vision for the next generation of publications in DevEng,” Development Engineering, vol. 6, 100059, 2021 doi: 10.1016/j.deveng.2021.100059
  11. P. Cherukupally, W. Sun, D. R. Williams, G. A. Ozin, and A. M. Bilton, “Wax-wetting sponges for oil droplets recovery from frigid waters,” Science Advances, vol. 7, no. 11, Mar. 2021, doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abc7926
  12. M. Akhshik, S. Panthapulakkal, J. Tjong, A. M. Bilton, C. V. Singh, and M. Sain, “Cross-country analysis of life cycle assessment–based greenhouse gas emissions for automotive parts: Evaluation of coefficient of country,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 138, 110546, Mar. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2020.110546
  13. A. Abidli, Y. Huang, P. Cherukupally, A. M. Bilton, and C. B. Park, “Novel oil-water separator skimmer for oil spill cleanup and oily wastewater treatment: from conceptual system design to the first pilot-scale prototype development,” Environmental Technology and Innovation, vol. 18, 100598, May 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.eti.2019.100598
  14. P. Cherukupally, W. Sun, A. P. Y. Wong, D. R. Williams, G. A. Ozin, A. M. Bilton, and C. B. Park, “Surface-engineered sponges for recovery of crude oil microdroplets from wastewater,” Nature Sustainability, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 136-143, Feb. 2020, doi: 10.1038/s41893-020-0472-2
  15. M. Freire-Gormaly and A. M. Bilton, “Impact of intermittent operation on reverse osmosis membrane fouling for brackish groundwater desalination systems,” Journal of Membrane Science, vol. 583, pp. 220-230, Aug. 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.memsci.2019.04.010
  16. K. Mahmudov, A. Mahmoud, S. Sur, F. C. Cruz, and A. M. Bilton, “Feasibility of a wind-powered aeration system for small-scale aquaculture in developing countries,” Energy for Sustainable Development, vol. 51, pp. 40-49, Aug. 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.esd.2019.05.003
  17. M. Freire-Gormaly, and A. M. Bilton, “Design of photovoltaic powered reverse osmosis desalination systems considering membrane fouling caused by intermittent operation,” Renewable Energy, vol. 135, pp. 108-121, May 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2018.11.065
  18. D. Powell, A. Ebrahimi, S. Nourbakhsh, M. Meshkahaldini, and A. M. Bilton, “Design of pico-hydro turbine generator systems for self-powered electrochemical water disinfection devices,” Renewable Energy, vol. 123, pp. 590-602, Aug. 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2017.12.079
  19. M. Freire-Gormaly, and A. M. Bilton, “Experimental quantification of the effect of intermittent operation on membrane performance of solar powered reverse osmosis desalination systems,” Desalination, vol. 435, pp. 188-197, Jun. 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2017.09.013
  20. P. Cherukupally, E. J. Acosta, J. H. Hinestroza, A. M. Bilton, and C. B. Park, “Acid-Base Polymeric Foams for the Adsorption of Micro-oil Droplets from Industrial Effluents,” Environmental Science and Technology, vol. 51, no. 15, pp. 8852-8560, Jul. 2017, doi: 10.1021/acs.est.7b01255
  21. M. Freire-Gormaly and A. M. Bilton, “An experimental system for characterization of membrane fouling of solar photovoltaic reverse osmosis systems under intermittent operation,” Desalination and Water Treatment, vol. 73, pp. 54-63, Apr. 2017, doi: 10.5004/dwt.2017.20391
  22. H. Elasaad, A. M. Bilton, L. C. Kelley, O. Duayhe, and S. Dubowsky, “Field evaluation of a community scale solar powered water purification technology: A case study of a remote Mexican community application,” Desalination, vol. 375, pp. 71-80, Nov. 2015, doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2015.08.001
  23. A. M. Bilton and L. C. Kelley, “Design of power systems for reverse osmosis desalination in remote communities,” Desalination and Water Treatment, vol. 55, no. 10, pp 2868-2883, Aug. 2015, doi: 10.1080/19443994.2014.940641
  24. A. M. Bilton and S. Dubowsky, “A Computer Architecture for the Automatic Design of Modular Systems with Application to Photovoltaic Reverse Osmosis,” ASME Journal of Mechanical Design, vol. 136, no. 10, 101401, Oct. 2014, doi: 10.1115/1.4027879
