Seminar

Abstract: Heterogeneous catalysis is of central importance to the global economy today, facilitating the conversion of raw materials into valuable fuels and chemicals, and the abatement of chemical pollutants in an efficient way. As environmental concerns associated with the use of fossil fuels and increased viability of alternative technologies motivate a transition away from traditional […]

Abstract: Computational modeling is an important tool to aid chemical process development. Theoretical and data-driven models can be applied both for the optimization of specific processes, and for the initial screening of potential process chemistries. I will talk about my research in advancing both of these areas. First, I will introduce the development of an […]

Abstract: As a global society, we have been burning fossil fuels to meet our energy and transportation needs since the start of the industrial revolution. This has resulted in atmospheric CO2 concentrations much greater than at any other time during the last 650,000 years. That concentration reached a record 415 parts per million in May […]

Abstract: Computational optimal decision-making tools are essential for ensuring that systems are designed, operated, and controlled in an economic and sustainable manner. Using optimization to make decisions for chemical and energy systems is particularly challenging due to the inherent presence of nonlinear process physics, both integer and continuous decisions, uncertainties in important parameters, and multiple […]

Abstract: Catalyst design is a critical pillar, and current bottleneck, in the construction of a sustainable chemical industry. Practical catalytic materials are earth-abundant, active, selective, and stable. Developing materials that meet these criteria is challenging and involves a two-phase process that (1) extracts molecular-level understanding of the origin of reactivity for a given chemical pathway, […]

Abstract: Environmental challenges and economic forces are reshaping the way we generate and consume energy on a global scale. To keep up with the accelerating adoption of electric vehicles, allow for grid scale energy storage, and meet the demands of future technological advances, new materials for high energy density batteries must be developed. High costs […]