(3g) A High-Throughput Discovery Pipeline for Ion-Selective Materials | AIChE

(3g) A High-Throughput Discovery Pipeline for Ion-Selective Materials

Authors 

Kingsbury, R. - Presenter, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Research Interests:

My mission is to advance the state-of-the-art of ion-selective materials for electrochemical separations and energy applications. I approach this problem by combining experimental synthesis and characterization with atomistic simulation and data science tools, with a specific focus on understanding the molecular origins of ion-selective transport. The ultimate goal of my research program is to create a high-throughput materials discovery pipeline tailored to the needs of aqueous electrochemical processes. This pipeline will enable rapid development of materials that precisely select specific ions for transport – a capability that is of great interest in water purification, waste treatment, synthetic fuels, and energy storage applications.

My major expertise is in electrochemical membrane processes for water purification. Through a combination of industrial and academic research, I have worked on electrodialysis and ion exchange for water desalination, reverse electrodialysis for energy production and storage, organic and inorganic membrane synthesis, and performance characterization of membrane materials and devices. As a postdoc, I have gained experience in density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics (MD), and data science and developed fruitful collaborations with experimental and theoretical researchers.

Teaching Interests:

The desire to solve problems has fueled all of my most impactful educational experiences. Hence, my teaching would place engineering and scientific challenges front and center to spark students' curiosity and demonstrate the importance of learning technical material. I would structure my curricula to encourage independent learning and deep engagement with study topics. Particularly in the age of remote instruction, I would emphasize teaching my students how to learn on their own, utilizing tools like take-home, open-book exams, independent projects, and assignments incorporating scientific literature.

My research has given me a strong background in thermodynamics, mass transport, and electrochemisty, and I have experience teaching graduate-level courses in aqueous chemical equilibria and membrane separation processes as a guest lecturer. I have mentored a diverse group of undergraduates, graduate students, and professional research engineers in both laboratory and computer-based research projects. I am comfortable with public speaking and presenting to large audiences, having delivered more than twenty invited, departmental, and national conference presentations to audiences with widely varying backgrounds. I would be interested in teaching undergraduate or graduate courses in thermodynamics, transport processes, or separation processes, and would also consider developing special courses in membrane processes or water purification.

Professional Preparation:

Authored 12 peer-reviewed publications (9 first author, 1 corresponding author) in Journal of Membrane Science, Environmental Science & Technology, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Water Research, and Desalination.

Received multiple national-level awards: North American Membrane Society Student Fellowship Award (2017, one of 3 nationwide), NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2016)

Delivered 20 national, invited, or departmental seminars

Reviewed 10 manuscripts for 5 different journals

Education and Training:

Postdoctoral Researcher for the Materials Project at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2019 - present)

Topic: Integrating a next-generation density functional into high-throughput computational workflows for the Materials Project database

Advisor: Professor Kristin Persson

Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences and Engineering from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2015-2019)

Topic: Investigation of selective mass transport in ion exchange membranes for clean energy and water processes

Advisor: Professor Orlando Coronell

Industry Experience:

Senior Engineering Research Consultant to Membrion Inc. (2018 - present)

Advise on development of low-cost, ceramic ion exchange membranes.

Founder and CEO of Bluecell Energy LLC (2013-2015)

Developed rechargeable batteries based on saltwater.

Environmental Engineer at CDM Smith (2007-2008, 2010-2013)

Planned, designed, and analyzed drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.