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The Next Frontier for EV Batteries: Nanoscale Coatings

Susan Glairon — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 13:20:20 +0000

The Next Frontier for EV Batteries: Nanoscale Coatings Susan Glairon Fri, 09/20/2024 - 07:20

Paul Lichtey, CU ��«��Ƶ alumnus (ChemEngr PhD'11), is the CEO of Forge Nano, an atomic layer deposition company which appears to have the most-developed technology to coat battery electrodes with metal oxides or nitrides. The technology improves both the energy capacity and the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries.

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Research breakthrough could boost clean energy production

Susan Glairon — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 10:47:55 +0000

Research breakthrough could boost clean energy production Susan Glairon Mon, 09/16/2024 - 04:47

Professor Hendrik Heinz and his CU ��«��Ƶ team, along with collaborators from University of California, Los Angeles, achieved a breakthrough that could boost clean energy production. The research was featured on the cover of the journal “Nature Catalysis” in July.

In the study, researchers pinpointed the active sites of tiny platinum-alloy catalysts, which are crucial for making fuel cells more efficient at converting water into energy.

Fuel cells generate electricity through a chemical reaction, typically combining hydrogen with oxygen. Unlike traditional combustion engines, they produce energy without burning fuel, making fuel cells a clean, efficient technology, ideal for powering electric vehicles.

The catalysts accelerate the reactions that convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, making the process more efficient and enhancing the overall performance of the fuel cell. Using advanced 3D atomic imaging and machine learning, the study revealed how these catalysts work at an atomic level, providing insights that could help design better catalysts to address global energy challenges.

Cheng Zhu, a postdoctoral associate in the Heinz Group, made significant contributions to the study and recently joined the faculty at Guangdong Technion - Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) in China.

This research was supported by the National Science Foundation's Materials Genome Initiative, (DMREF), including the first Special Creativity Award in the DMREF program. Heinz led the CU ��«��Ƶ-UCLA team, which has resulted in more than 60 publications, including more than 10 papers in top journals like “Science” and “Nature” and high-level “Nature” journals such as “Nature Catalysis.” The UCLA team included the senior investigators Phillipe Sautet, Yu Huang and Jianwei (John) Miao.

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Discovery could lead to longer-lasting EV batteries, hasten energy transition

Susan Glairon — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 19:35:49 +0000

Discovery could lead to longer-lasting EV batteries, hasten energy transition Susan Glairon Thu, 09/12/2024 - 13:35

Batteries degrade over time, which is why older phones lose power faster. An international team led by Professor Mike Toney has uncovered the cause of this degradation, paving the way for improved batteries that could extend the range of electric vehicles and advance clean energy storage.

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A Band-Aid for the heart? New 3D printing method makes this, and much more, possible

Anonymous — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 15:19:49 +0000

A Band-Aid for the heart? New 3D printing method makes this, and much more, possible Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 08/02/2024 - 09:19

Scientists face a challenge in creating life-like materials to replace human tissues, which are both strong and stretchable. A CU ��«��Ƶ-led team, including Professor Jason Burdick, has developed a 3D-printing method to create materials that are elastic enough for a beating heart, tough enough for joints, and easily shaped to fit a patient's unique needs.

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Converting captured carbon to fuel: Study assesses what’s practical and what’s not

Anonymous — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 14:43:17 +0000

Converting captured carbon to fuel: Study assesses what’s practical and what’s not Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 07/24/2024 - 08:43

In a study published May 1 in the journal ACS Energy Letters, researchers at CU ��«��Ƶ and collaborators proposed a more sustainable design for capturing CO2 and converting it to fuels.

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Mourning the loss of Douglas Gin, former ChBE professor

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 14:15:28 +0000

Mourning the loss of Douglas Gin, former ChBE professor Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 07/23/2024 - 08:15

Professor Douglas Gin, a CU ��«��Ƶ professor of chemistry, passed away on July 5 in a car accident. He was 58.

From 2001 to 2018, Gin was also a member of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering faculty before transitioning exclusively to chemistry.

Gin's funeral will take place on Friday, July 26 at 9:30 a.m. at Carroll Lewellen Funeral Home, 503 Terry St, Longmont. Following the service, a graveside service will be held at Foothills Gardens of Memory Cemetery on Hwy 287 in Longmont. A simple reception will follow back at the funeral home. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, July 25 at the funeral home from 4-7 p.m.

Gin's obituary can be viewed on the funeral home website. A link to the livestream of the funeral service is available by clicking on the Funeral Service box. If you plan to attend the funeral events in person, the family asks that you RSVP via the same website.

A Celebration of Life for close family and friends will be held at the St Julien Hotel and Spa, 900 Walnut Street, ��«��Ƶ, on Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to noon. For any questions regarding this event, please contact Gin’s long-time collaborator Richard Noble.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to support of Gin’s children, Nathan and Amanda, during this difficult time.

Professor Douglas Gin, a former member of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering faculty, passed away on July 5 in a car accident. He was 58.

