Dr. Peichen Zhong is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS). He leads the Applied Machine Learning and Materials Modeling (AM³) Group, focused on advancing computational methods for clean energy technologies. His research integrates machine learning with atomistic simulations to tackle challenges in battery materials, disordered materials, and sustainable energy systems. Education: B.S. in Physics from University of Science and Technology of China (2018); Ph.D. in Materials Science from UC Berkeley (2023, advised by Prof. Gerbrand Ceder); Postdoctoral training at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and BIDMaP, co-advised by Persson, Cheng, and Krishnapriyan. Research Interests: Computational modeling of battery cathodes/electrolytes, AI-driven interatomic potentials, statistical mechanics in disordered materials, and generative models for scientific discovery. Key areas include Li/Na-ion batteries, solid-state reactions, and sustainable energy materials. Awards: BIDMaP Emerging Scholar Fellowship (UC Berkeley CDSS, 202?), 2023 Rising Stars in Materials Science (CMU/MIT/Stanford). Labs/Teams: The AM³ Group at NUS MSE focuses on interdisciplinary research combining theory, computation, and AI4Science. Current openings include PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.
William Chueh is a Professor in the Departments of Materials Science and Engineering and Energy Science & Engineering at Stanford University. He serves as Director of the Precourt Institute for Energy and Faculty Director of the Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies Program. His research focuses on redox-active materials for energy storage, conversion, and carbon-neutral energy cycles. Education: PhD, Materials Science, Caltech (2010) BS, Applied Physics, Caltech (2005) Research Interests: Energy storage and conversion systems (batteries, fuel cells, electrolyzers) Multi-scale electrochemical and chemical reaction dynamics Materials design rules for redox-active solids Thermodynamic frameworks for sustainable energy Publication Trends: His work spans fundamental materials synthesis, electrochemical characterization, and modeling of redox reactions. Key themes include solar thermochemical cycles, ceria-based systems for CO2/H2O conversion, and advanced battery technologies. Scientific Honors: Outstanding Young Investigator Award (MRS, 2018) Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2016) Sloan Research Fellowship (2016) CAREER Award (NSF, 2015) Advising: He advises students in energy technologies, materials science, and electrochemistry, including doctoral and master’s candidates. Contact: wchueh@stanford.edu
Sumanta Acharya is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Illinois Tech's Armour College of Engineering. His career spans computational methods, experimental fluid mechanics, and combustion, with affiliations including ASME, AIAA, and ASTFE. Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota (1982) M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota (1980) B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (1978) A leading expert in thermal and fluid sciences, Acharya focuses on gas turbine heat transfer, turbulence modeling, and advanced cooling systems. His work integrates Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with experimental validation for applications in biofuels , hydrogen combustion , and phase change materials . Recent publications highlight innovations in Brayton cycle integration, impingement cooling, and aerothermal performance optimization. Awarded by ASME, AIAA, and LSU, his honors include the ASME Heat Transfer Memorial Award (2011) and ASME Fellow (1999). He has contributed to key committees, including the ASME Heat Transfer Division Executive Committee and the Department of Energy's University Turbine Systems Research program. Researcher to Know, Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (2022) ASME Dedicated Service Award (2019) AIAA Thermophysics Award (2015) Contact: sacharya1@illinoistech.edu | Phone: 312.567.3701
Professor Thomas Bein is affiliated with the Department of Chemistry at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) , where he leads the Functional Nanosystems research group. His work focuses on synthesizing and characterizing nanostructured materials with applications in energy, catalysis, and biomedical delivery. Mesoporous nanoparticles for drug delivery Semiconductor nano-morphologies for photovoltaics Photoelectrochemical water splitting Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) Electroactive networks His research emphasizes atomic-scale control of material architectures using self-assembly, hydrogen bonding, and covalent interactions, enabling precise tuning of electronic, optical, and catalytic properties. A review of his recent publications reveals cutting-edge investigations into covalent organic frameworks (COFs), perovskite-inspired solar materials, and functional nanoparticle systems. Key trends include optimizing energy conversion efficiency, enhancing stability in optoelectronic devices, and exploring bio-compatible nanocarriers for targeted therapies. Professor Bein’s group actively contributes to interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of chemistry, physics, and biomedical engineering, with ongoing collaborations in solar energy, sustainable materials, and nanomedicine.
