(Print All Faculty Profiles) Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Solar
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Marc Acherman Assistant Professor, Physics 405A Hasbrouck, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003-9292 (413) 545-3472 achermann@physics.umass.edu http://people.umass.edu/acherman/ |
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| Time-Resolved Spectroscopy of Functional Nanomaterials Our research focuses on the optical spectroscopy of nanoscale materials, specifically semiconductor, metal and organic nanostructures. We study the carrier and energy relaxation dynamics of nanostructures and the dynamics of interfacial interactions in hybrid excitonic/plasmonic materials. Understanding this behavior in functional nanomaterials will promote the implementation of these materials in solid-state lighting, sensor, and light-harvesting applications (e.g. solar cells). In addition to standard, steady-state optical characterization, our experiments rely on various time-resolved optical spectroscopy techniques in combination with far- and near-field optical microscopies. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Massachusetts Center for Renewable Energy Science & Technology (Mass-CREST) |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Solar
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Neal Anderson Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering 201B Marcus Hall, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003-9292 (413) 545-0765 anderson@ecs.umass.edu http://www.ecs.umass.edu/ece/dept/people/faculty/anderson.html |
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| Nanostructured Photovoltaics Professor Anderson's research interests are in the broad area of physical electronics, including fundamental issues related to energy conversion and information processing in electronic systems. He was an early worker in the area of quantum well solar cells - the first photovoltaic devices to employ engineered nanostructures for the purposes of improving cell performance - and has made contributions to the modeling of these devices and the fundamental understanding of their operation and efficiency limits. |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Biomass Conversion
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Scott Auerbach Professor, Chemistry 222 Goessman Lab, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003-9292 (413) 545-1240 auerbach@chem.umass.edu http://samson.chem.umass.edu |
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| Theory and Simulation of Nanoporous Materials for Renewable Energy Materials & Devices Professor Auerbach employs theoretical approaches and computer simulation techniques to model applications of nanoporous materials for use in renewable energy devices and systems. Zeolites are nanoporous crystalline alumino-silicates with a rich variety of interesting properties and industrial applications. Indeed, the importance of zeolites to nanotechnology cannot be overstated, considering that the value of zeolite catalysis to petroleum cracking is well in excess of 200 billion dollars. Mixed metal oxide catlysts and specialty zeolites have great potential for use as catalysts in biofuels production. However, the physical chemistry underlying these systems is poorly known. Computational studies reduce R&D cycle times by elucidating how nano-confinement produces selective adsorption, diffusion and reaction, thereby augmenting trial-and-error discovery with rational design. Prof. Auerbach is Co-Leader of Fuels for the Future Energy Research Group of Mass-CREST. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Massachusetts Center for Renewable Energy Science & Technology (Mass-CREST) |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Solar
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Michael Barnes Associate Professor, Chemistry 701 LGRT, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003-9336 413-577-3121 mdbarnes@chem.umass.edu http://www.chem.umass.edu/Faculty/barnes.htm |
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| Single-Molecule Spectroscopy, Polymer-Based Nanoscale Photonics My current research focuses on the question of three-dimensional confinement effects in polymeric systems with specific emphasis on materials that can be used in a nanoscale optoelectronic context (e.g. solar cells). |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Massachusetts Center for Renewable Energy Science & Technology (Mass-CREST) |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Biomas Conversion
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Jeffrey Blanchard Assistant Professor, Microbiology 203 Morrill Science Center IVN, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003- 413-577-2130 blanchard@microbio.umass.edu http://www.bio.umass.edu/micro/faculty/blanchard.html#snail |
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| Climate Change: Global Effects of Populations of Marine Cyanobacteria Global climate change is an international problem that already is impacting the evolutionary trajectory of our planet's biota. In spite of the widely appreciated magnitude of this problem, we still have a limited ability to estimate current and long-term biological effects. As the most numerically dominant species in the ocean, Prochlorococcus has become a central object of study for understanding carbon fixation by photosynthetic organisms. Prochlorococcus is very unusual for a free living organism in that it show signs of reductive genome evolution that are typically found in organelles, endosymbionts and pathogens (see Blanchard et al. 2000) and now has a minimal transcriptional regulator network for sensing environmental change. The long-term goal of our research is to integrate large-scale "genomic" data sets into probabilistic models that allow inferences and decisions regarding the trajectory of photosynthetic organisms in a changing global climate. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Massachusetts Center for Renewable Energy Science & Technology (Mass-CREST) |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Solar, High-efficiency Electronic Devices
