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
Jon Simon is the Joan Reinhart Professor and Professor of Applied Physics at Stanford University . He leads the Simon Lab , which explores the convergence of condensed matter physics , quantum optics , and quantum information science , focusing on creating synthetic materials from light and investigating topological and strongly correlated quantum systems. His research spans constructing photonic materials in quantum circuits, studying small quantum systems with strong correlations, and applying Hamiltonian engineering to realize exotic states of matter. The lab has achieved milestones like the first Mott insulator of photons and topologically insulating circuits . Collaborative projects with the Schuster Lab leverage superconducting quantum circuits for synthetic matter studies. Jon's students include Adam Shaw (PhD, now at Stony Brook) Lavanya Taneja (PhD, now at Atom Computing) Ruichao Ma (Postdoc, now faculty at Purdue) among others. The lab's recent publications focus on cavity arrays, hybrid quantum systems, and topological photonics. Research is supported by grants and affiliations with Stanford's Department of Applied Physics and interdisciplinary institutes.
Dr. Gloria Milena Monsalve Bravo is an Advanced Queensland Industry Research Fellow and lecturer at The University of Queensland's School of Chemical Engineering, where she develops novel multiscale simulation techniques combining molecular simulations with macroscopic physics-based modeling to solve complex energy and environmental problems. Her interdisciplinary work bridges applied mathematics and engineering to improve understanding of phenomena in complex systems across chemical, biomedical, and ecological applications. Her research focuses on: Multiscale simulation techniques for complex systems Molecular simulations coupled with macroscopic modeling Gas permeation and separation in mixed-matrix membranes Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis in mathematical models Applied mathematics for engineering problems Dr. Monsalve Bravo's publication record demonstrates a strong trajectory in membrane technology and computational modeling. Her recent work has advanced understanding of gas transport in novel membrane materials, particularly mixed-matrix membranes, with applications in carbon capture and hydrogen storage. She has made significant contributions to theoretical frameworks for modeling permeation in finite-sized composite systems and developed Bayesian approaches for analyzing parameter uncertainty in sorption predictions. Her research bridges fundamental science with practical applications in energy and environmental engineering. Her scientific contributions have been recognized through research funding including: ARC Research Hub for Value-Added Processing of Underutilised Carbon Wastes (2024-2029) Tailor-made composite membranes for greenhouse gas capture (2023-2026) through Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowships Dr. Monsalve Bravo actively mentors PhD students on cutting-edge projects related to membrane technology, catalyst development, and waste conversion. She collaborates extensively across disciplines, as evidenced by her diverse publication record spanning chemical engineering, materials science, and environmental applications.
Felix Bott is a Researcher at Technische Universität München (TUM), currently affiliated with PainLabMunich at Rechts der Isar Hospital since September 2020. Previously, he served as a Research Associate and Teaching Assistant in the Mechanics & High Performance Computing Group at TUM from April 2018 to March 2020. His academic credentials include a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (TUM, 2018) and a Master de Sciences, Technologies, Santé specializing in multi-scale mechanics modeling (2019). Research Focus Bott's research specializes in computational mechanics, emphasizing mesh-free discretization techniques like Moving Kriging Collocation and Peridynamics. He develops probabilistic numerical methods for uncertainty quantification and inverse analyses, with applications in solid mechanics and engineering simulations. His work bridges theoretical computational frameworks with practical engineering challenges. Teaching & Advising As a teaching assistant, he led courses in Engineering Mechanics I (WS 2018/19) and Engineering Mechanics II (SS 2018, SS 2019). He supervised multiple student projects including Master's theses on peridynamics-based continuum modeling, Bachelor's theses on medical device mechanics, and research internships in dynamical systems visualization and impact phenomena simulation. Laboratory Affiliations Currently conducts research at PainLabMunich (Rechts der Isar Hospital), focusing on computational approaches for medical-mechanical problems. Previously contributed to the Mechanics & High Performance Computing Group at TUM, developing advanced numerical methods for engineering applications.