Michael A Osborne is Professor of Machine Learning at the University of Oxford and leads the Bayesian Exploration Lab . He serves as Director of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Autonomous Intelligent Machines and Systems and co-directs the Oxford Martin AI Governance Initiative. His research focuses on Bayesian optimization, Gaussian processes, and probabilistic numerics with applications in quantum devices, battery modeling, and AI governance. Key Positions: Professor of Machine Learning, University of Oxford Official Fellow, Exeter College Co-founder of Mind Foundry Lead Researcher, Oxford Martin Programme on Technology and Employment Research Themes: Probabilistic modeling for quantum systems Uncertainty quantification in energy storage AI safety and societal impact analysis Automated experimental design Quantum device calibration Probabilistic numerical methods Technical Contributions: Bridging reality gap in quantum devices Efficient Bayesian quadrature techniques Personalized neurostimulation algorithms Automated measurement protocols Quantum-classical hybrid ML
Prof. Li LU is a Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore (NUS). His research focuses on energy storage materials, ferroelectric systems, and advanced battery technologies. He holds editorial roles at Functional Materials Letters and Materials Technology – Advanced Functional Materials . Education: PhD from KU Leuven (Belgium), M.Eng and B.Eng from Tsinghua University (China). Research interests include thin film deposition, nanostructured materials, and solid-state electrolytes. His work addresses challenges in lithium/ sodium-ion batteries, solid-state interfaces, and high-performance energy storage systems. Recent studies emphasize aerosol deposition techniques, composite electrolytes, and interfacial stability. Publications highlight advancements in battery materials and electrolyte design. Notable contributions include ultra-stable sodium-ion batteries, ferroelectric-engineered electrolytes, and optimizing lithium metal anodes. His research bridges fundamental material science with practical energy solutions.
Scott Barnett is a Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University , specializing in ceramic thin films and electrochemical systems for energy applications. His research spans over 25 years in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and lithium-ion battery electrodes, with a focus on 3D printing, thin electrolyte deposition, and microstructural evolution under operational stress. Education: Ph.D. and B.S. in Metallurgy and Physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Research Interests center on: Reversible solid oxide cells for energy storage 3D tomographic imaging of electrode microstructures Novel processing methods for ceramic materials Electrochemical stability and degradation mechanisms Recent Publications highlight advancements in: Pressurization effects on oxygen electrodes 3D printed SOFCs with enhanced performance Nanoparticle infiltration for fuel electrode stability Impedance modeling of lithium-ion batteries Scientific Awards include: Fulbright Scholar (2015) Cheng Tsang Man Endowed Professorship (2008) Office of Naval Research Young Investigator (1986) AVS Fellow (1998) Advising Legacy encompasses over 30 graduate students and postdocs, including Nicholas Geisendorfer (NASA Space Technology Fellow) and Matthew Lu (now at Tesla), with notable alumni placements at institutions like Bloom Energy and Microsoft . His lab employs advanced characterization techniques to predict long-term durability of electrochemical devices.
Ram Rajagopal is an Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, and a Senior Fellow at the Precourt Institute for Energy. He leads the Stanford Sustainable Systems Lab (S3L), focusing on large-scale monitoring, data analytics, and stochastic control for infrastructure networks, particularly power systems. His research emphasizes renewable energy integration, smart distribution systems, and demand-side data analytics. Education: PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences & MA in Statistics (UC Berkeley), MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering (UT Austin), and BEng in Electrical Engineering (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro). Research interests include power grid optimization, renewable energy systems, and data-driven approaches to infrastructure challenges. He has pioneered work in grid flexibility, distributed energy resources, and machine learning applications for energy systems. His lab develops technologies like Smart Dim Fuses and the EV-EcoSim platform for EV charging infrastructure optimization. Received NSF CAREER Award, Powell Foundation Fellowship, and Berkeley Regents Fellowship Over 30 patents and best paper awards Advises/founded companies in sensor networks, power systems, and data analytics Labs/Teams: Stanford Sustainable Systems Lab (S3L), Powernet Project. His work spans grid resilience, energy equity, and scalable energy solutions.
Malcolm McCulloch serves as Professor of Energy Systems and Group Leader of the Energy and Power Group within the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford. He also holds the position of Co-Director for the Oxford Martin Programme on Integrating Renewable Energy and maintains affiliation with Christ Church college. His research spans four primary domains: domestic energy systems, electric vehicle technology, renewable generation, and energy solutions for developing regions. McCulloch's research focuses on practical energy transition challenges. His domestic energy work develops user-centric demand side management technologies and behavior change interventions, leading to the spin-out Intelligent Sustainable Energy (now Navetas Energy Management). In transportation, he pioneered the Morgan LifeCar hydrogen sports car project, resulting in high-efficiency motors and the Oxford Yasa Motors spin-out. His renewable generation research includes lightweight tidal turbines through Kepler Energy, while his Energy for Development work creates nano/micro grid solutions for distributed electrification. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on integrating variable renewables through innovative market mechanisms, grid flexibility solutions, and electric vehicle integration. His work consistently addresses the technical and economic barriers to decarbonization, with increasing focus on peer-to-peer energy trading, thermal storage, and climate-resilient cooling solutions since 2020. McCulloch previously served as Co-Director of the Institute for Carbon and Energy Reduction in Transport (2008-2013) under the Oxford Martin School. His leadership extends to creating the Integrated Transport Network for Oxford and developing practical applications through multiple successful spin-out companies that bridge academic research and commercial implementation.
