Nini Pryds is a Professor and Head of the research section 'Functional Oxide Materials' at the Department of Energy Conversion and Storage, Technical University of Denmark (DTU). He leads a team of 25+ researchers focusing on memristors, piezoelectricity, thermoelectricity, electrostriction, and functional oxide thin films. His work bridges physics and chemistry to design novel electronic states in oxide interfaces. Education: UDTU (likely Technical University of Denmark, potential typo). External roles include Editor of Applied Surface Science and Editorial Board Member of APL-Materials . Research interests revolve around quantum phenomena in oxide interfaces, stability enhancement of ionic conductors via coherent interface design, and mechanically tunable magnetism. Key contributions include modulation-doping at oxide interfaces, high mobility 2DEG discovery, and stabilizing δ-Bismuth oxide through multilayer structures. Recent publications emphasize oxide metamaterials, strain-mediated properties, and defect dynamics. Supervises active PhD projects on oxide heterostructures, thermoelectrics, and piezoelectricity. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean energy and innovation.
Professor Jacob "Jack" Brouwer serves as a Professor and Chancellor's Fellow at the University of California, Irvine's Samueli School of Engineering. He holds primary appointment in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering with joint appointments in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Civil and Environmental Engineering. As Director of the Clean Energy Institute and former Associate Director of the National Fuel Cell Research Center (NFCRC), he leads critical research initiatives in sustainable energy technologies. Dr. Brouwer earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT in 1993, following B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from UCI. His research focuses on high-temperature electrochemical dynamics, hydrogen energy systems, and integrated energy conversion technologies. He has pioneered work in fuel cell systems analysis, novel solid oxide fuel cell materials, and life cycle assessments of clean energy technologies. His research integrates mass, energy, and momentum conservation principles with chemical and electrochemical reaction engineering. In August 2011, Professor Brouwer led the development of an innovative fuel cell generator system in collaboration with the Orange County Sanitation District, FuelCell Energy, Inc., and Air Products. This groundbreaking technology converts wastewater digester gases into hydrogen for zero-emission vehicle fuel, electricity, and heat production, representing a significant advancement in clean energy infrastructure. International Who's Who of Professionals, Honored Member (2006) National Academy of Engineering, Invited Lecturer (2004) UC Irvine Chancellor's Fellow (2022) U.C. Regents Fellowship Recipient (1987-1988) Summa Cum Laude, UCI (1987) As Director of the Clean Energy Institute, Professor Brouwer oversees extensive research operations including external relations, project management, and supervision of technical and administrative staff. His leadership extends to curriculum development and instruction in fuel cell science and technology. He works collaboratively with Professor Scott Samuelsen and colleagues across engineering disciplines, demonstrating exceptional expertise in fuel cells and advanced alternative energy conversion devices. His laboratory facilities include the 221 Engineering Lab Facility where experimental and simulation capabilities for advanced power technologies are developed.
Jennifer Wilcox is the Presidential Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering and Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Engineering and Applied Science. She holds the James H. Manning Chair and directs the Clean Energy Conversions Lab, which focuses on carbon management strategies to mitigate climate change. Wilcox also served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management at the U.S. Department of Energy from January 2021. Her research spans carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), direct air capture (DAC), mineral carbonization, life cycle assessment, and techno-economic analysis of carbon management technologies. Wilcox's work examines both mitigation and adaptation strategies to minimize negative climate impacts associated with society's dependence on fossil fuels. She takes a multi-perspective approach that includes experimental work, materials characterization, geo-spatial analyses, systems modeling, and techno-economic analysis while considering environmental and social contexts. Wilcox's research has been featured in major publications including the first textbook on Carbon Capture and Storage, the California Getting to Neutral report, the CDR primer, Greenhouse Gas Removal Technologies, the State of CDR Volume 2, and the Roads to Removal report. Her work has received recognition including the DOE Secretary's Achievement Award for contributions to the Getting to Neutral report. Secretary's Achievement Award for work on the Getting to Neutral Report Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (2021) Author of the first textbook on Carbon Capture and Storage Lead contributor to the California Getting to Neutral report Co-author of the CDR primer with nearly 40 subject matter experts Wilcox mentors several PhD candidates and research associates including Maxwell Pisciotta, Shelvey Swett, Hélène Pilorgé, Shrey Patel, Aline Uwase, Katherine Vaz Gomes, and Abby Lunstrum. Her lab examines various carbon management strategies from technology development to deployment optimization, with a focus on maximizing climate change mitigation while minimizing adverse social and environmental impacts. The Clean Energy Conversions Lab tracks public funding for carbon management projects across the United States and analyzes lessons from recent legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act to identify opportunities for carbon management.