Dmitri Strukov is a Professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His work spans material science, electrical engineering, and computer science, focusing on novel computing paradigms using emerging memory devices. Education: PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from SUNY Stony Brook, MS in Applied Physics and Mathematics from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. Research Interests include neuromorphic computing , non-volatile memory applications , and mixed-signal circuits for machine learning and hardware security. His group develops memristive crossbar arrays and 3D NAND flash for energy-efficient systems. Scientific Leadership features Fellow of IEEE and Distinguished Lecturer roles. His work has been recognized with best paper awards at ASPLOS’19 and Computing Frontiers’13. Students: Mentored PhD graduates in neurocomputing, security, and memristor design including Z. Fahimi, S. Larimian, M.R. Mahmoodi, and X. Guo. Grants: Funded by AFOSR, ARO, DARPA, NSF, and industry leaders like Google and Samsung. Labs: Utilizes UCSB’s nanofabrication center and advanced tools for memristor characterization.
Xiaojing (Ruby) Fu is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Civil Engineering at the California Institute of Technology and a William H. Hurt Scholar (2024-present). Her research focuses on multiphase fluid mechanics in porous media, integrating theory, computation, experiments, and field observations to address geoscience and engineering challenges. Her educational background includes: B.S. in Engineering from Clarkson University (2011) M.S. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2015) Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2017) Professor Fu's research centers on cryosphere hydrology, subsurface engineering, and phase transitions in porous media. She investigates multiphase flow dynamics in contexts like permafrost thaw, snow metamorphism, and carbon sequestration using phase-field modeling and experimental techniques. Her work bridges fundamental physics with applications in environmental resilience and energy systems, emphasizing predictive capabilities for large-scale phenomena through simplified multiscale theories. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals intense focus on cryosphere processes (snow, permafrost) using advanced phase-field modeling and fiber-optic sensing. Key trends include freezing infiltration patterns, meltwater transport in layered snow, and seismic monitoring of soil moisture. Her work increasingly integrates field validation with computational models for environmental applications like drought monitoring and carbon sequestration. Her scientific recognition includes: William H. Hurt Scholar (2024) Professor Fu actively mentors graduate students, as evidenced by qualified students in her research group. She teaches core courses including Thermal Science (ME 11 abc) and Computational Methods for Flow in Porous Media (ME/CE/Ge/ESE 146), training students in both theoretical foundations and applied techniques for subsurface flow problems. She leads the Fu Research Group on Mechanics and Physics of Porous Media Flow, which develops multiscale theories to predict large-scale environmental and energy system behaviors. The group combines mathematical modeling, laboratory experiments, and field observations to address problems in geologic carbon storage, cryosphere dynamics, and subsurface resource management, with recent emphasis on climate change impacts and monitoring technologies.
Prof. Dr. Taner Akbay is a faculty member at Yeditepe University, Faculty of Engineering , Department of Materials Science and Nanotechnology Engineering. He has held academic positions at institutions including Kyushu University, Oita University, and Imperial College London. Education: PhD in Materials Engineering (1993, Imperial College London); Master’s (1989) and Bachelor’s (1986) degrees from Middle East Technical University. His research spans Materials Engineering , Metallurgy , and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) , with a focus on oxide ion conductivity, laser surface treatment, and phase transformations. Recent work explores photocatalysis , anion intercalation , and CO2 reduction using computational and experimental approaches. Key article trends include SOFC optimization (2004–2009), strain effects on catalysts (2015–2020), and dual-carbon battery technology (2016–2020). His work bridges fundamental metallurgy and advanced energy materials . Scientific Awards: Postdoctoral Research Sponsorship Award (EPSRC, UK) JSPS Fellowship (Japan) Daiwa Adrian Prize (2016, UK) PhD Studentship at Imperial College (European Commission) He has supervised multiple PhD and Master’s theses, including projects on dual-carbon batteries , microwave absorption nanocomposites , and rare earth recovery . Administrative roles include Head of Department (2020–2021). Non-University Experience: Worked with Mitsubishi Materials Corporation (2001), Çolakoğlu Metalurji (2010), and National Research Council Canada (2009).