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Ken Carter Associate Professor, Polymer Science and Engineering 416 Conte Building, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003-9292 (413) 577-1416 krcarter@polysci.umass.edu http://www.pse.umass.edu/faculty/carter.html |
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| Functional Polymeric Nanostructures There has been a steady increase in number of techniques and "tools" that are available to the polymer chemist that have allowed us to continue to gain a better understanding of complex systems and to "build" polymers with functionality and properties that were not thought possible even 5 years ago. Our research group is concerned with the design and use of high performance polymers, especially as they impact advanced microelectronics and devices. Specific research programs include high resolution nanopatterning (materials and processes); synthesis and design of electroactive polymers; controlled surface functionalization of nanopatterned polymer surfaces; bioactive surfaces and sensors. |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Biomass Conversion
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W.Curtis Conner Professor, Chemical Engineering 105 Goessman Lab, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003-3110 (413) 545-0316 wconner@ecs.umass.edu http://www.ecs.umass.edu/che/faculty/conner.html |
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| Biomass Refinement Catalysts Characterization of biomass conversion catalysts is an essential step in the process of biorefinery process design. The research activities of Professor Conner in this area are focused on the use of promising mixed-metal oxide catalysts and base-functionalized zeolites for promoting condensation and addition reactions crucial to biomass refinement. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Massachusetts Center for Renewable Energy Science & Technology (Mass-CREST) |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Fuel Cells and Batteries
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Bryan Coughlin Co-Director Mass-CREST - Associate Professor, Polymer Science and Engineering 612 Conte Building, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003-9292 (413) 577-1616 coughlin@mail.pse.umass.edu http://www.pse.umass.edu/coughlin |
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| Synthesis of Polymer Nanocomposites for Renewable Energy Materials and Devices Synthesis of novel polymer-inorganic hybrid copolymers, and investigation of their physical and mechanical properties. Copolymerization of molecularly precise nanometer-scale inorganic particles with simple vinyl monomers to develop fundamental understandings necessary to exploit the resulting structure-property correlations. A chemistry-based "bottom-up" approach to the formation of hybrid polymer nanocomposites, harnessing the beneficial thermodynamics associated with self-assembly processes. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Massachusetts Center for Renewable Energy Science & Technology (Mass-CREST) |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Solar, Fuel Cells
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Samuel Gido Associate Professor, Polymer Science and Engineering A216 Conte Buildin, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003-9292 (413) 577-1216 spgido@mail.pse.umass.edu http://www.pse.umass.edu/gido/ |
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| Self-assembling Nanostructures My research is focused on understanding how controlled polymer molecular architecture can be used to guide the self assembly and processing behavior of materials in order to create novel and useful structures on a morphological length scale (nanometers to microns). |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Fuel Cells
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Jeanne Hardy Assistant Professor, Chemistry 1021 LGRT, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003- (413) 545-3486 hardy@chem.umass.edu http://www.chem.umass.edu/Faculty/hardy.htm |
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| Organic/Inorganic Composite Fuel Cell Membranes Professor Hardy's research, as it applies to renewable energy devices, is focused on the application of a biological proton pump that can be incorporated into nanoporous polycarbonate membranes. The work addresses the problem of achieving routine proton transfer across unidirectional PEM. The objective of this research is to build a stable membrane that selectively transports protons generated in a fuel cell. |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Biomass Conversion
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Michael Henson Director, Center for Process Design and Control - Professor, Chemical Engineering 259A Goessmann Lab, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003-3110 (413) 545-3481 henson@ecs.umass.edu http://www.ecs.umass.edu/che/henson_group/index.html |
