{"692179":{"#nid":"692179","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Center Seeks to Unlock the Science of Turbulence for Energy, Flight, and Discovery","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMost people know turbulence as the force that can make airplane flights bumpy. Scientists recognize it as one of the most important, yet unsolved, problems in physics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDespite decades of research, the chaotic nature of turbulence makes it difficult to predict and control. This challenge impedes more than smoother air travel. Solving the turbulence problem could lead to advances in areas ranging from sustainable energy to training a smarter workforce for the era of artificial intelligence (AI).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo advance understanding of turbulence, the National Science Foundation is establishing a new, $30 million Science and Technology Center (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/news\/nsf-launches-three-new-science-technology-centers-90m\u0022\u003ESTC\u003C\/a\u003E) at Michigan State University. Georgia Tech is among eight universities supporting the center.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAssistant Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/tangqi.github.io\/\u0022\u003EQi Tang\u003C\/a\u003E will join the STC for Transformative Explorations in Multi-Physics and Engineering of Scientific Turbulence (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/tempest-stc.msu.edu\/\u0022\u003ETEMPEST\u003C\/a\u003E). TEMPEST, launching on Sept. 1, aims to build trustworthy, predictive models of real-world turbulence.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang will lead TEMPEST\u2019s modeling and scientific machine learning (ML) efforts. NSF will fund Tang and Georgia Tech with over $1 million from the center\u2019s five-year, $30 million award.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy understanding and predicting turbulence, TEMPEST can unlock new applications, with a focus on fusion energy and national security. The center will also generate long-term research projects with applications in air and space flight, manufacturing, chemistry, and broaden science education and AI fluency.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTurbulence has resisted prediction for a century,\u201d said Tang, a faculty member in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Computational Science and Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (CSE).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSTC TEMPEST aims to develop a unified, predictive science that advances fusion energy, improves hypersonic technologies, and deepens our understanding of how stars created the elements that make up our world and ourselves. For everyday people, the center points toward abundant clean energy and faster, more efficient flight.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETurbulence is the motion of a fluid characterized by chaotic changes in pressure and speed. Turbulent flows can occur across all scales, from interactions between subatomic particles to astrophysical scales, including supernovas, black holes, and cosmic rays.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile turbulent flows are common and occur naturally, scientists still do not fully understand them. Small changes in a turbulent flow can produce dramatically different outcomes. Combined with the countless interactions across multiple scales of time and space, this makes turbulence extraordinarily difficult to predict.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cRather than studying individual pieces of this enormously complex problem in isolation, we are bringing together theory, experimentation, computation and artificial intelligence to develop a deeper understanding of turbulence across scales,\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/msutoday.msu.edu\/news\/2026\/08\/nsf-grant-turbulence-research-center\u0022\u003Esaid Michael Murillo\u003C\/a\u003E, an MSU professor and the director of TEMPEST.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur goal is not simply to understand turbulence better, but to make it predictable and controllable in ways that will enable new technologies and scientific discoveries.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe NSF TEMPEST award supports students and researchers at Michigan State University,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/wire.auburn.edu\/content\/cosam\/2026\/08\/261600-nsf-turbulence-center.php?utm_source=auburn-today\u0026amp;utm_medium=web\u0022\u003EAuburn University\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.web.baylor.edu\/news\/story\/2026\/baylor-astrophysicists-among-partners-30-million-nsf-grant-establish-turbulence\u0022\u003EBaylor University\u003C\/a\u003E, Georgia Tech,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/blogs.sjsu.edu\/newsroom\/2026\/sjsu-researchers-join-30m-nsf-science-and-technology-center-to-tackle-turbulence\/\u0022\u003ESan Jos\u00e9 State University\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.tamucc.edu\/news\/2026\/08\/images\/tamu-cc-researcher-to-be-part-of-nsf-funded-turbulence-research-center.php\u0022\u003ETexas A\u0026amp;M University-Corpus Christi\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/nsf-funded-tempest-turbulence-research-center-716372\/\u0022\u003EUniversity of Rochester\u003C\/a\u003E, and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.yale.edu\/2026\/08\/28\/tempest-collaboration-will-take-turbulence\u0022\u003EYale University\u003C\/a\u003E to combine theory, computation, AI techniques, and experimentation to build trustworthy predictive models of real-world turbulence for high-consequence applications.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdditional partners include Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Pacific Fusion, and General Atomics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETogether, TEMPEST researchers will build more accurate and reliable physics-grounded models. The center will test new ideas against real-world observations, then use those results to refine the models.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang contributes expertise in ML, scientific computing, and plasma physics to STC TEMPEST.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEarlier this year, Tang received an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/department-energy-award-power-nuclear-research-machine-learning\u0022\u003EEarly Career Research award\u003C\/a\u003E from the Department of Energy\u2019s Office of Science. He is using the award to build ML and data science tools that help scientists analyze massive datasets from fusion experiments and simulations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis interdisciplinary approach is intended to move science from understanding why turbulence behaves as it does to predicting how it will behave. Through prediction and simulation, scientists could eventually engineer solutions to control turbulence in real-world scenarios.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe center will make its data and software broadly available and engage the public through museum exhibitions, immersive media, and educational programs that are expected to reach more than 10,000 K-12 students annually. TEMPEST will also help train an AI-fluent scientific workforce prepared to tackle complex problems across disciplines.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOne reason I am excited to work in TEMPEST is because it aligns perfectly with our School of CSE mission. As a discipline, CSE complements theory and experimentation as a mode of scientific discovery,\u201d Tang said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe build computational models to simulate scientific and engineering concepts, like turbulence in this case, so that we can test theories that are too difficult, expensive, or risky for physical experiments.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETo advance understanding of turbulence, the National Science Foundation is establishing a new, $30 million Science and Technology Center (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/news\/nsf-launches-three-new-science-technology-centers-90m\u0022\u003ESTC\u003C\/a\u003E) at Michigan State University. Georgia Tech is among eight universities supporting the center.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"To advance understanding of turbulence, the National Science Foundation is establishing a new, $30 million Science and Technology Center (STC) at Michigan State University. Georgia Tech is among eight universities supporting the center."}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2026-09-01 16:21:43","changed_gmt":"2026-09-10 19:00:07","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-09-01T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-09-01T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"681026":{"id":"681026","type":"image","title":"TEMPEST-Head-Image.png","body":null,"created":"1788279712","gmt_created":"2026-09-01 16:21:52","changed":"1788279712","gmt_changed":"2026-09-01 16:21:52","alt":"TEMPEST Supernova","file":{"fid":"265373","name":"TEMPEST-Head-Image.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/01\/TEMPEST-Head-Image.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/01\/TEMPEST-Head-Image.png","mime":"image\/png","size":900620,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/09\/01\/TEMPEST-Head-Image.png?itok=SqyzW4L4"}},"681027":{"id":"681027","type":"image","title":"Collapsing-Star.png","body":null,"created":"1788281400","gmt_created":"2026-09-01 16:50:00","changed":"1788281400","gmt_changed":"2026-09-01 16:50:00","alt":"TEMPEST Collapsing Star","file":{"fid":"265375","name":"Collapsing-Star.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/01\/Collapsing-Star.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/01\/Collapsing-Star.png","mime":"image\/png","size":169940,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/09\/01\/Collapsing-Star.png?itok=GAu9n5Pu"}}},"media_ids":["681026","681027"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"132","name":"Institute Leadership"},{"id":"194685","name":"Manufacturing"},{"id":"147","name":"Military Technology"},{"id":"194610","name":"National Interests\/National Security"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"9167","name":"machine learning"},{"id":"170447","name":"Institute for Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"195119","name":"applied physics"},{"id":"4079","name":"astrophysics"},{"id":"2082","name":"aerospace engineering"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"},{"id":"39481","name":"National Security"},{"id":"193657","name":"Space Research Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"692462":{"#nid":"692462","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Warming Climate Could Actually Increase Physical Activity, Georgia Tech Economist Finds","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EHardly anyone loves exercising in the festering crucible of a brutal summer heatwave. So it stands to reason that as global temperatures rise, the kind of physical activity that\u2019s so crucial for our health and economic productivity could fall.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0047272726000745?via%3Dihub\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003Erecent research\u003C\/a\u003E from Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/econ.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003ESchool of Economics\u003C\/a\u003E in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts suggests adding an asterisk to earlier research that makes that conclusion, saying previous studies failed to account for one simple fact: people adapt.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech economist \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/889222ee-d2fd-599b-9140-79d7dc30afeb\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBobby Harris\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E used a massive database of Fitbit step count data to measure how temperature shapes physical activity and found that extreme heat cuts step counts by 6% when compared to ideal weather. And while residents of the warmest regions cut their activity by an average of only 354 steps on days over 100 degrees, those living in the coldest regions cut theirs by 1,081, according to Harris\u2019 analysis.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo be fair, cold bites, too. On days that stay below freezing, people take roughly 1,000 fewer steps. That\u2019s a 12% drop, enough to pack on a pound over the course of a typical Madison, Wisconsin winter, Harris found.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut as the climate grows warmer, how humanity will respond to warmer temperatures remains a significant concern. In fact, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/content\/392\/bmj.s514\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003Eearlier research\u003C\/a\u003E projected that, by 2050, temperature-driven declines in physical activity could contribute to 500,000 premature deaths a year worldwide and annual productivity losses topping $2.4 billion.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProjections like those typically assume everyone responds to heat the same way, with no capacity to adapt, Harris said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/featured-news\/2026\/09\/climate-change-physical-activity-adaptation\u0022\u003ERead Full Story on the IAC News Page\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ef65b166366f6499d63005112fb785d6f\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Finding\u003C\/strong\u003E: A study led by economist Bobby Harris at Georgia Tech\u0027s Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts reveals climate change could increase average U.S. physical activity by 893 steps per day by 2099 as people adapt to rising temperatures.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e89b00ae19f9597ec785b646581c9fc95\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBy the Numbers\u003C\/strong\u003E: Fitbit data used in Harris\u2019 study show that warm-climate residents are \u003Cstrong\u003E50% less sensitive\u003C\/strong\u003E to heat extremes than northern neighbors, \u003Cstrong\u003Ecutting 354 steps on hot days\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cstrong\u003Ecompared to 1,081 in cooler regions\u003C\/strong\u003E.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022eb7df64a5e9dccfd5ae6f4af39678e1e6\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExpert Insight\u003C\/strong\u003E: \u0022There are still significant dangers to rising temperatures, but we must better factor adaptive capacity into conversations about climate change,\u201d Harris said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":" study led by economist Bobby Harris at Georgia Tech\u0027s Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts reveals climate change could increase average U.S. physical activity by 893 steps per day by 2099 as people adapt to rising temperatures. "}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-09-09 16:23:47","changed_gmt":"2026-09-09 16:25:50","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-09-01T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-09-01T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"681107":{"id":"681107","type":"image","title":"climate-and-activity-paper-harris--1-.jpg","body":null,"created":"1788971073","gmt_created":"2026-09-09 16:24:33","changed":"1788971073","gmt_changed":"2026-09-09 16:24:33","alt":"Person holding a water bottle in their left hand wearing a smart watch and a towel on his shoulder appearing to be after a workout","file":{"fid":"265463","name":"climate-and-activity-paper-harris--1-.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/09\/climate-and-activity-paper-harris--1-.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/09\/climate-and-activity-paper-harris--1-.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":59696,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/09\/09\/climate-and-activity-paper-harris--1-.jpg?itok=jVZ4yMKf"}}},"media_ids":["681107"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/featured-news\/2026\/09\/climate-change-physical-activity-adaptation","title":"Read Full Story on IAC News Page"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"692255":{"#nid":"692255","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Matthew McDowell Named to National Academies Committee on Future Battery Technologies","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESchool of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) professor Matthew McDowell has been appointed to a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine committee. The appointed committee will explore current and next-generation battery energy storage technologies for defense applications.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe committee, convened through the National Academies\u0027 project \u003Cem\u003EFuture of Battery Technology Options for Defense Applications\u003C\/em\u003E, will identify the strengths and weaknesses of future battery technologies, including an examination of performance, safety, and manufacturability across technology and manufacturing readiness levels. The committee will also identify gaps where research investments could potentially improve battery capabilities across technology and manufacturing readiness levels, creating opportunities to leverage commercially available technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith a joint appointment in MSE and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ethe George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, McDowell is internationally recognized for his research on batteries and energy storage materials. His work focuses on understanding how materials change during battery operation and using that knowledge to develop safer, more efficient, and more sustainable energy storage systems. McDowell is also co-director of the Georgia Tech Advanced Battery Center. He leads research spanning solid-state batteries, lithium-ion and sodium-ion technologies, and next-generation energy storage materials. \u201cI am very thankful to be selected, and I look forward to working with colleagues on developing recommendations to advance battery technologies in support of our country,\u0022 said McDowell.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mse.gatech.edu\/news\/matthew-mcdowell-named-national-academies-committee-future-battery-technologies\u0022\u003ERead Full Story on the MSE Newspage\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESchool of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) professor Matthew McDowell has been appointed to a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine committee. The appointed committee will explore current and next-generation battery energy storage technologies for defense applications.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe committee, convened through the National Academies\u0027 project \u003Cem\u003EFuture of Battery Technology Options for Defense Applications\u003C\/em\u003E, will identify the strengths and weaknesses of future battery technologies, including an examination of performance, safety, and manufacturability across technology and manufacturing readiness levels. The committee will also identify gaps where research investments could potentially improve battery capabilities across technology and manufacturing readiness levels, creating opportunities to leverage commercially available technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith a joint appointment in MSE and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ethe George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, McDowell is internationally recognized for his research on batteries and energy storage materials. His work focuses on understanding how materials change during battery operation and using that knowledge to develop safer, more efficient, and more sustainable energy storage systems. McDowell is also co-director of the Georgia Tech Advanced Battery Center.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"School of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) professor Matthew McDowell has been appointed to a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine committee."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-09-03 14:23:39","changed_gmt":"2026-09-03 14:27:25","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-08-25T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-08-25T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"681061":{"id":"681061","type":"image","title":"McDowell_Crop2.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMatthew McDowell, Professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering and George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and Co-director of Georgia Tech Advanced Battery Center\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1788445424","gmt_created":"2026-09-03 14:23:44","changed":"1788445424","gmt_changed":"2026-09-03 14:23:44","alt":"Matthew McDowell","file":{"fid":"265412","name":"McDowell_Crop2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/03\/McDowell_Crop2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/03\/McDowell_Crop2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":178659,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/09\/03\/McDowell_Crop2.jpg?itok=Ewb0JKyI"}}},"media_ids":["681061"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/mse.gatech.edu\/news\/matthew-mcdowell-named-national-academies-committee-future-battery-technologies","title":"Read Full Story on MSE News Page"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"194607","name":"Batteries"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"692254":{"#nid":"692254","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Ellen Mazumdar Earns NASA Early Career Faculty Award for Spacecraft Heat Shield Research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/mazumdar-0\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEllen Yi Chen Mazumdar,\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E assistant professor and Woodruff Faculty Fellow in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, has received a NASA Early Career Faculty (ECF) Award to develop new methods for studying the extreme conditions spacecraft experience during atmospheric entry.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis award is part of NASA\u2019s Space Technology Research Grants Program, which supports groundbreaking projects with the potential to transform space science and technology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough the three-year, $750,000 award, Mazumdar and her research team will develop laser-based methods to simultaneously measure temperature, chemical species, gas velocity, and other properties in the gases surrounding heat shield materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe aim to implement our measurement techniques in arc jet or plasma jet facilities, like the ones at NASA, to assist with the evaluation of thermal protection systems for next-generation spacecraft,\u201d Mazumdar said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe project uses ultrafast lasers, which produce extremely short, high-intensity pulses. These pulses allow researchers to study the behavior of molecules on extremely short timescales and measure properties that can improve understanding of the gases surrounding a spacecraft during atmospheric entry.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMazumdar said she and her students are excited about this project and hope it will help NASA develop new heat shields for spacecraft traveling to destinations such as Mars, Venus, and Titan.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/news\/ellen-mazumdar-earns-nasa-early-career-faculty-award-spacecraft-heat-shield-research\u0022\u003ERead Full Story on the ME Webpage\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/mazumdar-0\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEllen Yi Chen Mazumdar,\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E assistant professor and Woodruff Faculty Fellow in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, has received a NASA Early Career Faculty (ECF) Award to develop new methods for studying the extreme conditions spacecraft experience during atmospheric entry.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis award is part of NASA\u2019s Space Technology Research Grants Program, which supports groundbreaking projects with the potential to transform space science and technology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough the three-year, $750,000 award, Mazumdar and her research team will develop laser-based methods to simultaneously measure temperature, chemical species, gas velocity, and other properties in the gases surrounding heat shield materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe aim to implement our measurement techniques in arc jet or plasma jet facilities, like the ones at NASA, to assist with the evaluation of thermal protection systems for next-generation spacecraft,\u201d Mazumdar said.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Ellen Yi Chen Mazumdar, assistant professor in the Woodruff School has received a NASA Early Career Faculty (ECF) Award to develop new methods for studying the extreme conditions spacecraft experience during atmospheric entry."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-09-03 14:18:57","changed_gmt":"2026-09-03 14:21:47","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-08-25T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-08-25T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"681060":{"id":"681060","type":"image","title":"Mazumdar_web.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EEllen Yi Chen Mazumdar, assistant professor and Woodruff Faculty Fellow in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1788445171","gmt_created":"2026-09-03 14:19:31","changed":"1788445171","gmt_changed":"2026-09-03 14:19:31","alt":"Ellen Yi Chen Mazumdar, assistant professor and Woodruff Faculty Fellow in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering","file":{"fid":"265411","name":"Mazumdar_web.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/03\/Mazumdar_web.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/03\/Mazumdar_web.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":137639,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/09\/03\/Mazumdar_web.jpg?itok=HbzEsBLK"}}},"media_ids":["681060"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/news\/ellen-mazumdar-earns-nasa-early-career-faculty-award-spacecraft-heat-shield-research","title":"Full Story on the ME Newspage"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ETracie Troha, ME Communications\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"692182":{"#nid":"692182","#data":{"type":"news","title":"DOE Assistant Secretary Catherine Jereza Visits NEETRAC","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/oe\/person\/catherine-jereza\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAssistant Secretary Catherine Jereza\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E of the U.S. Department of Energy\u0027s (DoE) Office of Electricity visited the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neetrac.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENational Electric Energy Testing, Research and Applications Center\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (NEETRAC) on August 20, it provided an opportunity for researchers to showcase their latest work and discuss the challenges facing America\u0027s electric grid.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/08\/doe-assistant-secretary-catherine-jereza-visits-neetrac\u0022\u003ERead more.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe nationally recognized Georgia Tech consortium brings together industry, government, and academia to advance power grid reliability and innovation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The nationally recognized Georgia Tech consortium brings together industry, government, and academia to advance power grid reliability and innovation. "}],"uid":"36172","created_gmt":"2026-09-01 18:56:26","changed_gmt":"2026-09-03 14:15:22","author":"dwatson71","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-09-01T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-09-01T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"681030":{"id":"681030","type":"image","title":"DoE-NEETRAC-Visit-8.png","body":null,"created":"1788288999","gmt_created":"2026-09-01 18:56:39","changed":"1788288999","gmt_changed":"2026-09-01 18:56:39","alt":"Department of Energy Office of Electricity Assistant Secretary Catherine Jereza (center) tours NEETRAC\u0027s research and testing facilities at GeorgiaTech. The visit highlighted the center\u0027s work with utilities, manufacturers, and government partners to address emerging challenges facingthe nation\u0027s electric grid.","file":{"fid":"265378","name":"DoE-NEETRAC-Visit-8.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/01\/DoE-NEETRAC-Visit-8.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/01\/DoE-NEETRAC-Visit-8.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1969060,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/09\/01\/DoE-NEETRAC-Visit-8.png?itok=cauoi5LR"}}},"media_ids":["681030"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"692032":{"#nid":"692032","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Open Source, Big Ideas: Scientific Computing Community Heading to Georgia Tech","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBefore building a fusion reactor, designing a new aircraft, or forecasting tsunamis, scientists and engineers test their ideas using computer simulations. The people who create and use the software that powers these simulations are meeting in Atlanta this fall to share best practices and improve their tools.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is hosting the 2026 MFEM (Modular Finite Element Methods) Community Workshop, Sept. 22-25. MFEM supports research in computational physics, earth systems modeling, engineering, energy, and other fields.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe four-day\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mfem.org\/workshop\/\u0022\u003Eworkshop\u003C\/a\u003E is being held at the\u0026nbsp;Georgia Tech Global Learning Center and will focus on improving software for scientific computing and discovery. Participants can also attend online. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSc95PhC-tyb2V63iEtp7Dto6P8odbePLJl7Ok26cffsGegNtg\/viewform\u0022\u003ERegistration\u003C\/a\u003E for the workshop is open through Sept. 11.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe\u0027re very excited and grateful for the opportunity to have this workshop at Georgia Tech,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.llnl.gov\/kolev1\u0022\u003ETzanio Kolev\u003C\/a\u003E, a computational mathematician at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech has a great reputation in our field, and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/computing.llnl.gov\/about\/newsroom\/mfem-workshop-2025\u0022\u003Ehosting at universities\u003C\/a\u003E is a great way to connect with students. We see students as our future colleagues who will improve MFEM for generations to come.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMFEM is an open-source software library for solving equations in computational models. Scientists and engineers use it to build and test virtual designs on some of the world\u2019s most powerful supercomputers before creating real-world prototypes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn fact, MFEM powered a tsunami early-warning model that ran on\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.llnl.gov\/news\/highlights\/el-capitan-high-performance-computing\u0022\u003EEl Capitan\u003C\/a\u003E, the world\u2019s second-fastest supercomputer. The framework completed a simulation in a fraction of a second, 10 billion times faster than conventional algorithms. Kolev was part of the team that won the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.llnl.gov\/article\/53636\/llnl-ut-ucsd-win-gordon-bell-prize-exascale-tsunami-forecasting\u0022\u003E2025 Gordon Bell Prize\u003C\/a\u003E for the project.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMFEM\u2019s impact extends beyond its original developers. The AWS Center for Quantum Computing uses the software as the foundation for a tool called\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/aws.amazon.com\/blogs\/quantum-computing\/aws-releases-open-source-software-palace-for-cloud-based-electromagnetics-simulations-of-quantum-computing-hardware\/\u0022\u003EPalace\u003C\/a\u003E. This project runs 3D electromagnetic simulations to aid in the design of quantum computing hardware.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThese workshops have been very beneficial for both the broader user community and also for MFEM developers,\u201d said Kolev.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEvery workshop, we are surprised by the ways people are building on our work, seeing what incredible, interesting, amazing things they do with it.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENext month\u2019s workshop at Georgia Tech will connect MFEM users and developers from national laboratories, academia, government, and industry.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority joins LLNL and Georgia Tech in sponsoring this year\u2019s workshop. Nearly 20 scientists from Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories are attending in person. They represent LLNL, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, and the Naval Nuclear Laboratory.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe workshop\u2019s first day features a free, hybrid tutorial.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/hpcic.llnl.gov\/\u0022\u003ELLNL\u2019s High Performance Computing Innovation Center\u003C\/a\u003E will lead the tutorial, helping new users get started with MFEM and learn what the software can do. The tutorial\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/llnlfed.webex.com\/webappng\/sites\/llnlfed\/meeting\/register\/8ebcc46f456b4ad18d9a52681e65dbc4?ticket=4832534b00000007c5b494f01c941f17a12a8cd43c82453c4f35f60a3648a272a8d8a99672c47aa6\u0026amp;timestamp=1787231662277\u0026amp;RGID=rb48e17ed4f10072dffdae65cdeffe44f\u0026amp;isAutoPopRegisterForm=false\u0022\u003Erequires separate registration\u003C\/a\u003E for virtual participants.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe workshop will also host a simulation and visualization contest. Participants can submit images and videos of simulations using MFEM, which will be posted in a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mfem.org\/gallery\/\u0022\u003Egallery\u003C\/a\u003E. The workshop organizers will select an overall winner.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFurther workshop activities include:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ee31916319061709fa9a28fec836fd3bf\u0022\u003EMFEM news and roadmap for future projects\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022edce38a0a18d98d1d7fa524b78a89e1f8\u0022\u003ETalks from application developers\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ed8c28becfd96baa3239b50eb0c1330d7\u0022\u003EStudent-user lightning talks\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e11e59f4f20a8a56dee6c6eafabc7390e\u0022\u003EIn-person poster sessions\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e43fcdf35c0105418070457776f42b786\u0022\u003EOffice hours with MFEM experts\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe MFEM workshop highlights the role open-source software plays in scientific discovery.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy making tools freely available, researchers can build on each other\u2019s work rather than starting from scratch. This shared approach can accelerate innovation, improve software, and make advanced computing tools accessible to a wider community.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech hosts a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ssecenter.cc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Scientific Software Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and an\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ospo.cc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EOpen-Source Program Office\u003C\/a\u003E. This year\u2019s workshop connects these units with the MFEM community to help put the software into the hands of more researchers across science and engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe MFEM workshop aims to foster collaboration among all MFEM users and developers,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/tangqi.github.io\/\u0022\u003EQi Tang\u003C\/a\u003E, a workshop organizer and assistant professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Computational Science and Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHosting its annual community workshop brings researchers from DOE laboratories, universities, and industry to campus, giving Georgia Tech faculty and students direct access to experts from the field.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBefore building a fusion reactor, designing a new aircraft, or forecasting tsunamis, scientists and engineers test their ideas using computer simulations. The people who create and use the software that powers these simulations are meeting in Atlanta this fall to share best practices and improve their tools.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is hosting the 2026 MFEM (Modular Finite Element Methods) Community Workshop, Sept. 22-25. MFEM supports research in computational physics, earth systems modeling, engineering, energy, and other fields.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe four-day\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mfem.org\/workshop\/\u0022\u003Eworkshop\u003C\/a\u003E is being held at the\u0026nbsp;Georgia Tech Global Learning Center and will focus on improving software for scientific computing and discovery. Participants can also attend online. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSc95PhC-tyb2V63iEtp7Dto6P8odbePLJl7Ok26cffsGegNtg\/viewform\u0022\u003ERegistration\u003C\/a\u003E for the workshop is open through Sept. 11.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech is hosting the 2026 MFEM (Modular Finite Element Methods) Community Workshop, Sept. 22-25. MFEM supports research in computational physics, earth systems modeling, engineering, energy, and other fields. 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Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"},{"id":"170447","name":"Institute for Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"9167","name":"machine learning"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"194384","name":"Tech AI"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"},{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"691311":{"#nid":"691311","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Hope Among the Pines: A Field Tour in Southeast Georgia Presents Carbon Exchange as Solution","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe people of Georgia depend on forests for clean air, water quality, wildlife abundance, and a multitude of products consumed in our everyday lives. Our forests are also a sustainable and natural resource that can deliver climate benefits,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/directory\/faculty\/clay\/index.html\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ELucas Clay\u003C\/a\u003E, extension professional at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/centers-and-initiatives\/ray-c-anderson-center-for-sustainable-business\/index.html\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ERay C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business\u003C\/a\u003E at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business. This message was a main takeaway from a field tour held January 29-30, 2026, across working forests in Southeast Georgia.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOrganized by the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gffgrow.org\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Forestry Foundation\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(GFF) in partnership with the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/centers-and-initiatives\/ray-c-anderson-center-for-sustainable-business\/index.html\u0022\u003ERay\u0026nbsp;C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Scheller College of Business\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/\u0022\u003EClemson University\u003C\/a\u003E, and the University of Georgia (UGA) \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/warnell.uga.edu\/\u0022\u003EWarnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources\u003C\/a\u003E, the trip brought together university researchers, foresters, potential carbon credit buyers, and family landowners.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia is the number one forestry state in the country, with more than 22\u0026nbsp;million\u0026nbsp;of its\u0026nbsp;roughly 24\u0026nbsp;million forested acres held in private hands. According to the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/southernforests.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/SGSF_Fact-Sheet-1.pdf\u0022\u003ESouthern Group of State Foresters\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;forests and the forest products industry in the Southern U.S. provide for more than 18% of the world\u2019s pulpwood for paper and paper-related products and 7% of the world\u2019s industrial roundwood.\u0026nbsp;The timber industry also supports thousands of rural livelihoods and\u0026nbsp;sequesters\u0026nbsp;enormous amounts of carbon. Yet today, Georgia forests are under pressure due to natural disasters and market changes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe field tour promoted a Georgia-specific carbon exchange that has the potential to save forests, help companies\u0026nbsp;purchase\u0026nbsp;high quality\u0026nbsp;carbon credits, and provide co-benefits for the entire state.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EPressure Points: Helene\u2019s Wake and Market Headwinds\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAcross pine-forested Southeast Georgia, the devastation left by Hurricane Helene\u0026nbsp;remains\u0026nbsp;impossible to miss. A year and a half later, the cleanup \u2013 which is slow, expensive, and disheartening \u2013 is still ongoing across thousands of acres. Downed timber, too old to be sold for profit, lies in heaps. Throughout the field tour, landowners and foresters shared personal narratives that made it easy to feel the weight of what has been lost.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHelene only worsened troubles that were already underway. The markets for timber and pulpwood have been weakening. Demand for paper products has fallen sharply, taking pulpwood prices with it. In the last year alone, three mills have closed in Georgia.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDo I bother to replant?\u0026nbsp;If I plant, will someone actually buy my timber in 20 years?\u0026nbsp;These are the questions landowners across Georgia are wrestling with. Landowners\u2019 decisions today can lead to a future with fewer forested acres, less healthy forests, and forests converted to development \u2013 a loss that is permanent.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe pressing question throughout the field tour was:\u0026nbsp;What happens next?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EStorytelling Matters: The Power of the Personal\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of the benefits of a field tour is the chance to hear\u0026nbsp;firsthand,\u0026nbsp;personal accounts from the people whose livelihoods depend on forests.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe tour began in Emanuel County at the Willie Hodges Family Farm Estate. Herbert Hodges welcomed the group to the 600-acre property his family has stewarded for four generations. Hodges shows his respect for the land through thoughtful stewardship \u2013 for which he was honored when he was named\u0026nbsp;2025 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/blog.nwf.org\/2025\/09\/celebrating-landowner-mentor-herbert-hodges-2025-conservationist-of-the-year\/\u0022\u003EConservationist of the Year\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;by the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts. However, Hodges worries whether the fifth generation will keep the land, and he wants to\u0026nbsp;demonstrate\u0026nbsp;to his heirs that the land is worth holding onto. He remembers his father telling him, \u201cNever get rid of the land.\u0026nbsp;As long as\u0026nbsp;you keep it, you have somewhere to live, somewhere to go.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jmhestad\/\u0022\u003EMatt Hestad\u003C\/a\u003E, senior vice president of GFF, said, \u201cMr. Hodges has to identify new opportunities for his property not only to keep his family engaged but also to prove the land is economically valuable, both today and into the future.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe carbon exchange, if built well, could be exactly that kind of new opportunity.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EBuilding a Georgia Carbon Exchange\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe initiative to develop a Georgia Carbon Exchange,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/news\/ray-c-anderson-center-for-sustainable-business\/georgia-tech-and-partners-to-establish-state-specific-forest-carbon-exchange.html\u0022\u003Elaunched in 2025\u003C\/a\u003E, is being led collaboratively by the organizers of the field tour.\u0026nbsp;It\u2019s\u0026nbsp;designed to create a voluntary carbon credit marketplace specifically tailored to Georgia\u2019s forest landscape, Georgia\u2019s landowners, and companies that are interested in\u0026nbsp;purchasing\u0026nbsp;high quality\u0026nbsp;carbon credits.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/directory\/staff\/eady\/index.html\u0022\u003EDavid Eady\u003C\/a\u003E, director of industry engagement at the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business, described the vision: \u201cWe\u0027re looking at creating a marketplace for companies doing business in Georgia or headquartered in Georgia, so they can\u0026nbsp;acquire\u0026nbsp;credits that specifically\u0026nbsp;benefit\u0026nbsp;local communities and ecosystems. We want to make sure that we can continue to manage our valuable forest resources that make up well over half of the land in Georgia.\u201d \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cCompanies are concerned about sustainability because their customers are \u2013 and one of the things that that\u0027s manifested is a market for carbon credits,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/warnell.uga.edu\/directory\/people\/leslie-boby\u0022\u003ELeslie Boby\u003C\/a\u003E, director of the UGA Southern Regional Extension Forestry. \u201cBeing in forestry, we have the original carbon sequestration system: trees. And we have a lot of trees in Georgia.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe foundation for the Georgia Carbon Exchange already exists, waiting to be built on.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EAll the Players at the Table\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe January tour was a pilot that can be replicated for other groups of potential carbon buyers, policymakers, and stakeholders who need to understand what is at stake in Georgia\u2019s forests before they can meaningfully invest in their future.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHestad described what made this first tour valuable: \u201cWe need all the players at the table: academics, buyers, and landowners. I feel like\u0026nbsp;we\u2019ve\u0026nbsp;learned from a variety of people about forest management \u2013 from a private family landowner about intergenerational challenges, from a recreation-focused landowner about wildlife management, and from landowners who have been\u0026nbsp;impacted\u0026nbsp;by Hurricane Helene.\u0026nbsp;We\u2019ve\u0026nbsp;been provided with context for how a carbon exchange could serve those different sectors of landowners.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor industry representatives on the tour, the experience was eye-opening. They joined the tour to learn more about recovery efforts, community support, and the mechanics of a carbon exchange. At the end of the tour, they said they had a clearer sense of both\u0026nbsp;the urgency\u0026nbsp;and the opportunity.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClay said, \u201cLandowners are focused on the economics of forestry, and buyers are looking for quality credits. I think there\u0027s a lot of opportunity for both of these things to happen.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA successful carbon exchange requires trust, understanding, and shared\u0026nbsp;purpose\u0026nbsp;to be cultivated deliberately. Tours like this one are part of that cultivation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EA Common Goal in Focus\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia has everything it needs to make a carbon exchange work: the forests, the science, the institutions, and the will. What it needs now is exactly what the field tour was designed to build: awareness, connection, and shared commitment among the people and organizations whose decisions will shape the future of the state\u2019s forests.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/zach-johnson-19096918\/\u0022\u003EZach Johnson\u003C\/a\u003E, procurement\u0026nbsp;manager\u0026nbsp;at Beasley Timber Management, LLC, told the group: \u201cWith every one green ton of tree growth, you sequester approximately one metric ton of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.\u0026nbsp;Let\u2019s\u0026nbsp;find a way to certify this wonderful resource we have and prop up these jobs in Georgia \u2013 before\u0026nbsp;it\u2019s\u0026nbsp;too late.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMaintaining\u0026nbsp;Georgia\u2019s forests is not only about carbon. Well-managed forests filter water, support native wildlife, improve air quality, protect public health, and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation. These are co-benefits that a carbon credit does not fully capture but that are very much part of the value proposition for\u0026nbsp;maintaining\u0026nbsp;Georgia\u2019s private forests. As stated by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/warnell.uga.edu\/directory\/people\/dr-yanshu-li\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EYanshu Li\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor of forest economics at UGA: \u201cIf we take care of our forests, our forests will take care of us.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAmong the pines of Southeast Georgia, a common goal came into focus. The forests are worth saving. And the right people are coming together with the right plan to make it happen.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBusiness and forestry experts from Georgia Tech, Clemson University, University of Georgia, and the Georgia Forestry Foundation led a field tour in Southeast Georgia that illuminated current challenges facing landowners and the forestry industry. Organizers shared how a Georgia Carbon Exchange can provide economic incentives to help landowners keep and manage their forests for carbon sequestration, with benefits to impact the entire state.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Georgia Carbon Exchange can provide economic incentives to help landowners keep and manage their forests for carbon sequestration, with benefits to impact the entire state."}],"uid":"36808","created_gmt":"2026-07-28 15:41:23","changed_gmt":"2026-08-25 14:08:18","author":"bmcdonald64","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-07-28T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-07-28T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680696":{"id":"680696","type":"image","title":"Hope-Among-the-Pines-1.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EField tour attendees in Soperton, Georgia.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1785255206","gmt_created":"2026-07-28 16:13:26","changed":"1785255206","gmt_changed":"2026-07-28 16:13:26","alt":"Field tour attendees in Soperton, Georgia. ","file":{"fid":"264998","name":"Hope-Among-the-Pines-1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/28\/Hope-Among-the-Pines-1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/28\/Hope-Among-the-Pines-1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2323053,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/28\/Hope-Among-the-Pines-1.jpg?itok=TTP9Db5g"}},"680697":{"id":"680697","type":"image","title":"Hope-Among-the-Pines-5.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EForest in Soperton, Georgia\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1785255206","gmt_created":"2026-07-28 16:13:26","changed":"1785255206","gmt_changed":"2026-07-28 16:13:26","alt":"Forest in Soperton, Georgia","file":{"fid":"264999","name":"Hope-Among-the-Pines-5.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/28\/Hope-Among-the-Pines-5.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/28\/Hope-Among-the-Pines-5.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2639195,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/28\/Hope-Among-the-Pines-5.jpg?itok=aGzumHGQ"}},"680698":{"id":"680698","type":"image","title":"Hope-Among-the-Pines-4.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETouring a recreational working forest in Metter, Georgia.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1785255206","gmt_created":"2026-07-28 16:13:26","changed":"1785255206","gmt_changed":"2026-07-28 16:13:26","alt":"Touring a recreational working forest in Metter, Georgia. ","file":{"fid":"265000","name":"Hope-Among-the-Pines-4.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/28\/Hope-Among-the-Pines-4.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/28\/Hope-Among-the-Pines-4.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2048200,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/28\/Hope-Among-the-Pines-4.jpg?itok=Lk2rGbaN"}},"680699":{"id":"680699","type":"image","title":"Hope-Among-the-Pines-3.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHerbert Hodges displays photos: one of his father, Willie Hodges, and the other of his father, brother, and mother (photo credit: Sandra S. Hodges). Hodges leads a tour of the Willie Hodges Family Farm Estate.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1785255206","gmt_created":"2026-07-28 16:13:26","changed":"1785255206","gmt_changed":"2026-07-28 16:13:26","alt":"Collaboration image of Herbert Hodges showing his farm estate. ","file":{"fid":"265001","name":"Hope-Among-the-Pines-3.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/28\/Hope-Among-the-Pines-3.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/28\/Hope-Among-the-Pines-3.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2472549,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/28\/Hope-Among-the-Pines-3.jpg?itok=-vSvhoGE"}},"680700":{"id":"680700","type":"image","title":"Hope-Among-the-Pines-2.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EClockwise from top left: Viewing habitat for gopher turtles. Hurricane Helene damage in Soperton, Georgia, on land owned by Gillis Ag and Timber. Attendees learn about the Georgia Carbon Exchange. Foresters share how Hurricane Helene and market changes have impacted their industry and community.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1785255206","gmt_created":"2026-07-28 16:13:26","changed":"1785255206","gmt_changed":"2026-07-28 16:13:26","alt":"Collaboration image of the field tour in south Georgia","file":{"fid":"265002","name":"Hope-Among-the-Pines-2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/28\/Hope-Among-the-Pines-2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/28\/Hope-Among-the-Pines-2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2521516,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/28\/Hope-Among-the-Pines-2.jpg?itok=zkyZRVxD"}}},"media_ids":["680696","680697","680698","680699","680700"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"660398","name":"Sustainability Hub"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"},{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"84331","name":"and sustainability"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETo learn more about the Georgia Carbon Exchange and upcoming field tours, contact\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/directory\/faculty\/clay\/index.html\u0022\u003ELucas Clay\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWritten by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/directory\/staff\/lux\/index.html\u0022\u003EJennifer Holley Lux\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPhotography (unless otherwise noted) by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/mike-gregory-22629a200\/\u0022\u003EMike Gregory\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(Georgia Forestry Association \u0026amp; Foundation)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["lucas.clay@gatech.edu","jennifer.lux@scheller.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"691762":{"#nid":"691762","#data":{"type":"news","title":"EPIcenter Summer Research Program Helps Doctoral Students Advance Energy Research ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFour Georgia Tech doctoral students spent the summer working on their dissertation research through the Energy Policy and Innovation Center\u0027s (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEPIcenter\u003C\/a\u003E) Summer Research Program. The competitive program provides a full summer-semester stipend, along with mentorship and professional development opportunities, to support emerging energy scholars.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022One of the goals of the program is to give students the time and support needed to make meaningful progress on their dissertation research while helping them understand the broader policy, economic, and societal implications of their work,\u0022 said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/people\/laura-taylor\u0022\u003ELaura Taylor\u003C\/a\u003E, director of EPIcenter.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe stipends enable participants to focus exclusively on clearly defined research goals. The program also supports peer discussions, communication training, and interdisciplinary learning opportunities designed to strengthen both their research and professional development.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis year\u0027s cohort explored topics ranging from electricity markets and air pollution to critical mineral supply chains and grid modernization, highlighting the breadth of energy-related research taking place across Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExploring Complex Energy Challenges\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/anamazmishvili\/\u0022\u003EAna Mazmishvili\u003C\/a\u003E, who studies environmental and energy economics, used the summer to examine how climate policies affect communities across state lines.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022My research measures who is actually exposed to pollution from power plants when some states adopt climate regulations to cut emissions while neighboring regions do not,\u0022 Mazmishvili said. \u0022Because air doesn\u0027t stop at state borders, the key question is what happens once the pollution is emitted, and who ends up breathing it.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHer work focuses on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a cap-and-trade program in the Northeast, and investigates whether the benefits and burdens of emissions reductions are distributed equitably between regulated and neighboring states.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMazmishvili said the program provided valuable time to focus on her job-market paper, a central component of her dissertation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022The regular meetings with the program director and other fellows create useful accountability checkpoints and let me hear perspectives from people in very different fields,\u0022 she said. \u0022We\u0027re also learning how to make academic research understandable to a general audience, a skill I expect to use well past this summer.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIndustrial and systems engineering doctoral student\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/faezeh-fahimy-8ba9a81b9\/\u0022\u003EFaeze Fahimi Aghda\u003C\/a\u003E spent the summer developing an optimization model for the U.S. gallium supply chain, a critical component of many advanced technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHer research uses mathematical modeling to examine where and when domestic gallium processing facilities should be established under the threat of supply disruptions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Working on my research through EPIcenter has taught me to look at my problem from a policy point of view rather than focusing only on the math,\u0022 Fahimi Aghda said. \u0022The feedback within the meetings helped me improve my model.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ryan-anthony-17239b13b\/\u0022\u003ERyan Anthony\u003C\/a\u003E, in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy, explored how one of the largest oil shocks in U.S. history affected electricity customers and whether utility ownership influenced the impact on consumers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022So far, my research suggests that it mattered a lot,\u201d Anthony said. \u201cMunicipal utilities held rates down and absorbed many of the costs, while private, investor-owned utilities passed more costs through to their customers.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnthony said the program provided critical support for the archival research required for the project.