Dr. Simon Beaumont is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Durham University , with additional responsibilities as Associate Dean (PGR) in the Faculty of Science. His research program integrates heterogeneous catalysis , nanomaterials , and in situ spectroscopic techniques to develop sustainable chemical processes. BA & MSci Natural Sciences, University of Cambridge (2003-2007) PhD in Heterogeneous Catalysis, University of Cambridge (2010) Postdoctoral Fellowship at UC Berkeley (2010-2012) Research foci include mechanistic studies of catalytic processes, nanoparticle synthesis , and in situ characterization via X-ray absorption (NEXAFS), DRIFTS, and Raman. His work addresses challenges in CO2 hydrogenation , biomass conversion , and environmental remediation , supported by national/EU/industrial funding. Recent publications highlight trends in selective hydrogenation (furfural), multi-functional catalysts (acid-base systems), and nanoparticle stability under reactive conditions. All studies emphasize molecular-level understanding for practical catalyst design. Scientific awards include Leverhulme Trust and Addison Wheeler fellowships. Teaching portfolio spans first-year laboratories , organic chemistry tutorials , and advanced catalysis lectures . Supervision of five research postgraduates and leadership of industry-funded projects further demonstrate his academic impact.
Richard D. Noble is a Research Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder. His research focuses on advanced membrane technologies for gas and liquid separations, with particular expertise in ionic liquids, liquid crystals, and the application of external fields for selective separations. He maintains an active laboratory in Cristol Chemistry (room 357) and collaborates extensively with Professor Doug Gin on many research projects. Noble received his BE and ME from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1968 and 1969 respectively, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis in 1976. His educational background in engineering has provided a strong foundation for his research in chemical engineering and materials science. Professor Noble's research program centers on three interconnected areas. His primary focus is on ionic liquids for gas separations , where he evaluates various ionic liquids and complexation chemistry to tailor material properties to specific feed mixtures. He explores composite polymer/IL structures and incorporation of complexation chemistry and zeolites, and has developed specialized apparatus to measure gas solubility and diffusivity in ionic liquids. This work is conducted in collaboration with Professor Doug Gin. His second research thrust involves the use of external fields for selective separations . Noble studies how electric or light energy can enhance separation processes by changing binding affinity of complexing agents. His notable achievement is an electrochemical pump with no moving parts that produces pressures exceeding 20 atm, with applications in lab-on-a-chip and micro-scale devices. He also develops charged polymer structures for membrane separators with wide temperature and chemical stability. His third major area focuses on liquid crystals organized to form nanostructured polymer network films. These cross-linked stable films are evaluated for nanofiltration applications, particularly in water filtration including treatment of water from fracking operations. This work often intersects with his ionic liquids research, creating composite structures with potential applications in electrochemical pumps. Noble's publication record from 2017-2019 shows consistent focus on membrane technologies for separation processes, with increasing sophistication in membrane design incorporating ionic liquids, liquid crystals, and novel materials like pillar[5]arenes. His work demonstrates a clear trend toward addressing practical industrial challenges, particularly in natural gas purification (CO 2 /CH 4 separation) and environmental applications (treatment of fracking wastewater). His collaborations have produced high-impact work published in top journals including Nature Materials , Journal of Membrane Science , and Angewandte Chemie . Professor Noble has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing his contributions: AIChE Institute Service to Society Award (2005) Alfred T. and Betty E. Look Professor of Chemical Engineering (2005-present) Multiple Outstanding Graduate Teaching Awards from the Chemical Engineering Department (2006-2008) ACS Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Division Fellow (2007) CU Boulder Inventor of the Year (2008) Barrer Lecture at Penn State University (2008) Fellow at the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (2009-2012) Robert L. Stearns Award from CU Alumni Association (2010) Chair d'Excellence Pierre de Fermat at Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse (2010) AIChE Institute Excellence in Industrial Gas Technology Award (2010) And numerous others through 2015 While specific grant details aren't provided, Noble's extensive publication record with multiple co-authors suggests active research mentoring and well-funded projects. His work on sophisticated apparatus and high-quality publications indicates substantial research support. His collaborations, especially with Doug Gin, suggest a strong research group environment focused on membrane science and separation technologies. Professor Noble's research operates at the intersection of chemistry, chemical engineering, and materials science. His laboratory includes facilities for membrane fabrication, gas separation testing, and characterization of novel materials. The development of specialized apparatus for measuring gas properties in ionic liquids suggests dedicated equipment for fundamental property measurements. His work on electrochemical pumps indicates capabilities in microfluidics and device fabrication, with the collaborative nature of his research suggesting a team approach to tackling complex separation challenges.
