Ross Larsen

Ross Larsen serves as a Senior Scientist in the Theoretical Chemistry and Physics group within the Computational Science Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), where he has conducted research since 2009. His work focuses on computational approaches to understanding organic and disordered materials for energy applications, leveraging electronic structure theory and molecular dynamics simulations.

Larsen earned his Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD in Physics from the University of Puget Sound and Brown University. His educational foundation in theoretical physics underpins his current research in condensed matter systems.

His research program centers on electronic structure and dynamics in the condensed phase, with specific emphasis on organic photovoltaic device modeling, nonadiabatic quantum/classical molecular dynamics algorithms, and molecular electronic structure interactions with electromagnetic fields. This integrated approach enables studies of electron/hole transport, ion motion, and molecular morphology to unravel degradation mechanisms in organic materials. Key application areas include solar energy conversion and electrochemical systems, as evidenced by his research topics in concentrating solar power, photovoltaics, and water technologies.

Analysis of his publication trends shows consistent output since 2010, with recent focus (2023-2025) on computational materials science for energy applications. His work spans

• Computational methods for scale-up problems (2025)
• Electrocatalyst degradation in anion exchange membranes (2025)
• Fundamental electronic structure of quantum materials like TiSe2 (2025)
• Unconventional superconductivity mechanisms (2024)
• Rare earth element extraction chemistry (2023)

No scientific awards are documented in the provided materials.

Larsen operates within NREL's government-funded research ecosystem, where projects typically receive Department of Energy support. While specific grants aren't listed, his 36 research outputs since 2010 indicate sustained funding in computational energy sciences. Collaborative patterns show international engagement through co-authorship networks, though university advising relationships aren't explicitly referenced. His role emphasizes independent research leadership within NREL's national laboratory framework rather than traditional academic supervision.

As part of NREL's Computational Science Center, Larsen utilizes high-performance computing resources to advance theoretical methods for energy materials. His team focuses on bridging quantum mechanical simulations with macroscopic material behavior, particularly for solar and electrochemical technologies, contributing to NREL's mission in renewable energy innovation through computational science.