(3aa) Electro-Synthesis of Value-Added Chemicals Via Designing New Catalysts, Systems, and Processes

Meeting our future global energy needs in an environmentally responsible way is one of the most significant challenges in the twenty-first century. Currently, fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal satisfy more than 80% of the global energy demand. This results in more than 35 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission annually. It is imperative to harvest renewable energy sources (e.g., solar, wind) to serve as a way to diversify from traditional fossil fuels for combatting the environmental challenges associated with greenhouse gases. Due to the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources, the development of a cost-effective and sustainable method of storing this vast amount of energy on an industrial scale when supply exceeds demand in the grid is an urgent need. As the cost of renewable electricity continues to decrease given the rapid progress in technology and economies of scale, there is a growing interest in fuels and chemicals electrosynthesis. This talk focuses on developing novel electrochemical systems, catalysts, and processes to use renewable electricity as an energetic driving force to convert low energy molecules such as water, CO₂, and N₂ to high value-added molecules that can be utilized as either fuels, energy storers, and/or chemicals. If the system is demonstrated on a large scale could enable us to store and transport renewable energy in the form of chemical bonds over long distances and addresses the future’s energy and environmental goals.

Teaching Interests

With my training in Mechanical engineering in the area of energy and thermal sciences, I am interested in teaching Thermodynamics, Heat and Mass Transfer, and Fluid Mechanics. I took these classes in my undergraduate and graduate level studies and have the confidence to practice and convey what I have learned in these core classical mechanical and chemical engineering classes with the younger generation.