Dr. K. Max Zhang is a Professor in the Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Cornell University. He is the director of the Energy and the Environment Research Laboratory (EERL) and a fellow at the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future. His research is deeply interdisciplinary, focusing on sustainable energy systems, air quality, and environmental justice, with significant impacts on policy and community development in New York and beyond. Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of California-Davis, 2004 B.S., Thermal Engineering, Tianjin University, 1998 B.A., English Language, Tianjin University, 1998 Dr. Zhang’s research centers on the integration of energy and environmental systems. He investigates air pollution dynamics using advanced numerical models like CTAG, with applications in near-source pollution, indoor air quality, and environmental justice. His work on renewable energy systems includes designing sustainable solar farms and managing distributed energy resources such as heat pumps to enhance grid flexibility. He also leads a pioneering initiative to create the first statewide public IoT network in the U.S., enabling hyperlocal weather forecasting and microclimate monitoring. His recent publications reflect a strong trend toward agrivoltaics, peer-to-peer energy markets, and IoT-based environmental monitoring. These works demonstrate a consistent focus on data-driven modeling, community-scale energy solutions, and the integration of social considerations into technical systems. The keywords across his articles highlight expertise in sustainability, machine learning, air quality, and energy transition. Cornell Town-Gown Achievement Award (2022) Engaged Scholar Prize, Cornell University (2017) People's Choice Sign of Sustainability Award, Sustainable Tompkins (2016) Scientific and Technological Achievement Award, Environmental Protection Agency (2015) Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Dr. Zhang is actively involved in mentoring students and securing research grants from agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). His projects often involve interdisciplinary collaboration across eight Cornell colleges and 16 academic departments. He has led initiatives such as the Cornell Atkinson Academic Venture Fund projects and the development of a county-level energy roadmap for Tompkins County. He also teaches courses in engineering thermodynamics, future energy systems, and air quality, emphasizing experiential and community-based learning. Dr. Zhang leads the Energy and the Environment Research Laboratory (EERL) and collaborates with the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future. His lab functions as a hub for innovation in sustainable communities, combining advanced modeling with real-world applications. Through partnerships with community organizations, government agencies, and industry, his team develops science-driven solutions to urban and rural sustainability challenges.
Prof. Alois Christian Knoll is a full professor at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in the School of Computation, Information and Technology. His academic career includes roles at Bielefeld University and leadership in major EU initiatives like the Human Brain Project and ECHORD++. He specializes in robotics, AI, and autonomous systems, with a focus on medical robotics, sensor-based systems, and neuromorphic engineering. Knoll has supervised over 100 doctoral theses and authored/co-authored over 1,000 publications. Education: Diploma in Electrical Engineering (University of Stuttgart, 1985); PhD in Computer Science (Technical University of Berlin, 1988); Habilitation (TU Berlin, 1993). He has been at TUM since 2001, leading the Robotics, AI, and Real-Time Systems department. Research interests span autonomous systems, neuro-IT integration, and traffic simulation. Key projects include fortiss (Bavarian State Institute for Computer Science) and TUM-CREATE (Singapore collaboration). Awards include IEEE Fellow, University of Tokyo Fellow, and the Carl-Ramsauer-Prize (1990). Current roles include editorships in robotics journals, leadership in EU flagship projects, and teaching across multiple programs. His work bridges computer science, neuroscience, and engineering, with applications in healthcare, automotive systems, and urban mobility.
Mika Järvinen serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering at Aalto University, leveraging fundamental sciences—physics, thermodynamics, chemistry, and numerical modeling—to address cross-sector energy challenges. His research spans sustainable bioenergy and inter-linked circular economy systems integrating energy, materials, and environmental considerations across biomass, pulp/paper, metallurgy, and waste-to-energy industries. His expertise centers on sustainable bioenergy and circular economy frameworks, utilizing numerical modeling to optimize combustion engineering and metallurgical processes. By maintaining diverse industrial engagement, he ensures research continuity during economic fluctuations while advancing black liquor spraying technologies and energy-material-environment synergies. This approach enables flexible, physics-based solutions for complex industrial energy conversion problems. Professor Järvinen's 2025 publications reveal a cohesive focus on renewable energy systems operating within planetary boundaries, spanning carbon capture (calcium looping), low-temperature heat engines, and comprehensive textbook development. His work integrates solar, wind, bioenergy, and storage technologies into holistic frameworks that balance technical innovation with ecological constraints, emphasizing system-level sustainability over isolated component optimization. His scientific recognition includes: Best Dissertation Award (2002) from Helsinki University of Technology's Department of Machine Technology for research on black liquor droplet conversion Resonate Award (2015) from Caltech University's Resnick Institute As lead of the Energy Conversion and Systems research group, he directs projects bridging fundamental modeling with industrial applications while developing educational resources for next-generation energy engineers. His laboratory work emphasizes experimental validation of numerical models across combustion, metallurgical, and biomass conversion processes.