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| Nonlinear Systems Modeling and Analysis Nonlinear modeling techniques are being developed and evaluated for a wide variety of complex systems with an emphasis on microbially mediated biomass conversion to ethanol. Professor Henson's laboratory focuses on integrated cellular and process engineering strategies to optimize microbial metabolism for biofuel production. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Center for Process Design and Control http://www.ecs.umass.edu/che/pdcc/ |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Biomass Conversion
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Stephen Herbert Professor, PSIS Bowdwitch Hall 207, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003-0910 (413) 545-2250 sherbert@pssci.umass.edu http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~sherbert/ |
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| Renewable Energy Crop Agronomy Agronomy field research trials are required to determine the effective energy yield of switchgrass and other potential "energy crops" under marginal soil conditions. Data generated through such field trials may be used to determine the agricultural feasability of energy biomass cropping in Massachusetts |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Massachusetts Center for Renewable Energy Science & Technology (Mass-CREST) |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Biomass Conversion
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George Huber Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering 159 Goessmann Lab, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003-9303 413-545-2507 huber@ecs.umass.edu http://www.ecs.umass.edu/che/faculty/huber.html |
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| Catalytic Processes for Biofuels and Biochemicals Production The objective of our research is to develop highly efficient and low-cost catalytic processes, catalytic materials and reactors for biomass conversion to fuels and chemicals. One technology we are developing is aqueous-phase processing, which is advantageous for biomass conversion strategies in that high energy efficiencies are obtained, recyclable-heterogeneous catalysts are used, and biomass-derived molecules, which have a high degree of functionality and low thermal stability, can be processed. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Massachusetts Center for Renewable Energy Science & Technology (Mass-CREST) |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Wind
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Robert Hyers Associate Professor, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering 160 Governors Drive, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 1003 413-545-2253 hyers@ecs.umass.ed http://www.ecs.umass.edu/mie/faculty/hyers.html |
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| Condition Monitoring and Prognosis in Wind Turbines As wind turbines grow larger and are installed in remote and offshore locations, operation and maintenance grows as a fraction of the total cost of energy. In such locations, the heavy equipment needed for major repairs can only reach the wind turbine for a few months out of the year. Therefore it is essential to predict failures of these machines as far in advance as possible, and to provide a continuously revised operating window in damaged machines to maximize energy production until service is possible. Such a strategy not only maximizes the value of the wind machine, but it also minimizes the risk of downtime and of propagation of failure to more expensive parts of the system. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Renewable Energy Research Laboratory |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Biomass Conversion
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Bret Jackson Professor, Chemistry 701A LGRT, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003-9336 413-545-2583 jackson@chem.umass.edu http://www.chem.umass.edu/Faculty/jackson.htm |
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| Theoretical Studies of Reactions on Surfaces We use a variety of theoretical methods to gain a molecular-level understanding of chemical reactions occuring on metal, semiconductor, and carbon surfaces. Problems of interest include reactions important to heterogeneous catalysis, etching, and semiconductor processing. Electronic structure methods based on Density Functional Theory are used to examine the interactions between molecules and these substratres, and to compute the potential energy surfaces controling these processes. Both quantum and classical mechanics are used to explore the dynamics of sticking and reaction. Methodologies are employed to include the exchange of energy between the reacting species and the thermal and electronic excitations of the substrate. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Massachusetts Center for Renewable Energy Science & Technology (Mass-CREST) |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Biomass Conversion
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Susan Leschine Professor, Microbiology 203 Morrill Science Center IVN, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003- 413-545-0673 suel@microbio.umass.edu http://www.bio.umass.edu/micro/faculty/leschine.html |
