James Freihaut

James Freihaut is a Professor of Architectural Engineering at Pennsylvania State University's College of Engineering. His research focuses on indoor air quality, building science, and sustainable energy systems, with an emphasis on UV germicidal irradiation, microgrid optimization, and energy-efficient building design. He leads initiatives in the Institutes of Energy and the Environment (IEE), contributing to themes like Health and the Environment, Integrated Energy Systems, and Equitable Communities.

Research Interests:

• Indoor air quality and aerosol dynamics
• UV-C disinfection technologies for enclosed spaces
• Smart grid integration and microgrid control systems
• Low-cost sensor networks for environmental monitoring
• Passive house performance and energy benchmarking
• Combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) systems

Key Contributions:

• Developed UV-C inactivation protocols for airborne pathogens
• Designed control platforms for solar-natural gas hybrid microgrids
• Authored influential studies on microgrid optimization and building energy flexibility
• Recipient of UN recognition for sustainable building research

Advising & Grants: Freihaut has advised numerous graduate researchers and contributed to funded projects including the Global Building Network and IEE seed grants. His work bridges engineering innovation with real-world applications in energy resilience and public health.

Labs & Teams: Collaborates with the PSU IEE and Building Energy Research Group, advancing technologies for ultra-high-performance building envelopes and low-cost sensor integration.