معرفی
Dr. Naomi Klinghoffer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at Western University's Faculty of Engineering, with an additional appointment at Western's Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources (ICFAR). Her research focuses on developing sustainable processes to transform low-value materials into valuable products through catalytic and thermochemical conversion techniques.
Dr. Klinghoffer received her academic training at prestigious institutions:
- Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from McGill University (2007)
- Master of Science in Earth and Environmental Engineering from Columbia University (2010)
- Doctoral degree in Earth and Environmental Engineering from Columbia University (2013)
Her research program centers on three major themes within sustainable chemical engineering:
- Circular Economy: Developing processes to transform waste materials like non-recycled plastics, agricultural residues, and municipal solid waste into valuable products using thermochemical and catalytic approaches.
- Biochar Production and Functionalization: Creating novel biochar-based products including catalysts, adsorbents, and fertilizers by modifying biochar surface properties and morphology.
- CO2 Utilization: Developing innovative processes to convert CO2 into fuels and chemicals, including her patented bifunctional catalytic membrane reactor for dimethyl ether production.
Dr. Klinghoffer's publication record demonstrates a strong focus on waste valorization, CO2 conversion technologies, and biochar applications. Her recent work shows increasing emphasis on water treatment applications of biochar, PFAS remediation, and advanced catalytic membrane reactor designs for renewable fuel production. The research consistently bridges fundamental material science with practical engineering applications for sustainability challenges.
Among her notable achievements is serving as Principal Investigator for a $2.4 million ARPA-E funded research program at GTI Energy focused on developing a catalytic membrane reactor for renewable fuels production from CO2 and H2. She has also secured multiple patents related to CO2 capture and conversion technologies.
Dr. Klinghoffer actively mentors graduate students in her research group, developing their skills in reactor testing, analytical techniques, and data analysis. Her industry experience at GTI Energy informs her approach to ensuring students develop practical skills for successful careers. She is currently seeking motivated MESc and PhD students to join her research group working on renewable fuels, CO2 capture and utilization, and waste-to-product conversion technologies.
Her laboratory work centers around catalytic membrane reactor development, biochar production and functionalization, and co-gasification of biomass and plastic waste. The research team utilizes advanced analytical equipment for material characterization and reactor testing, with a focus on developing scalable, industrially relevant processes for sustainable chemical production.
