Christopher Muhich

Christopher Muhich is an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering in the School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy at Arizona State University. His research focuses on computational chemistry to design materials for renewable energy generation and environmental remediation, with expertise in reduction-oxidation (redox) processes in metal oxides.

Education:

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology-Zurich
• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, University of Colorado-Boulder (2014)
• B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (2009)

Dr. Muhich's research employs quantum mechanical simulations to understand atomic-scale phenomena in metal oxides during redox reactions. His group develops fundamental insights into material properties that govern reaction kinetics and energetics for solar thermochemical fuel production, water splitting, and environmental contaminant removal. By correlating computational predictions with experimental validation, his team engineers novel materials that enhance desirable reaction characteristics while suppressing unwanted pathways.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2024-2025) reveals three dominant research thrusts: (1) Solar thermochemical hydrogen production through advanced perovskite and ceria-based redox materials, (2) Electrochemical nitrate reduction for water treatment using single-atom catalysts and membrane technologies, and (3) Computational design of selective adsorbents for arsenic and PFAS removal. His work increasingly integrates machine learning for inverse materials design and Bayesian optimization of thermodynamic properties.

Research Leadership:

• DOE projects on sustainable steel production, perovskite design for solar H₂ production, and CO₂ splitting temperature reduction
• NASA NIAC project for oxygen generation on Mars
• NIH Superfund project (with Harvard/Yale) studying heavy metal effects on cognitive aging
• DARPA project on high-temperature oxygen exchange materials
• NSF STEPS Center for phosphorus research
• NAWI project for PFAS removal technologies

He directs the Muhich Research Group, which combines density functional theory (DFT) simulations, molecular dynamics, and experimental validation to address challenges in renewable energy and environmental remediation. Current projects span solar fuel production, Mars oxygen generation, nitrate-to-ammonia conversion, and heavy metal remediation, with emphasis on translating atomic-scale insights into practical engineering solutions.