Sustainability and Energy

To address grand challenges in sustainability and energy, CBE researchers have developed innovative technologies while probing the scientific foundations. Current examples include renewable-energy technologies, chemical looping, polymer recovery, new high-temperature heat-transfer fluids, PFAS destruction, advanced batteries, green chemistry, manufacturing intensification, CO 2 capture and utilization, and emission control. These advances result from applying our expertise in reaction engineering, catalysis, advanced materials, electrochemistry, molecular engineering, analytical chemistry, and analytics, combining lab and pilot-scale experiments with advanced computer models of reactors and materials.

Prof. Abolhasani

Focusing on development of microscale flow chemistry technologies tailored for studies of fundamental mechanisms

Prof. Li

Studying carbon dioxide capture and biomass tar removal via thermochemical redox reactions

Prof. Crook

Developing new biological engineering methods in yeast and bacteria to advance human health and sustainability

Prof. Parsons

Focusing on fundamentals of thin film materials, surface reactions, and nano–scale engineering

Prof. Fedkiw

Develops composite polymer electrolytes which decouple the mechanical behavior of the polymer from its conductivity

Prof. Spontak

Focusing on the design, characterization, and modeling through the use of optical, electron, x-ray, and probe microscopies

Prof. Genzer

Develops new three-dimensional, nanostructured architectures for solar cells

Prof. Velev

Develops technologies for chemical synthesis in microscopic droplets, drug and toxin screening, handling of single live cells, assembly of microscopic circuits and sensors

Prof. Kelly

Focuses on using functional genomics approaches to characterize the metabolism of hyperthermophiles

Prof. Westmoreland

Explores the kinetics which govern the conversion of woody biomass to bio-oils

Prof. Khan

Focusing on functional nanofibers that offer an exciting opportunity to develop materials with new and tailored properties