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022My project depends on data that only exists in old government reports, and that kind of archival work is difficult to fund,\u0022 he said. \u0022EPIcenter gave me the time and space to do it properly.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EConnecting Research to Real-World Impact\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Samin Alipour, the summer provided an opportunity to explore how electric grids can adapt to growing numbers of distributed energy resources.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Most electric distribution systems were built like one-way roads, carrying power from a substation to homes and businesses,\u0022 Alipour said. \u0022Rooftop solar, batteries, and electric vehicles are turning those roads into two-way systems.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHer research examines how these emerging technologies can be coordinated to increase grid flexibility and clean energy adoption while maintaining safety and reliability and ensuring that costs and benefits are distributed fairly.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith support from EPIcenter, Alipour focused on the economic and policy dimensions of those challenges. \u0022I did not want my research to remain only a technical model,\u0022 she said. \u0022The program has helped me connect the technical results of my dissertation to economic value, reliability, equity and compensation policy.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne study developed during the summer was accepted for presentation at a specialized power systems conference, an achievement Alipour credits in part to the opportunity to focus on the broader implications of her work.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuilding the Next Generation of Energy Scholars\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond advancing individual research projects, the Summer Research Program encourages students to engage with colleagues from different disciplines and develop skills for communicating complex ideas to broader audiences.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThrough regular cohort meetings, participants build a community of accountability, discuss research challenges, explore interdisciplinary energy topics, and develop communication skills,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/people\/gilbert-x-gonzalez\u0022\u003EGil Gonzalez\u003C\/a\u003E, program support coordinator for EPIcenter. \u201cStudents also write a research-focused blog post for EPIcenter and present their work at the program\u0027s fall workshop, which allows them to share their research with the broader Georgia Tech energy community.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs EPIcenter continues to support interdisciplinary energy scholarship at Georgia Tech, the Summer Research Program equips future leaders with the tools to address complex energy challenges through technological innovation, informed policy, and economic analysis.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFour Georgia Tech doctoral students spent the summer working on their dissertation research through the Energy Policy and Innovation Center\u0027s (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEPIcenter\u003C\/a\u003E) Summer Research Program. The competitive program provides a full summer-semester stipend, along with mentorship and professional development opportunities, to support emerging energy scholars.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022One of the goals of the program is to give students the time and support needed to make meaningful progress on their dissertation research while helping them understand the broader policy, economic, and societal implications of their work,\u0022 said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/people\/laura-taylor\u0022\u003ELaura Taylor\u003C\/a\u003E, director of EPIcenter.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe stipends enable participants to focus exclusively on clearly defined research goals. The program also supports peer discussions, communication training, and interdisciplinary learning opportunities designed to strengthen both their research and professional development.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis year\u0027s cohort explored topics ranging from electricity markets and air pollution to critical mineral supply chains and grid modernization, highlighting the breadth of energy-related research taking place across Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Four Georgia Tech doctoral students spent the summer working on their dissertation research through the Energy Policy and Innovation Center\u0027s (EPIcenter) Summer Research Program. "}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-08-18 17:15:39","changed_gmt":"2026-08-18 17:21:43","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-08-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-08-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680906":{"id":"680906","type":"image","title":"Students-PhotoCollage.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFrom Top Left (Clockwise): \u003C\/em\u003EAna Mazmishvili, Ryan Anthony, Samin Alipour, Faeze Fahimi Aghda\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1787073357","gmt_created":"2026-08-18 17:15:57","changed":"1787073357","gmt_changed":"2026-08-18 17:15:57","alt":"From Top Left (clockwise): Ana Mazmishvili, Ryan Anthony, Samin Alipour, Faeze Fahimi Aghda","file":{"fid":"265239","name":"Students-PhotoCollage.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/18\/Students-PhotoCollage.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/18\/Students-PhotoCollage.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1664395,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/08\/18\/Students-PhotoCollage.png?itok=F9-gHuBL"}}},"media_ids":["680906"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"},{"id":"194612","name":"Workforce Development"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"188776","name":"go-research"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EPriya Devarajan\u003C\/a\u003E | SEI Communications Manager\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"691668":{"#nid":"691668","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Engineered at Tech: Pinpointing River Pollution","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EKatherine Graham is an assistant professor in the Georgia Tech School of Civil and Environmental Engineering who studies the fate and transport of pathogens and their indicators in water, including E. coli. Her research focuses on what happens when pathogens get into water, where they go, and how it affects public policy decisions related to health. This includes looking at bacteria and conditions in Atlanta\u2019s Chattahoochee River.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJoin Georgia Tech undergraduate Harrison Burnside on this latest episode of Engineered at Tech as he tours Katherine Graham\u0027s lab and discovers how to track pathogens in the Chattahoochee River. The goal is to help local agencies pinpoint sources of pollution in rivers and reservoirs to protect public health.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/07\/engineered-tech-pinpointing-river-pollution\u0022\u003EWatch the video on the COE News page\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EKatherine Graham is an assistant professor in the Georgia Tech School of Civil and Environmental Engineering who studies the fate and transport of pathogens and their indicators in water, including E. coli. Her research focuses on what happens when pathogens get into water, where they go, and how it affects public policy decisions related to health. This includes looking at bacteria and conditions in Atlanta\u2019s Chattahoochee River.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJoin Georgia Tech undergraduate Harrison Burnside on this latest episode of Engineered at Tech as he tours Katherine Graham\u0027s lab and discovers how to track pathogens in the Chattahoochee River. The goal is to help local agencies pinpoint sources of pollution in rivers and reservoirs to protect public health.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Environmental engineer Katherine Graham is developing new methods to pinpoint pathogens in water to help local agencies make rivers and reservoirs cleaner. "}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-08-13 20:32:24","changed_gmt":"2026-08-17 15:51:03","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-07-15T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-07-15T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680868":{"id":"680868","type":"image","title":"Engineered-at-Tech-Pinpointing-River-Pollution.jpg","body":null,"created":"1786653263","gmt_created":"2026-08-13 20:34:23","changed":"1786653263","gmt_changed":"2026-08-13 20:34:23","alt":"YouTube Thumbnail of Engineered at Tech Episode with GT Researcher Katerine Graham and Undergrad student Harrison Burnside","file":{"fid":"265197","name":"Engineered-at-Tech-Pinpointing-River-Pollution.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/13\/Engineered-at-Tech-Pinpointing-River-Pollution.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/13\/Engineered-at-Tech-Pinpointing-River-Pollution.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":190657,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/08\/13\/Engineered-at-Tech-Pinpointing-River-Pollution.jpg?itok=yUH1CNRW"}}},"media_ids":["680868"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/07\/engineered-tech-pinpointing-river-pollution","title":"Full Story on the COE News Page"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECandler Hobbs, College of Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"691631":{"#nid":"691631","#data":{"type":"news","title":"How Does Wildfire Smoke Affect the Economy?","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWildfires in the United States are getting bigger and the season is getting longer, fueled by hotter and drier weather from climate change. Even when fires are hundreds of miles away, the wildfire smoke can still harm people\u0027s health and create economic costs through air pollution, said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.caseyjwichman.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003ECasey Wichman,\u003C\/a\u003E an associate professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Economics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Air Quality Index (AQI) measures how clean or polluted the air is. A healthy AQI is between zero and 50, but when wildfire smoke blows in and settles over cities, the AQI can reach levels of 500 or more. Poor air quality changes where and how people spend their time and money, reduces productivity (even for those working indoors), and increases healthcare costs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEnvironmental regulations like the Clean Air Act dramatically improved our air quality over the past 40 years, but as wildfire season becomes the new normal, wildfire smoke is eroding those gains,\u201d Wichman said. According to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41586-023-06522-6\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003Erecent research,\u003C\/a\u003E wildfire smoke has erased about a quarter of the progress made over previous decades, and more than half in many western states.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/featured-news\/2026\/08\/wildfire-smoke-affect-economy\u0022\u003ERead Full Story on the IAC News Page\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWildfires in the United States are getting bigger and the season is getting longer, fueled by hotter and drier weather from climate change. Even when fires are hundreds of miles away, the wildfire smoke can still harm people\u0027s health and create economic costs through air pollution, said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.caseyjwichman.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003ECasey Wichman,\u003C\/a\u003E an associate professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Economics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Air Quality Index (AQI) measures how clean or polluted the air is. A healthy AQI is between zero and 50, but when wildfire smoke blows in and settles over cities, the AQI can reach levels of 500 or more. Poor air quality changes where and how people spend their time and money, reduces productivity (even for those working indoors), and increases healthcare costs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEnvironmental regulations like the Clean Air Act dramatically improved our air quality over the past 40 years, but as wildfire season becomes the new normal, wildfire smoke is eroding those gains,\u201d Wichman said. According to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41586-023-06522-6\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003Erecent research,\u003C\/a\u003E wildfire smoke has erased about a quarter of the progress made over previous decades, and more than half in many western states.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech economist Casey Wichman explains how increased wildfire smoke from climate change affects spending, productivity, and healthcare costs."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-08-12 19:02:31","changed_gmt":"2026-08-12 19:06:07","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-08-12T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-08-12T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680847":{"id":"680847","type":"image","title":"CaseyWichmanSQUARE--40-.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECasey Wichman, Associate Professor, Georgia Tech School of Economics.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1786561359","gmt_created":"2026-08-12 19:02:39","changed":"1786561359","gmt_changed":"2026-08-12 19:02:39","alt":"Casey Wichman, Associate Professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Economics.","file":{"fid":"265174","name":"CaseyWichmanSQUARE--40-.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/12\/CaseyWichmanSQUARE--40-.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/12\/CaseyWichmanSQUARE--40-.png","mime":"image\/png","size":448644,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/08\/12\/CaseyWichmanSQUARE--40-.png?itok=GxjiNJf0"}}},"media_ids":["680847"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/featured-news\/2026\/08\/wildfire-smoke-affect-economy","title":"Read Full Story on IAC News Page"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"691522":{"#nid":"691522","#data":{"type":"news","title":"As Water Systems Face Cyberattacks, Georgia Tech Research Points to Solutions","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.wsbtv.com\/news\/local\/water-supply-under-attack-by-cybercriminals-metro-atlanta-system-may-have-been-targeted\/XA46MWYNZRAZ5EYUN3RSJZG5SM\/\u0022\u003ERecent\u003C\/a\u003E cyberattacks on municipal water systems across the United States have renewed concerns about the cybersecurity of the operational technology that supports critical infrastructure.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor researchers in Georgia Tech\u0027s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/capcpsec\/\u0022\u003ECyber-Physical Security\u003C\/a\u003E (CPSec) Lab, however, the vulnerabilities behind many of these incidents are far from new.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAssociate Professor \u003Cstrong\u003ESaman Zonouz\u003C\/strong\u003E leads the CPSec Lab and has studied programmable logic controllers (PLCs) for years. These devices automate critical infrastructure, including water treatment facilities, power grids, manufacturing plants, and transportation systems. The lab\u2019s work has revealed widespread internet exposure and software vulnerabilities that leave many industrial control systems vulnerable to cyberattacks.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Out of the 16 critical infrastructure sectors defined by the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cisa.gov\/topics\/critical-infrastructure-security-and-resilience\/critical-infrastructure-sectors\u0022\u003ECybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency\u003C\/a\u003E, four are considered lifelines,\u0022 Zonouz said. \u0022Of those four, communications, energy, transportation, and water, the water sector is the most vulnerable, which is why it is so often targeted.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPLCs serve as the brains of industrial operations, monitoring sensors and controlling equipment that keep essential services operational.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Imagine you have a thermostat that controls the temperature of your house. That is a type of controller,\u0022 Zonouz explained. \u0022The professional version does the same thing in industry.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen these controllers are directly accessible from the internet, attackers can exploit them to disrupt operations, manipulate industrial processes, or interfere with the systems that deliver essential services. Controllers may be intentionally exposed to allow operators to monitor equipment remotely. They can also be unintentionally accessible online because of configuration errors.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, internet exposure is only part of the problem.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe CPSec Lab maintains a collection of PLCs that researchers reverse engineer to better understand their firmware, communication protocols, and security weaknesses. Their research has found that many controllers contain vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit once they gain access.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Not only can the attackers see the house they want to rob, but the doors are also left unlocked,\u0022 Zonouz said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2024, Zonouz and his collaborators presented \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/dl.acm.org\/doi\/pdf\/10.1145\/3658644.3690195\u0022\u003EPLCHound\u003C\/a\u003E at the ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security (CCS), introducing an automated system that identifies internet-connected PLCs hidden within massive internet-scale datasets collected by services such as Shodan and Censys. The work was led by Ph.D. student \u003Cstrong\u003ERyan Pickren\u003C\/strong\u003E. Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs \u003Cstrong\u003ERaheem Beyah\u003C\/strong\u003E, Assistant Professor \u003Cstrong\u003EFrank Li\u003C\/strong\u003E, and Research Scientist \u003Cstrong\u003EAnimesh Chhotaray\u003C\/strong\u003E are co-authors of the study.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERather than relying on traditional scanning techniques, PLCHound identifies subtle network signatures that reveal industrial devices that prior methods often missed. Using the system, the researchers conducted one of the largest studies of publicly reachable PLCs from major manufacturers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir findings showed that previous estimates undercounted the number of internet-accessible industrial controllers by as much as 37 times. Even more concerning, nearly 96% of the identified devices exposed protocols linked to recently disclosed critical vulnerabilities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers did more than document the problem. After identifying exposed devices, the team launched a large-scale notification campaign, contacting more than 7,000 industrial operators to alert them that their systems appeared vulnerable. The effort enabled many organizations to investigate and address security issues before they could be exploited.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe recent attacks on municipal water systems reinforce concerns researchers have raised for years: many critical infrastructure operators continue to rely on operational technology designed primarily for reliability and performance rather than for cybersecurity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EImproving those defenses, Zonouz said, will require more than simply patching individual vulnerabilities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers cite the energy sector as a model. Compared with other critical infrastructure sectors, electric utilities generally operate under more mature cybersecurity requirements and undergo routine compliance audits, providing organizations with greater visibility into the devices connected to their networks and the risks they pose.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EImplementing those improvements will not be easy. Many municipal water utilities operate with limited budgets and aging infrastructure, leaving little funding available for cybersecurity investments. As attacks on critical infrastructure become more frequent, the researchers argue that gaining visibility into operational technology assets and strengthening oversight are essential first steps to protect the systems communities rely on every day.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe CPSec Lab is a collaborative laboratory within the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scp.cc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Cybersecurity and Privacy\u003C\/a\u003E as well as the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ERecent cyberattacks on municipal water systems across the United States have renewed concerns about the cybersecurity of the operational technology that supports critical infrastructure.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor researchers in Georgia Tech\u0027s Cyber-Physical Security (CPSec) Lab, however, the vulnerabilities behind many of these incidents are far from new.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Recent cyberattacks on municipal water systems across the United States have renewed concerns about the cybersecurity of the operational technology that supports critical infrastructure. "}],"uid":"36253","created_gmt":"2026-08-06 16:59:42","changed_gmt":"2026-08-11 16:28:52","author":"John Popham","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-08-06T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-08-06T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673306":{"id":"673306","type":"image","title":"Saman Zonouz is a Georgia Tech associate professor and lead researcher for the DerGuard project. ","body":null,"created":"1709660104","gmt_created":"2024-03-05 17:35:04","changed":"1709660054","gmt_changed":"2024-03-05 17:34:14","alt":"Saman Zonouz is a Georgia Tech associate professor and lead researcher for the DerGuard project. ","file":{"fid":"256679","name":"Saman-Zonouz.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/03\/05\/Saman-Zonouz.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/03\/05\/Saman-Zonouz.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":56998,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/03\/05\/Saman-Zonouz.jpg?itok=qOSZDIrt"}}},"media_ids":["673306"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"145171","name":"Cybersecurity"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39481","name":"National Security"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Popham\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommunications Officer II at the School of Cybersecurity and Privacy\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jpopham3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689472":{"#nid":"689472","#data":{"type":"news","title":"2026 Frontiers in Science: Advancing Space Exploration","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EOne day after the historic Artemis II launch, the College of Sciences welcomed more than 150 researchers, students, and community members to its signature\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/frontiers-space\u0022\u003EFrontiers in Science\u003C\/a\u003E conference. Held on April 2, the full-day event focused on space research guiding discovery and innovation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAs during previous editions, this year\u2019s conference featured more than two dozen scientists, engineers, policy experts, and thought leaders from Georgia Tech and beyond, illustrating how collaboration across fields \u2013 from science and engineering to public policy and international affairs \u2013 helps to advance strategic research priorities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cFrontiers is about discovery and connections across disciplines and generations,\u201d says\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lozier.eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESusan Lozier\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, dean of the College of Sciences and Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair. \u201cThis edition provided an inspiring glimpse into the future of space exploration and the many ways Georgia Tech is contributing to research and missions seeking answers to what lies beyond our planet.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECommitment to Space\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ESpace research is a key institutional priority at Georgia Tech, which is home to numerous academic and research programs in planetary sciences, robotics, mission design, space policy, and other areas.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe recently established\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/space.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESpace Research Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (SRI) serves as the central hub connecting the broad range of space-related research across campus. Led by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/2885\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJud Ready\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, who also serves as principal research engineer at the Georgia Tech Research Institute, SRI has expanded support for space research and commercialization through initiatives such as the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.research.gatech.edu\/2026\/02\/26\/new-space-startups-take-georgia-tech\u0022\u003ECreationsVC Space Fellows Program\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.research.gatech.edu\/2025\/12\/10\/georgia-techs-space-research-institute-announces-inaugural-seed-grant-awardees\u0022\u003ECenters, Programs, and Initiatives seed grant program\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ESRI\u2019s efforts are in line with Georgia Tech\u2019s long-standing contribution to space exploration. Hundreds of Yellow Jacket alumni work in the space sector, including several graduates who are playing key roles in the Artemis program. To date, more than a dozen Georgia Tech alumni have traveled to space.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExploring the Final Frontier\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe conference featured a series of panels and discussions led by faculty and researchers from the Colleges of Sciences and Engineering as well as the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ESessions explored how researchers are studying the processes and conditions that support planetary habitability, seeking to answer one of humanity\u2019s greatest questions: Does life exist beyond Earth? Speakers also examined how analog fieldwork in Earth\u2019s extreme environments can inform space exploration, and how space research, in turn, can deepen our understanding of our own world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAdditional conversations centered on building better space missions through improved understanding of team and individual resilience, data collection, navigation, and the development of advanced technologies like the robots developed through the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/good-dog-lassie-spirit-learns-walk-moon\u0022\u003ENASA LASSIE Project\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFrontiers also highlighted Georgia Tech\u2019s commitment to preparing the next generation of space scientists, engineers, and leaders. Student training and engagement were recurring themes throughout the day, with speakers emphasizing opportunities for student-led and student-run missions and research. A panel of Georgia Tech alumni shared their own STEM career journeys, challenging the idea of \u201cone right path\u201d to success \u2014 and acknowledging the resources and opportunities available at the Institute.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EA highlight of the conference was a fireside chat with Atlanta-native, retired U.S. Army Colonel and NASA Astronaut\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/kimbrough-rs.pdf\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ER. Shane Kimbrough\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (M.S. Operations Research 1998). Kimbrough, who spent a total of 388 days in space and performed nine spacewalks across three missions, reflected on his career and the evolution of spaceflight. He emphasized the expanding role of public-private and international partnerships in advancing ambitious goals, such as creating a permanent human outpost on the Moon.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPolicy and Public\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe conference also explored how policy influences space discovery and innovation, with discussions touching on such issues as space security, access, governance, sustainability \u2014\u0026nbsp;and the influence of technology and science fiction on public perception and policy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EPanelists described current policy frameworks governing outer space as struggling to keep pace with rapidly advancing technologies and expanding activities. According to these experts, increasing tensions among commercial, research, and recreational uses of space call for greater coordination among private and government entities to balance competing priorities while maximizing opportunities for innovation and exploration.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe conference was punctuated by a networking lunch connecting attendees with Atlanta\u2019s public astronomy community \u2013 including partners at several universities and the Georgia Tech Astronomy Club, which set up telescopes for attendees to safely observe the sun. Later that evening, the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/astronomy.gatech.edu\/Observatory.php\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Observatory\u003C\/a\u003E hosted its Public Night, welcoming the broader Atlanta community to campus for telescope views of Jupiter, the Orion Nebula, and other celestial bodies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe Observatory Night was a fitting conclusion to a full day focused on Georgia Tech\u2019s commitment and contributions to inspiring future generations of space explorers through research, education, and outreach.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EExperience the Frontiers conference in pictures on the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/gtsciences\/albums\/72177720332868366\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECollege of Sciences\u2019 Flickr account\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EOne day after the historic Artemis II launch, the College of Sciences welcomed more than 150 researchers, students, and community members to its signature\u0026nbsp;Frontiers in Science conference.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"One day after the historic Artemis II launch, the College of Sciences welcomed more than 150 researchers, students, and community members to its signature\u00a0Frontiers in Science conference."}],"uid":"36583","created_gmt":"2026-04-06 14:05:00","changed_gmt":"2026-08-07 18:24:55","author":"lvidal7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-06T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-06T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679862":{"id":"679862","type":"image","title":" Retired NASA astronaut R. Shane Kimbrough (M.S. Operations Research 1998) reflects on his career and the evolution of spaceflight.","body":null,"created":"1775484488","gmt_created":"2026-04-06 14:08:08","changed":"1775484488","gmt_changed":"2026-04-06 14:08:08","alt":"R. Shane Kimbrough speaks in front of room of people during a fireside chat","file":{"fid":"264072","name":"55185614870_ef06b5fa33_o.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55185614870_ef06b5fa33_o.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55185614870_ef06b5fa33_o.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2611719,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/06\/55185614870_ef06b5fa33_o.jpg?itok=9k4zXi2s"}},"679861":{"id":"679861","type":"image","title":"Joyce Shi Sim, assistant professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences","body":null,"created":"1775484488","gmt_created":"2026-04-06 14:08:08","changed":"1775484488","gmt_changed":"2026-04-06 14:08:08","alt":"Joyce Shi Sim holds a microphone and laser pointer while presenting to room of people","file":{"fid":"264071","name":"55185376153_8350a8e96f_o.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55185376153_8350a8e96f_o.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55185376153_8350a8e96f_o.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1858656,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/06\/55185376153_8350a8e96f_o.jpg?itok=QKyejMSW"}},"679863":{"id":"679863","type":"image","title":"Professor James Wray, professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences","body":null,"created":"1775485879","gmt_created":"2026-04-06 14:31:19","changed":"1775485923","gmt_changed":"2026-04-06 14:32:03","alt":"Professor James Wray holds microphone and points to powerpoint slide during his presentation","file":{"fid":"264073","name":"55184328417_3a02de62dc_o.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55184328417_3a02de62dc_o.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55184328417_3a02de62dc_o.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2636888,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/06\/55184328417_3a02de62dc_o.jpg?itok=saXBEEUR"}},"679860":{"id":"679860","type":"image","title":" [From left] Professor Glenn Lightsey, Professor Thom Orlando, Moderator Naia Butler-Craig  (M.S. AE 2023, Ph.D. AE 2026), Associate Professor Brian Gunter, and Research Engineer I Ava Thrasher ","body":null,"created":"1775484488","gmt_created":"2026-04-06 14:08:08","changed":"1775484488","gmt_changed":"2026-04-06 14:08:08","alt":"Group photo of five people, including Georgia Tech faculty","file":{"fid":"264070","name":"55184003111_c862d712f2_o.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55184003111_c862d712f2_o.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55184003111_c862d712f2_o.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":6182876,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/06\/55184003111_c862d712f2_o.jpg?itok=dcGAnsv4"}},"679858":{"id":"679858","type":"image","title":" The Georgia Tech Astronomy Club set up telescopes for attendees to safely observe the sun.","body":null,"created":"1775484488","gmt_created":"2026-04-06 14:08:08","changed":"1775484488","gmt_changed":"2026-04-06 14:08:08","alt":"Three people stand outdoors with one person looking at the sun through a telescope","file":{"fid":"264068","name":"55185476429_49ab238e05_o.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55185476429_49ab238e05_o.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55185476429_49ab238e05_o.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2674661,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/06\/55185476429_49ab238e05_o.jpg?itok=cCQeyNP0"}},"679859":{"id":"679859","type":"image","title":"Georgia Tech Observatory\u2019s April 2, 2026 Public Night","body":null,"created":"1775484488","gmt_created":"2026-04-06 14:08:08","changed":"1775484488","gmt_changed":"2026-04-06 14:08:08","alt":"Adults and children observing the night sky through a computer that is connected to a telescope","file":{"fid":"264069","name":"55185567256_ba1be5a592_o.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55185567256_ba1be5a592_o.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55185567256_ba1be5a592_o.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4887238,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/06\/55185567256_ba1be5a592_o.jpg?itok=NaAICFg3"}}},"media_ids":["679862","679861","679863","679860","679858","679859"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/frontiers-space","title":"2026 Frontiers in Science: Advancing Space Exploration - Program"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/38-billion-year-old-titanium-clue-sheds-new-light-moons-early-chemistry","title":"3.8\u2011Billion\u2011Year\u2011Old Titanium Clue Sheds New Light on the Moon\u2019s Early Chemistry"},{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-pioneers-first-space-sustainability-course-us","title":"Georgia Tech Pioneers First Space Sustainability Course in the U.S."},{"url":"https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/03\/welcome-future-artemis-ii-set-launch-moon","title":"\u2018Welcome to the Future!\u2019 Artemis II Set for Launch to the Moon"},{"url":"https:\/\/news.research.gatech.edu\/2026\/02\/26\/new-space-startups-take-georgia-tech","title":"New Space Startups Take Off at Georgia Tech"},{"url":"https:\/\/news.research.gatech.edu\/2025\/12\/10\/georgia-techs-space-research-institute-announces-inaugural-seed-grant-awardees","title":"Georgia Tech\u2019s Space Research Institute Announces Inaugural Seed Grant Awardees"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"192252","name":"cos-planetary"},{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"172511","name":"Frontiers Conference"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"194975","name":"go-space"},{"id":"188853","name":"go-seiinthenews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193657","name":"Space Research Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWriter: Lindsay C. Vidal\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["lvidal7@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"691214":{"#nid":"691214","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Rapid Testing Offers Path to More Sustainable Material Choices","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E-Written by Seungho Lee\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERecycled materials promise a cleaner future, but recycled content alone does not necessarily make a product sustainable. At Georgia Tech\u2019s Daedalus Lab, assistant professor, National Science Foundation CAREER Award recipient, and Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems Faculty Fellow Christos Athanasiou and postdoctoral researcher Danqi Sun are working to provide greater certainty to designers and engineers by rethinking how materials are tested for their fracture characteristics. Their article in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/sciadv.aeh0456\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EScience Advances\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E details a new testing protocol that reduces cost, increases speed, and simulates real-world conditions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMaterials shape nearly every part of modern life, from packaging and consumer products to bridges and medical devices. Choosing the right material involves balancing durability, cost, manufacturability, and environmental impact. Yet those decisions are not always guided by a clear understanding of how materials age and fail under real-world conditions, especially for recycled materials like plastics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne way that materials frequently fail is by cracking. A small crack can begin almost invisibly. Over time, it can spread from regular wear and tear and exposure to common environmental factors like moisture, temperature fluctuations, or even dirt. Eventually, the crack expands, and the part fails. Engineers have studied fracture for more than a century, but connecting the science of cracking to practical decisions about sustainability remains a major challenge.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe characteristics of recycled plastics often vary from those of the same material in unrecycled, or virgin, form. Products made from recycled plastics may be sold with sustainability claims under the assumption that they will perform as if they were made with virgin material. However, premature failure requiring repair or replacement can quickly change the sustainability equation as well as the acceptance of recycled materials by manufacturers and consumers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBeyond Conventional Fracture Testing\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMaterials rarely fail due to a single factor. They may be exposed to several factors simultaneously, such as mechanical loading, chemical environments, temperature changes, moisture, and time. Traditional fracture protocols test one specimen at a time under carefully controlled laboratory conditions, which bear little resemblance to the real world. To move beyond this limitation, Sun developed an in-situ, high-throughput platform capable of studying how materials degrade and fail under more realistic conditions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe platform changes conventional fracture testing in three important ways. First, it can test multiple specimens simultaneously rather than one at a time. By monitoring samples in parallel, testing time can be reduced by more than 60%. Second, it allows materials to be tested in realistic environments. In this study, researchers examined virgin and recycled plastics in alkaline environments that resemble conditions encountered in applications like landfill liner membranes and geotextiles. Third, the platform incorporates an imaging technique known as photoelasticity, which reveals the formation of stress fields that form around the origin of a newly developing crack. This allows researchers to see cracks develop earlier than before, giving them a clearer picture of the forces that drive crack growth.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers have made the technology available for licensing through Georgia Tech\u2019s Office of Technology Licensing. \u201cOur goal was to make fracture testing not only faster but also more informative,\u201d Sun said. \u201cBy combining high-throughput testing, realistic environments, and full-field stress imaging, we can better understand how materials fail under conditions closer to real-world applications.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAn Honest View of Sustainability\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERecycled plastics are often viewed as a greener choice. But according to the study, it\u2019s not always so straightforward. If a recycled product fails prematurely and needs to be replaced frequently, its environmental and economic costs can increase despite its recycled content. As Athanasiou puts it, \u201cFailing materials don\u2019t just break products. They can break sustainability promises.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, comparing virgin polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with recycled PET (rPET) in applications such as landfill geotextiles, the researchers discovered that rPET showed lower resistance to environmental stressors, particularly in alkaline conditions over a pH of 9. In this application, specifying rPET over virgin PET would likely eliminate all of the presumed economic and environmental advantages of using a recycled material.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cRecycling is essential, but recycled content alone does not tell the full story. If a material fails too soon, the environmental benefits can disappear,\u201d Athanasiou said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFrom Cracks to Circularity\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor the researchers, the significance of the work extends beyond recycled plastics. The broader goal is to provide a fast, affordable, and realistic platform for evaluating the sustainability of any material choice. Because current testing protocols are costly, not widely available, and limited in the information they yield, engineers, manufacturers, and policymakers often have little choice but to continue to specify non-recycled materials because they will perform as expected. Having cheap and accurate data on recycled materials will help to accelerate their adoption because matching the engineering properties of recycled materials to their most appropriate applications will become more obvious.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers also hope to expand the platform to simulate even more complex environments and apply it to a wider range of materials. Because the system generates large amounts of detailed data, it may enable opportunities to use computational modeling or artificial intelligence to digitally simulate mechanical testing, driving down costs and expanding availability even more.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe larger vision is a future in which sustainability is judged not by labels or assumptions, but by evidence for how a material performs, how long it lasts, how it fails, and what it costs society and the environment over its full lifetime.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPlease visit the Daedalus Lab YouTube channel to see an explainer video about this new testing protocol: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=zmRhiRIiAkQ\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=zmRhiRIiAkQ\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERead the paper here: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/sciadv.aeh0456\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/www.science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/sciadv.aeh0456\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis research was supported by the National Science Foundation CAREER Award No. 2338508.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EChoosing the right materials for manufacturing products involves balancing durability, cost, manufacturability, and environmental impact. Yet those decisions are not always guided by a clear understanding of how materials age and fail under real-world conditions, especially for recycled materials like plastics.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"At Georgia Tech\u2019s Daedalus Lab, Christos Athanasiou and postdoctoral researcher Danqi Sun are working to provide greater certainty to designers and engineers by rethinking how materials are tested for their fracture characteristics. "}],"uid":"27338","created_gmt":"2026-07-22 20:31:53","changed_gmt":"2026-08-05 18:02:44","author":"Brent Verrill","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-07-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-07-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680664":{"id":"680664","type":"image","title":"Athanasiou_rPET_Fracture_Testing_Screencap.jpg","body":null,"created":"1784836559","gmt_created":"2026-07-23 19:55:59","changed":"1784836559","gmt_changed":"2026-07-23 19:55:59","alt":"Side-by-side scientific visualization comparing in-situ photoelasticity and modeled stress field evolution during fracture testing of a transparent material. The left panel shows a rectangular specimen with rainbow-colored stress patterns radiating from a crack tip near the center-right edge, while the right panel shows a corresponding color-coded stress map with blue, green, yellow, and red regions indicating increasing stress concentration around the crack tip. Labels at the top identify the two methods.","file":{"fid":"264955","name":"Athanasiou_rPET_Fracture_Testing_Screencap.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/23\/Athanasiou_rPET_Fracture_Testing_Screencap.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/23\/Athanasiou_rPET_Fracture_Testing_Screencap.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":75075,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/23\/Athanasiou_rPET_Fracture_Testing_Screencap.jpg?itok=35tzJwYR"}}},"media_ids":["680664"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"},{"id":"660398","name":"Sustainability Hub"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"179356","name":"Industrial Design"},{"id":"194685","name":"Manufacturing"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192170","name":"Christos Athanasiou"},{"id":"178818","name":"circular economy"},{"id":"188360","name":"go-bbiss"},{"id":"194823","name":"plastic recycling"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:brent.verrill@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EBrent Verrill\u003C\/a\u003E, Research Communication Manager, BBISS\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["brent.verrill@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690903":{"#nid":"690903","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Mining New Possibilities for Critical Minerals: Mapping a Stronger U.S. Supply Chain","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA new Department of Energy award will help Georgia Tech lead a regional effort to identify, recover, and reuse materials essential to energy, manufacturing, and national security.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECritical minerals power the technologies that define modern life, from batteries and semiconductors to advanced manufacturing systems and defense applications. They are also essential to the nation\u2019s energy future, manufacturing competitiveness, and national security.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/cmei\/articles\/does-office-critical-minerals-and-energy-innovation-launches-regional-consortia\u0022\u003Emajor investment\u003C\/a\u003E from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Georgia Tech is helping accelerate the development of domestic critical minerals from unconventional and secondary resources. The $7.5 million award positions the Institute to advance supply chain solutions that span resource discovery, processing, recycling, and circular materials management.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESelected by DOE\u2019s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation, Georgia Tech will lead the Critical Minerals in the Atlantic Seaboard Plain (CM-MAP) project. The regional effort builds on DOE\u2019s Carbon Ore, Rare Earth, and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) initiative and will examine potential resources across the Atlantic coastal plain.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe CM-MAP project will focus on sedimentary deposits, including kaolin, bauxite, heavy mineral sands, and phosphates, as well as legacy mining residues, coal combustion byproducts, and other unconventional and secondary resources that could support future recycling and circular economy opportunities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDrawing on existing infrastructure, regional assets, industry bases, and scientific expertise, CM-MAP will establish a regional innovation ecosystem that supports domestic critical mineral production, recycling, and advanced manufacturing, while fostering new economic opportunities throughout the Southeast.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis is a powerful example of how Georgia Tech brings together leading research capabilities and partnerships from industry, government, nonprofits, and national labs to address complex national challenges,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/leadership\u0022\u003ETim Lieuwen\u003C\/a\u003E, executive vice president for Research. \u201cBy identifying and domestically sourcing critical minerals, we are helping secure essential supply chains, while enabling the next generation of energy and materials technologies.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe DOE award builds on a growing network of research, industry, regional, and international partnerships led by Georgia Tech to translate scientific discovery into real-world supply chain solutions, including:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ea149f3a1369a08e50ecd550f254e4fc6\u0022\u003EResearch leadership \u2014 Founded in 2024, Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/minerals.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Critical Mineral Solutions\u003C\/a\u003E serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research and technology development across the Institute.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e3525757baf2e98febb34b5a40cf084bc\u0022\u003ERegional partnerships \u2014Through the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gems.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Partnership for Essential Materials\u003C\/a\u003E, a flagship regional collaboration platform, Georgia Tech, the University of Georgia, Georgia State University, and the Georgia Mining Association convene stakeholders from across the critical minerals sector. The partnership brings together industry, nonprofit organizations, regional economic development agencies, national labs, universities, and technical colleges to connect, collaborate, and stay engaged in the latest developments.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ebccf1688cc8ca7d30f05f3e54fb5b005\u0022\u003EInternational engagement \u2014 A\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.research.gatech.edu\/2026\/04\/13\/georgia-universities-and-uk-partners-strengthen-collaboration-critical-minerals-gems-4\u0022\u003EU.K.-U.S. working group\u003C\/a\u003E extends partnerships across the Southeastern United States and Southwest United Kingdom, connecting researchers, industry leaders, and government agencies working to strengthen global supply chains.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e1647f02ab83f892d6c95813afcbe8a2e\u0022\u003EGeorgia Critical Mineral Supply Chain Manufacturing Demonstration Center \u2014 Supported through\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/buddycarter.house.gov\/news\/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=16085\u0022\u003Econgressional funding\u003C\/a\u003E, the center is developing capabilities and regional supply chain demonstrations that connect resource development, materials processing, recycling, and advanced manufacturing.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs part of CM-MAP, researchers will analyze materials collected from natural deposits and industrial sites throughout the Southeast to identify their critical mineral content. The resulting large datasets will be combined with artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches to better understand and predict where resources exist, optimize extraction pathways, and inform future recovery and recycling strategies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis project brings together a highly collaborative team from Georgia Tech, national labs, industry partners, and research institutions across the region,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/people\/yuanzhi-tang\u0022\u003EYuanzhi Tang\u003C\/a\u003E, the principal investigator and Georgia Power Professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, with a courtesy appointment in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang is also the founding director of the Center for Critical Mineral Solutions and executive director of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThrough this award, we are working to build secure and resilient critical materials supply chains, from resource discovery and characterization to processing, recovery, recycling, and advanced manufacturing, while also developing the skilled workforce needed to support these emerging industries,\u201d Tang said. \u201cOur vision is to create a regional innovation ecosystem that embraces both unconventional resources and circular economy approaches to maximize the value of materials already in use.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELearn more about critical materials research and workforce development efforts at Georgia Tech by visiting the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/minerals.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Critical Mineral Solutions\u003C\/a\u003E webpage.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESelected by DOE\u2019s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation, Georgia Tech will lead the Critical Minerals in the Atlantic Seaboard Plain (CM-MAP) project. The regional effort builds on DOE\u2019s Carbon Ore, Rare Earth, and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) initiative and will examine potential resources across the Atlantic coastal plain.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A new Department of Energy award will help Georgia Tech lead a regional effort to identify, recover, and reuse materials essential to energy, manufacturing, and national security."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-06-24 17:37:05","changed_gmt":"2026-08-04 16:17:04","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-06-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-06-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680536":{"id":"680536","type":"image","title":"Picture-for-announcement-Final.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003EUnited States map showing the eight regions of the CORE-CM Initiative. Courtesy: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/netl-exchange.energy.gov\/FileContent.aspx?FileID=fe48ff94-6a59-4df7-b490-54b66c8a22ad\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDepartment of Energy Core-CM Initiative\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1782837023","gmt_created":"2026-06-30 16:30:23","changed":"1782837023","gmt_changed":"2026-06-30 16:30:23","alt":"United States map showing the eight regions of the CORE-CM Initiative. Courtesy: Department of Energy Core-CM Initiative","file":{"fid":"264810","name":"Picture-for-announcement-Final.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/30\/Picture-for-announcement-Final.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/30\/Picture-for-announcement-Final.png","mime":"image\/png","size":709702,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/30\/Picture-for-announcement-Final.png?itok=7Qcc14JW"}}},"media_ids":["680536"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"},{"id":"194612","name":"Workforce Development"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"194701","name":"go-resarchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMedia Contact: \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003C\/a\u003E, Research Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"691265":{"#nid":"691265","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Yuanzhi Tang Named Fellow of the American Chemical Society","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EYuanzhi Tang, executive director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (SEI) and Georgia Power Professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, has been named an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.acs.org\/\u0022\u003EAmerican Chemical Society\u003C\/a\u003E (ACS) Fellow.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe ACS is one of the world\u2019s largest scientific societies, and its Fellows Program recognizes outstanding achievements in scientific research, education, leadership, and service to the chemical profession and honors a select group of members each year.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Election as an ACS Fellow is a significant honor that recognizes not only scientific excellence but also leadership and service to the profession,\u0022 said Julia Kubanek, Georgia Tech\u0027s vice president for Interdisciplinary Research. \u0022Yuanzhi\u0027s pioneering research, her leadership within ACS and the Strategic Energy Institute, and her commitment to advancing interdisciplinary collaboration have strengthened Georgia Tech\u0027s impact in chemistry, energy, and environmental research. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang was recognized for her contributions to environmental chemistry, biogeochemistry, and energy-related research, as well as for her leadership and service to the chemical sciences.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Given her exceptionally energetic research program, which spans topics ranging from the basic understanding of chemical cycling on Earth to creative solutions to recover rare elements from wastes, this honor is richly deserved and completely unsurprising,\u0022 said Jean Lynch-Stieglitz, chair of the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. \u0022We are lucky to have Yuanzhi as part of EAS.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs SEI executive director, Tang leads Institute-wide efforts to strengthen Georgia Tech\u0027s energy research enterprise by connecting expertise across disciplines and fostering partnerships with industry, government, and national laboratories. She also maintains an internationally recognized research program focused on understanding the chemical and biological processes that shape natural and engineered environments.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEstablished in 2008, the ACS Fellows Program honors a distinguished group of scientists who have made exceptional contributions to chemistry and related fields while also demonstrating dedicated service to the society. With this election, Tang joins 17 Georgia Tech ACS Fellows.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022I\u2019m deeply honored,\u0022 Tang said. \u0022This recognition reflects the contributions of many outstanding students, postdoctoral researchers, colleagues, collaborators, and mentors throughout my career. I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such talented people to advance scientific discovery and build interdisciplinary partnerships that address critical energy and environmental challenges.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFounded in 1876, the American Chemical Society represents more than 170,000 members worldwide and is a leading source of scientific information through its journals, conferences, and educational programs.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EYuanzhi Tang, executive director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (SEI) and Georgia Power Professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, has been named an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.acs.org\/\u0022\u003EAmerican Chemical Society\u003C\/a\u003E (ACS) Fellow.