Research fusion/research lecture

RC Lecture Poster 2023
RC Lecture Poster 2023
Research Fusion Spring 2022

Research Council’s second Research Fusion will be taking place April 20 in the McNeil Room of the Student Recreation Center (by the Lockridge Arena) at 12! Presenters include: 

  • Rockwell Clancy, Qin Zhu (HASS) – “Responsible Engineering Across Cultures” 
  • Rennie Kaunda (MN) – “Remediation of Abandoned Mines Sites” 
  • Geoff Brennecka (MME) – “New Nitride Ferroelectrics”
  • Kathleen Hancock (HASS) – “New Actors in the Politics of Renewable Energy in the US and Beyond”
  • Chris Elvidge (Payne Institute) – “Nightly Global Monitoring of Gas Flaring”
  • Katharina Pfaff (GGE) – “Mineralogy and Geochemistry of the Subsurface: Understanding Domestic Critical Mineral Resources”
  • William Fleckenstein (PE) – “FORGE EGS Geothermal Project” 
  • Jonathan Lovekin (CGS) – “Debris Flow Early Warning Systems”
  • Salman Mohagheghi (EE) – “Power Grid Resilience Against Natural Disasters” 
  • Ian Lange (EB) – “An Insider’s View on Resource Policy in the White House”
Research Lecture 2021

The first Research Lecture was hosted November 30 at 2pm in the Boettcher room by Mohsen Asle Zaeem, 2021 Junior Excellence in Research Award Winner.

Quantitative and Transferable Computational Models for Study and Design of Advanced Materials

Mohsen Asle Zaeem, Ph.D., FASME
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Fryrear Endowed Chair for Innovation and Excellence

Director of Computational Materials & Mechanics Laboratory

Abstract: Predicting and controlling the process-structure-property relations in materials play important roles in study and design of advanced materials. With the recent progress in supercomputing, computational modeling and numerical simulations have become commanding modules in designing of new generation of high-performance and smart materials in a faster pace. In this talk, different transferrable computational models, integrating the density functional theory, molecular dynamics and phase-field approaches, will be presented to quantitatively simulate the nano and microstructures and determine the properties of different material systems. Computational examples will include study of: 1) electronic structures and properties of 2D materials for sensing and energy storage applications, 2) nano/microstructure evolution during solidification/crystallization of metals and alloys, and 3) structure-property relations in shape memory functional oxides and alloys for applications in thermo-electro-mechanical actuators.

Research Lecture 2022

The second Research Lecture was hosted March 31 at 3pm by Robert Braun,  2021 Senior Excellence in Research Award Winner.

Prospects of Emerging Electrochemical Energy Systems for Energy Storage and Conversion

Robert Braun, Ph.D.
Rowlinson Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Director Mines/NREL Advanced Energy Systems Program

Abstract: This presentation will highlight research accomplishments related to emerging solid oxide cell and protonic ceramic electrolyzer technologies, which are increasingly being targeted as attractive distributed energy solutions. Movement towards predominately low-carbon energy systems requires renewable resources and could be accelerated by integration with high temperature electrochemical technologies. Currently, substantial penetration of wind and solar resources into the electric power grid is challenged by their intermittency and the timing of generation which can place huge ramping requirements on central utility plants. This talk will discuss advances being made in distributed power generation, novel electrical energy storage systems derived from reversible fuel cell technology, and advances in protonic ceramics as dispatchable energy resources. In particular, full-scale hybrid fuel cell/engine system development progress targeting 70% electric efficiency will be highlighted. Reversible solid oxide cells (ReSOCs) are capable of providing high efficiency and cost-effective electrical energy storage. These systems operate sequentially between fuel-producing electrolysis and power-producing fuel-cell modes with storage of reactants and products (CO2/CH4 gases) in tanks for smaller-scale (kW) applications and between grid and natural gas infrastructures for larger scale (MW) systems. Physics-based modeling and simulation of these novel energy systems is a central element to our work, supporting and guiding technology development. The developed models are used to accelerate the design and development of hybrid fuel cell systems, as well as ReSOC and protonic ceramic electrolyzer technologies for both grid-scale energy storage and as a Power-to-Gas platform that can address issues with high renewables penetration. Peformance characteristics, scale-up and demonstration activities, and techno-economic outlook of these ceramic electrochemical energy conversion technologies are summarized.