Bhaskar Reddy Sudireddy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Energy Conversion and Storage at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). His research focuses on advanced materials for energy technologies, including solid oxide fuel cells, electrocatalysts, and ceramic processing. He contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to affordable and clean energy (SDG 7) and industry innovation (SDG 9). His work emphasizes the development of high-performance electrodes, metal-supported solid oxide cells, and gas sensors. He leads projects on eco-friendly fabrication methods for energy storage systems and collaborates on piezoelectric materials sintered in humid air. His research group, Applied Ceramics and Processing, explores novel ceramic materials for applications in renewable energy and environmental monitoring. Advises five PhD students working on projects like high-temperature electrolysis cells and antiferroelectric materials. Supervises interdisciplinary research spanning electrochemistry, materials synthesis, and device fabrication. Located at DTU’s campus in Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark, with extensive international collaborations.
David Erickson is the SC Thomas Sze Director and Sibley College Professor at Cornell University's Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He also holds a joint professorship in the Division of Nutritional Sciences. His research focuses on global health technologies, medical diagnostics, microfluidics, photonics, nanotechnology, and energy systems. He previously served as Associate Dean of Engineering for Research and Graduate Programs. Erickson leads the NIH-funded PORTENT Center for Point-of-Care Technologies in Global Health and has co-founded companies like Dimensional Energy and VitaScan to commercialize diagnostic and energy technologies. Education: B.Sc., Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta (1999) M.A.Sc., Mechanical Engineering, University of Toronto (2001) Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Toronto (2004) Postdoctoral Scholar, Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology (2005) Research Interests: Erickson’s work spans global health diagnostics , nanobio applications , and clean energy innovation . He develops portable medical devices for low-resource settings, including smartphone-integrated diagnostic tools for malaria, iron deficiency, and cancer. His lab also pioneers photothermal reactors for CO2 conversion into sustainable fuels. Key areas include: Point-of-care testing for infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies Nanofluidic and optofluidic technologies for biomolecular analysis Solar-driven energy systems for carbon-neutral fuels Awards: Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (2011) Fellowships from the Optical Society, ASME, and Canadian Academy of Engineering Carbon X-Prize Finalist (2019) for Dimensional Energy’s CO2-to-fuel technology Grants & Industry Collaboration: Erickson’s research is funded by NIH, NSF, ARPA-E, DOE, and USAID. His lab’s innovations have spun off start-ups addressing global health and energy challenges. Notable projects include: - Portable cancer diagnostics in sub-Saharan Africa using mobile phone-based systems - Solar-powered CO2 conversion reactors tested in Wyoming and Arizona Labs & Teams: The Erickson Lab collaborates with the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability and the McGovern Center for Entrepreneurship. Key initiatives include the PORTENT Center and the Dimensional Energy CO2-to-fuel project.
Dr. Xinan Zhang is an Associate Professor in the School of Engineering at The University of Western Australia (UWA), specializing in Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering. He holds a BEng from Fudan University (2008) and a PhD from Nanyang Technological University (2014). Before joining UWA in 2019, he held roles as a Lecturer and Research Fellow in Singapore and Australia. His research focuses on power electronics, electrical machine drives, and renewable energy, with over 60 top-tier publications. He is the Portfolio Lead for Industry Engagement in UWA's School of Engineering and co-leads the Power and Clean Energy (PACE) research group. Education: BEng in Electrical Engineering, Fudan University (2004–2008) PhD in Electrical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (2010–2014) Research Interests: Dr. Zhang’s work spans power electronics, renewable energy systems, energy storage, and smart grid technologies. He emphasizes practical applications, such as battery management systems for vanadium redox flow batteries and adaptive control strategies for microgrids. His contributions address challenges in energy efficiency, grid stability, and sustainable power solutions. Articles & Trends: Recent publications focus on advanced control algorithms for inverters, battery modeling, and renewable energy integration. His work combines data-driven methods with traditional control theory to enhance system efficiency and reliability. Notable areas include DC microgrid control, vanadium redox flow battery optimization, and model predictive control for power electronics. Awards: Listed in Stanford University’s Top 2% Scientists (2020–2022) Grants & Collaborations: He leads or co-leads projects funded by the Australian government and industry partners, including the GenX Betavoltaic Battery Pilot Manufacturing Process and Mine Electrification . These projects aim to advance clean energy technologies and industrial applications. Labs & Teams: As co-lead of the PACE group, he fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle global energy challenges, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals for affordable and clean energy (SDG 7).