  25. M. U. Siddiqui, A. F. M. Arif, A. M. Bilton, S. Dubowsky, and M. Elshafei, “An improved electric circuit model for photovoltaic modules based on sensitivity analysis,” Solar Energy, vol. 90, pp. 29-42, Apr. 2013, doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2012.12.021
  26. A. M. Bilton and S. Dubowsky, “The modular design of photovoltaic reverse osmosis systems: making technology accessible to nonexperts,” Desalination and Water Treatment, vol. 51, no. 4-6, pp. 702-712, 2013, doi: 10.1080/19443994.2012.700786
  27. A. M. Bilton, R. Wiesman, A. F. M. Arif, S. M. Zubair, and S. Dubowsky, “On the feasibility of community-scale photovoltaic-powered reverse osmosis desalination systems for remote locations.” Renewable Energy, vol. 36, no. 12, pp. 3246-3256, Dec. 2011, doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2011.03.040
  28. A. M. Bilton, L. C. Kelley, and S. Dubowsky, “Photovoltaic reverse osmosis — Feasibility and a pathway to develop technology,” Desalination and Water Treatment, vol. 31, no. 1-3, pp. 24-34, 2011, doi: 10.5004/dwt.2011.2398
  29. A. Bilton, Y. Ishijima, L. Lichter, and S. Dubowsky, “Sensor Architecture for the Robotic Control of Large Flexible Space Structures.” Journal of Field Robotics, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 297-310, Apr. 2007, doi: 10.1002/rob.20190

Conference Papers

  1. N. Dawe, L. Romkey, A. M. Bilton, and K. Moozeh, “Identifying curriculum factors that facilitate lifelong learning in alumni career trajectories: Stage 1 of a sequential mixed-methods study,” presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN, USA, Jun. 26-29, 2022.
  2. N. Dawe, L. Romkey, and A. M. Bilton, A.M. “Survey Results: How Does Lifelong Learning Enable Alumni Careers?,” in Proc. Canadian Engineering Education Association Conference, Toronto, ON, Canada, Jun. 18-22, 2022, doi: 10.24908/pceea.vi.15936
  3. G. Leir-Taha, A. M. Bilton, and A. Marouchos, “Ocean Current Energy Conversion for Powering Distributed Sensors,” in Proc. OCEANS 2021: San Diego – Porto, San Diego, CA, USA, Sep. 20-23, 2021, doi: 10.23919/OCEANS44145.2021.9705722
  4. P. Cotera Rivera and A. M. Bilton, “The Development and Testing of Pour-Flush Toilet Sensors for Understanding User Interaction in Peri-Urban Households,” in Proc. ASME 2021  International Design Engineering Technical Conferences, vol. 3B, Online, Aug. 17-21, 2021, doi: 10.1115/DETC2021-67697
  5. N. Dawe, L. Romkey, and A. M. Bilton, “A Review of How Lifelong Learning is Planned and Enacted in Canadian Engineering Programs,” in Proc. Canadian Engineering Education Association Conference, Online, June 20-23, 2021, doi: 10.24908/pceea.vi0.14950
  6. S. Yu, Y. Ko, H. Hu, J. Seo, and A. M. Bilton, “Optimization and System Identification of a Variable Pico-Scale Hydro Turbine for Pressure Regulation,” in Proc. ASME 2020 Power Conference, Online, August 4-5, 2020, doi: 10.1115/POWER2020-16902
  7. Y. Ko, S. Yu, and A. M. Bilton, “Modelling and Experimental Validation of a Controllable Energy Harvester for Pressure Regulation,” in Proc. ASME 2019 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, vol. 6,  Salt Lake City, UT, USA, November 11-14, 2019, doi: doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2019-11514
  8. F. Cruz, K. Mahmoudov, A. Marouchos, and A. M. Bilton, “A Feasibility Study on the Benefits of Feedback Aerator Control in Precision Aquaculture Applications for the Developing World,” in Proc. ASME 2019 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences, vol. 2B, Anaheim, CA, USA, August 18-21, 2019, doi: 10.1115/DETC2019-98087
  9. Ruzzante, S., and Bilton, A.M., “Agricultural Technology in the Developing World: A Meta-Analysis of the Literature,” ASME International Design and Engineering Technical Conferences 2018, August 26-29, 2018, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
  10. Walsh, R.W., Hosseinimanesh, H., Nourbakhsh, S., Meshkahaldini, M., and Bilton, A.M., “Modeling and Experimental Validation of a Pico-Scale Francis Turbine for Self-Powered Water Disinfection Systems,” ASME Power and Energy Conference 2018, June 25-28, 2018, Orlando, FL, USA.