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| Fuels from Biomass: Microbially Mediated Production of Cellulosic Ethanol The diversity of the microbial world is enormous and microbes have played a central role in the development of the biotechnology industry. Microbes also have important applications for renewable energy technology. An objective of Professor Leschine's research program is to advance our understanding of these diverse microorganisms and the interactions among these organisms and their environment. Such knowledge is essential for the successful application of microbes, their activities and products, to solve problems and fill needs of our society. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Massachusetts Center for Renewable Energy Science & Technology (Mass-CREST) |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Fuel cells
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Derek Lovley Professor, Microbiology 203 Morrill Science Center IVN, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003- 413-545-9651 dlovley@microbio.umass.edu http://www.geobacter.org/ |
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| Microbial Fuel Cells It is well established that some reduced fermentation products or microbially reduced artificial mediators can abiotically react with electrodes to yield a small electrical current. This type of metabolism does not typically result in an efficient conversion of organic compounds to electricity because only some metabolic end products will react with electrodes, and the microorganisms only incompletely oxidize their organic fuels. A new form of microbial respiration has recently been discovered in which microorganisms conserve energy to support growth by oxidizing organic compounds to carbon dioxide with direct quantitative electron transfer to electrodes. These organisms, termed electricigens, offer the possibility of efficiently converting organic compounds into electricity in self-sustaining systems with long-term stability. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Massachusetts Center for Renewable Energy Science & Technology (Mass-CREST) |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Wind
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James Manwell Research Associate Professor and Director, Renewable Energy Research Laboratory, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering 160 Govenor's Dr., University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003- 413-545-4359 manwell@ecs.umass.edu http://www.ceere.org/rerl/team/manwell_j.html |
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| Wind Power and Distributed Energy Prof. Manwell has been working in field of wind energy for over 25 years, where his research interests have focused on wind resource assessment, hybrid power system design, and offshore wind energy. Since the 1980's he has been active in the design and modeling of hybrid power systems, including the development of the Hybrid2 computer code. Hybrid systems include multiple types of generators, electrical loads, storage units and control systems. Under his direction, the Renewable Energy Research Laboratory installed in 1994 the first utility scale (250 kW) wind turbine in Massachusetts. More recently, he has assisted the Town of Hull in acquiring a 660 kW wind turbine in 2001 (the largest in New England at that time), followed by a 1.8 MW wind turbine in 2006 (again, the largest in New England). He is currently working with the Town of Hull to design a small offshore wind farm. He is an author of a textbook on wind energy: Wind Energy Explained: Theory, Design and Application. Currently he is the U.S. representatives to the International Electrotechnical Commission's program (IEC TC88 WG3) to develop design standards for offshore wind turbines. He is also a member of the Planning Group for the International Science Panel on Renewable Energy. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Renewable Energy Research Laboratory |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Biomass
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Michael Maroney Professor, Chemistry 505B Lederle GRT, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 010003-9292 413-545-4876 mmaroney@chem.umass.edu http://www.chem.umass.edu/Faculty/maroney.htm |
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| Biohybrid Catalysts Work in my group involves collaborative efforts to attach metalloenzymes to nanoparticles and other materials for use as catalysts. An example is our work to attach hydrogenase to various materials to produce materials that can generate hydrogen. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Massachusetts Center for Renewable Energy Science & Technology (Mass-CREST) |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Wind
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Jon McGowan Professor, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering 220 Elab, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003-2210 413-545-2756 jgmcgowan@ecs.umass.edu http://www.ecs.umass.edu/mie/faculty/mcgowan.html |
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| Wind Power and Distributed Energy Work has focused on analytical models for component of wind and distributed energy system performance analysis, and experimental work dealing with the calibration/validation of such models. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Renewable Energy Research Laboratory |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Solar and Fuel Cells
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Murugappan Muthukumar Professor, Polymer Science and Engineering A212 Conte Research Center, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003- 413-577-1212 muthu@polysci.umass.edu http://www.pse.umass.edu/faculty/muthu.html |
