Jason E. Bara

Dr. Jason E. Bara is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at The University of Alabama's College of Engineering. He also serves as Co-Director of the Polymers and Soft Materials Research Center (POLY-SM Center), where he leads cutting-edge research in advanced materials and sustainable chemical processes.

His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder (2007) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Commonwealth University (2002).

Dr. Bara's research spans multiple high-impact areas including advanced polymer design, ionic liquid-based materials, CO₂ and SO₂ capture technologies, green solvents from renewable feedstocks, and additive manufacturing. His group develops materials for gas separation membranes, water purification, self-healing thermoplastic elastomers, and 3D-printable smart materials. A significant focus is on creating energy-efficient, scalable processes for carbon capture, with several technologies advancing toward commercialization.

He has pioneered the development of non-volatile solvents for industrial scrubbing applications and has secured multiple patents in carbon-capture technology. His innovations extend to engineering education through the creation of highly popular mobile apps such as Chemical Engineering AppSuite, ODEsseus, and Engineering Unit Converter, which are widely used by students and professionals globally.

Dr. Bara has been recognized with numerous national and international awards, including:

• FRI/John G. Kunesh Award (AIChE, 2015)
• David Himmelblau Award (AIChE CAST, 2017)
• ASEE Ray W. Fahien Award (2018)
• Permeance Prize (NAMS, 2023)
• ACS I&EC Early Career Fellow (2021)
• MDPI Membranes Young Investigator Award (2019)

He actively mentors students and leads NSF-funded outreach programs that provide research experiences to local students and educators. His lab fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world impact, exemplified by student-led initiatives such as the development of 3D-printed prosthetics for children in need. His research has attracted media attention from outlets like Fox 6, Alabama Public Radio, and PNNL, highlighting its societal relevance.

Dr. Bara is a key member of the Polymers and Soft Materials Research Center and collaborates with institutions such as MIT and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) on large-scale environmental challenges like direct air capture of CO₂. His work bridges fundamental science, engineering innovation, and practical deployment.