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe ACS is one of the world\u2019s largest scientific societies, and its Fellows Program recognizes outstanding achievements in scientific research, education, leadership, and service to the chemical profession and honors a select group of members each year.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Election as an ACS Fellow is a significant honor that recognizes not only scientific excellence but also leadership and service to the profession,\u0022 said Julia Kubanek, Georgia Tech\u0027s vice president for Interdisciplinary Research. \u0022Yuanzhi\u0027s pioneering research, her leadership within ACS and the Strategic Energy Institute, and her commitment to advancing interdisciplinary collaboration have strengthened Georgia Tech\u0027s impact in chemistry, energy, and environmental research. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Yuanzhi Tang, executive director of the Strategic Energy Institute (SEI) and Georgia Power Professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, has been named an American Chemical Society (ACS) Fellow. "}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-07-27 18:57:07","changed_gmt":"2026-08-04 15:53:09","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-07-27T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-07-27T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680685":{"id":"680685","type":"image","title":"Yuanzhi-Tang-pic5-cropped.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYuanzhi Tang\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1785178716","gmt_created":"2026-07-27 18:58:36","changed":"1785178716","gmt_changed":"2026-07-27 18:58:36","alt":"Yuanzhi Tang","file":{"fid":"264986","name":"Yuanzhi-Tang-pic5-cropped.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/27\/Yuanzhi-Tang-pic5-cropped_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/27\/Yuanzhi-Tang-pic5-cropped_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":933435,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/27\/Yuanzhi-Tang-pic5-cropped_0.jpg?itok=--SwhGU3"}}},"media_ids":["680685"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"},{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EPriya Devarajan\u003C\/a\u003E || SEI Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"680298":{"#nid":"680298","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Unearthing Climate Solutions","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFrom new farming practices to paleontology, meet four Georgia Tech researchers who improve the climate and predict its future.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/node\/42455\u0022\u003ERead more \u00bb\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFrom new farming practices to paleontology, meet four Georgia Tech researchers who improve the climate and predict its future.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers explore how to improve the planet, one rock at a time."}],"uid":"36708","created_gmt":"2025-02-06 20:40:54","changed_gmt":"2026-07-27 17:05:10","author":"twilson338","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-02-06T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-02-06T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676233":{"id":"676233","type":"image","title":"0A6A6395.jpg","body":null,"created":"1738874566","gmt_created":"2025-02-06 20:42:46","changed":"1738874566","gmt_changed":"2025-02-06 20:42:46","alt":"Student in the lab working with a sample","file":{"fid":"259969","name":"0A6A6395.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/06\/0A6A6395.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/06\/0A6A6395.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":754158,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/06\/0A6A6395.jpg?itok=R8-VcJHc"}}},"media_ids":["676233"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"195203","name":"go-noshow"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"680640":{"#nid":"680640","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Researchers Build Stable Solar Panel Without Silicon","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESolar power as an electricity source is growing in the United States, with 7% of Americans using it to run their homes. But scientists are still trying to make the solar panel production process more efficient.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/node\/42579\u0022\u003ERead more \u00bb\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESolar power as an electricity source is growing in the United States, with 7% of Americans using it to run their homes. But scientists are still trying to make the solar panel production process more efficient.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"By adding titanium to perovskite crystals, researchers have made solar cells more durable."}],"uid":"27255","created_gmt":"2025-02-20 19:17:27","changed_gmt":"2026-07-27 17:03:03","author":"Josie Giles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676353":{"id":"676353","type":"image","title":"PS Solar_013025-3.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFor years, Juan-Pablo Correa-Baena\u2019s research group has explored using perovskite crystals as an alternative to silicon. A promising and prevalent replacement, perovskite is made of iodine atoms, lead, and organic elements. It is also as efficient as silicon.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1740079072","gmt_created":"2025-02-20 19:17:52","changed":"1740079284","gmt_changed":"2025-02-20 19:21:24","alt":"male researcher wearing a black glove holds a solar cell prototype","file":{"fid":"260125","name":"PS Solar_013025-3.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/20\/PS%20Solar_013025-3.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/20\/PS%20Solar_013025-3.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":10674598,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/20\/PS%20Solar_013025-3.jpg?itok=95fI8wFw"}}},"media_ids":["676353"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192255","name":"go-commercializationnews"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"195203","name":"go-noshow"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"680763":{"#nid":"680763","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Startup Targets Building Energy Inefficiencies With AI and Drones","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ELamarr.AI leverages AI and drones to autonomously diagnose building energy inefficiencies, reducing carbon emissions. The startup, a collaboration between Georgia Tech, MIT, and Syracuse University, raised $1.1 million in pre-seed funding. Their technology provides detailed diagnostics of building exteriors, helping owners save on energy costs and improve indoor air quality.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/node\/42609\u0022\u003ERead more \u00bb\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Lamarr.AI raised $1.1 million to bring its innovative building diagnostics technology to market."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ELamarr.AI leverages AI and drones to autonomously diagnose building energy inefficiencies, reducing carbon emissions. The startup, a collaboration between Georgia Tech, MIT, and Syracuse University, raised $1.1 million in pre-seed funding. Their technology provides detailed diagnostics of building exteriors, helping owners save on energy costs and improve indoor air quality.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Lamarr.AI uses drones, AI, and thermal imaging to identify energy inefficiencies in buildings, offering a faster, safer, and more accurate solution."}],"uid":"27255","created_gmt":"2025-02-26 19:40:33","changed_gmt":"2026-07-27 17:02:31","author":"Josie Giles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-02-26T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-02-26T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676410":{"id":"676410","type":"image","title":"Tarek-Rakha-on-campus.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETarek Rakha on the Georgia Tech campus holding a drone in his arms.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1740598935","gmt_created":"2025-02-26 19:42:15","changed":"1740598935","gmt_changed":"2025-02-26 19:42:15","alt":"Tarek Rakha on the Georgia Tech campus holding a drone in his arms.","file":{"fid":"260194","name":"Tarek-Rakha-on-campus.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/26\/Tarek-Rakha-on-campus.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/26\/Tarek-Rakha-on-campus.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2501738,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/26\/Tarek-Rakha-on-campus.jpeg?itok=1R3mtt_k"}}},"media_ids":["676410"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192255","name":"go-commercializationnews"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"195203","name":"go-noshow"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682913":{"#nid":"682913","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Slow and the Furious: The Researcher Driven to Curb Atlanta\u2019s Soul-Crushing Commute","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWith so many paths to research careers at Georgia Tech, finding the right one can be daunting. In an ongoing feature series, Unexpected Paths, we explore the journeys of 12 research faculty members from across the Institute and learn about their unique paths to research. In this feature, follow Angshuman Guin as he discusses his research into traffic patterns and how faculty serve as the connective tissue of the Institute.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/node\/43438\u0022\u003ERead more \u00bb\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn this feature, follow Angshuman Guin as he discusses his research into traffic patterns and how faculty serve as the connective tissue of the Institute.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"An engineer\u2019s unexpected path to Georgia Tech is paved with detours, data, and a dose of humor."}],"uid":"27255","created_gmt":"2025-06-26 21:32:21","changed_gmt":"2026-07-27 16:48:56","author":"Josie Giles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-06-26T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-06-26T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677295":{"id":"677295","type":"image","title":"Unexpected-Paths_June-Issue_Angshuman-Guin-5.jpg","body":null,"created":"1750973577","gmt_created":"2025-06-26 21:32:57","changed":"1750973577","gmt_changed":"2025-06-26 21:32:57","alt":"Angshuman Guin (a male professor wearing a black suit) sits at a desk in front of two monitors displaying data","file":{"fid":"261179","name":"Unexpected-Paths_June-Issue_Angshuman-Guin-5.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/26\/Unexpected-Paths_June-Issue_Angshuman-Guin-5.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/26\/Unexpected-Paths_June-Issue_Angshuman-Guin-5.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1180614,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/06\/26\/Unexpected-Paths_June-Issue_Angshuman-Guin-5.jpg?itok=yUPveq4Y"}}},"media_ids":["677295"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"195203","name":"go-noshow"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"686991":{"#nid":"686991","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Nuclear Waste: What It Is \u2014 and What It Isn\u2019t","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen people hear \u201cnuclear waste,\u201d they often imagine glowing green sludge leaking into the ground \u2014 a scene straight out of science fiction. The truth is far less dramatic and far more manageable. In fact, all the civilian nuclear waste produced by U.S. power plants so far could fit on a single football field stacked just 10 yards high. Managed under strict safety protocols, this byproduct of nuclear energy poses manageable risk compared to the billions of tons of greenhouse gases from fossil fuels. Today, researchers at Georgia Tech and around the world are working on safer reactor designs, advanced monitoring, and innovative recycling methods to turn nuclear waste into new opportunities \u2014 from clean energy to ultra-long-lasting batteries and even power for space missions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/node\/44646\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead more \u00bb\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen people hear \u201cnuclear waste,\u201d they often imagine glowing green sludge leaking into the ground \u2014 a scene straight out of science fiction. The truth is far less dramatic and far more manageable. In fact, all the civilian nuclear waste produced by U.S. power plants so far could fit on a single football field stacked just 10 yards high. Managed under strict safety protocols, this byproduct of nuclear energy poses manageable risk compared to the billions of tons of greenhouse gases from fossil fuels. Today, researchers at Georgia Tech and around the world are working on safer reactor designs, advanced monitoring, and innovative recycling methods to turn nuclear waste into new opportunities \u2014 from clean energy to ultra-long-lasting batteries and even power for space missions.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Nuclear waste can be managed safely with proper safety protocols. Researchers at Georgia Tech and around the world are working on safer reactor designs, advanced monitoring, and innovative recycling methods to turn nuclear waste into new opportunities \u2014 f"}],"uid":"27255","created_gmt":"2025-12-18 19:42:21","changed_gmt":"2026-07-24 19:28:14","author":"Josie Giles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-12-18T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-12-18T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678901":{"id":"678901","type":"image","title":"1.-MarthaGroverTeam.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EMartha Grover, professor in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, with her research team. [Photo by Christopher McKenney]\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1767106727","gmt_created":"2025-12-30 14:58:47","changed":"1767106727","gmt_changed":"2025-12-30 14:58:47","alt":"Georgia Tech Professor Martha Grover with her research team","file":{"fid":"262994","name":"1.-MarthaGroverTeam.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/30\/1.-MarthaGroverTeam.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/30\/1.-MarthaGroverTeam.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5334947,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/30\/1.-MarthaGroverTeam.jpg?itok=hG_9ee7m"}}},"media_ids":["678901"],"groups":[{"id":"372221","name":"Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"195203","name":"go-noshow"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EPriya Devarajan\u003C\/a\u003E || SEI Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683063":{"#nid":"683063","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Sparking New Ideas on How Wildfire Influences Climate","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWildfires have spread across the planet for millennia, but they are increasing as the climate warms. Decimated forests, depleted crops, and destroyed buildings are the hallmark of wildfire devastation. Another is the effect on air quality and even the entire climate system. Researchers at Georgia Tech offer solutions for not only surviving \u2014 but also benefiting from \u2014 fire.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/node\/43519\u0022\u003ERead more \u00bb\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers monitor wildfires and their impact on air quality and the climate system."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWildfires have spread across the planet for millennia, but they are increasing as the climate warms. Decimated forests, depleted crops, and destroyed buildings are the hallmark of wildfire devastation. Another is the effect on air quality and even the entire climate system. Researchers at Georgia Tech offer solutions for not only surviving \u2014 but also benefiting from \u2014 fire.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers monitor wildfires and their impact on air quality and the climate system."}],"uid":"27255","created_gmt":"2025-07-09 19:19:30","changed_gmt":"2026-07-24 17:47:07","author":"Josie Giles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-07-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-07-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677377":{"id":"677377","type":"image","title":"climate-fire-thumb.jpg","body":null,"created":"1752088776","gmt_created":"2025-07-09 19:19:36","changed":"1752088776","gmt_changed":"2025-07-09 19:19:36","alt":"A male and female researcher working with a metal piece of equipment outdoors with trees and grass in the background","file":{"fid":"261271","name":"climate-fire-thumb.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/09\/climate-fire-thumb.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/09\/climate-fire-thumb.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":952080,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/07\/09\/climate-fire-thumb.jpg?itok=pKFlhVQ6"}}},"media_ids":["677377"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"195203","name":"go-noshow"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"691185":{"#nid":"691185","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Richard Simmons Named Interim Director of Student Competition Center ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/user\/1187\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERichard Simmons\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, principal research engineer in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, has been named interim director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStudent Competition Center (SCC)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, where he will lead efforts to strengthen experiential learning and support the Institute\u2019s student competition teams.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe SCC is home to seven student engineering competition teams and provides workspace, tools, and resources to help students apply classroom learning to real-world engineering challenges.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn his new role, Simmons will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for student competition teams, facilities, staff, budgets, sponsorships, and safety programs. He also will teach and mentor students through engineering design and experiential learning courses, helping connect classroom instruction with project-based experiences.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cRichard brings a unique combination of industry experience, research leadership, and deep commitment to student success,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/user\/1078\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECarolyn Seepersad\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Eugene C. Gwaltney, Jr. School Chair. \u201cAs an accomplished engineer and a Georgia Tech alumnus, he understands the value of experiential learning and is well-positioned to lead the Student Competition Center.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESimmons, ME 1993, joined Georgia Tech in 2016 after spending the first 20 years of his career leading research, technology, and business development initiatives in the automotive industry, energy sector, and federal government. After graduating from Tech, he earned his master\u2019s and doctoral degrees from Purdue University and later became a licensed professional engineer.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOver the past decade, Simmons has held several leadership and research positions within Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, including founding director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnergy Policy and Innovation Center\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and, most recently, director of Research and Studies. He has also taught a variety of courses at the Woodruff School, including \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/2110.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EME 2110\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/capstone-design\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECapstone Design\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Energy Systems, and Renewable Energy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/news\/richard-simmons-named-interim-director-student-competition-center\u0022\u003ERead Full Story on the ME News Page\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/user\/1187\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERichard Simmons\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, principal research engineer in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, has been named interim director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStudent Competition Center (SCC)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, where he will lead efforts to strengthen experiential learning and support the Institute\u2019s student competition teams.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe SCC is home to seven student engineering competition teams and provides workspace, tools, and resources to help students apply classroom learning to real-world engineering challenges.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn his new role, Simmons will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for student competition teams, facilities, staff, budgets, sponsorships, and safety programs. He also will teach and mentor students through engineering design and experiential learning courses, helping connect classroom instruction with project-based experiences.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Richard Simmons, principal research engineer in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, has been named interim director of the Student Competition Center (SCC)."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-07-21 01:23:10","changed_gmt":"2026-07-21 01:28:44","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-07-20T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-07-20T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680632":{"id":"680632","type":"image","title":"GTMS-RSimmons_26_Sat-617_0.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ERich Simmons on a F1-style race car designed by the GT-Motorsports team at the Michigan International Speedway\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1784597001","gmt_created":"2026-07-21 01:23:21","changed":"1784597001","gmt_changed":"2026-07-21 01:23:21","alt":"Rich Simmons on a car designed by the GT-Motorsports team at the Michigan International Speedway","file":{"fid":"264921","name":"GTMS-RSimmons_26_Sat-617_0.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/20\/GTMS-RSimmons_26_Sat-617_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/20\/GTMS-RSimmons_26_Sat-617_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1156844,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/20\/GTMS-RSimmons_26_Sat-617_0.jpg?itok=yGJWQXKq"}}},"media_ids":["680632"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/news\/richard-simmons-named-interim-director-student-competition-center","title":"Read Full Story on ME News Page"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"193158","name":"Student Competition Winners (academic, innovation, and research)"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:tracie.troha@me.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ETraci Troha,\u003C\/a\u003E ME Communications.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["tracie.troha@me.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"691168":{"#nid":"691168","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Building the Energy Workforce of Tomorrow Through Energy Unplugged at Georgia Tech","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEach summer, Georgia Tech\u2019s campus becomes a destination for eager high school students interested in exploring the future of energy. This year, the highly sought-after Energy Unplugged camp, a collaboration between the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (SEI), the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEnergy Policy and Innovation Center\u003C\/a\u003E, and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ceismc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECEISMC\u003C\/a\u003E, attracted students from across the country, including California and Texas, for an immersive, hands-on experience in real-world energy systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBlending engineering challenges, field experiences, and team-based design projects, the weeklong program in June gave students a dynamic introduction to energy, sustainability, and engineering innovation and a rare opportunity to engage directly with the technologies, infrastructure, people, and ideas that help power the world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur goal is to get outside of the classroom, have fun, and demonstrate how a STEM education can literally help turn on lightbulbs,\u201d said SEI\u2019s director of Research and Studies,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/people\/richard-simmons\u0022\u003ERich Simmons\u003C\/a\u003E, who also directs Energy Unplugged. \u201cThrough hands-on learning, field trips, and real-world experiences, these creative students are learning that everyone can play a role in our energy future. Along the way, they are gaining a deeper understanding of the tradeoffs and challenges engineers face and learning from experts about pathways to an energy career.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMousetrap-Powered Cars\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EPutting those ideas into practice from day one,\u0026nbsp;the camp began with an engineering challenge in which students designed and constructed mousetrap-powered cars. Using the stored potential energy of a mousetrap spring to propel their vehicles, participants explored how energy is converted from one form to another and identified sources of friction and inefficiency that affect the distance traveled. The activity encouraged students to think like engineers, iteratively testing and refining their designs to improve results.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEngineering Optimization and Tradeoffs\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ESimilar problem-solving skills were put to the test during an RC car optimization challenge. Equipped with a battery-powered vehicle and energy-monitoring systems, students were tasked with completing a driving course while maximizing their score by balancing speed, energy consumption, safety, and cargo capacity. Participants had the option to add weights and tennis balls to increase potential points, but doing so increased the risk of penalties from dropped cargo, missed obstacles, or vehicle rollovers. The exercise highlighted the tradeoffs engineers routinely face when optimizing systems under competing constraints.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe overall interest in green energy among youth is increasing, so having demonstrations and experiments as well as some high-level lectures on the actual science was a great way to engage the students,\u201d said student assistant\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/wnudd\u0022\u003EWilliam Nudd\u003C\/a\u003E, a senior in mechanical engineering who assisted with the camp. \u201cWhen I was in their shoes, I had never attended a physics class, so the camp was definitely getting them a step ahead and did a great job introducing and showcasing key concepts related to energy: How does my home get electricity? Where does energy come from? How do power plants operate?\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETrivia, Demos, and Scavenger Hunts\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAdditional activities throughout the week included energy-themed trivia competitions, a steam engine demonstration, a solar microgrid exercise, and a campus scavenger hunt. Together, they reinforced classroom concepts through interactive learning and encouraged students to connect technical principles with practical applications.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EField Trips to Power Plants\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EWhile these activities taught foundational concepts,\u0026nbsp;a highlight of the camp was a series of field trips that allowed students to observe large-scale energy infrastructure in operation. Participants toured the Georgia Power McDonough-Atkinson Plant, where they learned how combined-cycle power plants generate electricity using both gas and steam turbines to improve efficiency. Students also visited the Morgan Falls hydroelectric facility, getting an up-close view of the massive generators and equipment used to convert the energy of flowing water into electricity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECampus Tours\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIn addition to exploring regional energy infrastructure, students were introduced to Georgia Tech\u2019s innovation ecosystem through visits to campus makerspaces and research facilities, including the Flowers Invention Studio and The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design. Students explored one of the nation\u2019s most advanced examples of sustainable building design during a guided tour of The Kendeda Building, which generates 200% of the energy it consumes. Here they learned how energy efficiency, renewable generation, and resource conservation can be integrated into the built environment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFinal Projects\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ETo bring together the concepts explored throughout the week, students worked in teams on a final design challenge centered around a solar-powered disaster relief trailer on loan from the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.footprintproject.org\/\u0022\u003EFootprint Project\u003C\/a\u003E. Equipped with photovoltaic panels and battery storage, the trailer was originally designed to provide off-grid power during emergencies. Students were challenged to identify additional uses for the system during periods when disaster response was not required. Many teams proposed sustainable food truck businesses powered by the trailer\u2019s solar energy system.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETeams also evaluated cooking technologies such as pressure cookers and slow cookers, comparing energy consumption, power requirements, efficiency, and operating costs. Students examined how energy demand aligned with available solar generation and battery storage while conducting economic analyses to determine business viability and profitability. The project integrated engineering, economics, and sustainability principles while encouraging creative thinking and collaborative problem-solving.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEnergy Unplugged is an inspiring demonstration of how hands-on engineering experiences can spark curiosity and passion in the next generation of STEM leaders,\u201d said student assistant\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/alvarohucker\/?isSelfProfile=false\u0022\u003EAlvaro Hucker\u003C\/a\u003E, a senior mechanical engineering student. \u201cWorking with this group and seeing the fun they were having brought back fond memories of my own childhood. It was an amazing experience.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EStudent Contributors: Alvaro Hucker, Senior, Mechanical Engineering and William Nudd, Senior, Mechanical Engineering.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEach summer, Georgia Tech\u2019s campus becomes a destination for eager high school students interested in exploring the future of energy. This year, the highly sought-after Energy Unplugged camp, a collaboration between the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (SEI), the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEnergy Policy and Innovation Center\u003C\/a\u003E, and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ceismc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECEISMC\u003C\/a\u003E, attracted students from across the country, including California and Texas, for an immersive, hands-on experience in real-world energy systems.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Energy Unplugged camp, a collaboration between the\u00a0Strategic Energy Institute (SEI), the\u00a0Energy Policy and Innovation Center, and\u00a0CEISMC, attracted students from across the country for an immersive, hands-on experience in real-world energy systems. "}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-07-20 15:50:28","changed_gmt":"2026-07-20 17:06:11","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-07-20T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-07-20T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680626":{"id":"680626","type":"image","title":"IMG_1862.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ERich Simmons, SEI\u0027s Director of Research and Studies, teaches at the Energy Unplugged camp\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1784562762","gmt_created":"2026-07-20 15:52:42","changed":"1784597458","gmt_changed":"2026-07-21 01:30:58","alt":"SEI\u0027s Director of Research and Studies Rich Simmons teaching at the Energy Unplugged Camp","file":{"fid":"264914","name":"IMG_1862.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/20\/IMG_1862.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/20\/IMG_1862.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3624927,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/20\/IMG_1862.jpg?itok=-7R0Exb2"}},"680627":{"id":"680627","type":"image","title":"IMG_1906.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ERich Simmons, teaches energy production and consumption with The Footprint Project\u0027s solar trailor\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1784562893","gmt_created":"2026-07-20 15:54:53","changed":"1784597502","gmt_changed":"2026-07-21 01:31:42","alt":"Rich Simmons, teaches energy production and consumption using Footprint Project\u0027s Solar Trailor ","file":{"fid":"264915","name":"IMG_1906.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/20\/IMG_1906.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/20\/IMG_1906.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3510767,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/20\/IMG_1906.jpg?itok=GamNCFu_"}},"680628":{"id":"680628","type":"image","title":"IMG_1918-copy.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGroup picture of the 2026 Energy Unplugged camp participants with Rich Simmons, camp director and student assistants William Nudd and Alvaro Hucker\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1784566485","gmt_created":"2026-07-20 16:54:45","changed":"1784597592","gmt_changed":"2026-07-21 01:33:12","alt":"Group Picture of the 2026 Energy Unplugged Camp Participants along with Rich Simmons, and Student Assistants William Nudd and Alvaro Hucker","file":{"fid":"264916","name":"IMG_1918-copy.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/20\/IMG_1918-copy.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/20\/IMG_1918-copy.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2602791,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/20\/IMG_1918-copy.jpg?itok=_A0EJ3y9"}},"680629":{"id":"680629","type":"image","title":"IMG_1978.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EEnergy Unplugged camp participants presenting their group project\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1784566760","gmt_created":"2026-07-20 16:59:20","changed":"1784597618","gmt_changed":"2026-07-21 01:33:38","alt":"Energy Unplugged camp participants presenting their group project","file":{"fid":"264918","name":"IMG_1978.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/20\/IMG_1978.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/20\/IMG_1978.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3017113,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/20\/IMG_1978.jpg?itok=EKTNvzdb"}},"680630":{"id":"680630","type":"image","title":"IMG_2046-cropped.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA group project presented at the Energy Unplugged camp\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1784566885","gmt_created":"2026-07-20 17:01:25","changed":"1784597533","gmt_changed":"2026-07-21 01:32:13","alt":"A group project from the Energy Unplugged Camp","file":{"fid":"264919","name":"IMG_2046-cropped.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/20\/IMG_2046-cropped.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/20\/IMG_2046-cropped.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1176069,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/20\/IMG_2046-cropped.jpg?itok=g9_3G5_I"}}},"media_ids":["680626","680627","680628","680629","680630"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EPriya Devarajan\u003C\/a\u003E | SEI Communicatios Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EStudent Contributors: \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/alvarohucker\/?isSelfProfile=false\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAlvaro Hucker\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, Senior, Mechanical Engineering and \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/wnudd\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EWilliam Nudd,\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E Senior, Mechanical Engineering.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"691061":{"#nid":"691061","#data":{"type":"news","title":"In Memoriam: Sam Shelton, Founding Director of the Strategic Energy Institute","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/sam-shelton\u0022\u003ESam Shelton\u003C\/a\u003E, founding director of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (SEI), longtime professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, and designer of the torch for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, passed away on June 20, 2026.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EColleagues and friends remember Shelton as a dedicated mentor, collaborator, and educator, whose curiosity, generosity, and sense of humor left a lasting impression on students and peers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSam exemplified the very best of Georgia Tech, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of engineers and educators,\u201d said Tim Lieuwen, executive vice president for Research at Georgia Tech. \u201cI am deeply grateful for his friendship, mentorship, and leadership. My heartfelt condolences go to his family, and to the many students, colleagues, and friends whose lives he touched.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA nationally recognized leader in energy systems, Shelton founded SEI as an interdisciplinary organization that brought together engineers, researchers, policy experts, and industry leaders to advance high-impact energy solutions. That vision remains central to SEI\u2019s mission and continues to guide its work today.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSam was the quintessential engineer and innovator, whose vision was always accompanied by the development and demonstration of actual products instead of leaving them as promising concepts,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/garimella\u0022\u003ESrinivas Garimella\u003C\/a\u003E, Hightower Chair in the College of Engineering and professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering.\u0026nbsp;\u201cHe had the rare ability to see through nebulous ideas and claims and get to the fundamental engineering truths. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to seek his advice, which he freely gave. I will miss his friendship and counsel very much.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDuring a career of more than 35 years, Shelton made lasting contributions to sustainable energy and engineering innovation. His work spanned combustion research, solar energy technologies, and offshore wind systems. He secured more than $30 million in research funding, held eight patents, founded two energy-focused companies, and helped translate research into real-world energy solutions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to his research, Shelton was deeply committed to education. During his academic career, he developed undergraduate and graduate courses in energy technology, teaching both in person and online. His\u0026nbsp;Energy 101 course reached tens of thousands of learners through a massive open online course platform, covering topics such as energy supply, independence, economics, and society\u2019s energy demands.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhen I first started at SEI in 2016, Sam and I would meet for lunch to discuss the latest research, consider how far we\u0027ve come since the Carter administration, and grapple over the world\u2019s energy problems,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/people\/richard-simmons\u0022\u003ERich Simmons\u003C\/a\u003E, SEI\u2019s director of Research and Studies.\u0026nbsp;\u201cSam was genuine and objective, not working backward from a preconceived notion, but working forward with an open mind to understand, appreciate, and apply the first and second law. He was also colorful and witty! We are all privileged to pay these lessons forward to future energy students.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond academia, Shelton\u2019s engineering expertise reached a global stage as the designer of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/features\/2016\/07\/20th-anniversary-atlanta-games\u0022\u003EOlympic torch for the 1996 Atlanta Games\u003C\/a\u003E, an enduring symbol of innovation recognized worldwide. \u201cThe Olympics represented world peace, mankind coming together, and overcoming adversity. It was an amazing event to think about, to witness, to live through, and be a part of helping to create it,\u201d Shelton said in a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=WyuWSPeGTXk\u0022\u003E2016 interview\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelton is survived by his\u0026nbsp;daughters, Suzie and Stacy, three granddaughters,\u0026nbsp;and a wide network of students, colleagues, and collaborators. His legacy continues through the programs he built, partnerships he fostered, and the people he helped.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EA\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.legacy.com\/us\/obituaries\/atlanta\/name\/samuel-shelton-obituary?id=61831858\u0022\u003Ememorial service\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E celebrating Shelton\u2019s life will be held Aug. 1 at 1 p.m. at The 57th Fighter Group Restaurant in Atlanta. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be directed to Roll Call, Georgia Tech\u2019s Fund for Excellence.\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;Donations may be made at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/giving.gatech.edu\/campaigns\/63028\/donations\/new?\u0026amp;utm_source=ALMR26Q40NY1BU02KUD\u0022\u003Egtalumni.org\/SamShelton\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/sam-shelton\u0022\u003ESam Shelton\u003C\/a\u003E, founding director of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (SEI), longtime professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, and designer of the torch for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, passed away on June 20, 2026.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EColleagues and friends remember Shelton as a dedicated mentor, collaborator, and educator, whose curiosity, generosity, and sense of humor left a lasting impression on students and peers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSam exemplified the very best of Georgia Tech, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of engineers and educators,\u201d said Tim Lieuwen, executive vice president for Research at Georgia Tech. \u201cI am deeply grateful for his friendship, mentorship, and leadership. My heartfelt condolences go to his family, and to the many students, colleagues, and friends whose lives he touched.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Sam Shelton, founding director of the Strategic Energy Institute (SEI), longtime professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, and designer of the torch for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, passed away on June 20, 2026. "}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-07-07 21:11:19","changed_gmt":"2026-07-08 02:35:40","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-07-07T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-07-07T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680575":{"id":"680575","type":"image","title":"SamShelton.jpg","body":null,"created":"1783458862","gmt_created":"2026-07-07 21:14:22","changed":"1783458862","gmt_changed":"2026-07-07 21:14:22","alt":"Sam Shelton, Founding Director of the Strategic Energy Institute (Photo Credit: Georgia Tech Institute Communications)","file":{"fid":"264853","name":"SamShelton.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/07\/SamShelton.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/07\/SamShelton.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":485843,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/07\/SamShelton.jpg?itok=LXffzX8m"}},"680574":{"id":"680574","type":"image","title":"c46785ba-dee7-4ec5-a3fb-b6ad53283937.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1783458708","gmt_created":"2026-07-07 21:11:48","changed":"1783458708","gmt_changed":"2026-07-07 21:11:48","alt":"Sam Shelton, Founding Director of the Strategic Energy Institute","file":{"fid":"264852","name":"c46785ba-dee7-4ec5-a3fb-b6ad53283937.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/07\/c46785ba-dee7-4ec5-a3fb-b6ad53283937.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/07\/c46785ba-dee7-4ec5-a3fb-b6ad53283937.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":33796,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/07\/c46785ba-dee7-4ec5-a3fb-b6ad53283937.jpeg?itok=LUMuoM7e"}}},"media_ids":["680575","680574"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EPriya Devarajan\u003C\/a\u003E || SEI Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"691059":{"#nid":"691059","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Meet the Expert: Brian An","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEnergy resilience broadens the scope of urban policy\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHousing and transportation are top priorities for many city mayors, policymakers and public policy researchers\u2014including \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/c9f0cadc-5bb4-5b6f-9eca-bd38a9233993\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBrian An\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor at Georgia Tech\u2019s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy. But in February 2021, soon after Winter Storm Uri wreaked havoc in Texas, an eight-hour power outage at his Atlanta home became an epiphany.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhile housing stability had long been on my mind, losing power drove home the importance of another piece of urban infrastructure: reliable access to electricity,\u201d says An, an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/people-faculty-affiliates\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEPIcenter faculty affiliate\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and co-director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/urbanresearch.iac.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECenter for Urban Research\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cIt sparked my interest in studying the intersection of energy and urban policy to help make cities and communities not only socially equitable but also resilient to extreme weather.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/2026\/06\/30\/meet-the-expert-brian-an\/\u0022\u003ERead Full Story on the EPIcenter News Page\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEnergy resilience broadens the scope of urban policy\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHousing and transportation are top priorities for many city mayors, policymakers and public policy researchers\u2014including \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/c9f0cadc-5bb4-5b6f-9eca-bd38a9233993\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBrian An\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor at Georgia Tech\u2019s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy. But in February 2021, soon after Winter Storm Uri wreaked havoc in Texas, an eight-hour power outage at his Atlanta home became an epiphany.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhile housing stability had long been on my mind, losing power drove home the importance of another piece of urban infrastructure: reliable access to electricity,\u201d says An, an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/people-faculty-affiliates\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEPIcenter faculty affiliate\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and co-director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/urbanresearch.iac.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECenter for Urban Research\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cIt sparked my interest in studying the intersection of energy and urban policy to help make cities and communities not only socially equitable but also resilient to extreme weather.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"In this EPIcenter Expert series, meet Brian An, EPIcenter Affiliate, studying the intersection of energy resilience and urban policy to improve grid equity during extreme weather."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-07-07 16:26:49","changed_gmt":"2026-07-07 16:31:03","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-06-30T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-06-30T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680569":{"id":"680569","type":"image","title":"Brian-An_IAC-faculty-profile-732x1024.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EBrian An, EPIcenter Faculty Affiliate and Assistant Professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1783441679","gmt_created":"2026-07-07 16:27:59","changed":"1783441679","gmt_changed":"2026-07-07 16:27:59","alt":"Brian An, EPIcenter Faculty Affiliate and Assistant Professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy ","file":{"fid":"264847","name":"Brian-An_IAC-faculty-profile-732x1024.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/07\/Brian-An_IAC-faculty-profile-732x1024.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/07\/Brian-An_IAC-faculty-profile-732x1024.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":69638,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/07\/Brian-An_IAC-faculty-profile-732x1024.jpg?itok=wcUA_U3y"}}},"media_ids":["680569"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EStory Written by: Silke Schmidt\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENews Contact: \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EPriya Devarajan\u003C\/a\u003E, Research Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690894":{"#nid":"690894","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Researchers Discover Membrane-Based Approach to More Sustainable Oil Refining","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ERefining crude oil into gasoline, jet fuel, and other everyday products requires enormous amounts of energy. The atmospheric and vacuum distillation processes used in refineries worldwide consume more than 1,100 terawatt-hours of energy annually \u2014 roughly enough to power 100 million U.S. homes for a year \u2014 while generating millions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESix years after demonstrating that membranes could separate crude oil at the molecular level, Georgia Tech researcher Ryan Lively is part of an international team that has taken the concept a significant step further.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team, including investigators at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), discovered that a membrane material widely believed to be non-selective for molecules as small as those found in crude can in fact selectively separate crude oil into lighter and heavier fractions in a way researchers did not expect.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPublished in \u003Cem\u003ENature\u003C\/em\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41586-026-10677-3\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Etheir findings\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E suggest that using membranes to separate crude oil before distillation could significantly reduce the energy, water, and carbon footprint of petroleum refining.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lively.chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELively\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, the Thomas C. DeLoach Jr. Endowed Professor in Georgia Tech\u0027s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, served as an advisor and corresponding author on the study. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pure.kaist.ac.kr\/en\/persons\/dong-yeun-koh\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDong-Yeun Koh\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, an associate professor at KAIST and a former postdoc in the Lively Lab at Georgia Tech, led the study.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuilding on Earlier Research\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the 2020 \u003Cem\u003EScience\u003C\/em\u003E paper, Lively and collaborators demonstrated that specially designed membranes could separate crude oil into valuable fractions without relying solely on traditional heat-driven distillation. The work helped establish membrane-based crude oil fractionation as a promising alternative for reducing energy use in refining.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022This work grew directly out of the challenges we identified in our original findings in the 2020 article,\u0022 Lively said. \u0022One of the key challenges that the KAIST team set out to tackle was the very low oil productivities of the membrane units, which has limited the ability of this concept to leave the lab. Along the way, we not only increased the productivities, but we also uncovered a surprising new mechanism that could make membrane-based crude oil separations even more practical.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe new study built on that foundation. The researchers investigated polyacrylonitrile (PAN) membranes, a material commonly used as a non-selective support layer in filtration systems. Because the material is porous, the team generally did not expect it to perform precise molecular separations on its own.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut what they found surprised them, Lively said. As crude oil flowed through the membrane, heavier hydrocarbon molecules accumulated within the membrane\u0027s pores. Instead of clogging the membrane, the buildup created a stable internal layer that gradually narrowed the pathways through which molecules could travel. Surprisingly, the molecules that caused the buildup in the first place were eventually excluded from entering the membrane, resulting in a steady production of higher quality oil through the narrow pathways that remained.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn effect, the membrane created its own molecular-scale filter. The result was a process that allowed lighter hydrocarbons to pass through while holding back heavier components.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe membrane enriched lighter fractions such as naphtha and kerosene while achieving crude oil flow rates more than 23 times higher those reported in the 2020 paper for whole crude oils\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhen Buildup Becomes an Asset\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn most filtration systems, buildup inside a membrane (or fouling) is considered a problem because it reduces performance.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut according to the researchers, this study demonstrates that something different can happen under the right conditions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUsing a range of analytical techniques, the researchers found that long-chain hydrocarbon molecules accumulated inside the membrane and became an essential part of the separation process. The deposits effectively transformed larger pores into stable transport pathways measuring less than two nanometers across, they deduced based on available experimental evidence.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe membrane maintained consistent separation performance during four weeks of continuous operation, suggesting the filtration pathways remained stable over time.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe findings challenge traditional assumptions about membrane fouling and may offer new opportunities for designing industrial separation systems that take advantage of similar behavior,\u201d Lively said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPotential Impact on Refining\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EToday\u0027s refineries heat entire streams of crude oil to separate them into useful products. By using membranes to remove a substantial portion of the lighter hydrocarbons before distillation, refineries could reduce the amount of material that must undergo energy-intensive heating. Alternatively, the refinery can use the membranes to incrementally increase refinery capacity, which is currently not possible using large-scale distillation equipment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo evaluate the potential impacts of the membrane system, the researchers modeled a refinery process that incorporated a membrane separation step before conventional distillation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis study reveals a new scientific principle in which a membrane interacts with a complex mixture and spontaneously forms its own separation channels,\u0022 Koh said. \u0022Working with real crude oil supplied by HD Hyundai Oilbank allowed us to validate the technology under conditions relevant to industrial operation.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team\u0027s technoeconomic analysis showed that incorporating the membrane process could reduce distillation energy use by 30%, carbon dioxide emissions by 35%, and water consumption by 20%.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApplied across U.S. atmospheric crude distillation capacity \u2014 about 18 million barrels per day \u2014 those savings would be equivalent to powering roughly 2.2 million homes, removing about 3 million passenger vehicles from the road, and supplying enough water for approximately 660,000 people each year.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Turning crude oil into useful products has relied on essentially the same basic approach for more than a century,\u0022 Lively said. \u0022Membranes offer a path toward achieving those separations with dramatically lower energy requirements and emissions.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe study\u0027s findings also suggest that the phenomenon may not be limited to a single membrane chemistry. Researchers observed similar behavior in a second membrane material, raising the possibility that the approach could be extended to other membrane systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022This is a terrific piece of research that rewards curiosity,\u0022 said Andrew LIvington, vice president of research and innovation and professor at Queen Mary University of London, who was not involved with the study. \u0022This work adds significantly to the field of membrane separations of crude oil streams as it tackles the first, hard to achieve separation of heavy hydrocarbons \u2013 most work to date has focused on lighter oils\u0026nbsp;\u2013 and it uses a simple and readily available membrane.\u0022\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJihoon Choi, Hyeokjun Seo, Minyong Lee, Woong-Chul Shin, Jaemin Choi, Keonwoo Choi, Min-Jun Jang, Sung Gap Im, Jae W. Lee, Ryan P. Lively, and Dong-Yeun Koh, \u0022\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41586-026-10677-3\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECrude oil fractionation by means of mesoporous polyacrylonitrile membranes\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0022 \u003Cem\u003ENature\u003C\/em\u003E, 2026.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EPublished in \u003Cem\u003ENature\u003C\/em\u003E, the researchers\u0027 findings suggest that using membranes to separate crude oil before distillation could significantly reduce the energy, water, and carbon footprint of petroleum refining.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Published in Nature, the researchers\u0027 findings suggest that using membranes to separate crude oil before distillation could significantly reduce the energy, water, and carbon footprint of petroleum refining."}],"uid":"27271","created_gmt":"2026-06-24 15:45:46","changed_gmt":"2026-07-06 17:19:42","author":"Brad Dixon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-06-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-06-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680502":{"id":"680502","type":"image","title":"RyanDong-Yeun.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EProfessors Ryan Lively (Georgia Tech) and Dong-Yeun Koh (KAIST). Koh used to be postdoctoral researcher in the Lively Lab.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1782316293","gmt_created":"2026-06-24 15:51:33","changed":"1782316293","gmt_changed":"2026-06-24 15:51:33","alt":"Professors Ryan Lively (Georgia Tech) and Dong-Yeun Koh (KAIST). Koh used to be postdoctoral researcher in the Lively Lab.","file":{"fid":"264775","name":"RyanDong-Yeun.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/24\/RyanDong-Yeun.