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| Theory and Modeling of Polymer Crystallization Polymer theory and modeling techniques may be employed to design novel materials for use in renewable energy devices such as organic photovoltaics and fuel cell membranes. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Massachusetts Center for Renewable Energy Science & Technology (Mass-CREST) |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Fossil Fuels
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Klaus Nusslein Associate Professor, Microbiology 203 Morrill Science Center IVN, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003- 413-545-1356 nusslein@microbio.umass.edu http://www.bio.umass.edu/micro/faculty/nusslein.html |
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| Unconventional Fossil Fuels Recovery Indigenous microbial consortia may be optimized to perform methane conversion on fossil fuel deposits for which conventional recovery methods are not cost effective. This research focuses on efforts to stimulate natural gas (methane) producing microbes to convert unmineable coal to methane underground. Further research ideas include the use of other buried organic matter with the intent to provide long-term biotechnology-driven solutions for enhancement and sustained production of natural gas. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Biomass Conversion
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Om Parkash Assistant Professor, PSIS 202 French Hall, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003- 413-545-0062 parkash@psis.umass.edu http://www.bio.umass.edu/plantbio/faculty/parkash.html |
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| Plant Biotechnology for Development of Improved "Energy Crops" Professor Parkash employs biotech methods to enhance the characteristics of a non-food plant for use in phytoremediation applications and as a potential "energy crop." The Parkash laboratory posesses genetic engineering expertise that can be applied to any crop plants for biomass enhancment and optimization of the pathways governing lignin production and cellulose degradation. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Massachusetts Center for Renewable Energy Science & Technology (Mass-CREST) |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Fossil Fuels
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Steven Petsch Assistant Professor, Geosciences Dept of Geosciences, 611 N. Pleasant St., University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003-9297 413-545-4413 spetsch@geo.umass.edu http://www.geo.umass.edu/faculty/petsch/ |
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| Unconventional Fossil Fuels Recovery Certain microbial species thrive in the most extreme geologic environments, hundred of meters underground. We're testing the limits of what it means to be refractory, labile or biologically available, by examining degradation, dissolution and biological utilization of ancient organic matter in modern soils, aquatic systems, and the deep subsurface. An increased understanding of the geologic and biotic properties of these extreme environments may enable exploitation of microbial metabolism to convert organic matter in rocks deep underground into methane gas for surface collection. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Solar
Fuel Cell Membranes
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Thomas Russell Professor, Polymer Science and Engineering Conte Research Center Room A516, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003- 413-545-2680 russell@mail.cpse.umass.edu http://www.pse.umass.edu/faculty/russell.html |
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| Polymers and Block Copolymers for Nanostructured Energy Devices Over the past decade we have been developing routes and understanding the mechanism by which the orientation and long-range ordering of the morphology in thin block copolymer films can be controlled with exquisite precision. This has given rise to applications ranging from separations to addressable magnetic storage.media and has clear potential in photovoltaic devices. In addition, by understanding the interfacial activity of nanoparticles we are developing routes to achieve multi-length scale ordering of nanoparticles and nanorods on patterned surfaces that is emerging as a novel interesting platform for producing self-assembling, self-directing photovoltaics devices. We are also pursuing studies on fluorinated copolymers with sulfonated styrene-based side chains for fuel cell applications. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Massachusetts Center for Renewable Energy Science & Technology (Mass-CREST) |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Biomass Conversion
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Danny Schnell Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 1020 Lederle Graduate Research Tower, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003 413-545-4024 dschnell@biochem.umass.edu http://www.biochem.umass.edu/schnell/index.html |
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| Primary Productivity: Feedstock Optimization for Production of Biofuels and Bioproducts Professor Schnell's cellular and molecular genetic approaches to understanding protein trafficking and membrane biogenesis in chloroplasts have had a major impact on the fields of chloroplast biology, photosynthesis and plant cell biology in general. The bioenergy-related components of his research program are intended to accelerate the introduction of desirable traits into dedicated biomass crops and improve their yield. Such improvements to bioenergy-relevant plant species will help meet the billion tons of biomass annual production goal that is needed to reach the DOE target of 30% gasoline reduction by 2030. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Solar