  11. Jiang, A., and Bilton, A.M., “Design of a Passive Irrigation Controller for Efficient Water Usage in Low Income Countries,” IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, October 19-22, 2017, San Jose, CA, USA.
  12. Yamani, S., Mahmoud, A., Sur, S., Pavlov, E., and Bilton, A.M., “Long-Term Performance Estimation of Solar Aeration System for Aquaculture in the Developing World,” ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences 2017, August 6-9, 2017, Cleveland, OH, USA.
  13. Cherukupally, P., Bilton, A.M., and Park, C.B. “Cellular polymers for oil/water mixtures separation – evaluation of process conditions,” Society of Plastics Engineers Annual Technical Conference, Anaheim, CA, May 7-10, 2017. (Winner – Best Paper)
  14. Cherukupally, P., Hinestroza, J., Bilton, A.M., and Park, C.B. “Micro organic pollutants removal using a foam filter through rationally selected hydrophilic media,” Society of Plastics Engineers Annual Technical Conference, Anaheim, CA, May 7-10, 2017.
  15. Ebrahimi Khabbazi, A., Sur, S., Mahmoud, A., Pavlov, E., and Bilton, A.M., “Design of an Innovative Solar Updraft Aeration System for Fish Ponds in the Developing World Using Thermofluidic Computational Modelling,” ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition 2016, November 11-17, 2016, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
  16. Sur, S., Mahmoud, A., Ebrahimi Khabbazi, A., Pavlov, E., and Bilton, A.M., “Computational Modeling and Field Evaluation of an Innovative Solar Updraft Aeration System for Aquaculture in the Developing World,” ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences 2016, August 21-24, 2016, Charlotte, NC, USA.
  17. Cherukupally, P., Hinestroza, J.H., Farnood, R., Bilton, A.M. and Park, C.B., “Adsorption mechanisms of emulsified crude oil droplets onto hydrophilic open-cell polymer foams” 32nd Polymer Processing Society International Conference, July 25-29, 2016, Lyon, France.
  18. Freire-Gormaly, M., and Bilton, A.M, “Degradation of Photovoltaic Reverse Osmosis Systems under Intermittent Operation,” Desalination for Energy and the Environment, May 22-26, 2016, Rome, Italy.
  19. Mahmoud, A., Nguyen, T., Pavlov, E., and Bilton, A.M., “Development of a Passive Solar-Thermal Aeration System for Aquaculture in Resource-Constrained Environments,” IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, October 8-11, 2015, Seattle, WA, USA. (Runner-up – Best Paper)
  20. Cherukupally, P., Chu, R.K.M., Bilton, A.M. and Park, C.B., “Oil diffusion properties of synthetic adsorbent for oil-water separation and collection system,” 29th Polymer Processing Society International Conference Proceedings, Sept 21-25, 2015, Graz, Austria.