Yao Yang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Cornell University's College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on developing multimodal operando electron microscopy and synchrotron X-ray methods to probe electrochemical dynamics at solid-liquid interfaces for energy materials. PhD, Cornell University (2021) Miller Postdoctoral Fellow, UC Berkeley (2021-2024) Research interests span fundamental electrochemistry and energy material interfaces, particularly CO2 reduction, clean H2 production, and rechargeable batteries. The Yang group specializes in operando electrochemical liquid-cell scanning transmission electron microscopy (EC-STEM) and correlative synchrotron X-ray methods at Cornell Center for Materials Research (CCMR) and Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS). Recent publications highlight atomic-scale imaging of catalyst dynamics, Tafel slope analysis, and epitaxial growth techniques for enhanced electrocatalysts. Articles demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches combining electrochemistry, nanoscience, and advanced characterization. Scientific Awards: 2025 ACS Materials and Interfaces Outstanding Presentations by Young Investigators Award 2024 Journal of Materials Research Distinguished Invited Speaker Miller Postdoctoral Fellowship (2021-2024) 2023 Best Early Career Presentation at MRS Spring 2022 ACS AC/DC Rising Stars in Analytical Chemistry Contact: yaoyang@cornell.edu
Robert Pilawa-Podgurski is a Professor in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences Department at UC Berkeley and founding director of the Berkeley Power and Energy Center (BPEC). He earned BS, MEng, and PhD degrees from MIT. His research focuses on power electronics, including renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, and high-efficiency power converters. He has received prestigious awards such as the IEEE Fellow (2024), Bakar Fellows Spark Award (2024), and the IEEE Richard M. Bass Outstanding Young Power Electronics Engineer Award (2014). His work emphasizes experimental validation through hardware prototypes. Education: BS in Physics and EECS (MIT, 2005), MEng (MIT, 2007), PhD in EECS (MIT, 2012). Research interests include power electronics for renewable energy, electric vehicles, energy harvesting, and advanced converter topologies. His lab has developed high-power density converters and innovative control techniques for flying capacitor multilevel converters. Recent publications focus on hybrid switched-capacitor architectures, voltage balancing, and ultra-high-current applications. Awards include over 17 IEEE prize papers and teaching accolades like the 2023 UC Berkeley EECS Outstanding Teaching Award. His group has advised numerous students, including postdocs and PhD candidates working on cutting-edge power electronics projects. Labs/Teams: Pilawa Research Group at UC Berkeley, collaborating on power electronics for clean energy and high-performance computing.
Prof. Dr. Peter Strasser is a faculty member at the Technische Universität Berlin , affiliated with the Institute of Chemistry and leading the Electrochemical Catalysis, Energy and Materials Sciences Group within the Faculty II - Mathematics and Natural Sciences . His research spans electrocatalysis , fuel cell technology , and high-throughput materials testing , with a focus on nanostructured catalysts for clean energy systems. Research Interests : High Throughput Testing Fuel Cells Electrocatalysis Electrochemical Materials Water Splitting CO2 Conversion Scientific Contributions highlight trends in oxygen evolution reactions , dealloyed catalysts , and non-noble metal electrocatalysts . His work bridges materials science and energy storage , particularly for hydrogen fuel cells and magnesium batteries . Awards : Otto Roelen Medal 2016 Advising notable researchers like former PhD student Mehtap Özaslan , who established a junior research group at the University of Oldenburg and won the Umicore Scientific Award. Prof. Strasser's team collaborates with UniSysCat and has secured funding from the Federal Ministry of Research for catalyst innovation.
