Who We Are

Advanced technologies for converting energy are necessary foundations for a clean, sustainable energy system. The use of renewable energy, including production of fuels and their use in fuel cells and fuel-cell-like systems, are required to meet deep decarbonization goals. The Energy Conversion Group works on these and related technologies, such as those for efficient combustion and the interconversion of different energies including thermal, chemical, electrical and mechanical. Our work includes:

• Developing cleaner-burning combustion technologies by studying the fundamental physics and chemistry of combustion
• Fuel cells performance and durability using multiscale mathematical modeling and associated advanced diagnostics
• Examination of structure/function/property relationships of ion-conducting polymers and thin films
• Production of renewable hydrogen using electrochemical technologies
• New technologies and materials for interconversion of thermal, electrical, mechanical and chemical energies

We approach these challenges by understanding and optimizing next-generation fuel-cell and related energy-conversion components and materials, mainly through physics-based, multiscale modeling of cell behavior and advanced diagnostics of cell properties and phenomena. Our work focuses on exploration of transport phenomena including charged and neutral species, along with structure/function/property relationships of the essential components common to many of these technologies to improve device performance and durability.

For thermal energy conversion, we focus on being a leader in the development and deployment of carbon neutral and near-zero pollutant small-scale, heat and power systems and the policies encouraging their deployment. Specifically, we focus on the development of low-emission (pollutant and GHG) burners for appliances and systems such as gas turbines, boilers, furnaces, cooking appliances and water heaters; measurement of various emissions; rapid analysis of new biofuels; and development of lean business plans and private/public partnerships to accelerate commercialization of heat and power system technologies.

The group comprises a multidisciplinary team of electrochemists, chemical engineers, mechanical engineers, theorists and material scientists.  We have active collaborations between industry, academia and national laboratories.