Fikile R. Brushett

Fikile R. Brushett is a Professor and holds the Chevron Chair of Chemical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), within the Department of Chemical Engineering under the School of Engineering. His research focuses on electrochemical energy storage systems, particularly redox flow batteries, catalyst synthesis, and environmental applications like CO₂ capture. Brushett has received numerous accolades, including the Allan P. Colburn Award and Charles W. Tobias Young Investigator Award for his impactful publications. His work integrates experimental and computational methods to advance energy technologies, emphasizing sustainable materials and system optimization. He leads projects addressing global energy challenges through innovations in battery design, electrolyte development, and process modeling.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2010)
• M.S.E. in Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2009)
• B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania (2006)

Research: Brushett’s lab explores electrochemical energy conversion/storage, microfluidics, and interfacial phenomena. Key areas include redox flow battery optimization, scalable carbon materials for energy storage, and CO₂ capture via electrochemical methods. His team develops novel diagnostic tools (e.g., microelectrode sensors) and models for system efficiency.

Awards: Over two dozen honors, including named chairs and fellowships from organizations like ACS and GEM. Notable recognitions include the 2024 Chevron Chair and 2022 AIChE Colburn Award.

Grants & Labs: Active in MIT’s Electrochemical Energy Lab, focusing on grid-scale storage solutions. Collaborates on projects funded by DOE, industry partners (e.g., Chevron), and foundations. Leads initiatives in material sustainability and battery lifecycle analysis.

Publications: Over 140 peer-reviewed articles (2022–2025) emphasize interdisciplinary innovations in energy storage, electrolyte design, and environmental electrochemistry. Recent work highlights advancements in non-aqueous systems, CO₂ capture, and Bayesian-optimized material synthesis.