Ashwani K. Gupta is a Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland, holding the Minta Martin Professorship in Engineering. He serves as Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Professor at the Institute of Physical Science and Technology, and Affiliate Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering. With over 45 years of experience in combustion engineering since graduating from Southampton University in 1970, Gupta has established himself as a leading authority in advanced combustion technologies. Dr. Gupta earned his Ph.D. from the University of Sheffield in 1973, followed by a D.Sc. from the same institution in 1986 and another D.Sc. from Southampton University in 2013. His academic journey includes six years at MIT as a research staff member and three years at Sheffield University as an independent research worker before joining the University of Maryland in 1983. Gupta's research focuses on revolutionizing combustion technology through innovations in swirl flows, high-temperature air combustion (HiTAC), and distributed combustion systems. His pioneering work on 'colorless distributed combustion' has enabled ultra-low emission combustion processes with significant applications in gas turbine engines and waste-to-energy conversion. His research spans biofuels, CO2 utilization, sulfur chemistry, waste conversion, and advanced laser diagnostics, addressing critical challenges in sustainable energy and environmental protection. Analyzing his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on waste-to-energy conversion, biomass processing, and CO2-assisted technologies. Gupta's work demonstrates a clear trajectory toward sustainable energy solutions, with increasing integration of artificial intelligence for combustion optimization and emission control. His research bridges fundamental combustion science with practical engineering applications for cleaner energy systems. Among Gupta's numerous accolades are: Election to Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering (2023) Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Aeronautical Society (2020) Recognition as one of the top 2% of scientists worldwide by Stanford University (2022-2024) Multiple prestigious medals from ASME and AIAA including the Soichiro Honda Medal (2018) and AIAA Air Breathing Propulsion Award (2014) Honorary doctorates from three international universities Gupta has secured substantial research funding throughout his career, resulting in over 850 technical papers, three books, 18 edited books, and 22 book chapters. He has delivered over 100 plenary/keynote/invited presentations at international conferences. His mentorship has shaped numerous graduate students who continue to contribute to the field of combustion engineering. Gupta directs the Combustion Laboratory at the University of Maryland, which serves as a hub for cutting-edge research in sustainable combustion technologies. The Combustion Laboratory, under Gupta's leadership, has become a center of excellence for advanced combustion research, particularly in distributed combustion systems, waste-to-energy conversion, and alternative fuels. The lab maintains strong collaborations with industry partners and international research institutions, facilitating technology transfer and practical implementation of research findings. Gupta's team employs state-of-the-art diagnostics and computational tools to advance fundamental understanding while developing practical engineering solutions for cleaner energy systems.
Associate Professor Wenhua Zhao is a globally recognized expert in offshore hydrodynamics and renewable energy technologies at The University of Queensland , School of Civil Engineering. With over 110 publications and 30 million AUD in secured research funding, his work bridges theoretical and practical advancements in marine engineering. Research focuses on Clean Energy , Artificial Intelligence , and Climate Change , specifically floating wind energy, floating solar, offshore aquaculture, and green hydrogen production. His 15 most recent articles (2024-2025) emphasize wave-structure interactions, gap resonance dynamics, and AI-driven wave prediction, published in top journals like Journal of Fluid Mechanics and Ocean Engineering . Scientific awards include the prestigious ARC Future Fellowship (2024-2028) and DECRA Fellowship (2019-2022) , recognizing his contributions to academia and industry. He teaches the 'Design of Offshore Energy Systems' course , training hundreds of students in coastal and ocean engineering, and serves as Deputy Editor for Ocean Engineering and Associate Editor for ASME's Journal of OMAE . Available for research supervision, Zhao actively collaborates with editorial boards of Applied Ocean Research and other Q1 journals.
Dr. Hongye Zhang serves as a Lecturer in Superconducting and Cryogenic Electric Machines at the School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, while maintaining a Visiting Research Fellow position at the University of Manchester. He actively contributes to the European Society for Applied Superconductivity (ESAS) as a Board Member and chairs the international HTS 2026 workshop. His educational foundation includes: BSc and MSc in Electrical Engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong University (2015, 2018) Diplôme d’ingénieur (MEng) from École Centrale de Lyon (2018) PhD in Applied Superconductivity from the University of Edinburgh (2021) Dr. Zhang’s research centers on decarbonizing transport through superconducting/cryogenic electric machines for hydrogen-powered aircraft, integrating artificial intelligence with superconductor technology and cryogenic techniques. His work targets net zero emissions by developing high-power-density propulsion systems that leverage hydrogen energy and advanced numerical modeling of superconductors. Analysis of his 2022-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in superconducting machine design for wind energy and electric aviation, with significant contributions to loss mitigation, flux pump technology, and trapped field magnet applications. His research bridges fundamental superconductor characterization with practical system integration for renewable energy. Recognized with the 2021 IEEE Council on Superconductivity Graduate Study Fellowship, his professional engagements include: Early Career Editorial Board Member for Elsevier’s Superconductivity journal Technical Editor for IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity Program Committee Member for SMT 2023 He leads critical research within the £54-million H2GEAR project developing hydrogen-electric aircraft propulsion, while teaching Power Engineering 2 and Electrical Machines courses. His advisory roles span doctoral supervision and industry collaboration through Energy Systems research institute. Based at the University of Edinburgh’s Faraday Building, Dr. Zhang directs a research group focused on hydrogen energy applications and superconducting machine testing, with strong ties to the H2GEAR consortium and ESAS working groups.