Vijay Raghunathan is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue University's College of Engineering. His work focuses on hardware and software architectures for embedded systems, wireless sensors for IoT, and wearable/implantable electronics with emphasis on low power design, energy harvesting, emerging memory technologies, and secure system design. Academic Rank: Professor Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering University: Purdue University Research Focus: Energy-efficient embedded systems, IoT, wearable devices His research explores low power design at both board-level and system-on-chip scales, micro-scale energy harvesting , and reliable/secure system design for medical devices. Recent work focuses on Processing-in-Sensor/Memory for battery-free AIoT devices, state space models for neural processing units, and security coprocessor integration in autonomous systems. Analysis of his publications reveals trends in energy-efficient neural network acceleration , approximate computing for edge inference , and compute-in-memory architectures . Key subfields include collaborative edge-cloud partitioning , sparse DNN accelerators , and security frameworks for medical devices. Vijay's work also addresses energy-accuracy tradeoffs in multimodal cognitive systems and intermittent computing using non-volatile memory technologies. His contributions span from microcontroller energy management to security protocols for implantable electronics.
Michael J. Aziz is the Gene and Tracy Sykes Professor of Materials and Energy Technologies at Harvard University's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). He serves as Area Chair for Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering and is a Faculty Associate at the Harvard University Center for the Environment. His research focuses on electrochemical engineering for energy and environmental applications, including redox flow batteries, carbon capture, and sustainable energy technologies. Aziz leads the Aziz Group, which develops grid-scale energy storage solutions and innovative methods for CO₂ removal. He holds equity in Quino Energy, a startup commercializing his battery research, and serves as Chief Scientist and Board Member. His work bridges fundamental materials science with practical engineering, emphasizing ClimateTech solutions. Key contributions include aqueous organic redox flow batteries, quinone-based carbon capture systems, and wearable energy storage devices. Education & Affiliations: Affiliated with SEAS since joining Harvard, his academic roles include coordinating the Graduate Consortium for Energy and Environment (2009–2018). His lab (Materials Science Group) is located at McKay 504, with administrative support from Sabrina Azinheira. Research Interests: Aziz's group investigates electrochemical energy storage, CO₂ capture via electrochemical systems, and novel materials for sustainable technologies. They employ advanced techniques like operando electrochemical fluorescence microscopy to study porous electrode dynamics and battery degradation mechanisms. Their work emphasizes scalability and real-world applicability, such as grid-scale battery infrastructure and decarbonization strategies. Recent Trends in Publications: Aziz's recent work emphasizes carbon capture innovations (e.g., acid-base concentration swing methods), hydrogen storage under ambient conditions, and electrochemical synthesis of industrial chemicals like hydrogen peroxide. His group also develops open-source tools like RFBzero for battery modeling and explores bioinspired materials (e.g., self-gelling hydrogel batteries). Awards & Recognition: While no personal awards are explicitly listed in the text, his team members (e.g., Dawei Xi) have received accolades such as the 2025 Carbon Future Young Investigator Award. Aziz's contributions have been recognized through industry partnerships and startup ventures. Advising & Industry Impact: Aziz advises PhD students focusing on electrochemical systems (e.g., Jordan Sosa, Tommy George). His industry engagement includes licensing intellectual property to Quino Energy, which achieved a manufacturing milestone in 2024 for grid-scale battery systems. His research bridges academia and industry, addressing climate challenges through technological innovation. Labs & Teams: The Aziz Group includes interdisciplinary researchers from electrochemistry, chemical engineering, and materials science. Collaborators include institutions like MIT and industry partners. Current projects target next-gen batteries, CO₂ removal systems, and scalable energy storage solutions.
Dr Andrew Rhead is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath, specializing in aerospace composites and damage tolerance analysis. His research focuses on impact damage detection, failure mechanism modeling, and Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) techniques for composite structures. MSci in Mathematical Sciences (Dynamical Systems) - University of Bristol (2006) PhD in Composite Damage Tolerance - University of Bath (2009) His work develops computationally efficient analytical models for compression after impact (CAI) strength prediction in composite laminates, surpassing traditional finite element methods. Key projects include hydrogen storage systems for aircraft, cryogenic composite testing, and steered fiber manufacturing optimization. Active in 10 projects including ASPIRE and HyFIVE Collaborates with Airbus, GKN Aerospace, and EPSRC Research trends show emphasis on sustainable aviation materials, structural battery integration, and advanced testing methodologies. Current affiliations include the Institute for Mathematical Innovation (IMI) and Centre for Integrated Materials, Processes & Structures (IMPS).