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/24\/RyanDong-Yeun.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":190547,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/24\/RyanDong-Yeun.jpg?itok=-eLTFUXj"}},"680503":{"id":"680503","type":"image","title":"PAN-Crude---Manuscript---R1---V6.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESchematic illustration of the membrane-based pre-fractionation process, showing the selective separation of light hydrocarbon fractions from crude oil feedstock to reduce energy requirements for subsequent atmospheric distillation.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1782316323","gmt_created":"2026-06-24 15:52:03","changed":"1782316323","gmt_changed":"2026-06-24 15:52:03","alt":"Schematic illustration of the membrane-based pre-fractionation process, showing the selective separation of light hydrocarbon fractions from crude oil feedstock to reduce energy requirements for subsequent atmospheric distillation.","file":{"fid":"264776","name":"PAN-Crude---Manuscript---R1---V6.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/24\/PAN-Crude---Manuscript---R1---V6.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/24\/PAN-Crude---Manuscript---R1---V6.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":84713,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/24\/PAN-Crude---Manuscript---R1---V6.jpg?itok=6Y4qawLU"}},"680504":{"id":"680504","type":"image","title":"PAN-Crude.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EPhotographs illustrating the distinct color change upon fractionation of crude oils via PAN membrane.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1782316357","gmt_created":"2026-06-24 15:52:37","changed":"1782316357","gmt_changed":"2026-06-24 15:52:37","alt":"Photographs illustrating the distinct color change upon fractionation of crude oils via PAN membrane.","file":{"fid":"264777","name":"PAN-Crude.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/24\/PAN-Crude.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/24\/PAN-Crude.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":141397,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/24\/PAN-Crude.jpg?itok=9_uTRAtb"}}},"media_ids":["680502","680503","680504"],"groups":[{"id":"372221","name":"Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"11764","name":"filtration"},{"id":"2177","name":"membranes"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"188020","name":"go-rbi"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBrad Dixon, \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:braddixon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebraddixon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["braddixon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"691032":{"#nid":"691032","#data":{"type":"news","title":"EPIcenter Experts in the News: AI, Prices, and the War","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEPIcenter Faculty Affiliates\u003C\/strong\u003E have recently contributed to more than a dozen news broadcasts, public radio interviews, and national media conversations on energy price trends, the war in Iran, and what these mean for everyday Americans.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommunities across Georgia and the nation are navigating a range of economic and energy-related pressures. Gas prices, inflation, and the rapid growth of data centers are shaping the cost of goods and services, influencing everyday household financial decisions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the same time, ongoing geopolitical tensions are driving fluctuations in global oil markets and fuel prices. The expansion of AI data centers is also increasing demand for land, power, and water resources. And conflicts involving energy infrastructure in parts of the Middle East and Europe have affected supply stability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResponding to these challenges requires careful analysis of emerging trends, supported by strong research in policy and economics. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/people-faculty-affiliates\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFaculty Affiliates\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E of Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnergy Policy and Innovation Center\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E study these complex, interconnected issues affecting energy systems, costs, and access. They analyze emerging trends, evaluate policy options, and identify practical pathways forward.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/2026\/07\/01\/epicenter-affiliated-experts-inform-public-understanding-of-energy-systems-and-their-economic-impacts\/\u0022\u003ERead Full Story on the EPIcenter News Page\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEPIcenter Faculty Affiliates\u003C\/strong\u003E have recently contributed to more than a dozen news broadcasts, public radio interviews, and national media conversations on energy price trends, the war in Iran, and what these mean for everyday Americans.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommunities across Georgia and the nation are navigating a range of economic and energy-related pressures. Gas prices, inflation, and the rapid growth of data centers are shaping the cost of goods and services, influencing everyday household financial decisions.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"EPIcenter Faculty Affiliates have recently contributed to more than a dozen news broadcasts, public radio interviews, and national media conversations on energy price trends, the war in Iran, and what these mean for everyday Americans."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-07-02 19:36:58","changed_gmt":"2026-07-02 19:40:46","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-07-01T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-07-01T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680549":{"id":"680549","type":"image","title":"Adobe-Stock-Image-Collage-600x400.png","body":null,"created":"1783021099","gmt_created":"2026-07-02 19:38:19","changed":"1783021099","gmt_changed":"2026-07-02 19:38:19","alt":"4 panel image: clockwise from upper left - solar panels in field, data center and cooling complex, Hormuz Island, gas pump in a car\u0027s fuel port","file":{"fid":"264825","name":"Adobe-Stock-Image-Collage-600x400.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/02\/Adobe-Stock-Image-Collage-600x400.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/02\/Adobe-Stock-Image-Collage-600x400.png","mime":"image\/png","size":103965,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/02\/Adobe-Stock-Image-Collage-600x400.png?itok=GVkV7SSC"}}},"media_ids":["680549"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EPriya Devarajan\u003C\/a\u003E | SEI Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"684913":{"#nid":"684913","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Meet the Microbes: What a Warming Wetland Reveals About Earth\u2019s Carbon Future","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBetween a third and half of all soil carbon on Earth is stored in peatlands, says\u0026nbsp;Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/joel-kostka\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJoel Kostka\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. These wetlands \u2014 formed from layers and layers of decaying plant matter \u2014 span from the Arctic to the tropics, supporting biodiversity and regulating global climate.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cPeatlands are essential carbon stores, but as temperatures warm, this carbon is in danger of being released as carbon dioxide and methane,\u201d says Kostka, who is also the\u0026nbsp;associate chair for Research in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E and the director of\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/12\/04\/college-sciences-launches-new-center-georgia-tech-georgias-tomorrow\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech for Georgia\u2019s Tomorrow\u003C\/a\u003E. Understanding the ratio of carbon dioxide to methane is critical, he adds, because while both are greenhouse gasses, methane is significantly more potent.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EKostka is the corresponding author of a new study unearthing how and why peatlands are producing carbon dioxide and methane.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe research, \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-025-61664-7\u0022\u003ENorthern peatland microbial communities exhibit resistance to warming and acquire electron acceptors from soil organic matter\u003C\/a\u003E,\u201d was published this summer in\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ENature Communications\u003C\/em\u003E, and was led by co-first authors\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EBorja Aldeguer-Riquelme,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ea\u0026nbsp;postdoctoral research associate in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/enve-omics.gatech.edu\/people\/\u0022\u003EEnvironmental Microbial Genomics Laboratory,\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Eand\u003Cstrong\u003E Katherine Duchesneau\u003C\/strong\u003E, a\u0026nbsp;Ph.D. student in the School of Biological Sciences.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe study builds on a decade of research at the Oak Ridge National Lab\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mnspruce.ornl.gov\/\u0022\u003ESpruce and Peatland Responses Under Changing Environments (SPRUCE) experiment\u003C\/a\u003E, a long-term research project in Minnesota that allows researchers to warm whole sections of wetland from tree top to bog bottom.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cOver the past 10 years, we\u2019ve shown that warming in this large-scale climate experiment increases greenhouse gas production,\u201d Kostka says. \u201cBut while warming makes the bog produce more methane, we still observe a lot more CO2 production than methane. In this paper, we take a critical step towards discovering why \u2014 and describing the mechanisms that determine which gases are released and in what amounts.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMethane mystery\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe subdued methane production in peatlands has been a long-standing mystery. In water-saturated wetlands, oxygen is scarce, but microbes still need to respire \u2014 a type of \u2018breathing\u2019 that allows them to produce energy for metabolic function. Without oxygen, microbes use nitrate, sulfate, or metals to respire \u2014 still releasing carbon dioxide in the process. However, if these ingredients aren\u2019t present, microbes \u2018breathe\u2019 in a way that releases methane.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ESince nitrate, sulfate, and metals are relatively rare in peatlands, methane production should be the most likely pathway, but surprisingly, observations show the opposite. \u201cIn both fieldwork and lab experiments, peatlands produce much more carbon dioxide than methane,\u201d Kostka explains. \u201cIt\u2019s puzzling because the soil conditions should help methane production dominate.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ETo solve this mystery, the team leveraged a suite of cutting-edge genetic tools called \u201comics\u201d \u2014\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;metagenomics (studying DNA), metatranscriptomics (studying RNA), and metabolomics (a technique used to study the \u201cleftovers\u201d of metabolism), providing a detailed look under the hood of the microbial \u201cengine\u201d that cycles organic matter in wetlands. It also gave a new window into the diversity of soil microbes in wetlands: 80 percent of the organisms identified in the study were new at the genus level.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u2018Omics\u2019 innovations\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EOver the course of several years, the team collected samples from a peatland enclosed in an experimental chamber that was slowly warmed, then analyzed the samples using omics to see how they changed. Initially, they hypothesized that warming the soil would cause microbial communities to change quickly. \u201cMicrobes can evolve and grow rapidly,\u201d Kostka says. \u201cBut that didn\u2019t happen.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe DNA-based methods showed that while the microbial communities stayed largely stable, the bog did release more greenhouse gasses as it warmed. To assess the metabolic potential of the microbes, Duchesneau and Aldeguer-Riquelme constructed microbial genomes, investigating how they were decomposing the organic matter in peatlands and cycling carbon.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cWe found that microbial activity increases with warming, but the growth response of microbial communities lags behind these changes in physiological or metabolic activity,\u201d Kostka says.\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EHe cautions that this doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that wetland communities won\u2019t change as climates warm\u0026nbsp;\u2014 just that these shifts might come behind metabolic ones.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA diversity of discoveries\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAnd the methane? The team believes that microbes may be breaking down organic matter to access the key ingredients for producing carbon dioxide \u2014 nitrate, sulfate, and metals \u2014 though more research is currently underway to investigate this.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cDoing this type of integrated omics research in soil systems is still incredibly difficult,\u201d Kostka says. The challenge is multifaceted: the research leverages years of experiments, long-term datasets, advanced laboratory techniques, and fieldwork innovations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAt SPRUCE, experimental chambers are about 1,000 square feet. While it\u2019s an impressive experimental setup, researchers still must be careful: \u201cWe need to take soil samples for many years, so if we take too many, there\u2019d be no soil left!\u201d Kostka explains. \u201cPart of our research involves developing better, non-destructive sampling techniques.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe other challenge lies in what makes these peatlands so unique: it\u2019s very hard to detect small changes because of the sheer diversity of organisms present. \u201cEvery time we conduct this type of research, we learn more about these incredible systems,\u201d he says. \u201cThere\u2019s always something new.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EDOI: \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-025-61664-7\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-025-61664-7\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFunding: The Office of Biological and Environmental Research, Terrestrial Ecosystem Science Program and Genomic Science programs, under the US Department of Energy (DOE); the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a DOE Office of Science User Facility sponsored by the Biological and Environmental Research program. The SPRUCE experiment is funded by the Biological and Environmental Research program in the U.S. Department of Energy\u2019s Office of Science.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBetween a third and half of all soil carbon on Earth is stored in peatlands, but as temperatures warm, this carbon is in danger of being released. A new study is unearthing the ratio of carbon dioxide to methane released \u2014 because while both are greenhouse gasses, methane is significantly more potent.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A new study is unearthing how and why peatlands are producing carbon dioxide and methane.\u00a0"}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2025-09-16 16:55:49","changed_gmt":"2026-06-30 17:57:42","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-09-16T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-09-16T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678030":{"id":"678030","type":"image","title":"An aerial photo of the SPRUCE experiment.","body":"An arial photo of the SPRUCE experiment.","created":"1758051069","gmt_created":"2025-09-16 19:31:09","changed":"1758054915","gmt_changed":"2025-09-16 20:35:15","alt":"An aerial photo of the SPRUCE experiment.","file":{"fid":"262002","name":"SPRUCE-aerial.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/16\/SPRUCE-aerial.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/16\/SPRUCE-aerial.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":191796,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/09\/16\/SPRUCE-aerial.jpg?itok=KXVV0CD8"}},"678031":{"id":"678031","type":"image","title":"Postdoctoral Researchers Caitlin Petro and Borja Aldeguer-Riquelme inside a SPRUCE chamber in 2023.","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPostdoctoral Researchers Caitlin Petro and Borja Aldeguer-Riquelme inside a SPRUCE chamber in 2023.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1758051865","gmt_created":"2025-09-16 19:44:25","changed":"1758051865","gmt_changed":"2025-09-16 19:44:25","alt":"Postdoctoral Researchers Caitlin Petro and Borja Aldeguer-Riquelme inside a SPRUCE chamber in 2023.","file":{"fid":"262008","name":"Caitlin_Borja_chamber_23.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/16\/Caitlin_Borja_chamber_23.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/16\/Caitlin_Borja_chamber_23.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":37221,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/09\/16\/Caitlin_Borja_chamber_23.jpg?itok=o_Yq6q6C"}},"678026":{"id":"678026","type":"image","title":"Ph.D. student Katherine Duchesneau sampling porewater inside an experimental SPRUCE chamber.","body":"Ph.D. student Katherine Duchesneau sampling porewater inside an experimental SPRUCE chamber.","created":"1758051069","gmt_created":"2025-09-16 19:31:09","changed":"1758051069","gmt_changed":"2025-09-16 19:31:09","alt":"Ph.D. student Katherine Duchesneau sampling porewater inside an experimental SPRUCE chamber.","file":{"fid":"261998","name":"IMG_6736.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/16\/IMG_6736.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/16\/IMG_6736.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":12526125,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/09\/16\/IMG_6736.jpeg?itok=Fp_7PhLg"}},"678027":{"id":"678027","type":"image","title":"Postdoctoral Researcher Caitlin Petro, Ph.D. student Katherine Duchesneau, and undergraduate student Sekou Noble-Kuchera in a SPRUCE chamber.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPostdoctoral Researcher Caitlin Petro, Ph.D. student Katherine Duchesneau, and undergraduate student Sekou Noble-Kuchera in a SPRUCE chamber.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1758051069","gmt_created":"2025-09-16 19:31:09","changed":"1758055106","gmt_changed":"2025-09-16 20:38:26","alt":"Postdoctoral Researcher Caitlin Petro, Ph.D. student Katherine Duchesneau, and undergraduate student Sekou Noble-Kuchera in a SPRUCE chamber.","file":{"fid":"261999","name":"IMG_6748.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/16\/IMG_6748.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/16\/IMG_6748.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":8678062,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/09\/16\/IMG_6748.jpg?itok=DoMRfPfd"}},"678028":{"id":"678028","type":"image","title":"Joel Kostka at the SPRUCE experiment.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EJoel Kostka at the SPRUCE experiment.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1758051069","gmt_created":"2025-09-16 19:31:09","changed":"1758055048","gmt_changed":"2025-09-16 20:37:28","alt":"Joel Kostka at the SPRUCE experiment.","file":{"fid":"262000","name":"Joel-Kostka.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/16\/Joel-Kostka.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/16\/Joel-Kostka.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1324030,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/09\/16\/Joel-Kostka.jpg?itok=eUOwhCkK"}}},"media_ids":["678030","678031","678026","678027","678028"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"685297":{"#nid":"685297","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Decades in the Making: Seeing the Full Impact From Air Pollution Reductions","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EResearchers at Georgia Tech have analyzed the seasonal differences of sulfate aerosols \u2014 a major pollutant in the United States \u2014 to examine the long-term impact from sulfur dioxide (SO\u2082) emission reductions since the enactment of the Clean Air Act amendments in 1990.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E Professor \u003Cstrong\u003EYuhang Wang\u003C\/strong\u003E and his team studied the factors affecting SO\u2082\u0026nbsp;and sulfate concentrations during winter and summer in the \u201cRust Belt\u201d \u2014 from New York through the Midwest \u2014 and the Southeast regions of the U.S. over two decades (2004 to 2023). Supported by the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/\u0022\u003ENational Science Foundation\u003C\/a\u003E and Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/sustainability\u0022\u003EBrook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems\u003C\/a\u003E, the team also developed an ensemble machine learning approach to project seasonal patterns until 2050.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cPower plants, particularly those burning coal and oil, are a major source of SO\u2082 emissions in these regions,\u201d says Wang, who co-authored, with Ph.D. students \u003Cstrong\u003EFanghe Zhao\u003C\/strong\u003E and \u003Cstrong\u003EShengjun Xi\u003C\/strong\u003E, the study recently published in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/full\/10.1021\/acs.estlett.5c00731\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EEnvironmental Science \u0026amp; Technology Letters\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESeasonal differences in atmospheric chemistry\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the U.S., the chemistry in the atmosphere varies among the seasons. During summer, solar radiation from ample sunlight activates oxidant reactions that produce hydrogen peroxide (H\u003Cem\u003E\u2082\u003C\/em\u003EO\u003Cem\u003E\u2082\u003C\/em\u003E) in the atmosphere. The supply of H\u003Cem\u003E\u2082\u003C\/em\u003EO\u003Cem\u003E\u2082\u003C\/em\u003E is determined by the amount of emitted air pollution, and once in the atmosphere, H\u003Cem\u003E\u2082\u003C\/em\u003EO\u003Cem\u003E\u2082\u003C\/em\u003E can oxidize SO\u2082\u0026nbsp;quickly into sulfate aerosols in the aqueous phase.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESulfate aerosols from the oxidation of SO\u2082 contribute to the formation of particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5). Particulate sulfate poses significant environmental and public health risks, including air pollution, acid rain, and circulatory and respiratory issues.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe supply of H\u003Cem\u003E\u2082\u003C\/em\u003EO\u003Cem\u003E\u2082\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;in summer is eight times greater than in winter \u2014 a huge difference \u2014 which means sulfate concentrations are generally higher in summer and a reduction in SO\u2082 emissions leads to a proportional decrease in sulfate concentrations,\u201d explains Wang. \u201cWhen SO\u2082 emissions exceed the available supply of H\u003Cem\u003E\u2082\u003C\/em\u003EO\u003Cem\u003E\u2082\u003C\/em\u003E in winter, the reduction in sulfate concentrations can be much smaller because of a \u2018chemical damping\u2019 effect that causes sulfate levels to decline more slowly than SO\u2082 emissions.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENarrowing the disparities between seasonal sulfate levels\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe study\u2019s two-decade observations revealed distinct patterns in the reduction of SO\u2082\u0026nbsp;emissions and sulfate concentrations during winter and summer.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile SO\u2082\u0026nbsp;emissions significantly decreased in both seasons\u00ad over time \u2014 primarily from the Clean Air Act and more power plants transitioning from coal to natural gas \u2014 the reduction of sulfate concentrations initially showed large seasonal differences. However, over the past decade, the disparity between winter and summer sulfate levels narrowed as SO\u2082\u0026nbsp;emissions decreased.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to Wang, the seasonal disparity of sulfate was caused by changing chemical regimes in winter over time. Although the lower supply of H\u003Cem\u003E\u2082\u003C\/em\u003EO\u003Cem\u003E\u2082\u003C\/em\u003E remained stable in winter, SO\u2082\u0026nbsp;wintertime emissions were higher from 2004 to 2013, then dropped below the level of H\u003Cem\u003E\u2082\u003C\/em\u003EO\u003Cem\u003E\u2082\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;after 2013 \u2014 reaching parity with the levels of reduced SO\u2082\u0026nbsp;emissions in the summer.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhen you have this complexity of atmospheric chemistry, there is a non-linear effect in winter \u2014 as SO\u2082\u0026nbsp;emissions decreased, sulfate aerosol production efficiency increased until 2013, then flattened as of today. The reduction in sulfate aerosols initially lagged behind the decrease in SO\u2082 emissions but eventually caught up as a result of sustained air quality control efforts,\u201d says Wang. \u201cConversely, there is a simple, linear effect in summer \u2014 the more SO\u2082\u0026nbsp;emissions, the more sulfate aerosols in the atmosphere \u2014 and if you reduce one, the other is reduced by the same proportion.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDecades-long full impact\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom now until 2050, the researchers\u2019 machine learning projections indicate a continuing decrease of winter and summer sulfate levels, which are currently around 20 percent, as SO\u2082\u0026nbsp;emission controls achieve comparable efficacy across the seasons.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe\u2019re now seeing the full impact from the Clean Air Act,\u201d concludes Wang, \u201cand the nation\u2019s sustained effort in pollution reduction is key to improving air quality and health outcomes.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers analyze seasonal differences of SO\u2082 and sulfate concentrations in the atmosphere over decades to determine the long-term impact of sustained air quality control efforts.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers analyze seasonal differences of SO\u2082 and sulfate concentrations in the atmosphere over decades to determine the long-term impact of sustained air quality control efforts."}],"uid":"27465","created_gmt":"2025-09-25 21:44:42","changed_gmt":"2026-06-30 16:45:09","author":"Annette Filliat","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-09-26T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-09-26T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678151":{"id":"678151","type":"image","title":"NOAA Iridescent Clouds","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIridescent clouds before sunset \/ Source: NOAA\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1758842239","gmt_created":"2025-09-25 23:17:19","changed":"1758842239","gmt_changed":"2025-09-25 23:17:19","alt":"NOAA Iridescent Clouds","file":{"fid":"262138","name":"NOAA-North-Carolina-Clouds.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/25\/NOAA-North-Carolina-Clouds.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/25\/NOAA-North-Carolina-Clouds.png","mime":"image\/png","size":3019658,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/09\/25\/NOAA-North-Carolina-Clouds.png?itok=aC8m6MF-"}},"678152":{"id":"678152","type":"image","title":"Yuhang Wang ","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Professor Yuhang Wang and his team co-authored the study, \u201cChemically Induced Decline in Wintertime SO\u003Cem\u003E\u2082\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;Emission Control Efficacy,\u201d which was published in \u003Cem\u003EEnvironmental Science \u0026amp; Technology Letters\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1758842459","gmt_created":"2025-09-25 23:20:59","changed":"1758842459","gmt_changed":"2025-09-25 23:20:59","alt":"Yuhang Wang ","file":{"fid":"262139","name":"GT-CoS-Yuhang-Wang-Headshot.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/25\/GT-CoS-Yuhang-Wang-Headshot.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/25\/GT-CoS-Yuhang-Wang-Headshot.png","mime":"image\/png","size":6600933,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/09\/25\/GT-CoS-Yuhang-Wang-Headshot.png?itok=Wga0XlvH"}},"678153":{"id":"678153","type":"image","title":"Fanghe Zhao","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPh.D. student Fanghe Zhao\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1758843155","gmt_created":"2025-09-25 23:32:35","changed":"1758843155","gmt_changed":"2025-09-25 23:32:35","alt":"Fanghe Zhao","file":{"fid":"262141","name":"GT-CoS-Fanghe-Zhao-Headshot.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/25\/GT-CoS-Fanghe-Zhao-Headshot_0.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/25\/GT-CoS-Fanghe-Zhao-Headshot_0.png","mime":"image\/png","size":10158591,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/09\/25\/GT-CoS-Fanghe-Zhao-Headshot_0.png?itok=rmCNXJa_"}},"678154":{"id":"678154","type":"image","title":"Shengjun Xi","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003EPh.D. student Shengjun Xi\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1758843283","gmt_created":"2025-09-25 23:34:43","changed":"1758843283","gmt_changed":"2025-09-25 23:34:43","alt":"Shengjun Xi","file":{"fid":"262142","name":"GT-CoS-Shengjun-Xi-Headshot.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/25\/GT-CoS-Shengjun-Xi-Headshot.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/25\/GT-CoS-Shengjun-Xi-Headshot.png","mime":"image\/png","size":3927326,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/09\/25\/GT-CoS-Shengjun-Xi-Headshot.png?itok=ut8CDG5t"}}},"media_ids":["678151","678152","678153","678154"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/study-reveals-wintertime-formation-large-pollution-particles-chinas-skies","title":"Study Reveals Wintertime Formation of Large Pollution Particles in China\u2019s Skies"},{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/everlasting-african-wildfires-fueled-aerosol-feedback","title":"Everlasting African Wildfires Fueled by Aerosol Feedback"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"194631","name":"cos-georgia"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jess@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Communications\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Sciences at Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter: Annette Filliat\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEditor: Lindsay Vidal\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jess@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"685430":{"#nid":"685430","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Future of Antarctic Ice: New Study Reveals the Mathematics of Meltwater Lakes","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers have developed a mathematical formula to predict the size of lakes that form on melting ice sheets \u2014 discovering their depth and span are linked to the topography of the ice sheet itself.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe team leveraged physics, model simulations, and satellite imagery to develop simple mathematical equations that can easily be integrated into existing climate models. It\u2019s a first-of-it\u2019s-kind tool that is already improving climate models.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cMelt lakes play an important role in ice sheet stability, but previously, there were no constraints on what we would expect their maximum size to be in Antarctica,\u201d says study lead\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/people\/grau-danielle-0\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDanielle Grau\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, a Ph.D. student in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cI was intrigued by the idea of quantifying how much of a role we could expect them to play in the future.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe paper, \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-025-61798-8\u0022\u003EPredicting mean depth and area fraction of Antarctic supraglacial melt lakes with physics-based parameterizations\u003C\/a\u003E,\u201d was published in\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ENature Communications\u003C\/em\u003E. In addition to Grau, the research team includes School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/people\/robel-alexander\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlexander Robel\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, who is Grau\u2019s advisor, and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EAzeez Hussain\u003C\/strong\u003E (PHYS 2025).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ETheir predictions show that the majority of these lakes will be less than a meter deep and span up to 40% of the ice sheet surface area.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cMany models don\u2019t include any data about lakes on the surface of ice sheets, while others simulate these melt lakes growing until the ice collapses,\u201d Robel says. \u201cOur results show that the reality is somewhere in between \u2014 and that the maximum size of these lakes can be predicted using these new equations. This gives us real, concrete numbers to use in climate models.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFrom summer project to satellite discovery\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EGrau\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Efirst\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Estarted working on the project as an undergraduate student when she applied for a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/easreu.eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESummer Research Experiences for Undergraduates program\u003C\/a\u003E hosted by the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EInspired by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/2016GL071378\u0022\u003Eterrestrial lake research\u003C\/a\u003E, Grau and Robel investigated the \u201cself-affinity\u201d of the Antarctic ice sheet \u2014 a property associated with surface roughness across various scales. For example, a landscape like Badlands National Park, with many rolling hills of a wide range of sizes, would have a different self-affinity than a flat prairie with three large volcanoes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cA previous study had used this property to predict the size of terrestrial lakes and ponds, and we were curious if we could use a similar approach for supraglacial lakes in Antarctica,\u201d Grau says. \u201cEstablishing that the Antarctic ice sheet also has this property was the first step in pursuing this research in more depth.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe mathematics of melt\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EGrau continued the investigation as a Ph.D. student in Robel\u2019s lab. Together, they unraveled the physics of how meltwater moves across the ice surface, designing a \u2018glacier in a computer\u2019 that mimics meltwater accumulation and movement across various topographies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cWe designed an algorithm and integrated it into a model that the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iceclimate.eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGT Ice \u0026amp; Climate Group\u003C\/a\u003E has used in the past,\u201d Grau says. \u201cFrom that, we were able to see how lakes would form on different surfaces across thousands of scenarios. This was the foundation for the mathematical equations I developed, which can predict the lake depth and lake surface area based on the self-affinity property.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ETo check their results, Grau enlisted the help of Hussain \u2014 then an undergraduate in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E \u2014 to examine satellite data from the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov\/\u0022\u003ELandsat satellite program\u003C\/a\u003E (which captures detailed photography of the Earth\u2019s surface from space) to measure existing supraglacial lakes and surface topography.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cIt was exciting to see how our predictions lined up with what we were seeing in the satellite imagery,\u201d Robel explains. \u201cThis shows that our solution is a concrete avenue for climate models to realistically incorporate supraglacial lakes.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EGrau is already working to incorporate the team\u2019s equations into an atmospheric model used by NASA in addition to an ice sheet model developed by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Dartmouth College.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cBy turning complicated models and satellite data into simple predictive equations, we\u2019re giving climate models a new lens to see the future,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s a small piece of the puzzle,\u0026nbsp; but one that helps us understand how ice sheets respond to a warming world.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFunding: NASA Modeling, Analysis, and Prediction Program\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EDOI: \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-025-61798-8\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-025-61798-8\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESimple equations are revealing how topography controls supraglacial lake size in Antarctica \u2014 and why it matters for climate predictions.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Simple equations are revealing how topography controls supraglacial lake size in Antarctica \u2014 and why it matters for climate predictions."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2025-10-01 16:43:29","changed_gmt":"2026-06-30 16:44:12","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-10-01T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-10-01T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678235":{"id":"678235","type":"image","title":"A view of Greenland\u0027s ice sheet from the NASA\/USGS Landsat 8 satellite showing meltwater lakes on a glacier. (Credit: NASA)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA view of Greenland\u0027s ice sheet from the NASA\/USGS Landsat 8 satellite showing meltwater lakes on a glacier. (Credit: NASA)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1759337021","gmt_created":"2025-10-01 16:43:41","changed":"1759337021","gmt_changed":"2025-10-01 16:43:41","alt":"A view of Greenland\u0027s ice sheet from the NASA\/USGS Landsat 8 satellite showing meltwater lakes on a glacier. (Credit: NASA)","file":{"fid":"262231","name":"Supraglacial-Lake-1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/01\/Supraglacial-Lake-1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/01\/Supraglacial-Lake-1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":440764,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/01\/Supraglacial-Lake-1.jpg?itok=e9CGf1U-"}}},"media_ids":["678235"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"192252","name":"cos-planetary"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690910":{"#nid":"690910","#data":{"type":"news","title":"What It Takes to Deliver a Tech\u2011Heavy World Cup","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWith an estimated 500,000 visitors coming to the eight games in Atlanta over the next two months, the 2026 World Cup will be one of the biggest sporting events to come to the city since the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFIFA President Gianni Infantino likened the scale of each game to that of a Super Bowl. The success of a tournament that large will rely heavily on technology, affecting everything from the players on the pitch, all the way to viewers at home.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn top of the state-of-the-art technology used at many large events, this World Cup will also see the debut of new technology. At the center of much of it will be electrical and computer engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EExperts from the Georgia Tech School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) weigh in on how the field is enabling the technology behind the world\u2019s largest sporting event.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/06\/what-it-takes-deliver-tech-heavy-world-cup\u0022\u003ERead Full Story on the ECE News Page\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EWith hundreds of thousands of people attending the 104 World Cup games over the next 39 days and billions more watching at home, an immense amount of technology will be needed to ensure a seamless, safe, and enjoyable experience. Experts from ECE explain how electrical and computer engineering are facilitating some of the tournament\u0027s newest and most crucial technology.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"With hundreds of thousands of people attending the 104 World Cup games, Georgia Tech experts explain  how electrical and computer engineering are facilitating some of the tournament\u0027s newest and most crucial technology."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-06-24 21:24:12","changed_gmt":"2026-06-24 21:28:36","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-06-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-06-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680512":{"id":"680512","type":"image","title":"What-It-Takes-to-Deliver-a-Tech-Heavy-World-Cup.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1782336352","gmt_created":"2026-06-24 21:25:52","changed":"1782336420","gmt_changed":"2026-06-24 21:27:00","alt":"Stock image that shows a soccer stadium as the center of an AI chip design","file":{"fid":"264785","name":"What-It-Takes-to-Deliver-a-Tech-Heavy-World-Cup.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/24\/What-It-Takes-to-Deliver-a-Tech-Heavy-World-Cup.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/24\/What-It-Takes-to-Deliver-a-Tech-Heavy-World-Cup.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":272785,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/24\/What-It-Takes-to-Deliver-a-Tech-Heavy-World-Cup.jpeg?itok=EGonBxq9"}}},"media_ids":["680512"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/06\/what-it-takes-deliver-tech-heavy-world-cup","title":"Read Full Story on ECE News Page"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"145171","name":"Cybersecurity"},{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003EZachary Winiecki\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EDan Watson, Georgia Tech ECE\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690711":{"#nid":"690711","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Maintains No. 1 Ranking in Energy and Fuels for Third Consecutive Year","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/education\/best-global-universities\/united-states\/energy-fuels\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EU.S. News \u0026amp; World Report\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E has named\u0026nbsp;Georgia Tech the top-ranked public university in energy and fuels research (No. 3 nationally). The Institute has maintained this ranking every year since the category was first introduced in 2024.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-named-top-ranked-public-university-energy\u0022\u003Econtinued recognition\u003C\/a\u003E highlights Georgia Tech\u2019s research leadership in advancing energy solutions across technology, science, policy, and economics and in delivering technically advanced solutions that is scalable, secure, and sustainable for the future.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe scale and integration of our energy ecosystem is among Georgia Tech\u2019s great strengths,\u201d said Executive Vice President for Research\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/leadership\u0022\u003ETim Lieuwen\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cA defining part of that ecosystem is the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (SEI), our interdisciplinary research institute that brings together the talents of researchers from across disciplines to accelerate energy innovation and deliver real-world solutions.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESEI integrates energy activities at Georgia Tech by connecting more than 1,000 researchers across the entire energy value chain and enabling collaboration with industry, government, communities, and nonprofits.\u0026nbsp;SEI is deeply engaged in building community, developing resources, promoting thought leadership, and marshaling the full resources of Georgia Tech around tackling the tough energy and environmental problems and opportunities society faces.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech\u2019s energy leadership is built on the depth of our research and the breadth of our collaborations,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/people\/yuanzhi-tang\u0022\u003EYuanzhi Tang\u003C\/a\u003E, SEI\u2019s executive director. \u201cBy connecting expertise across the full energy value chain, we are advancing solutions that enhance affordability, reliability, security, and sustainability.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EU.S. News \u0026amp; World Report\u003C\/em\u003E evaluates the academic research performance of universities in 51 subject areas using indicators such as publications, citations, and global and regional research reputation. Georgia Tech was assessed among 292 institutions in the U.S. and\u0026nbsp;continues its strong\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/best-colleges\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1569\/overall-rankings\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Estanding\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;in the rankings, claiming the No. 32 spot overall in the nation and No. 9 among public universities.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/education\/best-global-universities\/united-states\/energy-fuels\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EU.S. News \u0026amp; World Report\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E has named\u0026nbsp;Georgia Tech the top-ranked public university in energy and fuels research (No. 3 nationally). The Institute has maintained this ranking every year since the category was first introduced in 2024.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-named-top-ranked-public-university-energy\u0022\u003Econtinued recognition\u003C\/a\u003E highlights Georgia Tech\u2019s research leadership in advancing energy solutions across technology, science, policy, and economics and in delivering technically advanced solutions that is scalable, secure, and sustainable for the future.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"U.S. News \u0026 World Report has named Georgia Tech the top-ranked public university in energy and fuels research (No. 3 nationally). The Institute has maintained this ranking every year since the category was first introduced in 2024."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-06-09 17:01:43","changed_gmt":"2026-06-15 13:28:52","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-06-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-06-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680441":{"id":"680441","type":"image","title":"EnergyGraphic.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1781024511","gmt_created":"2026-06-09 17:01:51","changed":"1781024511","gmt_changed":"2026-06-09 17:01:51","alt":"Graphic showing #1 public university in energy in Georgia Tech colors","file":{"fid":"264700","name":"EnergyGraphic.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/09\/EnergyGraphic.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/09\/EnergyGraphic.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":134834,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/09\/EnergyGraphic.jpeg?itok=3L5Z9pvJ"}}},"media_ids":["680441"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EPriya Devarajan | SEI Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690320":{"#nid":"690320","#data":{"type":"news","title":" How the Global Energy Crisis Is Affecting Americans","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEscalating Middle East tensions are rattling global oil markets, and the effects are already showing up in American wallets, affecting everything from travel to food prices. Georgia Tech economists and public policy experts break down what Americans need to know right now.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E1. You\u2019re paying more at the pump, and it\u2019s not going away anytime soon.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGas prices are the most visible sign of the crisis, and the increases are already significant. National average retail gasoline prices are more than $1.20 higher than they were in February, before the conflict escalated.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEven though U.S. petroleum production often exceeds our consumption, we are not insulated from disruptions in global oil supply because oil is a globally traded commodity,\u201d says director of the Energy Policy and Innovation Center,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/econ.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/laura-taylor\u0022\u003ELaura Taylor\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cIf supply is restricted anywhere in the world, prices will rise everywhere, including in the U.S.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMarkets expect some relief by fall, with future prices pointing lower than today\u2019s levels. But\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/tony-harding\u0022\u003ETony Harding\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy, cautions, \u201cPrices are likely to remain above pre-conflict levels for the foreseeable future, and temporary relief measures, such as Georgia\u2019s motor fuel tax suspension, will not last forever.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETaylor puts it plainly: \u201cWages are not rising faster than prices, so people are feeling the pinch and will continue to do so.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2\u003C\/strong\u003E. \u003Cstrong\u003EYour summer plans just got more expensive.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe impact does not stop at the gas station. For Americans planning summer travel, the timing of this conflict could not be worse.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/econ.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/matthew-oliver\u0022\u003EMatthew Oliver\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor in the School of Economics, points to commercial air travel as one of the most exposed sectors.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cJet fuel prices have roughly doubled in the wake of the current oil price spike, putting immediate upward pressure on airfares,\u201d says Oliver.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe ripple effects extend far beyond travel.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOil is an input into the supply chain of nearly every good at some point,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/econ.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/889222ee-d2fd-599b-9140-79d7dc30afeb\u0022\u003EBobby Harris\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor in the School of Economics. \u201cWhen input costs go up, prices go up.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E3. Expect to pay more at the grocery store.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe connection between Middle East tensions and the American dinner table is more direct than many realize, because petrochemicals are a key feedstock for fertilizer production.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHigher oil prices lead to higher fertilizer prices, which lead to higher food prices,\u201d says Oliver.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECombined with existing tariff pressures and tight supply chains, the strain on household budgets is coming from multiple directions at once.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf the crisis persists, there will be upward pressure on the prices of nearly every physical good,\u201d Oliver adds.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4. The government\u2019s options are limited, and the clock is ticking.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWashington has tools to respond, but none are silver bullets. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve currently holds around 400 million barrels and can release about 4 million barrels per day, roughly 20% of U.S. daily demand.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI see the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as a tool to buy time during a crisis,\u201d says public policy professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/daniel-matisoff\u0022\u003EDan Matisoff\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cBut if the conflict drags on, we will ultimately be in a more vulnerable position.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EQuick fixes like price caps or demand subsidies carry trade-offs.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSubsidies can mitigate the impact of price shocks, but they can also mask important market signals that help balance supply and demand,\u201d says Harding, using Europe\u2019s 2022 energy crisis as a cautionary example.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E5. The smartest thing Americans can do right now is think about efficiency.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cPeople in general tend to undervalue energy efficiency,\u201d says Matisoff. \u201cThink of energy efficiency investments as a sort of hedge or insurance against volatile energy prices.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat means considering fuel efficiency when buying a car, and looking at heat pumps, electric vehicles, and home energy upgrades when the time is right.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHigher energy prices increase the value of investing in energy efficiency upgrades to your home and adopting technologies that are less dependent on fossil fuels,\u201d says Harding.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor families navigating uncertainty, both economists and policy experts point to the same practical advice: Reduce your exposure to fossil fuel price swings before the next crisis hits.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003EEscalating tensions in the Middle East are fueling global oil price volatility and driving up costs for U.S. consumers, from gas and airfare to groceries. Georgia Tech experts explain that because oil is traded globally, supply disruptions anywhere raise prices everywhere, keeping fuel costs elevated above pre-conflict levels. Higher oil prices are also increasing transportation and supply chain expenses, while rising fertilizer costs are pushing food prices higher. Although the federal government can deploy short-term measures such as tapping reserves, experts note these solutions are limited and temporary. As uncertainty continues in energy markets, households are encouraged to reduce long-term costs by improving energy efficiency and lowering reliance on fossil fuels.\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Experts break down five things to know about how global oil disruptions are already hitting American households."}],"uid":"35798","created_gmt":"2026-05-18 15:28:36","changed_gmt":"2026-06-11 00:01:34","author":"Ayana Isles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-05-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-05-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680298":{"id":"680298","type":"image","title":"How the Global Energy Crisis Is Affecting Americans","body":null,"created":"1779115821","gmt_created":"2026-05-18 14:50:21","changed":"1779115944","gmt_changed":"2026-05-18 14:52:24","alt":"Hand of the man putting money into the opening gas tank of his car. Refueling car with gasoline at gas stations. ","file":{"fid":"264545","name":"AdobeStock_519017170.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/18\/AdobeStock_519017170.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/18\/AdobeStock_519017170.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4443863,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/18\/AdobeStock_519017170.jpeg?itok=a__vbUHh"}}},"media_ids":["680298"],"related_files":{"264054":{"fid":null,"name":"Strait of Hormuz","file_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/03\/Strait-Of-Hormuz.jpeg","file_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/03\/Strait-Of-Hormuz.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":255785,"description":null}},"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"213","name":"energy"},{"id":"195138","name":"global oil disruptions"},{"id":"194980","name":"iran conflict"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/aisles3@gatech.edu \u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAyana Isles\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690639":{"#nid":"690639","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Steven Ferguson Builds Better On-Ramps to Georgia Manufacturing, Education","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor Steven Ferguson, deputy director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/manufacturing.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Manufacturing Institute\u003C\/a\u003E and executive director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/manufacturing.gatech.edu\/engage\/manufacturing-40-consortium\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium\u003C\/a\u003E, advancing Georgia\u2019s manufacturing industry and its workforce is personal.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt was Ferguson\u2019s own first manufacturing industry job at Glidden Paint in high school that tipped a row of dominoes, clearing his way out of poverty. Following next in the Hall County native\u2019s\u0026nbsp;favor was his receiving the Pell Grant and HOPE Grant, which led to his associate\u2019s degree and first job in education.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince then, Ferguson has spent the better part of three decades advancing workforce preparation and education access in Georgia, first as chief information officer for the Technical College System of Georgia, and now through his current roles at Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAccess to higher education changed the trajectory of my life. The question now is how we build systems that create those same opportunities for others \u2014 whether someone starts their career right out of high school, earns credentials while working, or returns later to pursue advanced technical education or engineering. We need to create flexible pathways that develop talent at every stage of life.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESteven Ferguson\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EForged in Manufacturing\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFerguson was born into a family of \u201cmakers,\u201d who got by on odd jobs and money from their small bait and tackle shop on Lake Lanier and later peddling a variety of goods. At a young age, Ferguson learned salesmanship and picked up the tinkering spirit.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMy dad was always entrepreneurial, and I think you might even consider us manufacturers, always making fishing equipment or other things,\u201d said Ferguson. \u201cFrom a very young age, I was out making jig heads, tying flies, and bagging hooks or sinkers. It was definitely in my blood.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen he was in 10th grade, a teacher nominated Ferguson for a new youth apprenticeship program. That opportunity ultimately led to his role as an information technology apprentice at Glidden Paint, which became Ferguson\u2019s first job in the manufacturing industry. The job was a perfect fit for Ferguson, who enjoyed learning more about the manufacturing process and the practical outlet for his computing knowledge.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe continued working there until he began studying computer science at North Georgia College and State University. Later, he transferred to Gainesville College (GC) to participate in a joint enrollment program designed to lead to eventual enrollment for a bachelor\u2019s degree at Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, before Ferguson completed his time at GC, he had an \u003Ca\u003Eassociate\u2019s\u003C\/a\u003E degree and, more importantly, a job offer. GC wanted him to train others for careers in information technology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.em.gatech.edu\/2026\/05\/27\/access-steven-ferguson-manufacturing-education\/\u0022\u003ERead Full Story on the Enrollment Management News Page\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor Steven Ferguson, deputy director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/manufacturing.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Manufacturing Institute\u003C\/a\u003E and executive director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/manufacturing.gatech.edu\/engage\/manufacturing-40-consortium\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium\u003C\/a\u003E, advancing Georgia\u2019s manufacturing industry and its workforce is personal.