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CU ��«��Ƶ receives $1M grant to advance biofabrication training for PhD students

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 22:42:38 +0000

CU ��«��Ƶ receives $1M grant to advance biofabrication training for PhD students Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 07/15/2024 - 16:42

CU ��«��Ƶ's Materials Science and Engineering Program received a $1M grant to fund doctoral research training in biofabrication, a field that enables precise and effective ways to study and treat medical conditions, such as growing new organs or repairing damaged tissues.

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Welcoming two new faculty to Chemical and Biological Engineering

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 19:29:34 +0000

Welcoming two new faculty to Chemical and Biological Engineering Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 06/26/2024 - 13:29

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering is proud to introduce two new teaching assistant professors: Katie O'Harra, specializing in polymers and dedicated to highlighting the societal impacts of chemical engineering, and Trevor Franklin, who brings a diverse background from both industry and academia, including NSF-funded engineering education.

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Chemical and Biological Engineering announces Professor Ryan Hayward as new chair

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 20:12:26 +0000

Chemical and Biological Engineering announces Professor Ryan Hayward as new chair Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 06/25/2024 - 14:12

Susan Glairon

Professor Ryan Hayward with his dogs, Violet (left) and Maggie, at Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada.

Professor Ryan Hayward has witnessed the continued advancement of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering since he joined CU ��«��Ƶ four years ago. Now he’s looking forward to stepping into his new role as department chair.

Hayward, who holds the James and Catherine Patten Endowed Professorship of Chemical and Biological Engineering, was elected chair by the department’s faculty. His term begins on July 1.

“Our department is among the top chemical and biological engineering departments in the country,” Hayward said. “Our faculty has never been more vibrant in research and in contributions to the department’s culture. Over the past several years, we’ve hired fantastic junior faculty and made a number of excellent senior-level hires. In addition, our graduate students are more qualified and more diverse than ever before.

“It thrills me to be part of this,” he added.

Hayward replaces Professor Will Medlin, who led the department as chair for four years. Medlin is credited with deftly piloting the department through the challenges of COVID and overseeing a period of strong growth in faculty, funded research and the graduate program.

As chair, Hayward plans to hire several faculty in key areas, including sustainability, biological engineering, computational engineering and materials.

He also aims to increase undergraduate enrollment and improve communication with undergraduate students about the value and versatility of the department’s biological engineering and chemical engineering degrees, which not only prepare students for careers in traditional fields, like petrochemicals and oil and gas, but also in materials science, microelectronics, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, sustainability and medicine, among others.

Leadership path

Over the past three years, Hayward received two major departmental awards, including the department’s Overall Achievement Award (2023) and the Engineering Service Award (2021).

“It’s truly flattering to be recognized in this way, especially considering the many faculty in the department who excel in research, teaching and service,” Hayward said of his receiving the Overall Achievement Award. “This year was particularly balanced for me, with several positive developments for my research team, including the publication of a few high-impact papers. While my graduate students and postdocs deserve most of the credit for these achievements, I am honored to receive this award on their behalf.”

Hayward added that he has taught the polymer engineering class for the past several years. Each year, he tries to make improvements to the course.

“This year, those changes resonated well with the class, contributing to a great semester,” he said.

Hayward’s service award was based on his role as a faculty associate chair, where he oversaw faculty promotion, tenure, hiring and mentoring as well as social and scientific events, fostering community and scientific engagement between faculty. Externally, he is also a member of the leadership team in the Division of Polymer Physics for the American Physical Society.

Hayward’s research focuses on responsive materials, which change their properties when a parameter is adjusted. Light-responsive materials use light to control and power materials wirelessly, with potential applications in robotics, autonomous vehicles and small submersible aircraft. Electrically responsive materials have potential uses in virtual reality devices, such as simulating a touch sensation by controlling the stiffness of a glove, and in medical devices with an exoskeleton that stiffens or softens as a person moves. They also have applications in industrial processing for handling objects or substrates.

“I am truly honored that my colleagues have asked me to take on this role," Hayward said. "I look forward to contributing to the continued development of a collaborative, innovative and inclusive culture in the department."

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CU ��«��Ƶ chemical engineering graduate program ranked no. 11 among public universities

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 16:12:43 +0000

CU ��«��Ƶ chemical engineering graduate program ranked no. 11 among public universities Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 06/18/2024 - 10:12

When compared with its public university peers, the College of Engineering and Applied Science’s graduate program was ranked No. 12.

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News

The Next Frontier for EV Batteries: Nanoscale Coatings

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Research breakthrough could boost clean energy production

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Discovery could lead to longer-lasting EV batteries, hasten energy transition

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A Band-Aid for the heart? New 3D printing method makes this, and much more, possible

Converting captured carbon to fuel: Study assesses what’s practical and what’s not

Mourning the loss of Douglas Gin, former ChBE professor

CU ��«����Ƶ receives $1M grant to advance biofabrication training for PhD students

Welcoming two new faculty to Chemical and Biological Engineering

Chemical and Biological Engineering announces Professor Ryan Hayward as new chair

Leadership path

CU ��«����Ƶ chemical engineering graduate program ranked no. 11 among public universities

CU ��«��Ƶ receives $1M grant to advance biofabrication training for PhD students

CU ��«��Ƶ chemical engineering graduate program ranked no. 11 among public universities