Low Carbon Energy Technologies | Energy Systems | Nanostructured Energy Conversion Devices
Research overview
The goal of our work is to accelerate the discovery and scaling of new energy technologies. Our research focuses on discovering frameworks and quantitative methods to compare and optimize energy technologies by integrating technological details and climate change mitigation targets. We take a data-driven, quantitative approach to studying the dynamics of change and performance limits of various energy systems. We are also developing models to guide materials optimization in nanostructured energy conversion devices.
Current projects
Energy Technology Performance - We are interested in the dynamics of innovation, performance, and scalability of low-carbon energy technologies. This work involves analyzing large data-sets, modeling the impact of engineering design characteristics on the rate of improvement, assessing materials and energy resource sizes, and characterizing performance limits.
Materials Optimization Map - We are working on an optimization method to accelerate materials discovery for nanostructured low-carbon energy conversion technologies. This framework aims to speed up the rate of search for desirable materials architectures, and links nanoscale features to the cost and scalability of devices.
Teaching
New class at MIT - Mapping and Evaluating New Energy Technologies (ESD.938, Spring 2011) - This project-based graduate seminar covers recent developments in new energy conversion and storage technologies. The merits of alternative technologies will be debated based on their environmental performance and cost, and their potential improvement and scalability. Project teams will develop quantitative models and interactive visualization tools to inform the future development of these technologies. Models may probe how the impact of a technology depends on assumptions about future advancements in materials or device design. Other projects may develop models for rational design choices (the selection of a particular material or processing technique) based on economic and environmental performance and physical constraints.
Energy Systems and Climate Change Mitigation (ESD.124, Fall 2011) - This class explores global greenhouse gas emissions from energy systems and potential levers for reducing emissions. Lectures and projects focus on decomposing contributions to greenhouse gas emissions, with a particular emphasis on technology related variables such as per unit cost and carbon intensity of energy. Student projects explore technological change pathways for realizing emissions reduction scenarios. Topics include comparisons of the mitigation potential of different energy technologies, empirical studies and models of technological change dynamics, and models for technology portfolio management.