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt was Ferguson\u2019s own first manufacturing industry job at Glidden Paint in high school that tipped a row of dominoes, clearing his way out of poverty. Following next in the Hall County native\u2019s\u0026nbsp;favor was his receiving the Pell Grant and HOPE Grant, which led to his associate\u2019s degree and first job in education.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince then, Ferguson has spent the better part of three decades advancing workforce preparation and education access in Georgia, first as chief information officer for the Technical College System of Georgia, and now through his current roles at Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"For Steven Ferguson, deputy director of the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute and executive director of the Georgia Tech Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium, advancing Georgia\u2019s manufacturing industry and its workforce is personal."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-06-04 14:17:03","changed_gmt":"2026-06-04 14:21:17","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-05-27T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-05-27T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680416":{"id":"680416","type":"image","title":"StevenFerguson-IMG_5862.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESteven Ferguson, deputy director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/manufacturing.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Manufacturing Institute\u003C\/a\u003E and executive director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/manufacturing.gatech.edu\/engage\/manufacturing-40-consortium\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1780582672","gmt_created":"2026-06-04 14:17:52","changed":"1780582713","gmt_changed":"2026-06-04 14:18:33","alt":"Steven Ferguson","file":{"fid":"264673","name":"StevenFerguson-IMG_5862.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/04\/StevenFerguson-IMG_5862.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/04\/StevenFerguson-IMG_5862.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":176331,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/04\/StevenFerguson-IMG_5862.jpg?itok=xDe8xlwi"}}},"media_ids":["680416"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/news.em.gatech.edu\/2026\/05\/27\/access-steven-ferguson-manufacturing-education\/","title":"Full Story on the Enrollment Management News Page"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"194685","name":"Manufacturing"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"194612","name":"Workforce Development"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:amanda.budd@ssc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAmanda Budd\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["amanda.budd@ssc.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690188":{"#nid":"690188","#data":{"type":"news","title":"What\u2019s in the Price of a Gallon of Gas?","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe U.S. Energy Information Administration expects nationwide retail gasoline prices to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/outlooks\/steo\/\u0022\u003Eaverage near $4.30 a gallon\u003C\/a\u003E for April 2026 \u2013 the highest monthly average of the year. The political response has been familiar. Georgia has \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.multistate.us\/insider\/2026\/4\/6\/lawmakers-push-fuel-tax-relief-amid-rising-gas-costs\u0022\u003Esuspended its state gas tax\u003C\/a\u003E, other states are weighing their own tax holidays, and the White House has issued a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.marketplace.org\/story\/2026\/03\/19\/waiving-the-jones-act-will-boost-the-number-of-ships-available-to-transport-oil-in-the-us\u0022\u003Etemporary waiver of a law known as the Jones Act\u003C\/a\u003E in hopes of moving more domestic fuel to East Coast ports.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=jjvorcAAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0026amp;oi=ao\u0022\u003Eenergy economist\u003C\/a\u003E, I am often asked about what contributes to gas prices and what different policies can do to affect them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe price of a retail gallon of gas is the sum of four things: the cost of crude oil, refining, distribution and marketing, and taxes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn nationwide figures from January 2026, crude oil accounted for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/petroleum\/gasdiesel\/\u0022\u003Eabout 51% of the pump price\u003C\/a\u003E, refining roughly 20%, distribution and marketing about 11% and taxes about 18%. That mix shifts with conditions: When crude oil prices spike, that can drive more than 60% of the price; when the price drops, taxes and logistics are larger shares of the cost.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECrude Oil is the Biggest Ingredient\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBecause the price of crude oil is the largest element, most of the price at the pump is derived from the global oil market.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/policies.google.com\/privacy\u0022\u003EPrivacy Policy\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/policies.google.com\/terms\u0022\u003ETerms of Service\u003C\/a\u003E apply.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUsually, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/doi.org\/10.1257\/aer.99.3.1053\u0022\u003Ebig swings in crude prices\u003C\/a\u003E come mainly from shifts in global demand and expectations \u2013 not from supply disruptions, according to widely cited research in 2009 by the economist Lutz Kilian.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut what is happening in early 2026 with the war in Iran is one of the exceptions: a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/us-is-less-prone-to-oil-price-shocks-than-in-past-decades-277709\u0022\u003Eclassic supply shock\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iea.org\/reports\/oil-market-report-april-2026\u0022\u003ESevere disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz\u003C\/a\u003E and attacks on Middle East oil infrastructure have taken millions of barrels a day off the global market.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost drivers generally can\u2019t quickly reduce how much they drive or how much gas they use when prices rise, so \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.dallasfed.org\/research\/economics\/2020\/0616\u0022\u003Egasoline demand doesn\u2019t change much in the short run\u003C\/a\u003E. That means a jump in crude costs tends to result in people paying more rather than driving less.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERefining, Regulations, and the California Puzzle\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERefining turns crude into gasoline at industrial scale. The U.S. doesn\u2019t have a single gasoline market, though. Roughly \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/gasoline-standards\/reformulated-gasoline\u0022\u003Ea quarter of U.S. gasoline\u003C\/a\u003E is a cleaner-burning blend of petroleum-derived chemicals called \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/gasoline-standards\/reformulated-gasoline\u0022\u003Ereformulated gasoline\u003C\/a\u003E,\u201d which is required in urban areas across 17 states and the District of Columbia to reduce smog.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECalifornia uses an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ww2.arb.ca.gov\/our-work\/programs\/fuels-enforcment-program\/california-reformulated-gasoline\u0022\u003Eeven stricter formulation\u003C\/a\u003E that few out-of-state refineries make. California is also geographically isolated: No pipelines bring gasoline in from other U.S. refining regions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECalifornia\u2019s gasoline prices have long run above the national average, explained in part by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/todayinenergy\/detail.php?id=65184\u0022\u003Ehigher state taxes\u003C\/a\u003E and stricter environmental rules. But since a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.csb.gov\/exxonmobil-torrance-refinery-explosion-\/\u0022\u003Erefinery fire in Torrance, California, in 2015\u003C\/a\u003E reduced production capacity, the state\u2019s prices have been \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/haas.berkeley.edu\/energy-institute\/about\/in-the-media\/mystery-gasoline-surcharge\/\u0022\u003Eabout 20 to 30 cents a gallon\u003C\/a\u003E higher than what those factors would indicate.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnergy economist and University of California, Berkeley, professor Severin Borenstein has called this the \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/haas.berkeley.edu\/energy-institute\/about\/in-the-media\/mystery-gasoline-surcharge\/\u0022\u003Emystery gasoline surcharge\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d and attributes it to the fact that there isn\u2019t as much competition between refineries or gas stations in California as in other states. California\u2019s own Division of Petroleum Market Oversight says the surcharge cost the state\u2019s drivers \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.ca.gov\/publications\/2025\/division-petroleum-market-oversight-2024-annual-report\u0022\u003Eabout $59 billion from 2015 to 2024\u003C\/a\u003E. It\u2019s not exactly clear who is getting that money, but it could be \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energyathaas.wordpress.com\/2023\/01\/09\/whats-the-matter-with-californias-gasoline-prices\/\u0022\u003Egas stations themselves or refineries\u003C\/a\u003E, through complex contracts with gas stations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGetting the Gas Into Your Car\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe distribution and marketing category covers the costs of everything involved in getting the gasoline from the refinery gate to your tank.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGasoline moves by pipeline, ship, rail and truck to wholesale terminals, and then by local delivery truck to service stations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the retailer\u2019s end, the key factors are station rent and labor, the cost to buy gasoline in bulk to be able to sell it, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/credit-cards\/learn\/what-are-credit-card-interchange-fees\u0022\u003Ecredit card fees\u003C\/a\u003E of as much as 6 to 10 cents a gallon at current prices, and franchise fees paid to the national brand, such as Sunoco or ExxonMobil, for permission to put their branding on the gas station.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost gas station operators net \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.convenience.org\/Media\/conveniencecorner\/Who-Makes-Money-Selling-Gas\u0022\u003Eonly a few cents per gallon\u003C\/a\u003E on fuel itself \u2013 which is why many gas stations are really convenience stores with pumps out front. Borenstein and some of his collaborators have also documented that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1162\/003355397555118\u0022\u003Eretail gas prices rise quickly\u003C\/a\u003E when wholesale costs climb but fall slowly when wholesale costs drop.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Question of Gas Tax Holidays\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe federal government charges a tax on fuel, of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/tools\/faqs\/faq.php?id=10\u0026amp;t=5\u0022\u003E18.4 cents a gallon for gasoline\u003C\/a\u003E and 24.3 cents a gallon for diesel. States charge their own taxes, ranging from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/taxfoundation.org\/data\/all\/state\/gas-taxes-state\/\u0022\u003E70.9 cents a gallon for gas\u003C\/a\u003E in California to 8.95 cents in Alaska.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen gas prices rise, many politicians start talking about temporarily suspending their state\u2019s gas tax. That does reduce prices, but not as much as politicians \u2013 or consumers \u2013 might hope. Research on past gas tax holidays has found that consumers get \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu\/issues\/2022\/6\/15\/effects-of-a-state-gasoline-tax-holiday\u0022\u003Eabout 79% of the reduction\u003C\/a\u003E in gas taxes. That means oil companies and fuel retailers keep about one-fifth of the tax cut for themselves rather than passing that savings to the public.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGas tax holidays also reduce funding for what the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/blog.turbotax.intuit.com\/tax-deductions-and-credits-2\/the-highs-and-lows-of-gasoline-tax-15098\/\u0022\u003Etaxes are designed to pay for\u003C\/a\u003E, typically roads and bridges. That pushes road and bridge upkeep costs onto future drivers and general taxpayers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere is an additional problem, too: Taxes on gasoline are supposed to charge drivers for some of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nber.org\/papers\/w14685\u0022\u003Ecosts their driving imposes on everyone else\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 carbon emissions, local air pollution, congestion and crashes. But Borenstein has found that U.S. fuel tax levels are already \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energyathaas.wordpress.com\/2022\/02\/28\/cut-the-electricity-tax-not-the-gas-tax\/\u0022\u003Efar below the true cost to society\u003C\/a\u003E. Removing the tax on drivers effectively raises the costs for everyone else.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Jones Act: A Small Number That Adds Up\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/soaring-gas-prices-prompt-trump-to-ease-oil-tanker-rules-how-waiving-the-jones-act-affects-what-you-pay-at-the-pump-278387\u0022\u003E1920 Jones Act\u003C\/a\u003E is a federal law that requires cargo moving between U.S. ports to travel on vessels built and registered in the U.S., owned by U.S. citizens, and crewed primarily by U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Of the world\u2019s 7,500 oil tankers, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/opinions\/2026\/03\/18\/jones-act-suspended-shipping-oil\/\u0022\u003Eonly 54 meet this requirement\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cato.org\/blog\/jones-act-forces-us-gasoline-take-long-way-home\u0022\u003EOnly 43 of these\u003C\/a\u003E can transport refined fuels such as gasoline.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo, despite significant refining capacity on the Gulf Coast, some U.S. gasoline is exported overseas even as the Northeast imports fuel, in part reflecting the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/analysis\/transportationfuels\/padd1n3\/\u0022\u003Erelatively high cost of moving fuel\u003C\/a\u003E between U.S. ports.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEconomists Ryan Kellogg and Rich Sweeney estimate that the law \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nber.org\/papers\/w31938\u0022\u003Eraises East Coast gasoline prices by about a penny and a half per gallon\u003C\/a\u003E on average, costing drivers roughly $770 million a year. In light of the war\u2019s effect on gas prices, the Trump administration has \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/soaring-gas-prices-prompt-trump-to-ease-oil-tanker-rules-how-waiving-the-jones-act-affects-what-you-pay-at-the-pump-278387\u0022\u003Etemporarily suspended the Jones Act requirements\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 an action more commonly taken when \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.dhs.gov\/publication\/september-2017-jones-act-waivers\u0022\u003Ehurricanes knock out Gulf Coast refineries and pipeline networks\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat Moves the Number\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe result of all these factors is that the price that drivers see at the pump mostly reflects the global price of crude, plus a stack of domestic costs, only some of which are inefficient.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETax holidays give a partial, short-lived rebate. Jones Act waivers trim pennies, though permanent repeal may cause more fundamental changes, such as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cato.org\/publications\/policy-analysis\/jones-act-burden-america-can-no-longer-bear\u0022\u003Ereduced rail and truck transport of all goods\u003C\/a\u003E, which could lower costs, emissions and infrastructure damage associated with cargo transportation. Harmonizing fuel blends across states and seasons may lower prices somewhat, but likely at the expense of increased emissions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUltimately, the best protection against oil price shocks is a more efficient gas-burning vehicle, or \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2026\/04\/02\/evs-autos-energy-oil-iran-war-electric-transport-fossil-fuels.html\u0022\u003Eone that doesn\u2019t burn gasoline\u003C\/a\u003E at all. In the meantime, the best I can offer as an economist is clarity about what that $4.30 actually buys.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/whats-in-the-price-of-a-gallon-of-gas-281494\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech energy economist Bobby Harris said U.S. gasoline prices are driven mainly by crude oil costs, with refining, distribution and taxes accounting for a smaller and shifting share of what consumers pay at the pump.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech energy economist Bobby Harris said U.S. gasoline prices are driven mainly by crude oil costs, with refining, distribution and taxes accounting for a smaller and shifting share of what consumers pay at the pump. "}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-05-07 13:46:11","changed_gmt":"2026-06-01 14:59:37","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-05-01T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-05-01T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680213":{"id":"680213","type":"image","title":"What-s-inthepriceofagallonofgas.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGas prices were well over $4 a gallon on April 28, 2026, in Brooklyn, N.Y. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/fuel-prices-are-displayed-at-a-brooklyn-gas-station-on-news-photo\/2273575764\u0022\u003ESpencer Platt\/Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1778162898","gmt_created":"2026-05-07 14:08:18","changed":"1778162898","gmt_changed":"2026-05-07 14:08:18","alt":"A person filling gas in his car with the gas prices shown in the foreground","file":{"fid":"264457","name":"What-s-inthepriceofagallonofgas.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/07\/What-s-inthepriceofagallonofgas.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/07\/What-s-inthepriceofagallonofgas.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":243115,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/07\/What-s-inthepriceofagallonofgas.jpeg?itok=ROlYqpjU"}},"680212":{"id":"680212","type":"image","title":"the-cost-of-crude-oil-is-a-key-driver-of-gas-and-diesel-prices.png","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAs of January 2026.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EChart: The Conversation, CC-BY-ND Source: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/petroleum\/gasdiesel\/\u0022 rel=\u0022nofollow noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EU.S. Energy Information Administration\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022javascript:void(0)\u0022 target=\u0022_self\u0022\u003EGet the data\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/CnmrT\/1\/#embed\u0022\u003EEmbed\u003C\/a\u003E \u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/CnmrT\/full.png\u0022\u003EDownload image\u003C\/a\u003E Created with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.datawrapper.de\/_\/CnmrT\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EDatawrapper\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1778162088","gmt_created":"2026-05-07 13:54:48","changed":"1778162088","gmt_changed":"2026-05-07 13:54:48","alt":"Chart showing cost distribution of crude oil, refining, marketing and distribution and taxes for gas and diesel","file":{"fid":"264456","name":"the-cost-of-crude-oil-is-a-key-driver-of-gas-and-diesel-prices.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/07\/the-cost-of-crude-oil-is-a-key-driver-of-gas-and-diesel-prices_0.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/07\/the-cost-of-crude-oil-is-a-key-driver-of-gas-and-diesel-prices_0.png","mime":"image\/png","size":81655,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/07\/the-cost-of-crude-oil-is-a-key-driver-of-gas-and-diesel-prices_0.png?itok=p_-8Gzh1"}},"680210":{"id":"680210","type":"image","title":"BobbyHarris-file-20260429-57-ux2drz.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA tanker truck delivers fuel to a gas station. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/newsroom.ap.org\/detail\/IranUSOil\/aa65c07d8aa34344acfa1aa5bcfda39c\/photo\u0022\u003EAP Photo\/Erin Hooley\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1778161952","gmt_created":"2026-05-07 13:52:32","changed":"1778161952","gmt_changed":"2026-05-07 13:52:32","alt":"A tanker truck delivers fuel to a gas station. AP Photo\/Erin Hooley","file":{"fid":"264454","name":"BobbyHarris-file-20260429-57-ux2drz.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/07\/BobbyHarris-file-20260429-57-ux2drz.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/07\/BobbyHarris-file-20260429-57-ux2drz.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":101295,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/07\/BobbyHarris-file-20260429-57-ux2drz.jpeg?itok=SkqSopUw"}},"680211":{"id":"680211","type":"image","title":"BobbyHarris-file-20260318-71-tw0cca.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESuspending the Jones Act allows foreign-based oil tankers to sail between U.S. ports. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/newsroom.ap.org\/detail\/OilPrices\/773825116ccd4cf8943c40836038be54\/photo?vs=false\u0026amp;currentItemNo=25\u0026amp;startingItemNo=0\u0022\u003EAP Photo\/Eric Gay\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1778161998","gmt_created":"2026-05-07 13:53:18","changed":"1778161998","gmt_changed":"2026-05-07 13:53:18","alt":"An oil tanker ship with the sun in the background and a man with a cap with a fishing poll in the foreground","file":{"fid":"264455","name":"BobbyHarris-file-20260318-71-tw0cca.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/07\/BobbyHarris-file-20260318-71-tw0cca.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/07\/BobbyHarris-file-20260318-71-tw0cca.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":127210,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/07\/BobbyHarris-file-20260318-71-tw0cca.jpeg?itok=1ZUJVvv4"}}},"media_ids":["680213","680212","680210","680211"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/whats-in-the-price-of-a-gallon-of-gas-281494","title":"Original Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/robert-i-harris-2669057\u0022 rel=\u0022author\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERobert I. Harris\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAssistant Professor of Economics, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Research Communications\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690486":{"#nid":"690486","#data":{"type":"news","title":"INTERSECT 2026 Marks a Decade of Impact in Advancing the Southeast\u2019s Energy Policy","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s INTERSECT 2026 brought together leading voices in energy on May 18 to explore critical issues in the Southeast\u2019s energy ecosystem. Hosted by the Energy Policy and Innovation Center (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEPIcenter\u003C\/a\u003E), INTERSECT coincided with the center\u2019s 10th anniversary, reflecting its sustained impact in convening cross-sector leaders to advance regional energy innovation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith more than 150 attendees from industry, academia, and research organizations, the event\u2019s high-level engagement underscored the urgency of critical issues facing the energy sector today, including the surging electricity demand, resiliency of the grid, and evolving supply chains, as well as the value of a dedicated space for candid, solutions-oriented dialogue.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cINTERSECT 2026 demonstrated the power of bringing together leaders who are actively shaping the future of energy,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/laura-taylor\u0022\u003ELaura Taylor\u003C\/a\u003E, director of EPIcenter. \u201cWhat began as a forum to explore emerging ideas has grown into a critical platform for aligning perspectives and advancing actionable solutions across the Southeast.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis year\u2019s program focused on real-world implementation challenges, including managing large-scale load growth and coordinating infrastructure investments to meet demand reliably and affordably. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/intersect-2026\/\u0022\u003EPanels\u003C\/a\u003E featuring leaders from utilities, global energy corporations, and research organizations emphasized the importance of aligning strategy across sectors to ensure that the Southeast remains competitive and resilient.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.southerncompany.com\/about\/leadership\/chris-womack.html\u0022\u003EChris Womack\u003C\/a\u003E, chairman, president, and CEO of Southern Company, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the unprecedented scale of current energy demands.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMeeting this moment requires us to think differently \u2014 serving growth while ensuring reliability, resilience, and long-term value for our customers and communities,\u201d said Womack.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELaunched in 2017, the inaugural INTERSECT conference marked the launch of EPIcenter itself and established Georgia Tech\u2019s commitment to connecting research, industry insight, and policy development. It focused on the need to bridge the gap between rapidly advancing technologies and slower-moving regulatory and market frameworks, a theme that continues to shape its mission today.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs INTERSECT 2026 concluded, participants pointed to a shared takeaway: With its\u0026nbsp;industrial base, growing population, and integrated energy systems,\u0026nbsp;the Southeast is uniquely positioned to lead in the next phase of the energy transition. With AI-driven power demand and grid infrastructure playing a significant role going forward, it is imperative to bring together the right voices to shape policies and strategies that will connect ideas to action.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s INTERSECT 2026 brought together leading voices in energy on May 18 to explore critical issues in the Southeast\u2019s energy ecosystem. 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Laura Taylor with Chris Womack","body":"\u003Cp\u003EEPIcenter Director Laura Taylor with Southern Company Chairman and CEO Chris Womack during the keynote address\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1779842599","gmt_created":"2026-05-27 00:43:19","changed":"1779842670","gmt_changed":"2026-05-27 00:44:30","alt":"EPIcenter Director Laura Taylor with Southern Company Chairman and CEO Chris Womack during the keynote address","file":{"fid":"264600","name":"Intersect-2026-33.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/26\/Intersect-2026-33.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/26\/Intersect-2026-33.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5201223,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/26\/Intersect-2026-33.jpg?itok=ghZ3_4bp"}},"680353":{"id":"680353","type":"image","title":"IMG_1467.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIntersect 2026 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QII.","file":{"fid":"264608","name":"IMG_1449.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/26\/IMG_1449.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/26\/IMG_1449.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2495542,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/26\/IMG_1449.jpg?itok=vr1zD1ce"}},"680352":{"id":"680352","type":"image","title":"IMG_1514.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EModerator Craig Jones (Oglethorpe Power Corporation) with Panelists Lisa Epifani (ClearPath, William Pizer (Resources for the Future) and Brad Townsend (Center for Climate and Energy Solutions)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1779847353","gmt_created":"2026-05-27 02:02:33","changed":"1779848242","gmt_changed":"2026-05-27 02:17:22","alt":"Moderator Craig Jones (Oglethorpe Power Corporation) with Panelists Lisa Epifani (ClearPath, William Pizer (Resources for the Future) and Brad Townsend (Center for Climate and Energy 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Corporation)","file":{"fid":"264609","name":"IMG_1464.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/26\/IMG_1464.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/26\/IMG_1464.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2152246,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/26\/IMG_1464.jpg?itok=Qqri1Y77"}},"680356":{"id":"680356","type":"image","title":"IMG_1536.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EModerator Elaine Johns (Vantage Point Solutions and EnerVision) with Panelists Wayne Gossage (Jefferson Energy Cooperative), Michael Goodroe (Sawnee EMC) and Jeremy Nelms (Flint Energies)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1779847849","gmt_created":"2026-05-27 02:10:49","changed":"1779847849","gmt_changed":"2026-05-27 02:10:49","alt":"Moderator Elaine Johns (Vantage Point Solutions and EnerVision) with Panelists Wayne Gossage (Jefferson Energy Cooperative), Michael Goodroe (Sawnee EMC) and Jeremy Nelms (Flint Energies)","file":{"fid":"264610","name":"IMG_1536.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/26\/IMG_1536.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/26\/IMG_1536.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2400022,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/26\/IMG_1536.jpg?itok=dxTsR50P"}}},"media_ids":["680346","680347","680353","680348","680354","680352","680355","680356"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"194609","name":"Industry"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EPriya Devarajan\u003C\/a\u003E || Research Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690463":{"#nid":"690463","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Students Advance Energy, Science Innovation Through National Lab Internships","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech students are gaining hands-on research experience at U.S. national laboratories this summer, reinforcing the Institute\u2019s strong and enduring partnerships across the national lab system.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe highly competitive\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.osti.gov\/wdts\/About\/Laboratory-Participants\u0022\u003ELaboratory Placement program\u003C\/a\u003E is a paid opportunity offered through the U.S. Department of Energy\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.osti.gov\/wdts\/suli\u0022\u003EScience Undergraduate Laboratory Internships\u003C\/a\u003E. It provides students from a wide range of disciplines an opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research at leading facilities, including\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.anl.gov\/\u0022\u003EArgonne National Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ameslab.gov\/\u0022\u003EAmes National Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.lbl.gov\/\u0022\u003ELawrence Berkeley National Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nlr.gov\/\u0022\u003ENational Laboratory of the Rockies\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ornl.gov\/\u0022\u003EOak Ridge National Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.pppl.gov\/\u0022\u003EPrinceton Plasma Physics Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E, and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.srnl.gov\/\u0022\u003ESavannah River National Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe program\u2019s 2026 cohort includes 16 Georgia Tech students from disciplines such as artificial intelligence, materials science, aerospace engineering, nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and physics. Their research placements reflect the interdisciplinary nature of today\u2019s scientific challenges, with projects covering bioinformatics, high-energy and condensed matter physics, accelerator science, environmental management, and advanced materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany of the internships are closely aligned with national energy priorities, with students working in research areas including nuclear energy, hydrogen and chemical systems, materials for energy applications, plasma and fusion sciences, and complex engineered systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech\u2019s deep engagement with the national laboratory system creates unparalleled opportunities for our students to contribute to the future of energy,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/people\/yuanzhi-tang\u0022\u003EYuanzhi Tang\u003C\/a\u003E, executive director of the Strategic Energy Institute. \u201cBy connecting interdisciplinary talent with world-class research environments, we are not only advancing discovery but also shaping the next generation of leaders who will drive secure, sustainable, and resilient energy systems.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWorking alongside national lab scientists, students will not only gain access to world-class facilities but benefit from mentorship and professional networks, while contributing to research critical to national security, economic competitiveness, and a more sustainable energy future.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThese internships demonstrate the strength of Georgia Tech\u2019s relationships across the federal research ecosystem,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gov.gatech.edu\/staff-directory\u0022\u003ERobert Knotts\u003C\/a\u003E, executive director of Federal Relations in the Office of Institute Relations. \u201cThey provide a direct pathway for students to engage in public service through mission-driven research at national laboratories \u2014 while strengthening connections that are vital to advancing national priorities in energy, security, and innovation.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech students are gaining hands-on research experience at U.S. national laboratories this summer, reinforcing the Institute\u2019s strong and enduring partnerships across the national lab system.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe highly competitive\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.osti.gov\/wdts\/About\/Laboratory-Participants\u0022\u003ELaboratory Placement program\u003C\/a\u003E is a paid opportunity offered through the U.S. Department of Energy\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.osti.gov\/wdts\/suli\u0022\u003EScience Undergraduate Laboratory Internships\u003C\/a\u003E. It provides students from a wide range of disciplines an opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research at leading facilities, including\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.anl.gov\/\u0022\u003EArgonne National Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ameslab.gov\/\u0022\u003EAmes National Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.lbl.gov\/\u0022\u003ELawrence Berkeley National Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nlr.gov\/\u0022\u003ENational Laboratory of the Rockies\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ornl.gov\/\u0022\u003EOak Ridge National Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.pppl.gov\/\u0022\u003EPrinceton Plasma Physics Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E, and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.srnl.gov\/\u0022\u003ESavannah River National Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech students are gaining hands-on research experience at U.S. national laboratories this summer, reinforcing the Institute\u2019s strong and enduring partnerships across the national lab system."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-05-26 14:34:26","changed_gmt":"2026-05-26 19:23:02","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-05-26T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-05-26T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680345":{"id":"680345","type":"image","title":"National Lab Student Internships 2026","body":null,"created":"1779823309","gmt_created":"2026-05-26 19:21:49","changed":"1779823332","gmt_changed":"2026-05-26 19:22:12","alt":"Logos of national labs including Oak Ridge National Lab, AMES Lab, Argonne National Lab, Savannah River National Lab, PPPL, National Lab of the Rockies, National Fusion Facility, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Brookhaven National Lab and Sandia national lab","file":{"fid":"264598","name":"GT-Students-Interning-at-Labs_1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/26\/GT-Students-Interning-at-Labs_1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/26\/GT-Students-Interning-at-Labs_1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2027423,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/26\/GT-Students-Interning-at-Labs_1.jpg?itok=SiYNOZ89"}}},"media_ids":["680345"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EPriya Devarajan\u003C\/a\u003E || Research Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690386":{"#nid":"690386","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Vida Jamali Receives the Inaugural Dr. James Robert and Margaret Spencer Early Career Fellowship","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAssistant Professor Vida Jamali is the inaugural recipient of the new Dr. James Robert and Margaret Spencer Early Career Fellowship in Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE@GT).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHer outstanding research accomplishments and contributions to the School and Georgia Tech led to this selection,\u201d said Professor Christopher W. Jones, the John F. Brock III School Chair in ChBE@GT.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe $20,000 in discretionary funding from this one-year fellowship will support \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/vidajamali.github.io\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJamali\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019s research activities focused on developing new tools for \u003Cem\u003Ein situ\u003C\/em\u003E liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy, stochastic thermodynamics, and nanoscience-based platforms.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Spencers established the endowment from which the term fellowship funding comes in 2017. This endowment will eventually lead to the establishment of a professorship in ChBE@GT.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBob Spencer is a successful alumnus who has remained connected to our chemical engineering program,\u201d according to Jones. \u201cHis family\u2019s gift will allow ChBE@GT to support an early career professor at a critical stage of their development\u2014the crucial years just before their promotion and tenure review. We are grateful for their support and generosity.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/vida-jamali-receives-inaugural-dr-james-robert-and-margaret-spencer-early-career\u0022\u003ERead Full Story on the ChBE Newspage\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAssistant Professor Vida Jamali is the inaugural recipient of the new Dr. James Robert and Margaret Spencer Early Career Fellowship in Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE@GT).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHer outstanding research accomplishments and contributions to the School and Georgia Tech led to this selection,\u201d said Professor Christopher W. Jones, the John F. Brock III School Chair in ChBE@GT.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe $20,000 in discretionary funding from this one-year fellowship will support \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/vidajamali.github.io\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJamali\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019s research activities focused on developing new tools for \u003Cem\u003Ein situ\u003C\/em\u003E liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy, stochastic thermodynamics, and nanoscience-based platforms.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Assistant Professor Vida Jamali is the inaugural recipient of the new Dr. James Robert and Margaret Spencer Early Career Fellowship in Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE@GT)."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-05-19 20:50:46","changed_gmt":"2026-05-19 20:54:42","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-05-14T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-05-14T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680322":{"id":"680322","type":"image","title":"vida_image_0.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EVida Jamali, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1779223851","gmt_created":"2026-05-19 20:50:51","changed":"1779223851","gmt_changed":"2026-05-19 20:50:51","alt":"Vida Jamali, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Tech","file":{"fid":"264569","name":"vida_image_0.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/19\/vida_image_0.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/19\/vida_image_0.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":30687,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/19\/vida_image_0.jpeg?itok=tgpG-de0"}}},"media_ids":["680322"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:braddixon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EBrad Dixon\u003C\/a\u003E, ChBE\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["braddixon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690194":{"#nid":"690194","#data":{"type":"news","title":"When oil prices spike, where does the money go?","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe market for oil is global, which is why events like the war in Iran affect oil prices \u2013 and prices of the wide range of products made from oil \u2013 literally everywhere. Federal data shows that the price at the primary crude oil hub in the U.S. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/dnav\/pet\/hist\/RWTCD.htm\u0022\u003Ewas US$66 a barrel in late February 2026\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran \u2013 and $101 a barrel on April 13. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/04\/09\/nx-s1-5745144\/oil-company-profits-high-oil-prices\u0022\u003ESimilar price increases\u003C\/a\u003E have reverberated around the globe.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=WhCSHYkAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0026amp;oi=ao\u0022\u003Eenergy economist\u003C\/a\u003E and an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=p4hJf78AAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003Einternational trade economist\u003C\/a\u003E, we field a lot of questions during such episodes, because when oil prices go up, manufacturers, businesses and ultimately \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/soaring-gas-prices-and-disrupted-supply-chains-will-ripple-out-to-increase-costs-in-every-store-and-sector-of-the-economy-278349\u0022\u003Econsumers pay more\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESome basic economics\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECrude oil may be the most important commodity in the global economic system.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s a literal fuel for the industrial economy. It powers the engines that drive transportation and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pavementinteractive.org\/reference-desk\/materials\/asphalt\/asphalt-production-and-oil-refining\/\u0022\u003Epaves the roads\u003C\/a\u003E vehicles drive on. It\u2019s a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/tools\/faqs\/faq.php?id=34\u0026amp;t=6\u0022\u003Esource for plastics\u003C\/a\u003E from which the world\u2019s products get made and packaged, and a key ingredient at some point in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/oil-isnt-just-fuel-iran-conflict-could-disrupt-markets-for-everything-from-plastics-to-fertilizers-277946\u0022\u003Ealmost every supply chain\u003C\/a\u003E. Even \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/hormuz-closure-threatens-the-global-food-supply-why-grocery-price-hikes-are-coming-279899\u0022\u003Efertilizers that boost the food supply\u003C\/a\u003E are made from it. In short, it is difficult to imagine modern life without \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/world-news\/oil-role-modern-life-petrochemicals-impact-everyday-products-explained-126032300615_1.html\u0022\u003Eoil and its derivatives\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd when its supply changes, its price changes. Economists explain this using a fundamental model of our field: the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/terms\/l\/law-of-supply-demand.asp\u0022\u003Esupply-demand\u003C\/a\u003E diagram. When there\u2019s less of something to go around, competition among consumers who want it and companies that need it can drive the price up.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESometimes this process can play out over time, allowing people to adjust their purchasing or activities to dampen price shocks. But when a significant source of the world\u2019s oil is effectively blocked without much advance notice, such as when the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/hormuz-closure-threatens-the-global-food-supply-why-grocery-price-hikes-are-coming-279899\u0022\u003Ethe U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz\u003C\/a\u003E, prices can rise sharply in a short period of time.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA natural question many people ask when oil prices spike is: Where does all that additional money go, and who benefits from it?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome people have \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mitpress.mit.edu\/9780262536165\/energy-and-civilization\/\u0022\u003Ewritten\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/press.princeton.edu\/books\/paperback\/9780691159638\/the-oil-curse\u0022\u003Eentire\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/global.oup.com\/academic\/product\/the-world-for-sale-9780197651537\u0022\u003Ebooks\u003C\/a\u003E dissecting all the places that money goes when it leaves consumers\u2019 pockets. But ultimately, the bulk of the money heads in the direction of the source of the oil itself \u2013 the oil companies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat they do with the money varies widely, depending on where in the world an oil company is operating and who owns it. What also matters is the business environment \u2013 the set of laws and regulations \u2013 in which the company operates.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMiddle East faces danger\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOil producers in the Middle East face significant new risk because of the war in Iran, including threats to production, processing locations and shipping routes. These risks raise their costs for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/gulfs-worst-case-scenario-2026-04-08\/\u0022\u003Einsurance, security and transportation\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/why-the-persian-gulf-has-more-oil-and-gas-than-anywhere-else-on-earth-279303\u0022\u003Eproduction costs in the region\u003C\/a\u003E are relatively low, so higher global oil prices typically still translate into strong profits.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor a major exporter such as Saudi Arabia, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/energy\/saudi-aramco-oil-colossus-2024-05-30\/\u0022\u003Ethe government owns and controls nearly all oil production\u003C\/a\u003E, so high prices generally benefit the government\u2019s finances and investments, even during a war. In Saudi Arabia, oil revenue has historically been used to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/agsi.org\/analysis\/aramco-and-the-saudi-government-budget\/\u0022\u003Efund public spending\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWest Texas gets a windfall\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.dallasfed.org\/research\/energy11\/permian\u0022\u003EPermian Basin\u003C\/a\u003E, the largest oil field in the U.S., is a long way from the Persian Gulf. When global oil prices rise because of the war in Iran, oil companies operating in West Texas effectively get a windfall gain: Prices rise more quickly than costs, at least in the short run.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe immediate effect is more income from higher prices. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.houstonpublicmedia.org\/articles\/economy\/2026\/03\/11\/545798\/texas-oil-iran-war-gas-prices\/\u0022\u003EThe money largely goes to company owners\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 meaning shareholders \u2013 through dividends, debt reduction, company-backed purchases of its own stock, and reinvestment in drilling and production. Over time, companies may decide to spend some of that windfall on building more production capacity or \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/breakingviews\/us-shale-wont-repeat-old-boom-iran-war-2026-04-02\/\u0022\u003Epipelines to get more oil and gas to market\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENorth Sea boosts government revenue\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the North Sea, between the island of Great Britain and Scandinavia, a mix of multinational and government-owned companies produce most of the oil.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the U.K., private shareholders are the primary beneficiaries of higher profits from increased oil prices, though an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/commonslibrary.parliament.uk\/research-briefings\/cbp-9578\/\u0022\u003Eadditional tax on oil and gas companies\u2019 profits\u003C\/a\u003E means the government also collects a significant share of the money, which it uses to help pay public expenses.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn Norway, oil revenues flow into the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nbim.no\/en\/\u0022\u003EGovernment Pension Fund Global\u003C\/a\u003E, the world\u2019s largest sovereign wealth fund, valued at over $2 trillion. Laws govern how much, and for what purposes, money can be withdrawn from the fund, supporting \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nbim.no\/en\/about-us\/about-the-fund\/\u0022\u003Epublic spending and preserving wealth\u003C\/a\u003E for future generations. This is a similar model to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/apfc.org\/\u0022\u003EAlaska\u2019s state-owned program\u003C\/a\u003E, funded by oil revenue, that pays for government services and sends an annual dividend to every permanent resident.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERussian oligarchs get rich\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERussian oil is subject to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.politico.com\/newsletters\/national-security-daily\/2026\/04\/13\/the-return-of-russia-oil-sanctions-00869329\u0022\u003Estringent economic sanctions\u003C\/a\u003E imposed by major industrial countries as a response to the Russian invasion and occupation of parts of Ukraine. While the U.S. cannot control how much Russia charges for its oil, it can control services needed to move Russian oil around the world. Under current price sanctions, Western shipping, insurance and financing can be used to ship and sell Russian crude oil only if the price is \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sanctionsnews.bakermckenzie.com\/g7-sets-price-cap-for-russian-oil-at-usd-60-per-barrel\/\u0022\u003Ebelow $60 per barrel\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERussia\u2019s oil industry is dominated by government-controlled companies whose \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/c4g6xgv1n41o\u0022\u003Eleaders maintain close ties\u003C\/a\u003E to President Vladimir Putin. The dealings of those shadowy figures are often shrouded in secrecy, but it is likely that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/investigates\/section\/comrade-capitalism\/\u0022\u003Ethey and Putin\u2019s military-industrial complex\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 not the Russian people \u2013 are the main beneficiaries of high oil prices.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat this means for you\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEveryday U.S. consumers may not like the idea of their hard-earned cash going into the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.tu.no\/artikler\/the-10-wealthiest-people-in-the-oil-industry\/231147\u0022\u003Ealready deep pockets\u003C\/a\u003E of any of these groups. But in the short run, there\u2019s not much to do but pay the price. For the long run, however, people around the world are already thinking and talking about, and opting for, sources of energy that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/us-is-less-prone-to-oil-price-shocks-than-in-past-decades-277709\u0022\u003Edon\u2019t depend on fossil fuels\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/when-oil-prices-spike-where-does-the-money-go-280763\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe market for oil is global, which is why events like the war in Iran affect oil prices \u2013 and prices of the wide range of products made from oil \u2013 literally everywhere. Federal data shows that the price at the primary crude oil hub in the U.S. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/dnav\/pet\/hist\/RWTCD.htm\u0022\u003Ewas US$66 a barrel in late February 2026\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran \u2013 and $101 a barrel on April 13. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/04\/09\/nx-s1-5745144\/oil-company-profits-high-oil-prices\u0022\u003ESimilar price increases\u003C\/a\u003E have reverberated around the globe.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=WhCSHYkAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0026amp;oi=ao\u0022\u003Eenergy economist\u003C\/a\u003E and an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=p4hJf78AAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003Einternational trade economist\u003C\/a\u003E, we field a lot of questions during such episodes, because when oil prices go up, manufacturers, businesses and ultimately \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/soaring-gas-prices-and-disrupted-supply-chains-will-ripple-out-to-increase-costs-in-every-store-and-sector-of-the-economy-278349\u0022\u003Econsumers pay more\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEveryday U.S. consumers may not like the idea of their hard-earned cash going into the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.tu.no\/artikler\/the-10-wealthiest-people-in-the-oil-industry\/231147\u0022\u003Ealready deep pockets\u003C\/a\u003E of any of the oil-producing groups. But in the short run, there\u2019s not much to do but pay the price. For the long run, however, people around the world are already thinking and talking about, and opting for, sources of energy that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/us-is-less-prone-to-oil-price-shocks-than-in-past-decades-277709\u0022\u003Edon\u2019t depend on fossil fuels\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech\u2013affiliated energy and trade economists describe how higher oil prices don\u2019t just hurt consumers\u2014they also shift enormous amounts of money to oil producers, with impacts varying by region, ownership, and government policy."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-05-07 20:10:19","changed_gmt":"2026-05-07 20:20:00","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-20T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-20T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680221":{"id":"680221","type":"image","title":"file-20260415-71-kc4tq8.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIn general, when supply of a product is reduced, prices rise. As a result, even when demand remains stable, the quantity consumers buy decreases because of higher prices. Matthew E. Oliver and Tibor Besede\u0161, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/\u0022\u003ECC BY-NC-ND\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1778184730","gmt_created":"2026-05-07 20:12:10","changed":"1778184730","gmt_changed":"2026-05-07 20:12:10","alt":"Graph showing supply demand of crude oil with price plotted in the Y axis and quantity in million barrels per day in the X axis during the months of Feb-April 2026.","file":{"fid":"264465","name":"file-20260415-71-kc4tq8.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/07\/file-20260415-71-kc4tq8.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/07\/file-20260415-71-kc4tq8.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":115393,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/07\/file-20260415-71-kc4tq8.jpeg?itok=T4qXe3oZ"}},"680222":{"id":"680222","type":"image","title":"file-20260416-63-ul6ilw.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA satellite photo shows damage from the war at Saudi Arabia\u2019s Ras Tanura oil refinery, which must be repaired before full operations can resume. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/vantor-satellite-image-shows-the-damaged-sections-and-burnt-news-photo\/2263898268\u0022\u003ESatellite image (c) 2026 Vantor via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1778184836","gmt_created":"2026-05-07 20:13:56","changed":"1778184836","gmt_changed":"2026-05-07 20:13:56","alt":"A satellite photo shows damage from the war at Saudi Arabia\u2019s Ras Tanura oil refinery, which must be repaired before full operations can resume. Satellite image (c) 2026 Vantor via Getty Images","file":{"fid":"264466","name":"file-20260416-63-ul6ilw.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/07\/file-20260416-63-ul6ilw.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/07\/file-20260416-63-ul6ilw.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":869181,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/07\/file-20260416-63-ul6ilw.jpeg?itok=t6bc4Mxq"}},"680223":{"id":"680223","type":"image","title":"file-20260416-63-4z9v13.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EDrilling rigs in the North Sea are still operating and shipping oil. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/newsroom.ap.org\/detail\/DenmarkCarbonCapture\/9c2bf7ede3bf4f4b9a938934131da66d\/photo\u0022\u003EAP Photo\/James Brooks\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1778184879","gmt_created":"2026-05-07 20:14:39","changed":"1778184879","gmt_changed":"2026-05-07 20:14:39","alt":"Drilling rigs in the North Sea. AP Photo\/James Brooks","file":{"fid":"264467","name":"file-20260416-63-4z9v13.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/07\/file-20260416-63-4z9v13.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/07\/file-20260416-63-4z9v13.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":249017,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/07\/file-20260416-63-4z9v13.jpeg?itok=7sBRd-Bu"}}},"media_ids":["680221","680222","680223"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/when-oil-prices-spike-where-does-the-money-go-280763","title":"Original Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthors\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/matthew-e-oliver-2656330\u0022 rel=\u0022author\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMatthew E. Oliver\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAssociate Professor of Economics, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/tibor-besedes-2656327\u0022 rel=\u0022author\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETibor Besede\u0161\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EProfessor of Economics, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690139":{"#nid":"690139","#data":{"type":"news","title":"EPIcenter Awards Inaugural Funding to Advance Energy Policy Impact in the Southeast","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Energy Policy and Innovation Center (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEPIcenter\u003C\/a\u003E) at Georgia Tech has awarded funding to a new cohort of faculty through its ACCELERATE program, an initiative designed to strengthen Georgia Tech\u2019s thought leadership and real\u2011world impact in energy policy, decision\u2011making, and innovation across the Southeast.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEight faculty members received funding for projects that advance Georgia Tech energy research by generating early insights, expanding shared research tools, and exploring solutions related to energy policy, grid reliability, clean energy incentives, and industry\u2011driven innovation shaping Georgia\u2019s energy future.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy supporting timely, policy-relevant research and engagement that connect Georgia Tech expertise with pressing regional energy challenges, the ACCELERATE program encourages collaboration across the Institute and with external partners, supports graduate student involvement, and amplifies research outputs that inform policy, regulatory, and market decisions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cACCELERATE is designed to help early- and mid-career faculty move quickly on ideas that can shape energy policy and practice,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/people\/laura-taylor\u0022\u003ELaura Taylor\u003C\/a\u003E, director of EPIcenter. \u201cBy supporting both early\u2011stage collaboration and more developed policy research, the program enables Georgia Tech researchers to engage decision\u2011makers and stakeholders when it matters most.