Rohini Bala Chandran

Rohini Bala Chandran is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan, affiliated with the TREE Lab. Her research bridges thermal and fluid sciences with multiscale computational modeling, radiative heat transfer, and semiconductor physics.

• Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (2015)
• M.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (2010)
• B.S., Mechanical Engineering, BITS-Pilani (2008)

Her work focuses on advancing solar energy systems through predictive models and experimental studies, particularly in sunlight-driven hydrogen production and nitrate wastewater treatment. She explores radiative heat transfer in reactive media and electrochemical engineering for sustainable energy applications.

Recent publications, including a high-impact paper in Energy and Environmental Science, highlight her contributions to integrated modeling frameworks and radiative transport understanding. Her research aligns with energy sustainability goals, such as reducing solar thermal plant costs.

• 2023 ASME Bergles-Rohsenow Young Investigator Award in Heat Transfer
• 2022 NSF Career Award for radiative transport research
• 2021 $3.4M funding for solar thermal materials
• 2020 MCubed-funded project on solar-powered wastewater treatment

She has secured grants for interdisciplinary projects combining materials science, catalysis, and physics-based modeling. Her lab (TREE Lab) emphasizes flexible and creative approaches to research challenges in thermal and energy systems.