Fuel Cell Membranes
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Sankaran Thayumanavan Co-Director MassCREST - Associate Professor, Chemistry 1537 Lederle GRT, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003-9292 (413) 545-1313 thai@chem.umass.edu http://www.umass.edu/thaigroup |
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| Polymers and Nanoscale Assemblies for Renewable Energy Materials and Devices Professor Thayumanavan's research interests are focused on the design, syntheses, characterization, and use of new functionalized macromolecules and fabrication of nanoscale materials. The motivations behind these molecular designs are focused on addressing a biological or materials problem that is not addressed by the systems known in nature. The applications of this work should lead to improved energy harvesting and solar conversion efficiencies. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Massachusetts Center for Renewable Energy Science & Technology (Mass-CREST) |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Solar, Nanoscale electronic devices
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Mark Tuominen Professor, Physics 411 Hasbrouk Lab, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003- 413-545-1691 tuominen@physics.umass.edu http://people.umass.edu/tuominen/ |
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| Experimental Condensed Matter Physics Research in the fabrication and physics of nanoscale devices and materials. This includes two primary research areas: nanostructures from self-assembling block copolymer templates and nanoscale device physics. The first area addresses the general scientific challenge of fabricating nanoscale structures by a convenient method and providing appropriate electrical interfacing to these structures. To adress this challenge, diblock copolymer films are used as a convenient self-assembling template for the fabrication of arrays of nanoscale elements. This results in a new fabrication method for producing integrated devices using block copolymer templates in combination with other lithographic methods. Associate Director of MassCREST. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Massachusetts Center for Renewable Energy Science & Technology (Mass-CREST) |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Solar and Fuel Cells
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Dhandapani Venkataraman Associate Professor, Chemistry 701A LGRT, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003-9336 413-545-2028 dv@chem.umass.edu http://www.chem.umass.edu/Faculty/venkataraman.htm |
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| Molecular and Macromolecular Synthesis and Nanoscale Assemblies for Photovoltaic Cells and Fuel Cells We focus on the synthesis of conjugated molecules and macromolecules (p- and n-type semiconductors) and their directed assembly into heterojunction structures. We equip molecules or macromolecules with appropriate side-chains, which will direct the assembly of p-type and n-type semiconductors into p-n junctions. We also focus on the synthesis oriented inorganic semiconductor nanorods and heterojunction arrays using porous templates derived cleavable diblock polymers. The porous templates can also be chemically modified for use as membranes for fuels cells. Bioinorganic conjugates of Inorganic semiconductor nanorods or nanoparticles and enzymes will also be used as catalysts for the generation of hydrogen from water. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Massachusetts Center for Renewable Energy Science & Technology (Mass-CREST) |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Solar
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James Watkins Professor, Polymer Science and Engineering Conte Research Center Room A616, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003- 413-545-2569 watkins@polysci.umass.edu http://www.pse.umass.edu/faculty/watkins.html |
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| Hybrid Solar Cells Hybrid organic-inorganic composite solar cells have the potential to deliver competitive conversion efficiencies at comparatively low cost relative to solid state devices. A simple design is a bilayer device in which a planar interface separates an inorganic semiconductor such as titania and a sensitized conjugated polymer sandwiched between electrodes. However, such a design suffers from low interfacial area and poor efficiency. Substantial improvements can be realized by the use of three-dimensional bulk heterojunctions. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Massachusetts Center for Renewable Energy Science & Technology (Mass-CREST) |
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Advanced Energy Research >> Harvest >> Biomass Conversion
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Sigfrid Yngvesson Professor Emeritus, Electrical and Computer Engineering 142B Marston Hall, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003-9293 413-545-0771 yngvesson@ecs.umass.edu http://www.ecs.umass.edu/ece/dept/people/faculty/yngvesson.html |
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| Microwave Effects on Catalytic Chemical Reactions Microwave energy can be used to enhance the catalysis of biomass conversion. |
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Center/Institute Affiliation(s): Laboratory for Millimeter Wave Devices and Applications (LAMMDA), Terahertz Laboratory (THz Lab) |
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