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProposals considered for funding were grounded in policy and behavioral research, including studies that examined how past or potential policies and regulations worked, and analyses of current market and behavioral outcomes that revealed management, policy, or regulatory gaps and opportunities. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFunded projects span a range of disciplines and policy\u2011focused topics aligned with EPIcenter\u2019s mission, with a strong emphasis on challenges facing Georgia and the Southeast. Collectively, the awards support research development, data creation, stakeholder engagement, and public-facing thought leadership intended to inform energy policy and implementation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022As electricity demand grows, it is increasingly important to understand how\u0026nbsp;industrial processes could use energy flexibly to enable efficient use of renewable resources like solar and wind,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/micah-ziegler\u0022\u003EMicah Ziegler\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy. \u201cSupport from the EPIcenter ACCELERATE program enables us to ask fundamental questions about how to design flexible systems and supply chains.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAwards ranged from $5,000 to $75,000. Projects that received ACCELERATE funding include:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMeasuring the Alignment Between Legislators\u2019 Energy Bill Votes and Their District Characteristics in the Georgia House of Representatives\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFaculty Researcher:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/planning.gatech.edu\/people\/clio-andris\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClio Andris\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E,\u003C\/strong\u003E Associate Professor, School of City and\u0026nbsp;Regional Planning and School of Interactive Computing\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStrengthening Georgia Tech\u2019s National Energy Modeling of Priority Research Areas\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFaculty Researcher:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/marilyn-brown\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EMarilyn Brown\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, Regents\u0027 Professor and Brook\u0026nbsp;Byers Professor of Sustainable Systems, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProtecting Consumers From Price Volatility: Evidence and Policy Lessons From Georgia\u0027s Natural Gas Market\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFaculty Researcher:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/dylan-brewer\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EDylan Brewer\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, Assistant Professor, School of Economics\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECan Place-Based Incentives Accelerate the Energy Transition?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFaculty Researcher:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/people\/gaurav-doshi\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGaurav Doshi\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, Assistant Professor, School of Economics\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Revolving Door in Utility Regulation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFaculty Researcher:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/f276dd8a-0e13-5b66-b4cf-3d2960e01b2d\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EMichelle Graff\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, Assistant Professor, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow Do Data Centers Affect Tradeoffs Between Reliability and Decarbonization?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFaculty Researchers:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/anthony-harding\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ETony Harding\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, Assistant Professor, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy, and\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/c9f0cadc-5bb4-5b6f-9eca-bd38a9233993\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBrian An\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, Assistant Professor, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECalculating the Emissions Cost of the Solar Rebound for the United States\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFaculty Researcher:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/econ.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/matthew-oliver\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EMatt Oliver\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, Associate Professor, School of Economics\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEvaluating Long-Duration Flexibility of Industrial Demand in Electric Power Systems\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFaculty Researchers:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/micah-ziegler\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EMicah Ziegler\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E,\u0026nbsp;assistant professor, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy, and\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/constance-crozier\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EConstance Crozier\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, Assistant Professor, H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EACCELERATE is an annual program open to all Georgia Tech faculty, focusing on policy\u2011 and decision\u2011relevant research that advances energy affordability, reliability, resilience, and decarbonization in the region.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMore information about EPIcenter\u2019s research areas and programs is available at\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eepicenter.energy.gatech.edu\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Energy Policy and Innovation Center (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEPIcenter\u003C\/a\u003E) at Georgia Tech has awarded funding to a new cohort of faculty through its ACCELERATE program, an initiative designed to strengthen Georgia Tech\u2019s thought leadership and real\u2011world impact in energy policy, decision\u2011making, and innovation across the Southeast.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEight faculty members received funding for projects that advance Georgia Tech energy research by generating early insights, expanding shared research tools, and exploring solutions related to energy policy, grid reliability, clean energy incentives, and industry\u2011driven innovation shaping Georgia\u2019s energy future.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Energy Policy and Innovation Center at Georgia Tech has awarded funding to a new faculty cohort through its ACCELERATE program, designed to strengthen Georgia Tech\u2019s thought leadership and real world impact in energy policy in the Southeast."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-05-05 15:53:02","changed_gmt":"2026-05-06 02:11:13","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-05-05T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-05-05T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680187":{"id":"680187","type":"image","title":"ACCELERATE-Program-Funding-Recipients--EPIcenter---1-.jpg","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEPIcenter ACCELERATE Program Recipients: Top (Left to Right) - Clio Andris, Marilyn Brown, Dylan Brewer, Gaurav Doshi, Michelle Graff; Bottom (Left to Right) - Tony Harding, Brian An, Matt Oliver, Micah Ziegler, Constance Crozier\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1778033435","gmt_created":"2026-05-06 02:10:35","changed":"1778033435","gmt_changed":"2026-05-06 02:10:35","alt":"EPIcenter ACCELERATE Program Recipients: Top (Left to Right) - Clio Andris, Marilyn Brown, Dylan Brewer, Gaurav Doshi, Michelle Graff; Bottom (Left to Right) - Tony Harding, Brian An, Matt Oliver, Micah Ziegler, Constance Crozier","file":{"fid":"264429","name":"ACCELERATE-Program-Funding-Recipients--EPIcenter---1-.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/05\/ACCELERATE-Program-Funding-Recipients--EPIcenter---1-.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/05\/ACCELERATE-Program-Funding-Recipients--EPIcenter---1-.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":382746,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/05\/ACCELERATE-Program-Funding-Recipients--EPIcenter---1-.jpg?itok=9suDx9ym"}}},"media_ids":["680187"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"194612","name":"Workforce Development"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EPriya Devarajan\u003C\/a\u003E || SEI Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689912":{"#nid":"689912","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Is Building for an AI Future That May Not Happen","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWalton County, Georgia, didn\u2019t ask to become a test case for the artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure boom.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.meta.com\/about\/?srsltid=AfmBOorq5DbaO21MiOmnzavdCGimvjUKN-1Hxf4u3ZVf7y4qlNfEjReW\u0022\u003EMeta\u003C\/a\u003E, the company behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, made the decision for them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2018, the company broke ground in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.socialcirclega.gov\/\u0022\u003ESocial Circle\u003C\/a\u003E, a small town an hour east of Atlanta with about 5,000 residents, to build one of its largest U.S. data centers. It opened in 2020.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELocal officials called it a win.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022\/\/\/Users\/mazriel3\/Downloads\/Shane%20Short,\u0022\u003EShane Short\u003C\/a\u003E, president and CEO of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/choosewalton.com\/\u0022\u003EDevelopment Authority of Walton County\u003C\/a\u003E, said the plant generates about $10 million annually in property tax revenue and has led to road improvements and expanded broadband.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EElectric vehicle maker\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/rivian.com\/\u0022\u003ERivian\u003C\/a\u003E followed Meta\u2019s lead and began construction on a plant near Social Circle in September 2025, adding to the area\u2019s rapid industrial growth.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut for residents, the shift from a largely rural, agricultural economy to an energy-intensive industrial one has put new pressure on power and water systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThey\u2019re seeing higher water and power bills, worse air quality, and very few jobs in return for this, while large corporations get tax benefits,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scs.gatech.edu\/people\/ahmed-saeed\u0022\u003EAhmed Saeed\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scs.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Computer Science\u003C\/a\u003E, describing why residents in some communities push back on new data center development.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESaeed and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/josiah-hester\u0022\u003EJosiah Hester\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor of interactive computing and computer science and director of the Center for Advancing Responsible AI, have spent the past year studying the energy, water, and financial demands associated with these facilities, and how those costs are distributed.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EBetting on Demand\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI data centers run on specialized chips that use large amounts of electricity. That power generates heat, which requires energy- and water-intensive cooling.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe state is adding capacity based on expected demand, not current use.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELast year, the Georgia Public Service Commission approved an estimated $16 billion expansion for Georgia Power to support that growth. It is expected to produce about 10 gigawatts of electricity at a given time. That\u2019s enough energy to power about 7.5 million homes for a year.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf that demand materializes, the electricity is used. If it doesn\u2019t, the cost still has to be paid.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EGrid Stability\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThose workloads can put a very large demand on the grid all at once, and then remove it just as quickly,\u201d Saeed said. \u201cThat sudden change is difficult for the system to handle.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat volatility is a separate issue.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven if data center operators pay for the infrastructure they use, large swings in demand can still strain grid operations, especially during peak periods or extreme weather.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhat Comes Next\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBack in Walton County, the Meta facility is already\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.covnews.com\/news\/cities\/social-circle-planning-commission-recommends-latest-data-center-request\/\u0022\u003Eattracting additional data centers\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEach new site adds power and water infrastructure designed to operate for decades.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe servers inside need to be upgraded every few years.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESaeed and Hester said if Georgia wants to remain an AI and cloud hub, the state needs to set the terms and companies need to meet them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat starts with disclosure \u2014 how much power data centers draw from the grid, how that demand spikes, and how much water they use. It includes clear expectations for how those facilities respond when the grid is under stress, and protections for the communities where they\u2019re built.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers maintain that \u201cbuild it and hope\u201d is not a strategy.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"The state is spending $16 billion to power data centers that could be obsolete in seven years. Two Georgia Tech researchers say residents will pay for that gamble either way."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia is betting $16 billion on power infrastructure to support an AI-driven data center boom that may not materialize \u2014 and residents will pay either way.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe story follows two Georgia Tech researchers who argue the state is building for speculative demand: AI workloads drive massive, volatile energy use, data centers become obsolete within years, and efficiency gains only increase total consumption.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn places like Walton and Newton counties, the promised benefits \u2014 tax revenue and development \u2014 collide with higher utility costs, water strain, and minimal job creation. If demand falls short, the financial burden of overbuilt infrastructure shifts to ratepayers, leaving communities with the costs long after the companies move on.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The state is spending $16 billion to power data centers that could be obsolete in seven years. Two Georgia Tech researchers say residents will pay for that gamble either way."}],"uid":"36410","created_gmt":"2026-04-21 14:45:44","changed_gmt":"2026-05-04 16:27:22","author":"mazriel3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-21T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-21T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680009":{"id":"680009","type":"image","title":"Data centers","body":null,"created":"1776780028","gmt_created":"2026-04-21 14:00:28","changed":"1776780264","gmt_changed":"2026-04-21 14:04:24","alt":"AI rendering of the servers inside of a data center","file":{"fid":"264242","name":"Data-Centers.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/Data-Centers.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/Data-Centers.png","mime":"image\/png","size":2439341,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/21\/Data-Centers.png?itok=xre68az6"}}},"media_ids":["680009"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"194190","name":"AI data centers"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMichelle Azriel\u003Cbr\u003ESr. Writer-Editor\u003Cbr\u003EResearch Communications\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:mazriel3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Emazriel3@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690057":{"#nid":"690057","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Hyundai Motor Group, Georgia Tech Sign MOU on Hydrogen Mobility Development ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EHyundai Motor Group and the Georgia Institute of Technology have announced an expansion of their growing collaboration to advance hydrogen-powered transportation, deepen applied research and education, and accelerate the use of zero-emissions vehicles in Georgia.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBuilding upon a multifaceted relationship, the two are bringing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and fueling infrastructure to campus \u2014 turning Georgia Tech into one of the nation\u2019s most prominent campus-based examples for hydrogen mobility.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHyundai Motor Group is proud to strengthen our collaboration with Georgia Tech as we work together to accelerate the future of clean mobility. Georgia Tech\u2019s leadership in innovation and its commitment to developing the next generation of problem-solvers make it a natural partner in advancing technologies,\u201d said Ken Ram\u00edrez, executive vice president and head of Global Energy and Hydrogen Business at Hyundai Motor Group. \u201cBy combining the university\u2019s excellent research with Hyundai\u2019s global experience, we are creating the foundation for real-world solutions that will help drive the energy transition and inspire future mobility leaders.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERam\u00edrez is also a 1991 Georgia Tech graduate and a member of the Georgia Tech Advisory Board.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s very fulfilling to donate a handful of our NEXO fuel cell SUVs as part of our expanding relationship with Georgia Tech. Hydrogen-powered NEXO fuel cell vehicles will immediately serve to expand the clean mobility footprint on campus while providing real-world experiences with the cutting edge of zero-emissions transportation technology,\u201d\u0026nbsp;said Randy Parker, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor North America.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech has a long history of working with industry to move breakthrough technologies from the lab into the real world. By expanding our work with Hyundai, we\u2019re advancing hydrogen research, reducing emissions on our campus, and strengthening Georgia\u2019s role in the future of clean mobility,\u0022 Georgia Tech President \u00c1ngel Cabrera said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow the Partnership Drives Hydrogen Innovation and Research\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe partnership includes the\u0026nbsp;donation of four Hyundai NEXO fuel cell electric SUVs by Hyundai Motor North America\u0026nbsp;and a\u0026nbsp;hydrogen electrolyzer project, which will be installed at Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;North Avenue Research Area, positioning Tech as one of the most visible real-world test beds for hydrogen mobility in the U.S.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe vehicles and infrastructure will support campus operations and interdisciplinary research. Key areas of focus include:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEngineering\u003C\/strong\u003E: Exploring hydrogen-based systems and mobility solutions.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESustainability\u003C\/strong\u003E: Assessing the environmental benefits of hydrogen technologies.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnergy systems\u003C\/strong\u003E: Understanding the integration of hydrogen fuel cells into current infrastructure.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPublic policy\u003C\/strong\u003E: Evaluating the regulatory and social implications of hydrogen adoption.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis initiative connects Georgia Tech\u2019s research enterprise with campus operations, using the Institute as a living laboratory for clean transportation technologies. Faculty and students will study:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EReal-world performance of hydrogen technology.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EInfrastructure requirements for large-scale deployment.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEnvironmental impacts of hydrogen energy systems.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInsights gathered from this initiative aim to inform and accelerate the widespread use of hydrogen technology in campuses, fleets, cities, and freight corridors. The initiative also supports Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/strategicplan.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Estrategic plan\u003C\/a\u003E, which includes the goal of expanding the use of zero-emissions vehicles powered by sustainable energy sources.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy Is the Partnership with Georgia Tech Key to Hyundai Motor Group\u2019s Vision?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe collaboration between Hyundai and Georgia Tech is a testament to the power of aligning academic expertise with corporate innovation. Beyond hydrogen energy, the partnership seeks to advance innovation in the areas of:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAutonomous driving\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EElectric vehicle (EV) batteries\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECharging infrastructure\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMaterials science\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECybersecurity\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition, Hyundai\u2019s presence in Georgia underscores its commitment to the region. Georgia is home to the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America and also serves as a hub for zero-emissions transportation through HTWO Logistics, a clean logistics partnership that operates Hyundai XCIENT fuel cell heavy-duty trucks in logistics operations near Savannah. The collaboration with Georgia Tech builds on this regional foundation, reinforcing the link between education, research, and Hyundai\u0027s long-term goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat\u2019s Next for the Partnership?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe partnership between Hyundai and Georgia Tech represents more than an investment in research. It\u2019s a shared effort to lead the next generation of mobility advancements. Additional announcements about the partnership\u2019s research projects, educational programs, and vehicle deployment are expected in the coming months.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003EGeorgia Tech has entered into a multiyear partnership with Hyundai Motor Group to advance hydrogen mobility solutions on campus, expanding research, education, and real-world application of zero-emissions transportation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech has entered into a multiyear partnership with Hyundai Motor Group to advance hydrogen mobility solutions on campus, expanding research, education, and real-world application of zero-emissions transportation. "}],"uid":"35797","created_gmt":"2026-04-29 18:54:35","changed_gmt":"2026-04-30 13:43:04","author":"Siobhan Rodriguez","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-29T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-29T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680125":{"id":"680125","type":"image","title":"\u00c1ngel Cabrera, president of Georgia Tech, and Ken Ram\u00edrez, executive vice president and head of Global Energy and Hydrogen Business at Hyundai Motor Group","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u00c1ngel Cabrera, president of Georgia Tech, and Ken Ram\u00edrez, executive vice president and head of Global Energy and Hydrogen Business at Hyundai Motor Group, commemorate MOU to further collaborate on hydrogen mobility development.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1777556386","gmt_created":"2026-04-30 13:39:46","changed":"1777556386","gmt_changed":"2026-04-30 13:39:46","alt":"\u00c1ngel Cabrera, president of Georgia Tech, and Ken Ram\u00edrez, executive vice president and head of Global Energy and Hydrogen Business at Hyundai Motor Group","file":{"fid":"264365","name":"-Photo-2--HMG-and-GT-sign-MOU-to-Further-Collaborate-on-Hydrogen-Mobility-Development.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/30\/-Photo-2--HMG-and-GT-sign-MOU-to-Further-Collaborate-on-Hydrogen-Mobility-Development.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/30\/-Photo-2--HMG-and-GT-sign-MOU-to-Further-Collaborate-on-Hydrogen-Mobility-Development.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3627344,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/30\/-Photo-2--HMG-and-GT-sign-MOU-to-Further-Collaborate-on-Hydrogen-Mobility-Development.jpg?itok=oogQA24U"}},"680112":{"id":"680112","type":"image","title":"-Photo-3--HMG-and-GT-sign-MOU-to-Further-Collaborate-on-Hydrogen-Mobility-Development.jpg","body":null,"created":"1777489041","gmt_created":"2026-04-29 18:57:21","changed":"1777489041","gmt_changed":"2026-04-29 18:57:21","alt":"Image of Hyundai solar vehicles","file":{"fid":"264351","name":"-Photo-3--HMG-and-GT-sign-MOU-to-Further-Collaborate-on-Hydrogen-Mobility-Development.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/29\/-Photo-3--HMG-and-GT-sign-MOU-to-Further-Collaborate-on-Hydrogen-Mobility-Development.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/29\/-Photo-3--HMG-and-GT-sign-MOU-to-Further-Collaborate-on-Hydrogen-Mobility-Development.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1491306,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/29\/-Photo-3--HMG-and-GT-sign-MOU-to-Further-Collaborate-on-Hydrogen-Mobility-Development.jpg?itok=pyPah714"}},"680126":{"id":"680126","type":"image","title":"Georgia Tech and Hyundai Motor Group leaders at MOU signing","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech and Hyundai Motor Group leaders at MOU signing.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1777556502","gmt_created":"2026-04-30 13:41:42","changed":"1777556502","gmt_changed":"2026-04-30 13:41:42","alt":"Georgia Tech and Hyundai Motor Group leaders","file":{"fid":"264366","name":"-Photo-1--HMG-and-GT-sign-MOU-to-Further-Collaborate-on-Hydrogen-Mobility-Development.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/30\/-Photo-1--HMG-and-GT-sign-MOU-to-Further-Collaborate-on-Hydrogen-Mobility-Development.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/30\/-Photo-1--HMG-and-GT-sign-MOU-to-Further-Collaborate-on-Hydrogen-Mobility-Development.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3233894,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/30\/-Photo-1--HMG-and-GT-sign-MOU-to-Further-Collaborate-on-Hydrogen-Mobility-Development.jpg?itok=BH8UZzpo"}}},"media_ids":["680125","680112","680126"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"194609","name":"Industry"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech Media Relations\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:media@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Emedia@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689932":{"#nid":"689932","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Vision AI Models Improve Decision Making in Manufacturing, Energy, and Finance","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGenerative artificial intelligence (AI) is best known for creating images and text. Now, it is helping industries make better planning decisions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers have created a new AI model for decision-focused learning (DFL), called Diffusion-DFL. Recent tests showed it makes more accurate decisions than current approaches.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlong with optimizing industrial output, Diffusion-DFL lowers costs and reduces risk. Experiments also showed it performs across different fields.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2510.11590\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDiffusion-DFL\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E doesn\u2019t just surpass current methods; it also predicts more accurately as problem sizes grow. The model requires less computing power despite these high-performance marks, making it more accessible to smaller enterprises.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDiffusion-DFL runs on diffusion models, the same technology that powers DALL-E and other AI image generators. It is the first DFL framework based on diffusion models.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAnyone who makes high-stakes decisions under uncertainty, including supply chain managers, energy operators, and financial planners, benefits from Diffusion-DFL,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.zihaozhao.site\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EZihao Zhao\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, a Georgia Tech Ph.D. student who led the project.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cInstead of optimizing around a single forecast, the model evaluates many possible scenarios, so decisions account for real-world risk and become more robust.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E[\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/research\/iclr-2026\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERelated: GT @ ICLR 2026\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo test Diffusion-DFL, the team ran experiments based on real-world settings, including:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFactory manufacturing to meet product demand\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPower grid scheduling to meet energy demand\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EStock market portfolio optimization\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn each case, Diffusion-DFL made more accurate decisions than current methods. It also performed better as problems became larger and more complex. These results confirm the model\u2019s ability to make important decisions in real-world scenarios with noisy data and uncertainty.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe experiments also show that Diffusion-DFL is practical, not just accurate. Training diffusion models is expensive, so the team developed a way to reduce memory use. This cut training costs by more than 99.7%. As a result, Diffusion-DFL can reach more researchers and practitioners.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur score-function estimator cuts GPU memory from over 60 gigabytes to 0.13 with almost no loss in decision quality, reducing the requirement for massive computing resources,\u201d Zhao said. \u201cI hope this expands Diffusion-DFL into other domains, like healthcare, where decisions must be made quickly under complex uncertainty.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond decision-making applications, Diffusion-DFL marks a shift in DFL techniques and in the broader use of generative AI models.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn supply chain management, planners estimate future demand before deciding how much product to stock. In this DFL problem, engineers align ML models with predetermined decision objectives, like minimizing risk or reducing costs.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne flaw of DFL methods is that they optimize around a single, deterministic prediction in an uncertain future.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDiffusion-DFL takes a different approach. Instead of making a single guess, it determines a range of possible outcomes. This leads to decisions based on many likely scenarios, rather than on a single assumed future.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo do this, the framework uses diffusion models. These generative AI models create high-quality data from images, text, and audio.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe forward diffusion process involves adding noise to data until it becomes pure noise. Models trained via forward diffusion can reverse diffusion. This means they can start with noisy data and then produce meaningful insights from training examples.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReal-world data is often noisy and uncertain. Traditional DFL methods struggle in these conditions, but diffusion models are designed to handle them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBecause of this, Diffusion-DFL can explore many possible outcomes and choose better actions. Like image-generation AI, the model works well with complex data from different sources. This enables its use across different industries.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDiffusion models have achieved significant success in generative AI and image synthesis, but our work shows their potential extends far beyond that,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/guaguakai.com\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKai Wang\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool of Computational Science and Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (CSE).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhat makes Diffusion-DFL unique is that the specific downstream application guides how the model learns to handle uncertainty.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhether we are scheduling energy for power grids, balancing risk in financial portfolios, or developing early warning systems in healthcare, we can explicitly train these highly expressive models to navigate the unique complexities of each domain.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZhao and Wang collaborated with Caltech Ph.D. candidate\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chrisyeh96.github.io\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChristopher Yeh\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and Harvard University postdoctoral fellow\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/alumnus-uses-ai-counter-african-poaching-improve-maternal-healthcare-access\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELingkai Kong\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E on Diffusion-DFL. Kong earned his Ph.D. in CSE from Georgia Tech in 2024.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWang will present Diffusion-DFL on behalf of the group at the upcoming International Conference on Learning Representations (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iclr.cc\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EICLR 2026\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E). Occurring April 23-27 in Rio de Janeiro, ICLR is one of the world\u2019s most prestigious conferences dedicated to artificial intelligence research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cICLR is the perfect stage for Diffusion-DFL because it brings together the exact community that needs to see the bridge between generative modeling and high-stakes decision-making for real-world applications,\u201d Wang said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cPresenting Diffusion-DFL allows us to challenge the traditional training framework of diffusion models. It\u2019s about sparking a broader conversation on how we can align the training objectives of generative AI directly with actual, downstream decision-making needs.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGenerative artificial intelligence (AI) is best known for creating images and text. Now, it is helping industries make better planning decisions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers have created a new AI model for decision-focused learning (DFL), called Diffusion-DFL. Recent tests showed it makes more accurate decisions than current approaches.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlong with optimizing industrial output, Diffusion-DFL lowers costs and reduces risk. Experiments also showed it performs across different fields.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2510.11590\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDiffusion-DFL\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E doesn\u2019t just surpass current methods; it also predicts more accurately as problem sizes grow. The model requires less computing power despite these high-performance marks, making it more accessible to smaller enterprises.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDiffusion-DFL runs on diffusion models, the same technology that powers DALL-E and other AI image generators. It is the first DFL framework based on diffusion models.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers have developed Diffusion-DFL, the first decision-focused learning model built on diffusion AI technology. It uses the same engineering behind image generators to help industries make more accurate, lower-cost planning decisions."}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2026-04-21 17:35:24","changed_gmt":"2026-04-21 17:40:39","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-15T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-15T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680015":{"id":"680015","type":"image","title":"Diffusion-DFL-Head-Image.jpg","body":null,"created":"1776792936","gmt_created":"2026-04-21 17:35:36","changed":"1776792936","gmt_changed":"2026-04-21 17:35:36","alt":"ICLR 2026 Diffusion-DFL","file":{"fid":"264248","name":"Diffusion-DFL-Head-Image.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/Diffusion-DFL-Head-Image.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/Diffusion-DFL-Head-Image.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":117435,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/21\/Diffusion-DFL-Head-Image.jpg?itok=2myOXxFR"}}},"media_ids":["680015"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/vision-ai-models-improve-decision-making-manufacturing-energy-and-finance","title":"Vision AI Models Improve Decision Making in Manufacturing, Energy, and Finance"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"194609","name":"Industry"},{"id":"194685","name":"Manufacturing"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"},{"id":"9167","name":"machine learning"},{"id":"181689","name":"Institute for Data Science and Engineering"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"194384","name":"Tech AI"},{"id":"7850","name":"EVPR"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689713":{"#nid":"689713","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Universities and U.K. Partners Strengthen Collaboration on Critical Minerals at GEMS\u20114 Symposium","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn February, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E, \u0026nbsp;together with the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.uga.edu\/\u0022\u003EUniversity of Georgia\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gsu.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia State University\u003C\/a\u003E, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/georgiamining.org\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Mining Association\u003C\/a\u003E, and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/world\/organisations\/british-consulate-general-atlanta\u0022\u003EBritish Consulate\u2011General Atlanta\u003C\/a\u003E, hosted the fourth Growing Partnerships for Essential Minerals (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gems.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGEMs\u20114\u003C\/a\u003E) workshop in Atlanta. The workshop built on a growing transatlantic partnership dedicated to advancing innovation across the critical minerals value chain.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;two\u2011day event took place Feb. 4 \u2013 5, coinciding with the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.state.gov\/releases\/office-of-the-spokesperson\/2026\/02\/2026-critical-minerals-ministerial\u0022\u003ECritical Minerals Ministerial\u003C\/a\u003E hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 4, which brought together more than 50 nations to strengthen and diversify global critical mineral supply chains. During this ministerial, U.K. Minister Seema Malhotra and U.S. Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg signed a Critical Minerals Memorandum of Understanding, strengthening bilateral cooperation between the United States and the United Kingdom on critical mineral supply chains.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese broad efforts are supported by White House Executive Order 14363, which defines the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/genesis.energy.gov\/\u0022\u003EGenesis Mission\u003C\/a\u003E and aims to accelerate scientific discovery through AI. The order identifies critical minerals supply chain resilience as a national security imperative.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn Atlanta, these themes were brought to life in real time. The GEMs-4 workshop brought together researchers, policymakers, national labs, industry leaders, and workforce organizations from both the U.S. and the U.K. to address shared challenges in technology translation, permitting, investment, and talent development.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe state of Georgia\u2019s integrated ecosystem, linking research universities, legacy industries, technical colleges, national labs, and public\u2011private partnerships, served as a case study. Presenters highlighted how existing industrial assets in the Southeast are being incorporated into emerging clean energy and critical minerals supply chains, offering a model for other regions seeking to build capabilities around extraction, processing, and manufacturing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA U.K. member of Parliament representing Cornwall, where the U.K. has lithium reserves and deep critical mineral expertise, joined the convening, as well as representatives from the U.K. Critical Mineral Association, Camborne School of Mines, and the University of Kent. Together, they explored opportunities and challenges, from a fundamental science to a commercialization perspective grounded in real-world experience.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe alignment between the ministerial in Washington and the expertise present in Atlanta demonstrated the value of state-level engagement and how national agreements translate into practical collaboration on the ground.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe Southeast has the research depth, industrial footprint, and collaborative spirit needed to lead in critical minerals innovation,\u201d\u0026nbsp;said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/people\/yuanzhi-tang\u0022\u003EYuanzhi Tang\u003C\/a\u003E, Georgia Power Professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, executive director of the Strategic Energy Institute, and founding director of the Center for Critical Mineral Solutions at Georgia Tech. \u201cGEMs\u20114 showed what\u2019s possible when universities, industry, and government partners align around shared priorities.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDay one featured strategic dialogue on critical mineral resources, innovation pathways, and partnership models. A recurring theme was the co-production of critical minerals alongside major mineral commodities. \u201cMany critical minerals are produced as byproducts of larger mining operations, making it essential to integrate recovery strategies into existing mineral industries rather than developing entirely new extraction systems,\u201d noted \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cas.gsu.edu\/profile\/w-crawford-elliott\/\u0022\u003ECrawford Elliott\u003C\/a\u003E, professor of geosciences at Georgia State University.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDay two transitioned to field\u2011based learning, led by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/geology.uga.edu\/directory\/people\/paul-schroeder\u0022\u003EPaul Schroeder\u003C\/a\u003E, professor of geology at the University of Georgia. Participants visited active operations to better understand how regional industrial strengths can support national and international supply chain goals. Schroeder said, \u201cConnecting people to the long-standing mineral extraction economy at the mining and plant sites, where the work gets done with an amazingly skilled workforce, underscores the unique role of Georgia\u2019s place\u2011based capacity in advancing national and transatlantic supply\u0026nbsp;chain goals.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOrganizers emphasized that resilient supply chains rely on regional capabilities built over time through university collaboration, industry partnerships, and community engagement. With three years of inter\u2011university coordination now underpinning the GEMS platform, the 2026 workshop demonstrated how the Southeast is contributing actionable models for U.S.-U.K. cooperation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEcosystem-building at this scale requires participation from every part of the value chain, and we are encouraged by the model GEMs presents,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/rachel-galloway-518014292\/\u0022\u003ERachel Galloway\u003C\/a\u003E, Consul General at British Consulate General Atlanta. \u201cThe collaboration across universities, industry, and government is exactly what enables long\u2011term impact on both sides of the Atlantic.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough focused dialogue and partnership-building, the symposium strengthened transatlantic collaboration, highlighted regional strengths, and accelerated innovation and translation across the critical minerals value chain, from resource characterization and processing to recycling, manufacturing, and deployment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor more information about the GEMS initiative, visit: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gems.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/gems.research.gatech.edu\/\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn February, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E, \u0026nbsp;together with the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.uga.edu\/\u0022\u003EUniversity of Georgia\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gsu.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia State University\u003C\/a\u003E, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/georgiamining.org\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Mining Association\u003C\/a\u003E, and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/world\/organisations\/british-consulate-general-atlanta\u0022\u003EBritish Consulate\u2011General Atlanta\u003C\/a\u003E, hosted the fourth Growing Partnerships for Essential Minerals (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gems.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGEMs\u20114\u003C\/a\u003E) workshop in Atlanta. The workshop built on a growing transatlantic partnership dedicated to advancing innovation across the critical minerals value chain.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"In February, the Georgia Institute of Technology,  together with the University of Georgia, Georgia State University, the Georgia Mining Association, and the British Consulate\u2011General Atlanta, hosted the fourth GEMs workshop."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-04-13 17:45:13","changed_gmt":"2026-04-13 18:25:18","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-13T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-13T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679927":{"id":"679927","type":"image","title":"20260204_GEMs-IV-Group-Photo_LR.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGroup photo of the attendees of the GEMs-4 symposium.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776102371","gmt_created":"2026-04-13 17:46:11","changed":"1776102371","gmt_changed":"2026-04-13 17:46:11","alt":"Attendees of the GEMs-4 symposium","file":{"fid":"264149","name":"20260204_GEMs-IV-Group-Photo_LR.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/20260204_GEMs-IV-Group-Photo_LR.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/20260204_GEMs-IV-Group-Photo_LR.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1521193,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/13\/20260204_GEMs-IV-Group-Photo_LR.jpeg?itok=46uGjXAX"}},"679928":{"id":"679928","type":"image","title":"31932AB2-B646-4E29-9BEF-3FD7C6054815.JPG.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EDay 2 of the symposium included a visit to a Georgia mining operation.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776102491","gmt_created":"2026-04-13 17:48:11","changed":"1776102491","gmt_changed":"2026-04-13 17:48:11","alt":"Day 2 of the symposium included a visit to a Georgia mining operation","file":{"fid":"264150","name":"31932AB2-B646-4E29-9BEF-3FD7C6054815.JPG.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/31932AB2-B646-4E29-9BEF-3FD7C6054815.JPG.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/31932AB2-B646-4E29-9BEF-3FD7C6054815.JPG.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2766293,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/13\/31932AB2-B646-4E29-9BEF-3FD7C6054815.JPG.jpeg?itok=6UE7bW0o"}},"679929":{"id":"679929","type":"image","title":"P1003694-Attendees-LR.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAttendees at the GEMs-4 workshop\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776103013","gmt_created":"2026-04-13 17:56:53","changed":"1776103013","gmt_changed":"2026-04-13 17:56:53","alt":"Attendees at the GEMs-4 workshop","file":{"fid":"264151","name":"P1003694-Attendees-LR.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/P1003694-Attendees-LR.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/P1003694-Attendees-LR.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":672603,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/13\/P1003694-Attendees-LR.jpeg?itok=WORRhc1_"}},"679930":{"id":"679930","type":"image","title":"P1003821-panel.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECritical Mineral Significance and Resources Panel at the GEMs-4 symposium\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776103013","gmt_created":"2026-04-13 17:56:53","changed":"1776103013","gmt_changed":"2026-04-13 17:56:53","alt":"Panelists discussing at the GEMs-4 symposium","file":{"fid":"264152","name":"P1003821-panel.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/P1003821-panel.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/P1003821-panel.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":614552,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/13\/P1003821-panel.jpeg?itok=wPJagMbS"}},"679931":{"id":"679931","type":"image","title":"P1003941-AttendeeQuestions.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAttendee asking a question to the panel at the GEMS-4 Symposium\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776103013","gmt_created":"2026-04-13 17:56:53","changed":"1776103013","gmt_changed":"2026-04-13 17:56:53","alt":"Attendee asking a question to the panel at the GEMS-4 Symposium","file":{"fid":"264153","name":"P1003941-AttendeeQuestions.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/P1003941-AttendeeQuestions.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/P1003941-AttendeeQuestions.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":646826,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/13\/P1003941-AttendeeQuestions.jpeg?itok=tVXDFwY1"}}},"media_ids":["679927","679928","679929","679930","679931"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"},{"id":"660398","name":"Sustainability Hub"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"},{"id":"194612","name":"Workforce Development"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EPriya Devarajan\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:sydnie.hammond@fcdo.gov.uk\u0022\u003ESydnie Hammond\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EBritish Consulate-Atlanta\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:ahead13@gsu.edu\u0022\u003EAmanda Head\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EGeorgia State University\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:Kay.Torrance@uga.edu\u0022\u003EKay Alison Torrance\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EUniversity of Georgia\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:leelemke@georgiamining.org\u0022\u003ELee Lemke\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EGeorgia Mining Association\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689444":{"#nid":"689444","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Why the Strait of Hormuz Is More Than an Energy Crisis ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ERising oil and gasoline prices have been the center of attention since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. But that immediate effect tells only part of the story. Because oil and gas underpin production, transportation, and logistics, higher energy costs will gradually move through supply chains \u2014 meaning the most significant economic consequences may not appear for months.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe effects move slowly and appear in places people do not connect to energy,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/econ.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/tibor-besedes\u0022\u003ETibor Besedes\u003C\/a\u003E, professor in the School of Economics. \u201cOil and natural gas are part of the cost structure for an enormous range of goods.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAbout 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows through the waterway linking the Persian Gulf to world markets. When that flow is constrained, the impact ripples outward across industries most people never associate with an energy crisis.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn complex supply chains, a disruption in one critical link, even if only briefly, can cascade through the system, well beyond the initial event,\u201d says \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/pinar-keskinocak\u0022\u003EPinar Keskinocak\u003C\/a\u003E, chair and professor in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering. \u201cAs delays persist and compound, interconnected systems often take a long time to recover, rebalance, and return to normal.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPrice Pressures That Arrive Quietly\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEarly effects are already visible.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJet fuel availability is tightening, and diesel prices are rising across Asia. China has ordered refineries to stop exporting fuel, creating shortages that are increasing shipping costs for U.S. imports, from consumer electronics to pharmaceuticals.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe strait is also a key corridor for naphtha, a feedstock used to produce plastics, packaging, solvents, textiles, and pharmaceutical components. Roughly 85% of Middle Eastern polyethylene exports move through the strait.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cConsumers won\u0027t see the effect of this quickly,\u201d Besedes says, \u201cbut the longer the strait is closed, the higher the cost will be of all of these products naphtha is used for.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAluminum is equally exposed.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSmelters require sustained, low-cost energy,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/expert\/chris-gaffney\u0022\u003EChris Gaffney\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor of the practice in the Stewart School. \u201cThe Middle East accounted for roughly 21% of U.S. unwrought aluminum imports in 2025. When energy prices spike or supply is constrained, capacity is reduced or shut down, and those decisions are difficult and slow to reverse.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFertilizer is one of the clearest examples of delayed inflation. Natural gas is essential for its production, and Persian Gulf states account for one-third of global urea exports and half of global sulfur exports. Urea prices at the New Orleans import hub have already climbed sharply.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe won\u0027t see the effects quickly, but rather in six to 12 months, depending on the crop and its cycle,\u201d Besedes says. \u201cWithout or with less fertilizer, crop yields will decrease, resulting in higher prices.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy Hormuz Is Different From Other Chokepoints\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn top of all those factors, the strait closure presents a uniquely dangerous vulnerability.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cUnlike a port strike or canal blockage, there is no meaningful way to reroute volume,\u201d says Gaffney. \u201cIf it is disrupted, flow is constrained rather than redirected.\u201d Pipeline alternatives replace only a fraction of the 20 million barrels per day that normally transit the strait.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cChoke point vulnerability arises when a large portion of flow depends on a route that is hard to substitute,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/mathieu-dahan\u0022\u003EMathieu Dahan\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor in the Stewart School. \u201cHormuz has no scalable alternatives with sufficient capacity.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/alan-erera\u0022\u003EAlan Erera\u003C\/a\u003E, senior associate chair in the Stewart School expanded on Dahan\u2019s point, noting that strait disruptions raise costs across manufacturing and distribution.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cShips are rerouted onto longer paths, which drives up fuel and labor costs, ties up vessels and containers for longer periods, and ultimately raises inventory costs for shippers because capital is locked up while goods are still in transit,\u201d Erera said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhen Geopolitics Meets Global Supply Chains\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdditionally, the strait closure raises the risk of wartime miscalculation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe haven\u2019t seen a disruption on this scale since the tanker wars of the late 1980s,\u201d said Larry Rubin, associate professor in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs. Gulf states\u0027 dependence on the strait constrains both regional actors and U.S. strategy, raising risks around crisis decision-making.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERubin also points to a dimension most coverage has missed entirely. \u201cOne thing that has been overlooked by many commentators is the fact that the Iranian people have probably been hit the hardest economically,\u201d he says. \u201cThey were already in a challenging situation. The Iranian economy won\u0027t recover quickly after the war.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResilience Has a Short Memory\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMeanwhile, for the United States, \u201cThe Strategic Petroleum Reserve provides a buffer, and domestic energy production has improved resilience,\u201d says Gaffney. \u201cBut the gap remains between enabling capacity and sustaining resilience. Policy can support infrastructure, but it cannot ensure private sector participants invest in resilience when cost pressures rise.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor policymakers and industry leaders, the disruption reinforces a familiar pattern. \u0022The supply chain remains optimized for efficiency rather than resilience, in part due to the high investment costs required to build flexibility,\u0022 says Dahan.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGaffney added that resilience does improve after disruption, but that \u201cit erodes over time if not actively maintained.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven if the strait reopens, higher costs and slow restart timelines mean the system will not snap back. Experts suggest that when headlines have moved on from this disruption, it will still be shaping prices across the economy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe closure of the Strait of Hormuz is sending shockwaves far beyond rising gas prices, threatening to reshape global supply chains for months or even years to come. With roughly 20% of the world\u0027s oil and liquefied natural gas flowing through this critical chokepoint, disruptions are already rippling across industries from plastics and pharmaceuticals to aluminum, fertilizers, and consumer electronics. Unlike other trade disruptions, the strait offers no scalable rerouting alternatives, forcing longer shipping paths that drive up fuel, labor, and inventory costs worldwide. Experts warn that the most severe economic consequences \u2014 including higher food prices, reduced crop yields, and costlier manufactured goods \u2014 may not surface for six to twelve months, long after headlines have moved on. As global supply chains remain optimized for efficiency over resilience, the Hormuz crisis exposes just how vulnerable interconnected economies are to a single point of failure in international energy trade.