Energy & Sustainability
At the forefront of addressing the world’s most pressing environmental and energy challenges, our research on energy and sustainability spans a broad array of critical fields.
These areas include advanced energy storage systems, subsurface energy technologies, decarbonization strategies, and renewable energy solutions. We focus on the entire lifecycle of energy technologies, from the development of innovative materials and devices to large-scale system integration and performance evaluation.
The overarching goal is to contribute to a greener, more energy-efficient world by leveraging cutting-edge research and fostering collaborations between industry and academia.
Below are the core areas in which we are making significant contributions:
Energy Storage Systems
Faculty Contacts: A. Salehi-Khojin, D. Wang, R. Kou
Our research focuses on electrochemical energy storage systems, from advanced materials to device design and diagnostics.
We explore novel electrochemical active materials, solid-state electrolytes, and scalable fabrication techniques, with focus on both conventional and solid-state Li-ion batteries, as well as advanced systems like Li-sulfur, Li-air, and those beyond lithium chemistry. Applications include grid storage, transportation, air electrification, and electronics, with an emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency through interdisciplinary collaborative research.
Subsurface Energy Systems
Faculty Contacts: S. Salehi, A. Dogru, J. Lage
Our research dives into geothermal innovation, focusing on direct-use applications, enhanced geothermal systems, and deep super-hot geothermal.
By improving heat harvesting efficiency and cutting costs through novel drilling techniques and integrated reservoir simulations, we aim to make geothermal energy a more viable and sustainable energy source. Other subsurface applications include thermal energy storage and seasonal subsurface energy use.
Decarbonization Technology
Faculty Contacts: A. Salehi-Khojin, S. Salehi, D. Wang, A. Dogru
Our decarbonization research focuses on carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), methane emission assessment, mitigation and the production of clean, renewable fuels.
Our CCUS efforts include: (i) generating fuels using renewable energy sources such as wind, geothermal and solar, and (ii) storing CO2 in deep geological formations, like depleted oil and gas fields or saline aquifers. In addition to CCUS, we leverage subsurface systems for large scale storage such as thermal energy and hydrogen storages.
We are also advancing hydrogen fuel production as a clean alternative to fossil fuels, with an emphasis on safer and more economical transportation methods. Our work spans the design, advanced manufacturing, and industrialization of these technologies.
Renewable Energy Systems
Faculty Contacts: H. Karbasian, D. Wang, A. Alaeddini
Our research focuses on advancing renewable energy technologies, particularly offshore wind turbines and hydrokinetic turbines for capturing energy from the wind and tidal currents.
We address key challenges in our research such as dynamic stall, turbulence, aerodynamic loads, and stability, using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) algorithms to optimize turbines for energy efficiency, structural integrity, and environmental sustainability.
By combining Artificial Intelligence (AI) with fluid dynamics analysis, and control systems, we aim to push the boundaries of renewable energy technology, contributing to the broader goals of sustainability and environmental preservation, while reducing operational costs and improving energy output.
