Paul Kempler

Paul Kempler is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry within the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oregon. He serves as Director of the Electrochemistry Masters Internship Program and Associate Director of the Oregon Center for Electrochemistry. His academic journey includes a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry from Vanderbilt University (2015) and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Caltech (2020) under Prof. Nathan S. Lewis.

Dr. Kempler's research focuses on electrochemical approaches to deep decarbonization, specifically developing electrochemical devices for grid-scale energy storage, electrified manufacturing processes, and sustainable iron production. His work bridges fundamental studies of ion transfer kinetics at electrochemical interfaces with practical applications in green hydrogen production and zero-emissions iron making. Current projects include optimizing electrolyzers for steel decarbonization, studying metal oxide reduction mechanisms, and developing advanced electrochemical stacks for industrial applications.

His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on electrochemical iron production (Chlor-Iron process), alkaline water electrolysis for hydrogen, and fundamental ion transfer kinetics. These works span from fundamental studies of interfacial reactions to applied research on industrial-scale electrochemical processes, consistently targeting climate-critical decarbonization pathways.

Dr. Kempler leads a vibrant research group comprising postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, and undergraduates working on diverse electrochemical challenges. His educational initiatives include developing the first industrially-focused Master's program in electrochemistry in the United States, integrating advanced experiments with Python coding.

His research is supported by significant funding from:

• U.S. Department of Energy Basic Energy Sciences
• Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
• Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E)
• Leidos
• Southern California Gas Company

As Director of the Electrochemistry Masters Internship Program, he has established strong industry partnerships that place students with leading companies in the electrochemical sector, creating a pipeline for skilled electrochemists to address climate challenges.