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech experts warn that disruptions at the world\u0027s most critical energy choke point will ripple far beyond oil and gas prices. "}],"uid":"35798","created_gmt":"2026-04-03 15:45:08","changed_gmt":"2026-04-03 17:36:56","author":"Ayana Isles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-03T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-03T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679846":{"id":"679846","type":"image","title":"Strait of Hormuz","body":null,"created":"1775237120","gmt_created":"2026-04-03 17:25:20","changed":"1775237252","gmt_changed":"2026-04-03 17:27:32","alt":"Image of a map of Iran, with a magnifying glass over the Strait of Hormuz","file":{"fid":"264054","name":"Strait-Of-Hormuz.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/03\/Strait-Of-Hormuz.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/03\/Strait-Of-Hormuz.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":255785,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/03\/Strait-Of-Hormuz.jpeg?itok=98t95NPB"}}},"media_ids":["679846"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"194610","name":"National Interests\/National Security"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"167074","name":"Supply Chain"},{"id":"194979","name":"strait of hormuz"},{"id":"8319","name":"iran"},{"id":"194980","name":"iran conflict"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:aisles3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAyana Isles\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689280":{"#nid":"689280","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Potential of Data Center Energy","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA recent review by EPIcenter faculty affiliate \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/constance-crozier\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EConstance Crozier\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology) and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/matthew-liska\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMatthew Liska\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology) explores the growing role of data centers in providing flexibility, the ability to shift or reduce electricity use in response to grid conditions, to the electric grid as renewable energy penetration and AI-driven computing demand surge. The authors highlight that data centers, particularly those supporting high-performance computing and AI workloads, are projected to consume nearly 10% of U.S. electricity by the end of the decade, presenting both challenges and opportunities for grid stability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe paper examines various strategies for enhancing the flexibility of data center energy use. One approach is to use backup power systems, such as uninterruptible power supplies, to support the grid during emergencies. Another method involves rerouting computing jobs to different data centers in other locations to balance energy demand. The authors also discuss implementing smart scheduling techniques that shift workloads to off-peak hours, reducing strain on the grid. Additionally, they highlight adjusting processor speeds by lowering CPU (central processing unit) and GPU (graphics processing unit) clock rates to limit power consumption when needed. Finally, the paper suggests pre-cooling data center equipment to limit the energy required for cooling during peak demand periods. Notably, experimental evidence shows that underclocking GPUs can cut power consumption by 40% with only a 22% performance loss, suggesting technical feasibility for demand-response interventions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDespite these technical options, the authors find that real-world cost considerations and reliability concerns limit widespread adoption. Data center operators generally do not change their behavior in response to electricity prices, as job revenue far outweighs energy costs under normal conditions. For example, a GPU rented at $2 per hour consumes only $0.04 worth of electricity at average prices, making curtailment unattractive except during extreme price spikes. Surveys indicate that operators are reluctant to compromise reliability or deploy backup systems for ancillary services. Consequently, price-based incentives alone are unlikely to drive meaningful flexibility.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/2026\/03\/24\/the-potential-of-data-center-energy\/\u0022\u003ERead more on the EPIcenter Webpage\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/2026\/03\/24\/the-potential-of-data-center-energy\/\u0022\u003EListen to a podcast on the research here\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA recent review by EPIcenter faculty affiliate \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/constance-crozier\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EConstance Crozier\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology) and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/matthew-liska\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMatthew Liska\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology) explores the growing role of data centers in providing flexibility, the ability to shift or reduce electricity use in response to grid conditions, to the electric grid as renewable energy penetration and AI-driven computing demand surge. The authors highlight that data centers, particularly those supporting high-performance computing and AI workloads, are projected to consume nearly 10% of U.S. electricity by the end of the decade, presenting both challenges and opportunities for grid stability.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A recent review by EPIcenter faculty affiliate highlights that data centers, particularly those supporting high-performance computing and AI workloads, are projected to consume nearly 10% of U.S. electricity by the end of the decade."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-03-31 19:00:21","changed_gmt":"2026-03-31 19:08:59","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679804":{"id":"679804","type":"image","title":"PotentialofDatacenterEnergy-AdobeStock_248626760.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1774983673","gmt_created":"2026-03-31 19:01:13","changed":"1774983673","gmt_changed":"2026-03-31 19:01:13","alt":"Adobe Stock image showing solar panels, wind mills and energy storage units in a desert-like landscape with the sun setting in the background","file":{"fid":"264008","name":"PotentialofDatacenterEnergy-AdobeStock_248626760.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/PotentialofDatacenterEnergy-AdobeStock_248626760.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/PotentialofDatacenterEnergy-AdobeStock_248626760.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1531847,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/31\/PotentialofDatacenterEnergy-AdobeStock_248626760.jpeg?itok=VE5-39Gn"}}},"media_ids":["679804"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/2026\/03\/24\/the-potential-of-data-center-energy\/","title":"Full Story on the EPIcenter Webpage"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:ggonzalez68@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EGilbert Gonzalez\u003C\/a\u003E, EPIcenter\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689249":{"#nid":"689249","#data":{"type":"news","title":"EPIcenter Launches Georgia Data Center Ordinance Hub ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Energy Policy and Innovation Center (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEPIcenter\u003C\/a\u003E) at Georgia Tech has launched an interactive tool to help communities navigate the dynamic land-use and policy landscape surrounding data center development: the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/data-center\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Data Center Ordinance Hub\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs new data centers continue to be built and proposed in Georgia, counties and municipalities across the state are considering how to guide this growth. EPIcenter\u2019s data center dashboard provides policymakers, planners, researchers, and community stakeholders with a centralized resource to better understand how data center regulations are being developed and applied across Georgia and the U.S.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur Data Center Hub provides Georgia communities with a one-stop shop to understand how their neighbors are managing land-use regulations for data centers,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/laura-taylor\u0022\u003ELaura Taylor\u003C\/a\u003E, director of EPIcenter. \u201cIt brings together clear, accessible information to help jurisdictions\u0026nbsp;plan when data center growth occurs in their area.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe dashboard is organized around five thematic areas commonly addressed in data center land-use regulations: \u003Cstrong\u003ESite Planning and Building Design, Infrastructure and Utilities, Environmental and Community Protections, Public Safety and Security, and Lifecycle Governance\u003C\/strong\u003E. Within each theme, users can explore specific regulatory topics and access the relevant ordinances enacted by Georgia communities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo build the dashboard, EPIcenter researchers conducted a comprehensive review of municipal codes across the state.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe reviewed municipal codes for about 180 cities and counties across Georgia and identified ordinances that specifically address data center development,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/people-yang-you\/\u0022\u003EYang You\u003C\/a\u003E, EPIcenter\u2019s research associate who developed the project. \u201cIn total, we found 19 data center-specific topics that ordinances tend to cover. We analyzed ordinances across jurisdictions and organized their ordinance provisions into topics such as building placement, setbacks, infrastructure, and environmental considerations to make it easier to compare how different jurisdictions regulate data centers.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou added that the dashboard also incorporates examples from outside of Georgia. By gathering ordinances from other states and pairing them with Georgia-specific examples, EPIcenter aims to provide a clear framework to help communities efficiently address data center land-use regulation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Data Center Ordinance Hub is available through the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/initiatives-in-the-southeast\/\u0022\u003EEnergy Policy and Innovation Center website\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Energy Policy and Innovation Center (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEPIcenter\u003C\/a\u003E) at Georgia Tech has launched an interactive tool to help communities navigate the dynamic land-use and policy landscape surrounding data center development: the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/data-center\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Data Center Ordinance Hub\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs new data centers continue to be built and proposed in Georgia, counties and municipalities across the state are considering how to guide this growth. EPIcenter\u2019s data center dashboard provides policymakers, planners, researchers, and community stakeholders with a centralized resource to better understand how data center regulations are being developed and applied across Georgia and the U.S.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur Data Center Hub provides Georgia communities with a one-stop shop to understand how their neighbors are managing land-use regulations for data centers,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/laura-taylor\u0022\u003ELaura Taylor\u003C\/a\u003E, director of EPIcenter. \u201cIt brings together clear, accessible information to help jurisdictions\u0026nbsp;plan when data center growth occurs in their area.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Energy Policy and Innovation Center (EPIcenter) at Georgia Tech has launched an interactive tool to help communities navigate the dynamic land-use and policy landscape surrounding data center development: the Georgia Data Center Ordinance Hub."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-03-31 02:42:32","changed_gmt":"2026-03-31 13:54:10","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-30T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-30T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679785":{"id":"679785","type":"image","title":"Datacenter-Cooling-TopView.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1774924962","gmt_created":"2026-03-31 02:42:42","changed":"1774924962","gmt_changed":"2026-03-31 02:42:42","alt":"Aerial view of a datacenter with air conditioner compressor fans on the roof of the building","file":{"fid":"263987","name":"Datacenter-Cooling-TopView.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/30\/Datacenter-Cooling-TopView.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/30\/Datacenter-Cooling-TopView.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":936768,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/30\/Datacenter-Cooling-TopView.jpeg?itok=xBJaUq7j"}},"679793":{"id":"679793","type":"image","title":"DataCenterDashboard-HeaderImage-Final.jpg","body":null,"created":"1774965063","gmt_created":"2026-03-31 13:51:03","changed":"1774965063","gmt_changed":"2026-03-31 13:51:03","alt":"US Map showing States Represented in the Ordinance Hub and State of Georgia with Data Centers and Local Ordinances highlighted","file":{"fid":"263995","name":"DataCenterDashboard-HeaderImage-Final.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/DataCenterDashboard-HeaderImage-Final.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/DataCenterDashboard-HeaderImage-Final.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":400200,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/31\/DataCenterDashboard-HeaderImage-Final.jpg?itok=q9cFpM_p"}},"679794":{"id":"679794","type":"image","title":"DataCenterDashboard-HeaderImage-Final2.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThematic Areas covered by EPIcenter\u0027s Datacenter Ordinance Hub\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774965063","gmt_created":"2026-03-31 13:51:03","changed":"1774965063","gmt_changed":"2026-03-31 13:51:03","alt":"Thematic Areas covered by EPIcenter\u0027s Datacenter Ordinance Hub","file":{"fid":"263996","name":"DataCenterDashboard-HeaderImage-Final2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/DataCenterDashboard-HeaderImage-Final2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/DataCenterDashboard-HeaderImage-Final2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":397163,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/31\/DataCenterDashboard-HeaderImage-Final2.jpg?itok=iCDuFZ6-"}}},"media_ids":["679785","679793","679794"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/data-center\/","title":"EPIcenter Georgia Datacenter Ordinance Hub"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EPriya Devarajan\u003C\/a\u003E || SEI Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689137":{"#nid":"689137","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Four Challenges to the U.S. Energy Transition","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEfficiently transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy means looking at so much more than just the technology we use.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReliable energy is required to keep safe in cold winters and hot summers, making it a matter of national security. There are also vying economic policies to consider, political and financial incentives to navigate, and questions of social and economic inequality.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EExperts in Georgia Tech\u2019s Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts examine \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/featured-news\/2026\/03\/us-energy-transition-challenges\u0022\u003Ethe challenges we face with the U.S. energy transition,\u003C\/a\u003E and work to help make it safe, fair, and effective for all.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChallenge No. 1: Managing National Security \u2014 with Adam N. Stulberg, professor and chair of the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChallenge No. 2: Confronting Inequality \u2014 with Bijesh Mishra, a postdoctoral scholar in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChallenge No. 3: Choosing the Right Economic Policies \u2014 with Bobby Harris, an assistant professor in the School of Economics.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChallenge No. 4: Navigating Financial and Political Incentives \u2014 with Kate Pride Brown, a sociologist in the School of History and Sociology.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/featured-news\/2026\/03\/us-energy-transition-challenges\u0022\u003ERead the article on the Ivan Allen College website.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EReliable energy is required to keep safe in cold winters and hot summers, making it a matter of national security. There are also vying economic policies to consider, political and financial incentives to navigate, and questions of social and economic inequality. Experts in Georgia Tech\u2019s Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts examine the challenges we face with the U.S. energy transition, and work to help make it safe, fair, and effective for all.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Reliable energy is a matter of national security. There are also vying economic policies to consider, political and financial incentives to navigate, and questions of social and economic inequality to consider."}],"uid":"35766","created_gmt":"2026-03-23 18:34:56","changed_gmt":"2026-03-23 20:13:07","author":"dminardi3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-23T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-23T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679717":{"id":"679717","type":"image","title":"MERCURY--1-.jpg","body":null,"created":"1774291064","gmt_created":"2026-03-23 18:37:44","changed":"1774291064","gmt_changed":"2026-03-23 18:37:44","alt":"Power lines running through open land.","file":{"fid":"263909","name":"MERCURY--1-.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/23\/MERCURY--1-.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/23\/MERCURY--1-.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1363201,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/23\/MERCURY--1-.jpg?itok=3CSxj0Wp"}}},"media_ids":["679717"],"groups":[{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1285","name":"Sam Nunn School of International Affairs"},{"id":"1282","name":"School of Economics"},{"id":"1288","name":"School of History and Sociology"},{"id":"1289","name":"School of Public Policy"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:dminardi3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EDi Minardi\u003C\/a\u003E \u2014 Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["dminardi3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688801":{"#nid":"688801","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Energy Day: Meeting AI\u2019s Growing Energy Demands","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energyday\u0022\u003EEnergy Day\u003C\/a\u003E returns this year on March 19 with an expanded focus and a new collaborative momentum. Cohosted by the Georgia Tech\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/matter-systems.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EInstitute for Matter and\u0026nbsp;Systems\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;(IMS) and the \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;(SEI) \u003C\/strong\u003Ewith plenary session support from the\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEnergy Policy and Innovation Center\u003C\/a\u003E, Energy Day 2026 convenes leaders from academia, industry, government, and students to address the challenges associated with meeting the rapidly growing electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESet in the heart of Tech Square on the Georgia Tech campus, this year\u2019s event explores how energy systems, materials, technologies, supply chains, and policy must evolve in response to AI\u2019s accelerating impact. As digital infrastructure expands and computation intensifies, the need for reliable, resilient, and sustainable power has never been more urgent.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEnergy Day reflects Georgia Tech\u2019s strength in connecting world-class research in materials and components with the infrastructure and partnerships needed to translate discovery into scalable energy technologies that serve industry, society, and the future economy,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/matter-systems.gatech.edu\/people\/eric-vogel\u0022\u003EEric Vogel\u003C\/a\u003E, executive director of the IMS and the Hightower Professor in Materials Science and Engineering.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnergy Day 2026 also marks an important milestone with the introduction of its first group of corporate sponsors:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gevernova.com\/\u0022\u003EGE Vernova\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.southerncompany.com\/\u0022\u003ESouthern Company\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.georgiapower.com\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Power\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/corporate.exxonmobil.com\/\u0022\u003EExxonMobil\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/southwirespark.com\/\u0022\u003ESouthwire Spark\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E, \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/gems-setra\/\u0022\u003EGems Setra\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E, \u003C\/strong\u003Eand\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.tek.com\/en\u0022\u003ETektronix\u003C\/a\u003E. Their support reflects a shared commitment to advancing energy solutions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTektronix is excited to be part of Energy Day because advancing the future of energy starts with precise measurement and trusted insights,\u201d said Christopher Bohn, president of Tektronix. \u201cFrom power electronics and high voltage systems to grid scale renewables and AI driven control technologies, the breakthroughs discussed here directly align with the innovations we support through our products and solutions. Collaborating with Georgia Tech allows us to engage early with emerging research and the next generation of engineers\u2014critical collaborators in building a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient energy ecosystem.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe keynote address will be delivered by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/vanessazchan\/\u0022\u003EVanessa Z. Chan\u003C\/a\u003E, a nationally recognized leader at the intersection of\u0026nbsp;innovation, commercialization, and emerging technologies. Chan will provide insights on accelerating technological discovery, emphasizing how AI is transforming energy and materials design. She will discuss how commercialization strategies must rapidly evolve across multidisciplinary energy domains from grid modernization to advanced batteries and clean manufacturing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBuilding on the themes introduced in the keynote, the program transitions into a fireside chat with Georgia Tech EVPR\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/leadership\u0022\u003ETim Lieuwen\u003C\/a\u003E featuring\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/kulkarniam\/\u0022\u003EAmit Kulkarni\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/james-jim-walsh\/\u0022\u003EJim Walsh\u003C\/a\u003E. Kulkarni is vice president of Product Management and Strategy for the Gas Power business within GE Vernova, where he oversees the world\u2019s largest portfolio of power generation equipment. Walsh, vice president of GE Vernova\u2019s Consulting Services, leads teams providing innovative solutions across the full spectrum of power generation, delivery, and utilization.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENext comes a policy-focused panel that will explore the surge in power demand driven by AI, how the United States is addressing today\u2019s most urgent energy challenges, and the long-term implications of today\u2019s decisions for a sustainable energy future. Bringing together leading voices in U.S. environmental and energy policy, the panel features\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/joseph-aldy-0794942\/\u0022\u003EJoe Aldy\u003C\/a\u003E of Harvard University and former special assistant to the president for Energy and Environment;\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/al-mcgartland-161689a\/\u0022\u003EAl McGartland\u003C\/a\u003E of New York University\u2019s Institute for Policy Integrity and former Environmental Protection Agency lead economist and director of the National Center for Environmental Economics; and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/kevinrennert\/\u0022\u003EKevin Rennert\u003C\/a\u003E, fellow and director of the Comprehensive Climate Strategies Program at Resources for the Future and former staff member on the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe second panel focuses on critical materials \u2014 the foundation of advanced energy systems and digital technologies. As AI, data centers, and advanced energy technologies drive demand for critical materials, securing them now requires integration and coordination across the entire value chain. Panelists include \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/people\/rachel-galloway\u0022 id=\u0022menur1su2\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/people\/rachel-galloway\u0022\u003ERachel Galloway\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;British consul general in Atlanta;\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/vijaymurugesan\/\u0022\u003EVijay Murugesan\u003C\/a\u003E, head of Materials Intelligence and Digital Innovation at Amazon; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/colinspellmeyer\/?utm_source=share_via\u0026amp;utm_content=profile\u0026amp;utm_medium=member_ios\u0022 title=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/colinspellmeyer\/?utm_source=share_via\u0026amp;utm_content=profile\u0026amp;utm_medium=member_ios\u0022\u003EColin Spellmeyer\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;executive strategic sourcing leader at GE Vernova; \u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/haslam.utk.edu\/people\/profile\/charles-sims\/\u0022\u003ECharles Sims\u003C\/a\u003E, Tennessee Valley Authority Distinguished Professor of Energy and Environmental Policy at the University of Tennessee; and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/nnnyeboah\/\u0022 id=\u0022menur1sua\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/nnnyeboah\/\u0022\u003ENortey Yeboah\u003C\/a\u003E, principal engineer at Southern Company. Together, they will offer perspectives on the policy and economic frameworks shaping the energy supply chain, from developing raw resources to manufacturing the technologies essential to future energy systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the afternoon, participants can dive deeper into specialized topics through three focused technical tracks.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energyday\/track1_meet_demand_for_power\u0022\u003EMeeting the Demand for Power\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d will examine how emerging technologies, advanced nuclear systems, and renewable integration can work together to deliver reliable, resilient electricity.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energyday\/track2-data-center-infrastructure-and-resources\u0022\u003EData Center Infrastructure and Resources\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d will explore innovations in thermal management technologies, energy-efficient computing, and the broader resource impacts of expanding digital infrastructure.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energyday\/track3-grid-technologies-and-markets\u0022\u003EGrid Technologies and Markets\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d will highlight strategies for strengthening grid capacity, incorporating demand-side management, and optimizing carbon performance as energy systems evolve.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMeeting the rapidly rising electricity demand driven by AI requires bold ideas, coordinated action, and research that moves at the speed of innovation,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/people\/yuanzhi-tang\u0022\u003EYuanzhi Tang\u003C\/a\u003E, executive director of the SEI. \u201cEnergy Day 2026 brings together the people and expertise needed to shape resilient, sustainable energy systems for the future. At Georgia Tech, we see this event as a catalyst for new partnerships, new solutions, and a shared commitment to strengthening the nation\u2019s energy foundation.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnergy Day 2026 is designed for researchers advancing emerging energy technologies, policymakers navigating shifting regulatory and geopolitical landscapes, industry professionals seeking insight into emerging tools and supply chains, and students preparing to enter one of the most consequential sectors of the decade. It also welcomes anyone interested in AI, sustainability, electrification, and critical materials.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJoin us to explore the future of energy. To learn more and register, visit:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energyday\u0022 target=\u0022_new\u0022\u003EEnergy Day 2026\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energyday\u0022\u003EEnergy Day\u003C\/a\u003E returns this year on March 19 with an expanded focus and a new collaborative momentum. Cohosted by the Georgia Tech\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/matter-systems.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EInstitute for Matter and\u0026nbsp;Systems\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;(IMS) and the \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;(SEI) with plenary session support from the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEnergy Policy and Innovation Center\u003C\/a\u003E, Energy Day 2026 convenes leaders from academia, industry, government, and students to address the challenges associated with meeting the rapidly growing electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Join us on March 19 as we explore one of the most urgent questions facing the nation: How do we power an AI\u2011driven future?"}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-03-06 20:46:52","changed_gmt":"2026-03-20 16:57:12","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-06T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-03-06T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679541":{"id":"679541","type":"image","title":"EnergyDayEmailHeader.jpg","body":null,"created":"1772830025","gmt_created":"2026-03-06 20:47:05","changed":"1772830025","gmt_changed":"2026-03-06 20:47:05","alt":"Georgia Tech Energy Day 2026 Header Image with three boxes showing an image of a datacenter, an electric bulb with energy sources around it and a multi-colored critical mineral ","file":{"fid":"263714","name":"EnergyDayEmailHeader.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/06\/EnergyDayEmailHeader.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/06\/EnergyDayEmailHeader.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":147447,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/06\/EnergyDayEmailHeader.jpg?itok=i6baP0eA"}}},"media_ids":["679541"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"194607","name":"Batteries"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"39481","name":"National Security"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EPriya Devarajan\u003C\/a\u003E | Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688223":{"#nid":"688223","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Department of Energy Award to Power Nuclear Research With Machine Learning","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe future of clean energy depends on algorithms as much as it does atoms.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/people\/qi-tang\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EQi Tang\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E is building machine learning (ML) models to accelerate nuclear fusion research, making it more affordable and more accurate. Backed by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Tang\u2019s work brings clean, sustainable energy closer to reality.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang has received an\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.osti.gov\/early-career\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEarly Career Research Program (ECRP) award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E from the DOE Office of Science. The grant supports Tang with $875,000 disbursed over five years to craft ML and data processing tools that help scientists analyze massive datasets from nuclear experiments and simulations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang is the first faculty member from Georgia Tech\u2019s College of Computing and School of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) to receive the ECRP. He is the seventh Georgia Tech researcher to earn the award and the only GT awardee among this year\u2019s 99 recipients.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMore than a milestone, the award reflects a shift in how nuclear research is done. Today, progress depends on computing and data science as much as on physics and engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI am honored and excited to receive the ECRP award through DOE\u2019s Advanced Scientific Computing Research program, an organization I care about deeply,\u201d said Tang, an assistant professor in the School of CSE.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI am grateful to my former colleagues at Los Alamos National Laboratory and collaborators at other national laboratories, including Lawrence Livermore, Sandia, and Argonne. I am also thankful for my Ph.D. students at Georgia Tech, whose dedication and creativity make this award possible.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E[Related:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/new-faculty-applies-high-performance-computing-scientific-machine-learning-interests-studies\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENew Faculty Applies High-Performance Computing, Scientific Machine Learning Interests to Studies in Plasma Physics\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA problem in nuclear research is that fusion simulations are challenging to understand and use. These simulations generate enormous datasets that are too large to store, move, and analyze efficiently.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pamspublic.science.energy.gov\/WebPAMSExternal\/Interface\/Common\/ViewPublicAbstract.aspx?rv=a756f612-3409-44b8-89ea-7421bf0840e5\u0026amp;rtc=24\u0026amp;PRoleId=10\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIn his ECRP proposal to DOE\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Tang introduced new ML methods to improve the analysis and storage of particle data.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang\u2019s approach balances shrinking data so it is easier to store and transfer while preserving the most important scientific features. His multiscale ML models are informed by physics, so the reduced data still reflects how fusion systems really behave.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith Tang\u2019s research, scientists can run larger, more realistic fusion models and analyze results more quickly. This accelerates progress toward practical fusion energy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn contrast to generic black-box-type compression tools, we aim at preserving the intrinsic structures of the particle dataset during the data reduction processes,\u201d Tang said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTaking this approach, we can meet our goal of achieving high-fidelity preservation of critical physics with minimum loss of information.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EComputing is essential in modern research because of the amount of data produced and captured from experiments and simulations. In the era of exascale supercomputers, data movement is a greater bottleneck than actual computation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDOE operates three of the world\u2019s four exascale supercomputers. These machines can calculate one quintillion (a billion billion) operations per second.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe exascale era began in 2022 with the launch of Frontier at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Aurora followed in 2023 at Argonne National Laboratory. El Capitan arrived in 2024 at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith Tang\u2019s data reduction approaches, all of DOE\u2019s supercomputers spend more time on science and less time waiting for data transfers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cQi\u2019s work in computational plasma physics and nuclear fusion modeling has been groundbreaking,\u201d said \u003Cstrong\u003EHaesun Park\u003C\/strong\u003E, Regents\u2019 Professor and Chair of the School of CSE.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe are proud of Qi and what this award means for him, Georgia Tech, and the Department of Energy toward leveraging computation to solve challenges in science and engineering, such as sustainable energy.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch6\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPrevious Georgia Tech recipients of DOE Early Career Research Program awards include:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h6\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/09\/26\/doe-recognizes-georgia-tech-researchers-prestigious-early-career-awards\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EItamar Kimchi\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor, School of Physics\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/09\/26\/doe-recognizes-georgia-tech-researchers-prestigious-early-career-awards\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESourabh Saha\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/wenjing-liao-awarded-doe-early-career-award-model-simplification-deep-learning\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWenjing Lao\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor, School of Mathematics\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chbe.gatech.edu\/news\/2018\/06\/professor-lively-receives-does-early-career-award\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERyan Lively\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Thomas C. DeLoach Professor, School of Chemical \u0026amp; Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/people\/josh-kacher\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJosh Kacher\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor, School of Materials Science and Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/khabar.com\/community-newsmakers\/devesh-ranjan-receives-early-career-award-from-u-s-department-of-energy\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDevesh Ranjan\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Eugene C. Gwaltney Jr. School Chair and professor, Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/people\/qi-tang\u0022\u003EQi Tang\u003C\/a\u003E is building machine learning (ML) models to accelerate nuclear fusion research, making it more affordable and more accurate. Backed by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Tang\u2019s work brings clean, sustainable energy closer to reality.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang has received an\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.osti.gov\/early-career\u0022\u003EEarly Career Research Program (ECRP) award\u003C\/a\u003E from the DOE Office of Science. The grant supports Tang with $875,000 disbursed over five years to craft ML and data processing tools that help scientists analyze massive datasets from nuclear experiments and simulations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang is the first faculty member from Georgia Tech\u2019s College of Computing and School of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) to receive the ECRP. He is the seventh Georgia Tech researcher to earn the award and the only GT awardee among this year\u2019s 99 recipients.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech\u0027s Qi Tang has received an Early Career Research Program award from the Department of Energy\u0027s Office of Science. The $875,000 grant supports Tang for five years to craft ML tools that analyze data from nuclear experiments and simulations. "}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2026-02-12 15:11:55","changed_gmt":"2026-03-20 12:52:31","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-12T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-12T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679267":{"id":"679267","type":"image","title":"Qi-TangStory-Cover.jpg","body":null,"created":"1770909124","gmt_created":"2026-02-12 15:12:04","changed":"1770909124","gmt_changed":"2026-02-12 15:12:04","alt":"DOE ECRP Qi Tang","file":{"fid":"263400","name":"Qi-TangStory-Cover.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/12\/Qi-TangStory-Cover.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/12\/Qi-TangStory-Cover.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":125283,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/12\/Qi-TangStory-Cover.jpg?itok=mPLUykJZ"}}},"media_ids":["679267"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/department-energy-award-power-nuclear-research-machine-learning","title":"Department of Energy Award to Power Nuclear Research with Machine Learning"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50877","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"},{"id":"9167","name":"machine learning"},{"id":"2556","name":"artificial intelligence"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"663","name":"Department of Energy"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688716":{"#nid":"688716","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Research Priorities Chart Course Toward Impactful, Energy-Efficient Computing","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers applied their expertise to a national research program that will shape the future of computing. Their work may yield more energy-efficient computers and better predictions for environmental challenges like carbon storage, tsunamis, wildfires, and sustainable energy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Department of Energy Office of Science recently released two reports through its Advanced Scientific Computing Research (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/science\/ascr\/advanced-scientific-computing-research\u0022\u003EASCR\u003C\/a\u003E) program. The\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.osti.gov\/ascr\/Community-Resources\/Program-Documents\u0022\u003Ereports\u003C\/a\u003E were produced by workshops that brought together researchers from universities, national labs, government, and industry to set priorities for scientific computing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProfessor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/slim.gatech.edu\/people\/felix-j-herrmann\u0022\u003EFelix Herrmann\u003C\/a\u003E served on the organizing committee for the Workshop on Inverse Methods for Complex Systems under Uncertainty. Assistant Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/faculty.cc.gatech.edu\/~pchen402\/group.html\u0022\u003EPeng Chen\u003C\/a\u003E joined Herrmann as a workshop participant, contributing expertise in data science and machine learning.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInverse methods work backward from outcomes to find their causes. Scientists use these tools to study complex systems, like designing new materials with targeted properties and using past wildfires to map vulnerable areas and behavior of future fires.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.osti.gov\/biblio\/2583339\u0022\u003EASCR report\u003C\/a\u003E highlighted Herrmann\u2019s work on seismic exploration and monitoring through digital twins. Founded on inverse methods, digital twins upgrade from static models to virtual systems that accurately mirror their physical counterparts.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDigital twins integrate real-time data sources, including fluid flows, monitoring and control systems, risk assessments, and human decisions. These models also account for uncertainty and address data gaps or limitations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe DOE organized the workshop to support the growing role of inverse modeling. The group identified four priority research directions (PRDs) to guide future work. The PRDs are:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPRD 1: Discovering, exploiting, and preserving structure\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPRD 2: Identifying and overcoming model limitations\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPRD 3: Integrating disparate multimodal and\/or dynamic data\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPRD 4: Solving goal-oriented inverse problems for downstream tasks\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cA digital twin is a system you can control, like to optimize operations or to minimize risk,\u201d said Herrmann, who holds joint appointments in the Schools of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Computational Science and Engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDigital twins give you a principled way to consider uncertainties, which there are a lot in subsurface monitoring. If you inject carbon dioxide too fast, you will will increase the pressure and may fracture the rock. If you inject too slow, then the process may become too costly. Digital twins help us make balanced decisions under uncertainty.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESupercomputers, algorithms, and artificial intelligence now power modern science. However, these tools consume enormous amounts of energy. This raises concerns about how to sustain computing and scientific research as we know them in the decades ahead.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProfessors\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/vuduc.org\/v2\/\u0022\u003ERich Vuduc\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/hyesoon.github.io\/\u0022\u003EHyesoon Kim\u003C\/a\u003E co-authored\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.osti.gov\/biblio\/2476961\u0022\u003Ethe report\u003C\/a\u003E from the Workshop on Energy-Efficient Computing for Science. At the three-day ASCR workshop, participants identified five key research directions:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPRD 1: Co-design energy-efficient hardware devices and architectures for important workloads\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPRD 2: Define the algorithmic foundations of energy-efficient scientific computing\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPRD 3: Reconceptualize software ecosystems for energy efficiency\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPRD 4: Enable energy-efficient data management for data centers, instruments, and users\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPRD 5: Develop integrated, scalable energy measurement and modeling capabilities for next-generation computing systems\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u2019m cautiously optimistic about the future of energy-efficient computing. The ASCR report says, from a technological point of view, there are things we can do,\u201d said Vuduc.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe report lays out paths for how we might design better apps, hardware systems, and algorithms that will use less energy. This is recognition that we should think about how architectures and software work together to drive down energy usage for systems.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers applied their expertise to a national research program that will shape the future of computing. Their work may yield more energy-efficient computers and better predictions for environmental challenges like carbon storage, tsunamis, wildfires, and sustainable energy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Department of Energy Office of Science recently released two reports through its Advanced Scientific Computing Research (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/science\/ascr\/advanced-scientific-computing-research\u0022\u003EASCR\u003C\/a\u003E) program. The\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.osti.gov\/ascr\/Community-Resources\/Program-Documents\u0022\u003Ereports\u003C\/a\u003E were produced by workshops that brought together researchers from universities, national labs, government, and industry to set priorities for scientific computing.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech faculty members contributed to two DOE Advanced Scientific Computing Research program workshops. Recently published reports of their work may yield more energy-efficient computers and better predictions for environmental challenges."}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2026-03-04 13:29:44","changed_gmt":"2026-03-04 21:01:18","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-27T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-27T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679513":{"id":"679513","type":"image","title":"ASCR-Report-Authors.png","body":null,"created":"1772630996","gmt_created":"2026-03-04 13:29:56","changed":"1772630996","gmt_changed":"2026-03-04 13:29:56","alt":"DOE Office of Science ASCR Reports","file":{"fid":"263685","name":"ASCR-Report-Authors.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/04\/ASCR-Report-Authors.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/04\/ASCR-Report-Authors.png","mime":"image\/png","size":578789,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/04\/ASCR-Report-Authors.png?itok=dQ53-joi"}},"679514":{"id":"679514","type":"image","title":"ASCR-Report-Inverse-methods.jpg","body":null,"created":"1772631052","gmt_created":"2026-03-04 13:30:52","changed":"1772631052","gmt_changed":"2026-03-04 13:30:52","alt":"ASCR Workshop on Inverse Methods for Complex Systems under Uncertainty","file":{"fid":"263686","name":"ASCR-Report-Inverse-methods.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/04\/ASCR-Report-Inverse-methods.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/04\/ASCR-Report-Inverse-methods.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":56325,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/04\/ASCR-Report-Inverse-methods.jpg?itok=rZGhJhnP"}},"679515":{"id":"679515","type":"image","title":"ASCR-Report-Energy-Efficient-Computing.jpg","body":null,"created":"1772631087","gmt_created":"2026-03-04 13:31:27","changed":"1772631087","gmt_changed":"2026-03-04 13:31:27","alt":"ASCR Workshop on Energy-Efficient Computing for Science","file":{"fid":"263687","name":"ASCR-Report-Energy-Efficient-Computing.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/04\/ASCR-Report-Energy-Efficient-Computing.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/04\/ASCR-Report-Energy-Efficient-Computing.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":58857,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/04\/ASCR-Report-Energy-Efficient-Computing.jpg?itok=-0arX_Rb"}}},"media_ids":["679513","679514","679515"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/new-research-priorities-chart-course-toward-impactful-energy-efficient-computing","title":"New Research Priorities Chart Course Toward Impactful, Energy-Efficient Computing"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"},{"id":"663","name":"Department of Energy"},{"id":"179230","name":"digital twin"},{"id":"15030","name":"high-performance computing"},{"id":"9167","name":"machine learning"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687898":{"#nid":"687898","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Yuanzhi Tang Named Executive Director of the Strategic Energy Institute","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech has appointed \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/people\/yuanzhi-tang\u0022\u003EYuanzhi Tang\u003C\/a\u003E as executive director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (SEI), effective Feb. 1.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang will lead the strategic vision, interdisciplinary research efforts, and internal and external partnerships at SEI, strengthening connections across Georgia Tech\u2019s Colleges, Interdisciplinary Research Institutes (IRI), the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), and external partners to advance energy-related initiatives.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFounded in 2004, SEI is one of Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/interdisciplinary-research-institutes\u0022\u003EIRIs\u003C\/a\u003E and serves as a campuswide hub for energy research, education, and engagement.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang is the Georgia Power Professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E. Her research and leadership focus on advancing secure, circular, and sustainable energy systems by integrating Earth, environmental, biological, materials, and sustainability sciences and innovations. She previously served as an initiative lead on critical minerals and sustainable resources at SEI as well as the associate director for interdisciplinary research at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustainablesystems.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EBrook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cProfessor Tang brings a strong record of research impact, leadership of complex initiatives, and a collaborative approach that will help elevate Georgia Tech\u2019s energy research enterprise,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/julia-kubanek-0\u0022\u003EJulia Kubanek\u003C\/a\u003E, vice president for Interdisciplinary Research at Georgia Tech. \u201cShe brings deep expertise in fundamental Earth and environmental science, including water, soil, and energy research, while also leading state and regional partnerships in emerging, applied areas such as critical minerals. Most importantly, she is community-minded with excellent listening and consensus-building skills.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs executive director, Tang will develop and communicate a unifying vision to advance interdisciplinary energy research and strategic thought leadership at Georgia Tech, integrating expertise across engineering, sciences, computing, business, design, economics, policy, and the humanities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang is also the founding director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/minerals.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Critical Mineral Solutions\u003C\/a\u003E and leads a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gems.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Emultidisciplinary coalition\u003C\/a\u003E spanning three University System of Georgia institutions. The coalition connects research, industry, and policy to build Georgia\u2019s critical minerals innovation ecosystem, while driving resource advancement, workforce development, and economic impact.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u0027m honored to serve as the executive director of SEI. Georgia Tech\u2019s energy research and the people behind it have always inspired me. I\u2019m eager to listen, learn, and work alongside our community,\u201d said Tang. \u201cSEI connects research excellence with real-world impact, and I look forward to partnering across campus, industry, government, and communities to translate breakthrough ideas into solutions that strengthen energy security, reliability, and affordability.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout the Strategic Energy Institute\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Strategic Energy Institute (SEI) serves as a system integrator for more than 1,000 Georgia Tech researchers working across the entire energy value chain. SEI brings together expertise to address complex energy challenges, from commercializing scalable technologies to informing long-term energy strategy and policy. Through research, education, community building, resource development, and thought leadership, SEI mobilizes Georgia Tech\u2019s collective strengths to advance reliable, affordable, and lower-carbon energy solutions for a growing global demand.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech has appointed Yuanzhi Tang as executive director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (SEI), effective Feb. 1.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang will lead the strategic vision, interdisciplinary research efforts, and internal and external partnerships at SEI, strengthening connections across Georgia Tech\u2019s Colleges, Interdisciplinary Research Institutes (IRI), the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), and external partners to advance energy-related initiatives.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech has appointed Yuanzhi Tang as executive director of the Strategic Energy Institute (SEI), effective Feb. 1."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-02-02 16:53:07","changed_gmt":"2026-03-04 00:13:05","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-02T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-02T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679151":{"id":"679151","type":"image","title":"Yuanzhi Tang","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYuanzhi Tang\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1770048693","gmt_created":"2026-02-02 16:11:33","changed":"1770048784","gmt_changed":"2026-02-02 16:13:04","alt":"Yuanzhi Tang","file":{"fid":"263274","name":"Yuanzhi-Tang-pic2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/02\/Yuanzhi-Tang-pic2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/02\/Yuanzhi-Tang-pic2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1451744,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/02\/Yuanzhi-Tang-pic2.jpg?itok=r5N6d_LB"}}},"media_ids":["679151"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EPriya Devarajan\u003C\/a\u003E || Communications Program Manager\u003Cbr\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688502":{"#nid":"688502","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Understanding the Data Center Building Boom ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EWritten by: Anne Wainscott-Sargent\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs artificial intelligence (AI) drives explosive growth in data centers, communities across the U.S. are facing rising electricity costs, new industrial development, and mounting strain on an aging power grid.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt Georgia Tech, several faculty members are approaching these sustainability challenges from different but complementary angles: examining how data center policy affects local communities, modeling how AI-driven demand reshapes regional energy systems, and building tools that help the public understand the tradeoffs embedded in grid planning. Together, their work highlights how better data, thoughtful policy, and public engagement can guide more resilient and equitable decisions in an AI-powered future.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAI\u2019s Hidden Footprint: How Data Centers Reshape Communities\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAhmed Saeed studies the infrastructure most people never see. An assistant professor in the School of Computer Science and a Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems (BBISS) Faculty Fellow, Saeed focuses on how data centers \u2014 the backbone of modern AI \u2014 are built, operated, and regulated, and what their growth means for host communities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cData centers are the infrastructure for our digital life, so more of them are necessary to keep doing what we\u2019re doing,\u201d he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EData center energy consumption could double or triple by 2028, accounting for up to 12% of U.S. electricity use, according to a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/escholarship.org\/uc\/item\/32d6m0d1\u0022\u003Ereport by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E. U.S. spending on data center construction jumped nearly 70% between May 2023 and May 2024, according to the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/americanedgeproject.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Americas-AI-Surge-Powering-Growth-in-Every-State.pdf\u0022\u003EAmerican Edge Project\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia is an AI data center hub, ranked fourth globally, with $4.6 billion in AI-related venture capital invested across 368 deals, the American Edge Project reported. At a recent \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/sustainability-fellowship-supports-professors-data-center-research\u0022\u003Etown hall in DeKalb County, Georgia\u003C\/a\u003E, Saeed helped residents connect AI\u2019s promise to its local consequences. Training large AI models can require tens of thousands of graphics processing units (GPUs) running for days or weeks, driving an unprecedented wave of data center construction. AI-focused chips, he noted, can consume 10 to 14 times more power than traditional processors.