ND Energy has awarded another four undergraduate students at the University of Notre Dame the Vincent P. Slatt Fellowship for Undergraduate Research in Energy Systems and Processes. These students are recognized for their academic achievements and abilities to collaborate with ND Energy affiliated faculty on research projects that support one or more of ND Energy’s research focus areas. Research projects will be completed throughout the 2020/2021 academic year.
“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the Slatt family who have made this fellowship possible since 2006,” said Peter C. Burns, Henry J. Massman Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences and director of ND Energy. “It is pleasing to see so many students interested in learning about energy both in the classroom and in our laboratories.”
| Slatt Scholars announced in March: | |
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Austin Booth is a sophomore chemical engineering major and energy studies minor. His project, "Development of an Operando Spectroscopic Tool for Studying the Structure and Dynamics of Membranes in Complex Environments," focuses on developing new membrane support materials to improve the membrane separation process and substantially reduce the energy-intensity of industrial chemical separations. Booth will complete his research objectives in collaboration with Casey O'Brien, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, and his research group. |
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Peter Halloran is a sophomore science-business major and economics minor. His project, "Investigation of the Fast Pyrolysis of Lignocellulosic Biomass to Increase Bio-Oil Yield" focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of new catalysts for biomass conversion reactions, providing an alternative route to fuels and chemicals. Halloran will complete his research objectives in collaboration with Jason Hicks, associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, and his research group. |
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Andrew Scott Manning is a sophomore chemical engineering major. His project, "Engineering and Characterizing Porous Polymer Morphology for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries" focuses on advancing grid-scale energy storage solutions for the widespread implementation of intermittent renewable electricity generation technologies, such as photovoltaics and wind power, without losses in reliability. Manning will complete his research objectives in collaboration with Jennifer Schaefer, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, and her research group. |
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Matthew Riss is a junior environmental engineering major and Chinese minor. His project, "Synthesis, Characterization, and Thermodynamic Properties of a Suite of Thorium Nitrate Salts" focuses on improving feed material for advanced nuclear reactors based on the thorium cycle, which have the potential to be safer and more sustainable than typical uranium reactors. Riss will complete his research objectives in collaboration with Amy Hixon, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering and earth sciences, and her research group. |
| Slatt Scholars announced in January: | |
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Yi-Chung (Andrew) Chen is a junior majoring in aerospace and mechanical engineering. His project, “Determining the Effect of Microfibers for Drag Reduction in Fluid Flows,” focuses on designing patterns for microfibers/hydrophobic and hydrophilic coatings for drag reduction in fluid flows to increase efficiencies in flow systems. This will be done in collaboration with Hirotaka Sakaue, associate professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering, and his research group. |
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Daniel Palmer is a junior majoring in physics. His project, "Studying Conduction of Nematic Liquid Crystals," focuses on using computational techniques to measure and understand electrical conduction of specific phases of liquid crystals, which could lead to new developments in photovoltaics and display technology. This will be done in collaboration with Jonathan Whitmer, assistant professor chemical and biomolecular engineering, and his research group. |
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Kimberly Riordan is a junior majoring in chemistry. Her project, “Synthesis and Electrochemical Studies of T-shaped Sulfur Radicals,” focuses on synthesizing a different sulfur-based radical species by adding more electron-withdrawing groups to increase stabilization for the use of lithium-sulfur battery technology. This will be done in collaboration with Emily Tsui, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and her research group. |
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Andrew Smith is a junior majoring in chemistry and biochemistry. His project, "Preparation and Analysis of Photoswitchable Ionic Liquids," focuses on developing and optimizing a modular method to access highly substituted azopyrazolium cations for applications in ionic liquids, which can be used to limit the environmental impact of coolants for absorption-cooling systems. This will be done in collaboration with Brandon Ashfeld, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and his research group. |
At the conclusion of the fellowship year, students are requested to submit a final report, summarizing their research progress and results, and other scholarly outcomes. Students are also encouraged to present their research projects during University-sponsored events to showcase undergraduate research throughout the year.
Since the program began in 2006, ND Energy has made awards to 146 undergraduate students totaling $650,651 in support of undergraduate education and energy-related research at Notre Dame.
About ND Energy:
ND Energy is a University Research Center whose mission is to build a better world by creating new energy technologies and systems and educating individuals to help solve the most critical energy challenges facing our world today. For more information, visit the ND Energy website at energy.nd.edu or contact Barbara Villarosa, Business and Communications Program Director, at bvillaro@nd.edu or 574-631-4776.