(6av) Advanced Materials for the Water-Energy Nexus

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released a report in June 2014 that frames an integrated challenge and opportunity space around the so called “water-energy nexus.” Water is used in all phases of energy production and electricity generation. Conversely, energy is required to extract, convey, and deliver water of appropriate quality for diverse human uses, and then again to treat wastewaters prior to their return to the environment. High cost, together with limited supply and functionality of traditional materials, are bottlenecks for the advancement in energy and water systems. My research interests are motivated by the need for advanced intelligent materials for applications in energy and water systems - from enhancing efficiency in energy generation, recovery, and storage to developing efficient and reliable technologies for water purification. I will work on developing inexpensive, widely available, and high performance smart materials, compatible with high throughput manufacturing, and on innovative design to increase durability and functionality to save energy and water.