Adrian Lew is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University, specializing in computational solid mechanics and numerical algorithms. His research focuses on hydraulic fracturing simulation, embedded boundary methods, and material model design. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Caltech (2003). His work bridges advanced numerical techniques with real-world applications in geophysics, material science, and structural engineering. Education: PhD, Mechanical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 2003 Research Interests: Lew's group develops algorithms for time-integration embedded boundary methods and hydraulic fracturing simulations. Key areas include curvilinear crack propagation, universal meshing for complex geometries, and high-fidelity fracture mechanics. His work on variational integrators and discontinuous Galerkin methods has advanced computational efficiency in nonlinear elasticity and thermodynamics. Publications: Recent articles emphasize mesh optimization (DVRlib), fracture path instabilities, and magma chamber dynamics. His methodologies address challenges in 3D crack modeling, fluid-structure interaction, and high-order approximations in domains with singularities. Advising & Grants: Lew's research is supported by projects in computational geophysics and material science. Though no advisees are listed, his work involves collaborative teams focused on algorithmic innovation and high-performance computing.
Dr. Yayun Du is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Vanderbilt University School of Engineering. She holds a Ph.D. in Robotics and System Control (Minor: Solid Mechanics) from UCLA (2022) and was a postdoctoral scholar at Northwestern University's Rogers Group through 2024. Current faculty at Vanderbilt University Ph.D. from University of California, Los Angeles Postdoctoral experience at Northwestern University Her research integrates bioelectronics and robotics through three core directions: 1) Developing multimodal wearable/implantable sensors for health monitoring, 2) Creating human-in-the-loop interaction systems using brain-computer interfaces, and 3) Applying machine learning to medical environment robotics. She has deployed four sensor types across seven hospitals globally, serving users from neonates to elderly patients. Dr. Du's recent publications focus on wireless bioelectronic devices ( PNAS ), sustainable sensor materials ( ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering ), and agricultural robotics ( ICRA , IROS ). She serves as Associate Editor for ICRA 2025 and has received two Best Paper Award final nominations at IROS 2021. Finalist - Best Paper Award in Agri-Robotics (IROS 2021) Finalist - Best Paper Award in Robot Mechanisms and Design (IROS 2021) As head of the Du Group, she leads interdisciplinary research with applications in both healthcare and agricultural contexts, collaborating with Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering (VISE) and clinical partners. Her work emphasizes deployable systems that transition from academic research to real-world implementation in medical and industrial environments.
Ronaldo I. Borja is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University's School of Engineering. His academic career spans decades of research and teaching in theoretical and computational solid mechanics, geomechanics, and geosciences. He teaches undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level courses including Geotechnical Engineering (CEE 101C), Mechanics and Finite Elements (CEE 281), Computational Poromechanics (CEE 314), and Plasticity Modeling and Computation (CEE 315). Professor Borja's research focuses on theoretical and computational solid mechanics, with particular emphasis on geomechanics and geosciences. His work includes the development of multi-scale discontinuity frameworks for crack and fracture propagation utilizing strong discontinuity and extended finite element methods; solution techniques for multi-physical processes such as coupled solid deformation-fluid diffusion in saturated and unsaturated porous media; stabilized finite element methods for solid/fluid interaction and nonlinear contact mechanics; and nanometer-scale characterization of the inelastic deformation and fracture properties of shales. His research spans multiple projects including shale characterization, poromechanics, and large deformation inelasticity. His recent publications demonstrate expertise across computational mechanics, geomechanics, and materials science, with a focus on finite element methods, constitutive modeling, and multi-scale analysis. His work bridges theoretical developments with practical applications in geotechnical engineering and earth sciences. 2016 ASCE Maurice A. Biot Medal for work in computational poromechanics Professor Borja serves as editor of two leading journals in his field: the International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics and Acta Geotechnica. He has also authored the textbook 'Plasticity Modeling and Computation' published by Springer. His research is supported by multiple projects examining shale mechanics, poromechanics in unsaturated porous media, and large deformation inelasticity in crystalline materials.