  21. Freire-Gormaly, M. and Bilton, A.M, “Optimization of Renewable Power Systems for Remote Communities,” ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences 2015, August 2-5, 2015, Boston, MA, USA.
  22. Mahmoud, A., Quang, T.N., Pavlov, E., Bilton, A., “Development of a Solar Updraft Aeration System for Pond Aquaculture in Resource-Constrained Environments,” IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference 2015, October 8-11, 2015, Seattle, WA, USA.
  23. Bilton, A.M., and Dubowsky, S., “Modular Design of Community-Scale Photovoltaic Reverse Osmosis Systems under Uncertainty,” ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences 2014, August 17-20, 2014, Buffalo, NY, USA.
  24. Bilton, A.M., L.C. Kelley, “Design of Power Systems for Reverse Osmosis Desalination in Remote Communities,” Desalination for Energy and the Environment, May 11-15, 2014, Limassol, Cyprus.
  25. Latin, M., Nagar, Y., Aharonson, V. Bilton, A. M., Dubowsky, S., Dolittle, J., and Alon, Y. O. “Development and Evaluation of a Robotic System to Enhance Mobility of Patients with Parkinson’s Disease,” Israeli Conference on Robotics, November 19-20, 2013, Tel Aviv, Israel.
  26. Reed, E. A., Bilton, A. M., and Dubowsky, S., “Controllable Energy Recovery for a Smart PVRO System,” IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics 2013, July 9-12, 2013, Wollongong, Australia.
  27. Meng, L., Bilton, A. M., You, Z., and Dubowsky, S., “Adaptive Heliostat Solar Arrays using Shape-Optimized Compliant Mirrors,” ASME 2012 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computers and Information in Engineering Conference IDETC/CIE 2012, August 12-15, 2012, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
  28. Bilton, A.M., and Dubowsky, S., “Inverse Kinematics for the Control of Hyper-Redundant Binary Mechanisms with Application to Solar Concentrator Mirrors,” International Symposium on Advances in Robot Kinematics 2012, June 24-28, 2012, Innsbruck, Austria.
  29. Bilton, A.M., and Dubowsky, S., “The Modular Design of Photovoltaic Reverse Osmosis Systems – Making Technology Accessible to Non-Experts,” Conference on Desalination and the Environment 2012, April 23-26, 2012, Barcelona, Spain.
  30. Kelley, L. C., Bilton, A. M., and Dubowsky, S., “Enhancing the Performance of Photovoltaic Powered Reverse Osmosis Desalination Systems by Active Thermal Management,” ASME 2011 International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, November 11-17, 2011, Denver, Colorado, USA.
  31. Bilton, A. M., Kelley, L. C., and Mazzini, F., “Design Optimization of Sustainable Off-Grid Power Systems for the Developing World,” ASME 2011 Energy Sustainability Conference, August 7-10, 2011, Washington, DC, USA.
  32. Bilton, A. M., Kelley, L. C., and Dubowsky, S., “Photovoltaic Reverse Osmosis – Feasibility and a Pathway to Develop Technology,” EuroMed 2010, Desalination for Clean Water and Energy, October 3-7, 2010, Tel Aviv, Israel.
  33. Lee, S. J., Bilton, A. M., and Dubowsky, S., “On the Kinematics of Solar Mirrors Using Massively Parallel Binary Actuation,” ASME 2010 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computers and Information in Engineering Conference IDETC/CIE, August 15-18, 2010, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Conference Abstracts

  1. Sarker, N.R., Cherukupally, P., Wilbur, J., and Bilton, A.M. “Influence of Polyamide-layer Surface Morphology on Reverse Osmosis Membrane Scaling – A Visualization Case Study on CaCO3 Scaling”, Accepted to Desalination for Energy and the Environment, June 20-23, 2022, Las Palmas, Spain.
