Chaiwat Engtrakul

Chaiwat Engtrakul is a Senior Scientist at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) specializing in Chemistry and Nanoscience. His research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of thin-film materials for energy efficiency, energy storage systems, and biomass conversion to biofuels. Previously, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the Nanostructured Materials Group at NREL with Michael Heben, developing carbon nanotube-based materials for renewable energy technologies.

• Education: B.S. in Chemistry from Gettysburg College, Ph.D. in Inorganic/Materials Chemistry from the University of Maryland, College Park

His expertise spans physical vapor deposition, surface science, and electrochemical properties of energy storage systems. Recent work includes lithium-ion battery cathode synthesis via microplasma methods and photovoltaic glass coating field studies to improve solar panel performance. Publications highlight collaborations in renewable energy and nanomaterials.

Research Affiliation: Former member of the Nanostructured Materials Group at NREL.