Dr. Carolyn Conner Seepersad is a Woodruff Professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. She leads the Digital Design and Manufacturing research group and previously founded the Center for Additive Manufacturing and Design Innovation at The University of Texas at Austin. Her research focuses on additive manufacturing, materials design, and process innovation. She holds editorial roles, including Editor-in-Chief of the ASME Journal of Mechanical Design, and has received numerous awards for research and teaching. Education: PhD, Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Tech, 2004 MS, Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Tech, 2001 BA, Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, Oxford University, 1998 BS, Mechanical Engineering, West Virginia University, 1996 Her research interests span design for additive manufacturing, simulation-based materials and structures, and metamaterials. She emphasizes manufacturing-aware design and sustainability. Key contributions include lattice structure optimization, negative stiffness composites, and process-aware manufacturing techniques. Her publications reflect advancements in additive manufacturing processes, materials characterization, and design methodologies. Awards include the ASME Design Automation Award and recognition as a University of Texas System Academy of Distinguished Teachers. Seepersad has advised on grants such as the LEAP-HI GOALI project and contributed to initiatives like the Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium. Her work bridges academia and industry, emphasizing practical applications and innovation. Labs/Teams: Leads the Digital Design and Manufacturing group at Georgia Tech, previously directed the UT Austin Additive Manufacturing Center.
Dr. Christopher M. Wolverton is a Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University , where he leads the Wolverton Research Group . His work focuses on computational materials science with applications in energy sustainability , particularly in batteries , hydrogen storage , and thermoelectrics . PhD in Physics from University of California, Berkeley BS in Physics (summa cum laude) from University of Texas, Austin His research leverages first-principles quantum mechanical simulations and machine learning to enable virtual materials synthesis before laboratory testing. The group specializes in hybrid computational methods integrating Density Functional Theory (DFT) , Monte Carlo simulations , and phase-field microstructural models . The article portfolio shows leadership in energy storage materials , with recent work on data-driven nanoparticle facet control , mixed-anion semiconductors , and machine learning-accelerated discovery . Publications span top journals including Nature Energy , Nature Materials , and Science . 2006 Ford Motor Company Technical Achievement Award 2005 Ford Patent & Publication Awards 2003 Ford Environmental/Physical Sciences Recognition As advisor to PhD candidates Zhenpeng Yao , Shiqiang Hao , and Shane Patel , he fosters interdisciplinary research connecting materials informatics with experimental validation . The group maintains active collaborations with Argonne National Lab and MIT/Harvard teams.
Dr. Richard Fair is the Lord-Chandran Distinguished Professor of Engineering at Duke University, with a career spanning semiconductor physics, digital microfluidics, and lab-on-a-chip systems. His research group collaborates with faculty across Duke, Harvard, and Stanford in bioengineering, genomics, and environmental science to develop applications-driven microfluidic platforms. Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University (1969) B.S.E.E., Duke University (1964) M.S.E.E., Pennsylvania State University (1966) Research interests focus on electrowetting-based microfluidics for biosensing, diagnostics, and synthetic biology applications. Key innovations include adaptive droplet routing , magnetic bead manipulation , and integrated optical sensors for real-time analyte detection in environmental and medical contexts. Recent publications emphasize deep reinforcement learning for biochip automation, fluorescent nucleosome detection , and inorganic ion analysis in aerosols. Collaborations with institutions like Advanced Liquid Logic and NSF-funded projects highlight his interdisciplinary approach. IEEE Third Millennium Medal (2000) Solid State Science and Technology Award (Electrochemical Society, 2003) Gordon E. Moore Medal (2009) Fellow, IEEE and Electrochemical Society Grants include NSF awards with Nan Jokerst and Krish Chakrabarty for adaptive lab-on-a-chip optical control, DARPA funding for genomic engineering platforms, and collaborations with the Desert Research Institute on airborne particle sensing. His lab develops scalable solutions for environmental monitoring, clinical diagnostics, and synthetic biology applications.
