The Center for Fueling the Future and MassCREST

Nov. 27, 2007

Contact:

Ed Blaguszewski 413/545-0444

AMHERST, Mass. – The Center for Fueling the Future will build on what is already an impressive body of alternative energy research at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Drawing on expertise in chemistry, physics, polymer science, biological sciences and nanotechnology, UMass Amherst’s Massachusetts Center for Renewable Energy, Science and Technology (MassCREST) comprises more than 25 scientists across five departments who work on clean energy research, from designing solar cells to engineering proteins to make fuel.

Support for MassCREST includes $200,000 from UMass President Jack Wilson’s Science and Technology Initiatives Fund and $1.6 million in funding secured with help from Congressman John W. Olver.

Led by co-directors S. “Thai” Thayumanavan and E. Bryan Coughlin, and associate director Mark T. Tuominen, the research effort at MassCREST is focused on three main areas: solar-powered devices (photovoltaics), fuels for the future, and fuel cells and batteries.

• Solar powered devices (photovoltaics): This research is focused on developing inexpensive devices that efficiently capture, convert and use solar energy. Research includes investigating light-harvesting materials, using nanostructures to enhance energy conversion efficiency, and creating new materials for lightweight, flexible and inexpensive devices.

• Fuels for the future: Research at the interface of chemistry and biology aims to address the global problem of supply and demand for fuel. Investigations include engineering proteins for hydrogen production using solar energy. Research also focuses on improving the efficiency of catalysts, which help make chemical reactions happen, and designing new catalysts for bio-based fuels.

• Fuel cells and batteries: This research effort is focused on improving fuel-cell design to build fuel cells and batteries that are thermally, chemically and mechanically stable under a wide range of conditions. Research includes designing fuel cell membranes that can operate under wide ranges of temperature and humidity, and making the overall energy conversion of fuel cells and batteries more efficient.

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