Douglas Kushner
Douglas I. Kushner is a Research scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory working in the Energy Conversion Group. His current work focuses on studying structure-property-function relationships of next-generation ion-conducting polymers as well as providing technical expertise and developing new hardware and software controls for materials characterization. Previously, he was a Postdoctoral Researcher, also at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, working on redox flow batteries and fuel cells. Douglas received his Ph.D. from Penn State University under the guidance of Michael A. Hickner, where he studied polymer dynamics under confinement.
Awards
Spot: Douglas Kushner - September 29th 2023
For extraordinary dedication to Team Science in coordinating a long-overdue laboratory and office clean up in B30 Chu Hall
2020 R&D 100 Award: Microelectrode Cell - October 5th 2020
A Tool to Accelerate Electrochemical and Solid-State Innovation
Berkeley Lab scientists invented a microelectrode cell to analyze and test electrochemical systems with solid electrolytes. Thanks to significant cost and performance advantages, this tool can accelerate development of critical applications such as energy storage and conversion (fuel cells, batteries, electrolyzers), carbon capture, desalination, and industrial decarbonization.
Solid electrolytes have been displacing liquid electrolytes as the focus of electrochemical innovation because of their performance, safety, and cost advantages. However, the lack of effective methods and equipment for studying solid electrolytes has hindered advancement of the technologies that employ them. This microelectrode cell meets the testing needs, and is already being used by Berkeley Lab scientists.
Spot: Douglas Kushner - October 25th 2019
For the development of a novel microelectrode setup.