Shanshan Xu is a Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw Fellow and Academic Lecturer in Catalysis at the Department of Materials, University of Manchester, since January 2025. She specializes in heterogeneous catalytic systems for sustainable chemical reactions, including hydrogen production, nitrogen fixation, and CO2 conversion, employing operando X-ray spectroscopy and DRIFTS techniques to study catalytic mechanisms. Previously, she worked on the EU-funded Laurelin project, focusing on CO2 conversion to renewable methanol using nonthermal plasma catalysis. She earned her PhD in Chemical Engineering (2021) and MSc in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Manchester. Her research interests span catalyst design (metal oxides, porous materials like zeolites and MOFs), operando spectroscopy (XAS, XPDF, IR), and sustainable chemistry. She leads the UoMaH research group at the University of Manchester-Harwell, collaborating internationally. Xu is actively mentoring PhD students and supervising projects in catalysis, with funding opportunities through scholarships like the President’s Doctoral Scholarship and the University of Manchester-CSC joint program. Notable awards include the Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw Fellowship (2024), Dean’s Doctoral Scholarship (2017), and First Prize in the China ShaoXing Innovation Competition (2023). Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to clean energy and sustainable industrial processes. Xu’s lab focuses on advancing catalyst design through operando studies, with emphasis on nonthermal plasma systems. She collaborates on projects like the UoMaH initiative, exploring nanoparticle behavior and catalytic materials for industrial applications.
Xiaolei Fan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at The University of Manchester. He holds a BEng in Environmental Engineering from Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology (2003), an MRes in Chemical Engineering from East China University of Science and Technology (2006), and a PhD in Continuous Flow Heterogeneous Catalysis from the University of Bath (2010). His research focuses on nonthermal plasma catalysis, CO2 conversion, catalytic biorefinery, and zeolite-based catalysts. He has contributed to over 180 publications, supervised 20+ students, and led projects like the EU-funded SPACING initiative for biofuel production. Research interests include porous materials, reaction engineering, and process intensification through structured reactors/catalysts. He chairs the RSC Heterogeneous Catalysis committee and has organized conferences like the International Conference on Environmental Catalysis. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in clean energy and sustainable chemistry. Education: BEng (Environmental Engineering), Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology, 2003 MRes (Chemical Engineering), East China University of Science and Technology, 2006 PhD (Chemical Engineering), University of Bath, 2010 Awards: Lee Hsun Lecture Award (2018) Zhenxing Scholar Professor Award (2018) Outstanding Achievement Recognition (2018) Grants/Projects: SPACING: Sustainable Production of ACrylic Acid from Renewable Waste Glycerol (2021–2024) Labs/Teams: Catalysis and Porous Materials Group at The University of Manchester
Michael John Janik is a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Pennsylvania State University, with significant affiliation to the Institute of Energy and the Environment (IEE). His academic profile demonstrates exceptional research productivity with 270 research outputs, 25 funded projects, and substantial scholarly impact reflected in 17,238 citations and an h-index of 61. His research expertise centers on computational chemistry with particular focus on Density Functional Theory applications to catalysis and electrocatalysis. The fingerprint analysis of his work reveals strong concentrations in Density Functional Theory (76%), Oxidation Reactions (36%), Carbon Dioxide research (29%), Adsorption phenomena (27%), and First Principles Chemistry (22%). His work significantly contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean energy and climate action. Analysis of his recent publications (2020-2025) reveals a strong research trajectory in electrocatalysis, particularly examining cation effects on CO 2 reduction mechanisms, intermetallic catalyst design, and computational modeling of electrochemical systems. His work bridges fundamental computational chemistry with practical applications in sustainable energy conversion. h-index of 61 17,238 total citations Multiple high-impact publications in journals including Nature Catalysis, Journal of the American Chemical Society, and Science Advances Professor Janik actively leads and collaborates on numerous research projects, particularly with Dr. Rioux and other colleagues, focusing on advanced catalyst development and electrochemical energy conversion systems. His current research portfolio includes multiple active NSF-funded projects extending through 2027 that address critical challenges in electrocatalysis, CO 2 reduction, and intermetallic catalyst design. His research group maintains strong connections with the Institute of Energy and the Environment, positioning his work at the intersection of fundamental computational chemistry and applied energy solutions. Current projects include combining DFT with classical simulations to predict solvation effects, developing high-entropy alloys for catalysis, and studying oxide overlayers in CO 2 reaction systems.