  2. McGroarty, J., Cherukupally, P., and Bilton, A.M. “Fabrication of Superwetting Foams for Cleaning Marine Oil Spills: The Effect of Alkyl Chain Length”, Accepted to 36th Polymer Processing Society Conference, May 31-June 4, 2020, Montreal, Canada.
  3. Purivatra, T., Cherukupally, P., and Bilton, A.M. “A Numerical Study on the Scalability of Foam Filters for Oil/Water Separation”, Accepted to 36th Polymer Processing Society Conference, May 31-June 4, 2020, Montreal, Canada.
  4. Cherukupally P., McGroarty, J., Sun, W., Ozin, G., and Bilton, A. “Manipulating sponge surface chemistry to recover gelled crude oil from seawater”, Accepted to 36th Polymer Processing Society Conference, May 31-June 4, 2020, Montreal, Canada.
  5. Sarker, N.R. and Bilton, A.M., “Understanding Reverse Osmosis Membrane Foulin for Continuous and Intermittent Operation through Real-time Visualization”, Central Canadian Symposium on Water Quality Research, Toronto, ON, Canada, February 27, 2019.
  6. Cherukupally, P., Kondor, A., Williams, D.R., Bilton, A.M. and Park, C.B. “Organic contamination removal from wastewater using heterogeneous porous media,” Polymer Processing Society Americas Conference, Boston, MA, USA, Nov. 5-9, 2018.
  7. Cruz, F.C., Seo, Y.J., and Bilton, A.M. “Aeration Control and its Application in Aquaculture,” Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering Conference, Toronto, ON, Canada, October 28-31, 2018.
  8. Satharakulasinghe, R., Jiang, H. and Bilton, A.M. “Characterization of a Passive Drip Irrigation Controller for the Rural Global South,” Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering Conference, Toronto, ON, Canada, October 28-31, 2018.
  9. Sarker, N., and Bilton, A.M. “Real-Time Fouling Visualization in a Spacer-Filled Reverse Osmosis Channel Under Intermittent Operation,” Desalination for Energy and the Environment, September 3-6, 2018, Athens, Greece.
  10. Yu, S.M., Hu, H., and Bilton, A.M. “Performance Mapping of a Pico-Scale Turbine with Adjustable Guide Vanes using Computational Fluid Dynamics,” 26th Annual Conference of the CFD Society of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, June 10-12, 2018.
  11. Cherukupally, P., Li, B., Bilton, A.M. and Park, C.B. “Mining the value from oil sands tailings ponds,” Society of Plastics Engineers Annual Technical Conference, 431, Orlando, Florida, May 7-10, 2018.
  12. Cherukupally, P., Bilton, A.M. and Park, C.B. “Energy-efficient filtration of organic microdroplets through the reusable adsorbent foam,” 33rd International Conference of the Polymer Processing Society, Mexico, S03-464, Mexico, Dec 10-14, 2017.
  13. Cherukupally, P., Nagarajaramani, K.P., Bilton, A.M., and Park, C.B. “Effect of the morphological structure of polymeric foams on the mitigation of organic contaminated water,” 33rd International Conference of the Polymer Processing Society, Mexico, S03-464, Mexico, Dec 10-14, 2017.
  14. Freire-Gormaly, M., and Bilton, A.M., “Optimization of Solar Powered Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Systems,” CSCE Annual Conference and General Meeting 2017, May 31 – June 3, 2017, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Book Chapters

  1. Lienhard, J. H., Antar, M. A., Bilton, A. M., Blanco, J., Zaragoza, G., “Solar Desalination,” in Annual Review of Heat Transfer, Vol. 15, New York: Begell House Inc., 2012.

Patents

  1. Dubowsky, S., Bilton, A. M., and Lee, S. J., “System for Discretely Actuated Solar Mirrors,” US Patent Application Number 12/839479, July 20, 2010.
  2. Dubowsky, S., Bilton, A. M., and Kelley, L. C., “Photovoltaic Reverse Osmosis System with Thermal Management,” US Patent Application Number 13/032896, February 23, 2011.