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat demand often shows up as pressure on local infrastructure. Communities are increasingly concerned about electricity and water use, grid upgrades, and who ultimately pays. In Virginia, Saeed pointed to a legal dispute in which consumer advocates warned that data centers could raise electricity bills by 5% in the short term and up to 50% over time, while utilities argued those investments were inevitable and could benefit customers in the long run.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnvironmental concerns add another layer. Saeed cited controversies over water use and backup diesel generators in states, including Georgia and Tennessee, alongside a recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruling that tightened generator regulations. While diesel generators are clearly harmful, he cautioned that long-term, rigorous evidence linking data centers to regional health impacts remains limited.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESaeed\u2019s research aims to reduce those impacts directly. By optimizing how workloads are scheduled across large server fleets, his team has demonstrated power savings of 4 \u2013 12%, a meaningful gain if U.S. data centers approach projected levels of up to 12% of national electricity use by 2028.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Saeed, data centers are akin to highways: essential to modern life, disruptive to nearby communities, and shaped by policy choices. The question, he argues, is not whether AI infrastructure should exist, but how transparently and fairly it is built.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEconomist Probes the Energy Costs of the AI Boom\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile headlines often frame AI as an energy crisis, Georgia Tech environmental and energy economist and BBISS Faculty Fellow Tony Harding is focused on measuring its real \u2014 and uneven \u2014 impacts. Harding, an assistant professor in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy, uses economic modeling to examine how AI adoption affects energy use, emissions, and local communities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iopscience.iop.org\/article\/10.1088\/1748-9326\/ae0e3b\u0022\u003Erecent work\u003C\/a\u003E published in \u003Cem\u003EEnvironmental Research Letters\u003C\/em\u003E, Harding and his co-author analyzed how productivity gains from AI could influence national energy demand. Their findings suggest that, at a macro level, AI-related activity may increase annual U.S. energy use by about 0.03% and CO\u2082 emissions by roughly 0.02%.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThose numbers are small in the context of the overall economy,\u201d Harding said. \u201cBut the impacts are highly uneven.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat unevenness is evident in where data centers are built. While Northern Virginia remains the country\u2019s top data center hub, with 343 operational data centers, states like Georgia, which currently has 94 operational data centers, are rapidly attracting facilities due to reliable power and favorable tax policies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHarding\u2019s latest research focuses on local effects, asking why data centers cluster in urban areas, how they influence housing markets, what happens to electricity prices, and whether they exacerbate water stress. Early evidence suggests large facilities can increase local electricity rates, contributing to public backlash and regulatory response. In Georgia, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/psc.ga.gov\/site\/assets\/files\/8617\/media_advisory_data_centers_rule_1-23-2025.pdf\u0022\u003EPublic Service Commission\u003C\/a\u003E has begun requiring new, high power draw customers (like data centers) to cover more of the costs associated with grid expansion.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHarding\u2019s goal is to give policymakers better evidence to design incentives and guardrails. \u201cTo manage these technologies responsibly,\u201d he said, \u201cwe need a clear picture of their intended and unintended consequences.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGamifying a Strained and Aging Power Grid\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDaniel Molzahn is tackling another side of the problem: how to modernize an aging power grid under growing demand. Electricity demand is expected to rise about 25% by 2030, driven by data centers, electric vehicles, and broadscale electrification. At the same time, much of the U.S. electricity grid is nearing the end of its lifespan, with many transformers being decades old.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo make these challenges tangible, Molzahn, an associate professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, developed a browser-based game with a group of students through Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/vip.gatech.edu\/frm_display\/team-listings\/entry\/1303\/\u0022\u003EVertically Integrated Projects\u003C\/a\u003E program called \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/currentcrisis.itch.io\/current-crisis\u0022\u003ECurrent Crisis\u003C\/a\u003E. Players take on the role of a utility decision-maker, balancing reliability, wildfire risk, renewable integration, and affordability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe game grew out of Molzahn\u2019s National Science Foundation CAREER award and reflects his belief that complex systems are best understood experientially. Its initial focus is wildfire resilience, modeling how grid infrastructure can both spark and suffer damage from fires.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut resilience comes at a cost. Burying power lines, for example, reduces wildfire risk but dramatically increases expenses. Players must confront the same tradeoffs utilities face: improve reliability or keep rates low.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMolzahn hopes the game will help students and the public grapple with the realities of planning future power systems. \u201cThese choices aren\u2019t abstract,\u201d he said. \u201cThey shape affordability, resilience, and our path toward a cleaner grid.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe project now involves nearly 40 students from across campus, supported by Sustainability NEXT funding and a collaboration with Jessica Roberts, former BBISS Faculty Fellow and director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/tiles.cc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ETechnology-Integrated Learning Environments (TILES) Lab\u003C\/a\u003E in the School of Interactive Computing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAs a learning scientist, I look at how to engage people with science and scientific data and get people having conversations they might not otherwise have,\u201d says Roberts, who hopes the seed grant helps the team determine first that they are going in the right direction and, second, how to broaden the impact.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne student, Stella Quinto Lima, a graduate research assistant in Human-Centered Computing, has made the game the focus of her doctoral thesis. Through the game, she wants players to notice their misconceptions about the power grid, energy use, and AI, and to use critical thinking to identify, question, and possibly undo those misconceptions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u201cI hope that we can really engage adults and help them see it\u2019s not black and white. The game is not only about power grids, but how AI affects the grid, how it affects our lives, and how it will impact our future.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team plans to expand the game\u2019s features, use it in outreach programs, and analyze player decisions as a source of data to study energy-system decision-making.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe want to change the conversation about power and power grid stability, reliability, and sustainability, Roberts said, \u201cand find a way to get this message to a larger public.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs artificial intelligence (AI) drives explosive growth in data centers, communities across the U.S. are facing rising electricity costs, new industrial development, and mounting strain on an aging power grid.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Explosive data center growth requires research to inform policies which manage the building of this critical infrastructure."}],"uid":"27338","created_gmt":"2026-02-24 20:29:10","changed_gmt":"2026-02-25 16:43:42","author":"Brent Verrill","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679428":{"id":"679428","type":"image","title":"Giarusso_Saeed_Molzhan_Headshots_Collage_Sized","body":null,"created":"1772037433","gmt_created":"2026-02-25 16:37:13","changed":"1772037615","gmt_changed":"2026-02-25 16:40:15","alt":"Three men\u0027s individual portrait-style photos are arranged side by side, each showing a person from the shoulders up. The individuals wear collared shirts and appear in different lighting settings, including a dark background, a neutral studio backdrop, and a bright white background.","file":{"fid":"263591","name":"Giarusso_Saeed_Molzhan_Headshots_Collage_Sized.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/Giarusso_Saeed_Molzhan_Headshots_Collage_Sized.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/Giarusso_Saeed_Molzhan_Headshots_Collage_Sized.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":872348,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/25\/Giarusso_Saeed_Molzhan_Headshots_Collage_Sized.jpg?itok=TPizgOZr"}}},"media_ids":["679428"],"groups":[{"id":"244191","name":"Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"660398","name":"Sustainability Hub"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"},{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"188360","name":"go-bbiss"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:brent.verrill@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EBrent Verrill\u003C\/a\u003E, Research Communications Program Manager, BBISS\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["brent.verrill@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687813":{"#nid":"687813","#data":{"type":"news","title":"From Fusion to Self-Driving Cars, High Performance Computing and AI are Everywhere in 2026","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhile not as highlight-reel worthy as the Winter Olympics and the World Cup, experts expect high-performance computing (HPC) to have an even bigger impact on daily life in 2026.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers say HPC and artificial intelligence (AI) advances this year are poised to improve how people power their homes, design safer buildings, and travel through cities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/tangqi.github.io\/\u0022\u003EQi Tang\u003C\/a\u003E, scientists will take progressive steps toward cleaner, sustainable energy through nuclear fusion in 2026.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI am very hopeful about the role of advanced computing and AI in making fusion a clean energy source,\u201d said Tang, an assistant professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE)\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFusion systems involve many interconnected processes happening across different scales. Modern simulations, combined with data-driven methods, allow us to bring these pieces together into a unified picture.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang\u2019s research connects HPC and machine learning with fusion energy and plasma physics. This year, Tang is continuing work on large-scale nuclear fusion models.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnly a few experimental fusion reactors exist worldwide compared to more than 400 nuclear fission reactors. Tang\u2019s work supports a broader effort to turn fusion from a promising idea into a practical energy source.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENuclear fusion occurs in plasma, the fourth state of matter, where gas is heated to millions of degrees. In this extreme state, electrons are stripped from atoms, creating a hot soup of fast-moving ions and free electrons. In plasma, hydrogen atoms overcome their natural electrical repulsion, collide, and fuse together. This releases energy that can power cities and homes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EComputers interpret extreme temperatures, densities, pressures, and plasma particle motion as massive datasets. Tang works to assimilate these data types from computer models and real-world experiments.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo do this, he and other researchers rely on machine learning approaches to analyze data across models and experiments more quickly and to produce more accurate predictions. Over time, this will allow scientists to test and improve fusion reactor designs toward commercial use.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond energy and nuclear engineering,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pk.linkedin.com\/in\/umarkhayaz\u0022\u003EUmar Khayaz\u003C\/a\u003E sees broader impacts for HPC in 2026.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHPC is the need of the day in every field of engineering sciences, physics, biology, and economics,\u201d said Khayaz, a CSE Ph.D. student in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ce.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Civil and Environmental Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHPC is important enough to say that we need to employ resources to also solve social problems.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKhayaz studies dynamic fracture and phase-field modeling. These areas explore how materials break under sudden, rapid loads.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELike nuclear fusion, Khayaz says dynamic fracture problems are complex and data-intensive. In 2026, he expects to see more computing resources and computational capabilities devoted to understanding these problems and other emerging civil engineering challenges.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECSE Ph.D. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ahren09.github.io\/\u0022\u003EYiqiao (Ahren) Jin\u003C\/a\u003E sees a similar relationship between infrastructure and self-driving vehicles. He believes AI will innovate this area in 2026.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt Georgia Tech, Jin develops efficient multimodal AI systems. An autonomous vehicle is a multimodal system that uses camera video, laser sensors, language instructions, and other inputs to navigate city streets under changing scenarios like traffic and weather patterns.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJin says multimodal research will move beyond performance benchmarks this year. This shift will lead to computer systems that can reason despite uncertainty and explain their decisions. In result, engineers will redefine how they evaluate and deploy autonomous systems in safety-critical settings.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMany foundational problems in perception, multimodal reasoning, and agent coordination are being actively addressed in 2026. These advances enable a transition from isolated autonomous systems to safer, coordinated autonomous vehicle fleets,\u201d Jin said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAs these systems scale, they have the potential to fundamentally improve transportation safety and efficiency.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhile not as highlight-reel worthy as the Winter Olympics and the World Cup, experts expect high-performance computing (HPC) to have an even bigger impact on daily life in 2026.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers say HPC and artificial intelligence (AI) advances this year are poised to improve how people power their homes, design safer buildings, and travel through cities.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers say HPC and artificial intelligence (AI) advances this year are poised to improve how people power their homes, design safer buildings, and travel through cities."}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2026-01-29 14:30:57","changed_gmt":"2026-02-19 15:53:29","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-29T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-29T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679125":{"id":"679125","type":"image","title":"CSE-in-2026_2.jpg","body":null,"created":"1769704332","gmt_created":"2026-01-29 16:32:12","changed":"1769704332","gmt_changed":"2026-01-29 16:32:12","alt":"CSE in 2026","file":{"fid":"263246","name":"CSE-in-2026_2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/29\/CSE-in-2026_2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/29\/CSE-in-2026_2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":348721,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/29\/CSE-in-2026_2.jpg?itok=JDq9Sr_p"}}},"media_ids":["679125"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/fusion-self-driving-cars-high-performance-computing-and-ai-are-everywhere-2026","title":"From Fusion to Self-Driving Cars, High Performance Computing and AI are Everywhere in 2026"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50877","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"172288","name":"School of Computational Science Engineering"},{"id":"167864","name":"School of Civil and Environmental Engineering"},{"id":"594","name":"college of engineering"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"},{"id":"15030","name":"high-performance computing"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"9167","name":"machine learning"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"194384","name":"Tech AI"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687242":{"#nid":"687242","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Energy Policy and Innovation Center Launches Interactive Dashboard ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnergy Policy and Innovation Center\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (EPIcenter) has collaborated with\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/daniel-matisoff\u0022\u003EDan Matisoff\u003C\/a\u003E, professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EJimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy\u003C\/a\u003E and EPIcenter\u2019s faculty affiliate, to develop a new\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/saf\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Data Dashboard\u003C\/strong\u003E,\u003C\/a\u003E designed to provide clear, accessible insights into the rapidly evolving SAF market.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe interactive dashboard compiles and visualizes data gathered by\u0026nbsp;Matisoff, along with\u0026nbsp;Program and Operations Manager\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/2af53a9b-d638-574a-a72e-567d586c3cef\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMichael Morley\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;offering a comprehensive view of SAF production, feedstock availability, and policy trends.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEPIcenter Research Associate \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/people-yang-you\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EYang You\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E has designed the dashboard to translate complex datasets into policy-relevant insights for decision-makers. By organizing key metrics into interactive visuals, the dashboard helps stakeholders assess market readiness and identify regulatory actions that could accelerate SAF adoption.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEmphasizing the importance of data-driven insights, Matisoff said, \u201cThe Department of Energy has a Grand Challenge to produce 3 billion gallons a year of Sustainable Aviation Fuel by 2030, and 35 billion gallons a year by 2050. By compiling and visualizing SAF data, we can help policymakers and researchers understand progress towards these goals, where the key opportunities and bottlenecks are \u2013 and how to move forward effectively\u201d.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy SAF Matters\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EWhile aviation only accounts for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is a rapidly growing share, and decarbonizing this sector is considered one of the most challenging aspects of the energy transition. Produced from renewable feedstocks, sustainable aviation fuel offers a pathway to reduce lifecycle emissions from air travel without requiring major changes to aircraft or infrastructure. However, SAF production and deployment face hurdles related to cost, supply chain development, and policy support.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEPIcenter\u2019s Director \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/people\/laura-taylor\u0022\u003ELaura Taylor\u003C\/a\u003E highlighted the dashboard\u2019s role in addressing these challenges:\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cSustainable aviation fuel is a cornerstone of decarbonizing air travel, but the market is complex and rapidly evolving. The dashboard provides clarity by organizing the relevant data in a way that\u2019s accessible and actionable for decision-makers.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis tool is meant to bridge analysis and action,\u201d said You. \u201cBy visualizing SAF production, capacity, and offtake dynamics, the dashboard allows policymakers and stakeholders to see where the market is moving, where gaps remain, and how targeted infrastructure investments or supportive policies could unlock scale.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe EPIcenter SAF Dashboard is intended as a resource for industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers working to accelerate SAF adoption. By providing transparent, data-driven insights, Georgia Tech aims to support informed decisions that advance innovation and sustainability in aviation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo explore the dashboard and learn more about Georgia Tech\u2019s work on sustainable aviation fuel, visit\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/saf\/\u0022\u003EEPIcenter\u2019s SAF page\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnergy Policy and Innovation Center\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (EPIcenter) has collaborated with\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/daniel-matisoff\u0022\u003EDan Matisoff\u003C\/a\u003E, professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EJimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy\u003C\/a\u003E and EPIcenter\u2019s faculty affiliate, to develop a new\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/saf\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Data Dashboard\u003C\/strong\u003E,\u003C\/a\u003E designed to provide clear, accessible insights into the rapidly evolving SAF market.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech\u2019s Energy Policy and Innovation Center has collaborated with Dan Matisoff, EPIcenter\u2019s faculty affiliate, to develop a new Sustainable Aviation Fuel Data Dashboard to provide clear, accessible insights into the rapidly evolving SAF market. "}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-01-13 17:04:00","changed_gmt":"2026-01-13 17:10:35","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-13T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-13T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678970":{"id":"678970","type":"image","title":"SAFDashboard-AdobeStock.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1768324007","gmt_created":"2026-01-13 17:06:47","changed":"1768324007","gmt_changed":"2026-01-13 17:06:47","alt":"Fuel Truck carrying Sustainable Aviation Fuel near an airplane","file":{"fid":"263073","name":"SAFDashboard-AdobeStock.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/13\/SAFDashboard-AdobeStock.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/13\/SAFDashboard-AdobeStock.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":831898,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/13\/SAFDashboard-AdobeStock.jpeg?itok=bJdX1-Z0"}}},"media_ids":["678970"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/saf\/","title":"EPIcenter SAF Dashboard"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"},{"id":"660398","name":"Sustainability Hub"}],"categories":[{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"},{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EPriya Devarajan\u003C\/a\u003E || SEI Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"686920":{"#nid":"686920","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Energy Insecurity Linked to Higher Rates of Anxiety and Depression, School of Public Policy Study Finds","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamanetworkopen\/fullarticle\/2840540\u0022 title=\u0022null\u0022\u003Estudy\u003C\/a\u003E from the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy identifies energy insecurity \u2014 the inability to meet basic household energy needs \u2014 as a critical, yet often overlooked, social determinant of health.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhile we often talk about food and housing insecurity, fewer people recognize energy as a basic necessity that shapes not only comfort, but also safety and stress,\u201d said Assistant Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/f276dd8a-0e13-5b66-b4cf-3d2960e01b2d\u0022 title=\u0022null\u0022\u003EMichelle Graff\u003C\/a\u003E, who co-authored the paper published in \u003Cem\u003EJAMA Network Open\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnalyzing data from the U.S. Census Bureau\u2019s Household Pulse Survey, the researchers found that 43% of households experienced energy insecurity in the past year. Among respondents who reduced spending on necessities to cover energy bills, nearly 39% reported symptoms of anxiety and 32% reported symptoms of depression \u2014 more than twice the incidence among respondents who didn\u2019t need to make that tradeoff.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBeing able to afford your home does not guarantee you can afford to safely heat, cool, or power it,\u201d Graff said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESuch instability disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic households, renters, and families dependent on electronic medical devices, Graff said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd while the study was not designed to explain whether energy insecurity causes mental health issues or some other dynamic is at work, Graff said it\u2019s incontrovertible that these groups face compounding stressors. Living in inefficient housing can lead to higher bills and unsafe temperatures, disrupting sleep and health. When combined with the financial anxiety of potential utility shutoffs and the need to sacrifice food or medicine to pay bills, these trade-offs create a cycle of chronic stress, she said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAmong other recommendations, Graff said healthcare providers should start screening for energy insecurity just as they do for food insecurity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe view this primarily as a data-collection initiative designed to generate the evidence needed to inform future policy recommendations and program improvements,\u201d Graff said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGraff is continuing to explore these issues with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=spp.gatech.edu\u0022 title=\u0022null\u0022\u003ECarter School\u003C\/a\u003E graduate students, including recent \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S1040619025000661?via%3Dihub\u0022\u003Ework\u003C\/a\u003E on state-level aid implementation with Ph.D. student Ryan Anthony and upcoming research with other students on how energy insecurity impacts eviction rates.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe article, \u201cEnergy Insecurity and Mental Health Symptoms in US Adults,\u201d was published Oct. 27, 2025, in JAMA Network Open. It is available at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi:10.1001\/jamanetworkopen.2025.39479\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi:10.1001\/jamanetworkopen.2025.39479\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe study links energy insecurity to significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression in U.S. households.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The study links energy insecurity to significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression in U.S. households."}],"uid":"34600","created_gmt":"2025-12-16 20:44:16","changed_gmt":"2026-01-06 14:02:04","author":"mpearson34","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-12-16T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-12-16T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678862":{"id":"678862","type":"image","title":"energy-insecurity-mental-health.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EEnergy insecurity is a significant financial problem, and potentially a major mental health issue, for millions of Americans.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1765917961","gmt_created":"2025-12-16 20:46:01","changed":"1765917961","gmt_changed":"2025-12-16 20:46:01","alt":"A woman wearing a hat and warm clothing prepares food in her kitchen.","file":{"fid":"262952","name":"energy-insecurity-mental-health.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/16\/energy-insecurity-mental-health.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/16\/energy-insecurity-mental-health.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":979742,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/16\/energy-insecurity-mental-health.jpg?itok=FVTsWXlA"}},"678864":{"id":"678864","type":"image","title":"Michelle Graff","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAssistant Professor Michelle Graff.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1765918275","gmt_created":"2025-12-16 20:51:15","changed":"1765918275","gmt_changed":"2025-12-16 20:51:15","alt":"\u0022\u0022","file":{"fid":"262954","name":"fb50e65939f4bc3d6cdd1f16.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/16\/fb50e65939f4bc3d6cdd1f16.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/16\/fb50e65939f4bc3d6cdd1f16.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":15260,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/16\/fb50e65939f4bc3d6cdd1f16.jpg?itok=MqO7ho_j"}}},"media_ids":["678862","678864"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:michael.pearson@iac.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EMichael Pearson\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIvan Allen College of Liberal Arts\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["michael.pearson@iac.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"679305":{"#nid":"679305","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Finalists Chosen in Georgia Tech\u2019s Executive Vice President for Research Search","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s Executive Vice President for Research search committee has selected three finalists. Each candidate will visit campus and present a seminar sharing their broad vision for the Institute\u0027s research enterprise. The seminars are open to all faculty, students, and staff across the campus community. Interested individuals can attend in person or register to participate via Zoom (pre-registration is required).\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/finalists-chosen-georgia-techs-executive-vice-president-research-search\u0022\u003ERead more \u00bb\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s Executive Vice President for Research search committee has selected three finalists. Each candidate will visit campus and present a seminar sharing their broad vision for the Institute\u0027s research enterprise.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech\u2019s Executive Vice President for Research search committee has selected three finalists."}],"uid":"27255","created_gmt":"2025-01-08 16:27:57","changed_gmt":"2026-01-01 18:36:45","author":"Josie Giles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-01-07T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-01-07T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675965":{"id":"675965","type":"image","title":"19C10400-P19-001-Web Use - 1,000px Wide.jpg","body":null,"created":"1736299056","gmt_created":"2025-01-08 01:17:36","changed":"1736299056","gmt_changed":"2025-01-08 01:17:36","alt":"Historical sign depicting information about Tech Tower","file":{"fid":"259654","name":"19C10400-P19-001-Web Use - 1,000px Wide.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/07\/19C10400-P19-001-Web%20Use%20-%201%2C000px%20Wide.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/07\/19C10400-P19-001-Web%20Use%20-%201%2C000px%20Wide.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":396225,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/01\/07\/19C10400-P19-001-Web%20Use%20-%201%2C000px%20Wide.jpg?itok=xSqO86Zk"}}},"media_ids":["675965"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"679709":{"#nid":"679709","#data":{"type":"news","title":" 2024\u2019s Extreme Ocean Heat Breaks Records Again, Leaving 2 Mysteries to Solve","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe oceans are heating up as the planet warms.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis past year, 2024, was the warmest ever measured for the global ocean, following a record-breaking 2023. In fact, every decade since 1984, when satellite recordkeeping of ocean temperatures started, has been \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/climatereanalyzer.org\/clim\/sst_daily\/?dm_id=world2\u0022\u003Ewarmer than the previous one\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA warmer ocean means increased evaporation, which in turn results in heavier rains in some areas and droughts in others. It can power hurricanes and downpours. It can also harm the health of coastal marine areas and sea life \u2013 coral reefs suffered their \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/environment\/global-coral-bleaching-event-expands-now-largest-record-2024-10-17\/\u0022\u003Emost extensive bleaching event on record in 2024\u003C\/a\u003E, with damage in many parts of the world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWarming ocean water also affects temperatures on land by changing weather patterns. The EU\u2019s Copernicus Climate Change Service announced on Jan. 10 that data showed 2024 had also broken the record for the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/climate.copernicus.eu\/global-climate-highlights-2024\u0022\u003Ewarmest year globally\u003C\/a\u003E, with global temperatures about 2.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 Celsius) above pre-industrial times. That would mark the first full calendar year with average \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/climatechange\/science\/climate-issues\/degrees-matter\u0022\u003Ewarming above 1.5 C\u003C\/a\u003E, a level countries had \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/after-cop27-all-signs-point-to-world-blowing-past-the-1-5-degrees-global-warming-limit-heres-what-we-can-still-do-about-it-195080\u0022\u003Eagreed to try to avoid\u003C\/a\u003E passing long-term.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClimate change, by and large, takes the blame. Greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere trap heat, and about \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.climate.gov\/news-features\/understanding-climate\/climate-change-ocean-heat-content\u0022\u003E90% of the excess heat caused by emissions\u003C\/a\u003E from burning fossil fuels and other human activities is absorbed by the ocean.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut while it\u2019s clear that the ocean has been warming for quite some time, its temperatures over the past two years have been far above the previous decades. That leaves two mysteries for scientists.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EIt\u2019s Not Just El Ni\u00f1o\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe cyclic climate pattern of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.climate.gov\/news-features\/blogs\/enso\/what-el-ni%C3%B1o%E2%80%93southern-oscillation-enso-nutshell\u0022\u003EEl Ni\u00f1o Southern Oscillation\u003C\/a\u003E can explain part of the warmth over the past two years.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDuring \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/el-nino-is-starting-to-lose-strength-after-fueling-a-hot-stormy-year-but-its-still-powerful-an-atmospheric-scientist-explains-whats-ahead-for-2024-223013\u0022\u003EEl Ni\u00f1o periods\u003C\/a\u003E, warm waters that usually accumulate in the western equatorial Pacific Ocean move eastward toward the coastlines of Peru and Chile, leaving the Earth slightly warmer overall. The \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/el-nino-is-back-thats-good-news-or-bad-news-depending-on-where-you-live-205974\u0022\u003Elatest El Ni\u00f1o began in 2023\u003C\/a\u003E and caused global average temperatures to rise well \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.climate.gov\/news-features\/blogs\/enso\/july-2024-enso-update-summer-vacation\u0022\u003Einto early 2024\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut the oceans have been even warmer than scientists expected. For example, global temperatures in 2023-2024 followed a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/climatereanalyzer.org\/clim\/sst_daily\/?dm_id=world2\u0022\u003Esimilar growth and decline pattern\u003C\/a\u003E across the seasons as the previous El Ni\u00f1o event, in 2015-2016, but they were about 0.36 degrees Fahrenheit (0.2 Celsius) higher at all times in 2023-2024.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScientists are puzzled and left with two problems to solve. They must figure out whether something else contributed to the unexpected warming and whether the past two years have been a sign of a sudden acceleration in global warming.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Role of Aerosols\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn intriguing idea, tested using climate models, is that a swift \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-023-42891-2\u0022\u003Ereduction in aerosols\u003C\/a\u003E over the past decade may be one of the culprits.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAerosols are solid and liquid particles emitted by human and natural sources into the atmosphere. Some of them have been shown to partially counteract the impact of greenhouse gases by reflecting solar radiation back into space. However, they also are responsible for poor air quality and air pollution.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany of these particles with cooling properties are generated in the process of burning fossil fuels. For example, sulfur aerosols are emitted by ship engines and power plants. In 2020, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.imo.org\/en\/MediaCentre\/PressBriefings\/pages\/34-IMO-2020-sulphur-limit-.aspx\u0022\u003Eshipping industry implemented\u003C\/a\u003E a nearly \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1029\/2024GL109077\u0022\u003E80% cut in sulfur emissions\u003C\/a\u003E, and many companies shifted to low-sulfur fuels. But the larger impact has come from power plants reducing their emissions, including a big shift in this direction in China. So, while technologies have cut these harmful emissions, that means a brake slowing the pace of warming is weakened.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EIs This a Warming Surge?\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe second puzzle is whether the planet is seeing a warming surge or not.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETemperatures are clearly rising, but the past two years have not been warm enough to support the notion that we may be seeing an acceleration in the rate of global warming.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnalysis of four temperature datasets covering the 1850-2023 period has shown that the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s43247-024-01711-1\u0022\u003Erate of warming has not shown a significant change\u003C\/a\u003E since around the 1970s. The same authors, however, noted that only a rate increase of at least 55% \u2013 about half a degree Celsius and nearly a full degree Fahrenheit over one year \u2013 would make the warming acceleration detectable in a statistical sense.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom a statistical standpoint, then, scientists cannot exclude the possibility that the 2023-2024 record ocean warming resulted simply from the \u201cusual\u201d warming trend that humans have set the planet on for the past 50 years. A very strong El Ni\u00f1o contributed some natural variability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom a practical standpoint, however, the extraordinary impacts the planet has witnessed \u2013 including extreme weather, heat waves, wildfires, coral bleaching and ecosystem destruction \u2013 point to a need to swiftly reduce carbon dioxide emissions to limit ocean warming, regardless of whether this is a continuation of an ongoing trend or an acceleration.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article has been updated with Copernicus Climate Change Service\u2019s global 2024 temperature data.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/246843\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/2024s-extreme-ocean-heat-breaks-records-again-leaving-2-mysteries-to-solve-246843\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn fact, every decade since 1984, when satellite recordkeeping of ocean temperatures started, has been warmer than the previous one.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"In fact, every decade since 1984, when satellite recordkeeping of ocean temperatures started, has been warmer than the previous one."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-01-17 16:27:48","changed_gmt":"2026-01-01 18:35:52","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-01-09T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-01-09T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676055":{"id":"676055","type":"image","title":" The global ocean\u2019s surface temperature was still well above average going into 2025. Meaghan Skinner Photography\/Moment via Getty Images","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;The global ocean\u2019s surface temperature was still well above average going into 2025. Meaghan Skinner Photography\/Moment via Getty Images\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1737131416","gmt_created":"2025-01-17 16:30:16","changed":"1737131416","gmt_changed":"2025-01-17 16:30:16","alt":" The global ocean\u2019s surface temperature was still well above average going into 2025. Meaghan Skinner Photography\/Moment via Getty Images","file":{"fid":"259762","name":"file-20250109-19-4cps5m.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/17\/file-20250109-19-4cps5m_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/17\/file-20250109-19-4cps5m_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":240626,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/01\/17\/file-20250109-19-4cps5m_0.jpg?itok=tEB_EbXq"}}},"media_ids":["676055"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/2024s-extreme-ocean-heat-breaks-records-again-leaving-2-mysteries-to-solve-246843","title":"Read This Story on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"479","name":"Green Buzz"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/annalisa-bracco-1447820\u0022\u003EAnnalisa Bracco\u003C\/a\u003E, Professor of Ocean and Climate Dynamics, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"679640":{"#nid":"679640","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Year in Photos","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFrom the physics of knitting to highlighting how batteries work, Georgia Tech photographers captured the impact and breadth of the Institute\u2019s research enterprise. See our best shots and discover unseen gems in this collection.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/feature\/2024-photos\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead more \u00bb\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Georgia Tech Research looks back at 2024."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFrom the physics of knitting to highlighting how batteries work, Georgia Tech photographers captured the impact and breadth of the Institute\u2019s research enterprise.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":" See our photographers\u2019 best shots and discover unseen gems in this collection. "}],"uid":"27255","created_gmt":"2025-01-15 18:13:52","changed_gmt":"2026-01-01 18:32:23","author":"Josie Giles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-01-22T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-01-22T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676028":{"id":"676028","type":"image","title":"Krishma Singal sitting at a knitting machine","body":"\u003Cp\u003EKrishma Singal operates a knitting machine to create fabric samples for a study.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1736964926","gmt_created":"2025-01-15 18:15:26","changed":"1736965094","gmt_changed":"2025-01-15 18:18:14","alt":"A female student operating a knitting machine in a research lab at Georgia Tech.","file":{"fid":"259730","name":"knitting.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/15\/knitting.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/15\/knitting.png","mime":"image\/png","size":3850176,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/01\/15\/knitting.png?itok=EHjp-uWb"}}},"media_ids":["676028"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"679801":{"#nid":"679801","#data":{"type":"news","title":"At the Intersection of Climate and AI, Machine Learning is Revolutionizing Climate Science","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EExponential growth in big data and computing power is transforming climate science, where machine learning is playing a critical role in mapping the physics of our changing climate.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u201cWhat is happening within the field is revolutionary,\u201d\u0026nbsp;says\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EAssociate Chair and Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/annalisabracco\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAnnalisa Bracco\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, adding that because many climate-related processes\u0026nbsp;\u2014 from ocean currents to melting glaciers and weather patterns\u0026nbsp;\u2014 can be described with physical equations, these advancements have the potential to help us understand and predict climate in critically important ways.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBracco is the lead author of a new review paper providing a comprehensive look at the intersection of AI and climate physics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe result of an international collaboration between Georgia Tech\u2019s Bracco,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EJulien Brajard\u003C\/strong\u003E (Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center),\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EHenk A. Dijkstra\u003C\/strong\u003E (Utrecht University),\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EPedram Hassanzadeh\u003C\/strong\u003E (University of Chicago),\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EChristian Lessig\u003C\/strong\u003E (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts), and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EClaire Monteleoni\u003C\/strong\u003E (University of Colorado Boulder), the paper, \u2018\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s42254-024-00776-3\u0022\u003EMachine learning for the physics of climate\u003C\/a\u003E,\u2019\u0026nbsp;was\u0026nbsp;recently published in\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ENature Reviews Physics\u003C\/em\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cOne of our team\u2019s goals was to help people think deeply on how climate science and AI intersect,\u201d Bracco shares. \u201cMachine learning is allowing us to study the physics of climate in a way that was previously impossible. Coupled with increasing amounts of data and observations, we can now investigate climate at scales and resolutions we\u2019ve never been able to before.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EConnecting hidden dots\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe team showed that ML is driving change in three key areas: accounting for missing observational data, creating more robust climate models, and enhancing predictions, especially in weather forecasting. However, the research also underscores the limits of AI \u2014 and how researchers can work to fill those gaps.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cMachine learning has been fantastic in allowing us to expand the time and the spatial scales for which we have measurements,\u201d says Bracco, explaining that ML could help fill in missing data points \u2014 creating a more robust record for researchers to reference. However, like patching a hole in a shirt, this works best when the rest of the material is intact.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cMachine learning can extrapolate from past conditions when observations are abundant, but it can\u2019t yet predict future trends or collect the data we need,\u201d Bracco adds. \u201cTo keep advancing, we need scientists who can determine what data we need, collect that data, and solve problems.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EModeling climate, predicting weather\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EMachine learning is often used when improving climate models that can simulate changing systems like our atmosphere, oceans, land, biochemistry, and ice. \u201cThese models are limited because of our computing power, and are run on a three-dimensional grid,\u201d Bracco explains: below the grid resolution, researchers need to approximate complex physics with simpler equations that computers can solve quickly, a process called \u2018parameterization\u2019.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EMachine learning is changing that, offering new ways to improve parameterizations, she says. \u201cWe can run a model at extremely high resolutions for a short time, so that we don\u2019t need to parameterize as many physical processes \u2014 using machine learning to derive the equations that best approximate what is happening at small scales,\u201d she explains. \u201cThen we can use those equations in a coarser model that we can run for hundreds of years.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWhile a full climate model based solely on machine learning may remain out of reach, the team found that ML is advancing our ability to accurately predict weather systems and some climate phenomena like El Ni\u00f1o.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EPreviously, weather prediction was based on knowing the starting conditions \u2014 like temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure \u2014 and running a model based on physics equations to predict what might happen next. Now, machine learning is giving researchers the opportunity to learn from the past. \u201cWe can use information on what has happened when there were similar starting conditions in previous situations to predict the future without solving the underlying governing equations,\u201d Bracco says. \u201cAnd all while using orders-of-magnitude less computing resources.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe human connection\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBracco emphasizes that while AI and ML play a critical role in accelerating research, humans are at the core of progress. \u201cI think the in-person collaboration that led to this paper is, in itself, a testament to the importance of human interaction,\u201d she says, recalling that the research was the result of a workshop organized at the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.kitp.ucsb.edu\/\u0022\u003EKavli Institute for Theoretical Physics\u003C\/a\u003E \u2014 one of the team\u2019s first in-person discussions after the Covid-19 pandemic.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cMachine learning is a fantastic tool \u2014 but it\u0027s not the solution to everything,\u201d she adds. \u201cThere is also a real need for human researchers collecting high-quality data, and for interdisciplinary collaboration across fields.\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EI see this as a big challenge, but a great opportunity for computer scientists and physicists, mathematicians, biologists, and chemists to work together.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFunding\u003C\/strong\u003E: National Science Foundation, European Research Council, Office of Naval Research, US Department of Energy, European Space Agency, Choose France Chair in AI.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDOI\u003C\/strong\u003E:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s42254-024-00776-3\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s42254-024-00776-3\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EA Georgia Tech-led review paper recently published in\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ENature Reviews Physics\u003C\/em\u003E is exploring the ways machine learning is revolutionizing the field of climate physics \u2014 and the role human scientists might play.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A Georgia Tech-led review paper recently published in\u00a0Nature Reviews Physics is exploring the ways machine learning is revolutionizing the field of climate physics \u2014 and the role human scientists might play."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2025-01-22 17:43:30","changed_gmt":"2026-01-01 18:31:44","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-01-22T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-01-22T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676086":{"id":"676086","type":"image","title":"Researchers launch a a lightweight, balloon-borne instrument to collect data. \u0022To keep advancing, we need scientists who can determine what data we need, collect that data, and solve problems,\u0022 Bracco says. (NOAA)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EResearchers launch a a lightweight, balloon-borne instrument to collect data. \u0022To keep advancing, we need scientists who can determine what data we need, collect that data, and solve problems,\u0022 Bracco says. (NOAA)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1737567826","gmt_created":"2025-01-22 17:43:46","changed":"1737567826","gmt_changed":"2025-01-22 17:43:46","alt":"Researchers launch a a lightweight, balloon-borne instrument to collect data. \u0022To keep advancing, we need scientists who can determine what data we need, collect that data, and solve problems,\u0022 Bracco says. (NOAA)","file":{"fid":"259801","name":"noaa-5hZJVGPG6vo-unsplash.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/22\/noaa-5hZJVGPG6vo-unsplash.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/22\/noaa-5hZJVGPG6vo-unsplash.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2094496,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/01\/22\/noaa-5hZJVGPG6vo-unsplash.jpg?itok=KR8SZhoH"}}},"media_ids":["676086"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192258","name":"cos-data"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"192252","name":"cos-planetary"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"680086":{"#nid":"680086","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Andrei Fedorov Selected as Part of Major International Research Initiative in Big Data and AI for Energy","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/fedorov\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAndrei Fedorov\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, Rae S. and Frank H. Neely Chair, and professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, will represent Georgia Tech in a new international research initiative. The program, Adopting Sustainable Partnerships for Innovative Research Ecosystem (ASPIRE) for Top Scientists, is funded by the Japan Science and Technology Agency. It will receive approximately $3.2 million in funding over five years.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe award will support a broad spectrum of multidisciplinary research activities by the multinational teams and intermediate to long-term (three months to one year) collaborative visits to global research sites in Japan, Europe, and the U.S. A total of 46 proposals were submitted to ASPIRE for Top Scientists, out of which 14 were selected by expert evaluation. Each project is an international collaboration and the initiative\u0027s key focus is advancing science and technology on an international level.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFedorov will lead a project titled \u0022Construction of International Data and Analysis Platform for Inorganic Power-storage Materials Informatics with Nano\/Micro-Structur\u003Cem\u003Ee\u0022 \u003C\/em\u003Ethat will explore the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Informatics, and Energy. He will represent Georgia Tech as a principal investigator. The planned research will also involve faculty members and graduate students from College of Engineering schools involved in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/news\/andrei-fedorov-selected-part-major-international-research-initiative-big-data-and-ai-energy\u0022\u003ERead the full story on the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering website\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/fedorov\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAndrei Fedorov\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, Rae S. and Frank H. Neely Chair, and professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, will represent Georgia Tech in a new international research initiative. The program, Adopting Sustainable Partnerships for Innovative Research Ecosystem (ASPIRE) for Top Scientists, is funded by the Japan Science and Technology Agency. It will receive approximately $3.2 million in funding over five years.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The program, Adopting Sustainable Partnerships for Innovative Research Ecosystem (ASPIRE) for Top Scientists, is funded by the Japan Science and Technology Agency. It will receive approximately $3.2 million in funding over five years."}],"uid":"35851","created_gmt":"2025-01-30 23:47:24","changed_gmt":"2026-01-01 18:30:05","author":"aritchie6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-01-24T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-01-24T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676172":{"id":"676172","type":"image","title":"Andrei_FEdorov_2.jpg","body":null,"created":"1738280919","gmt_created":"2025-01-30 23:48:39","changed":"1738280919","gmt_changed":"2025-01-30 23:48:39","alt":"Andrei Fedorov","file":{"fid":"259901","name":"Andrei_FEdorov_2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/30\/Andrei_FEdorov_2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/30\/Andrei_FEdorov_2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":544740,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/01\/30\/Andrei_FEdorov_2.jpg?itok=bediVLWH"}}},"media_ids":["676172"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:chloe.arrington@me.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EChloe Arrington\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"680930":{"#nid":"680930","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Celebrating the Remarkable Career of Robert Butera","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECelebrating the Remarkable Career of Robert Butera\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBill Dracos Appointed Interim Chief Research Operations Officer as Rob Butera Announces His Retirement\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt is with immense gratitude and admiration that we \u003Cstrong\u003Eannounce the retirement of Robert Butera\u003C\/strong\u003E, who has served Georgia Tech with the highest dedication and excellence. As the chief research operations officer (CROO), Butera has facilitated the Institute\u2019s research activities, overseeing research integrity assurance, research administration, research operations\/infrastructure, and research development. His leadership and vision have left an indelible mark on Georgia Tech\u0027s research enterprise.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EButera\u2019s journey at Georgia Tech began long before his role as CROO. He received his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech in 1991. He joined the Institute\u2019s faculty in 1999, after earning his Ph.D. from Rice University and spending several years as a postdoctoral researcher at the National Institutes of Health. Over the years, Butera has held numerous pivotal roles, including vice president for research development and operations, associate dean for research in the College of Engineering, and director of the Neural Engineering Center. Prior to joining Georgia Tech\u2019s research leadership, Butera directed the interdisciplinary bioengineering graduate program, then co-founded the Grand Challenges Living Learning Community.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a professor, Butera graduated 15 Ph.D. students and mentored over 100 undergraduates, for which he received Georgia Tech\u2019s Senior Faculty Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award in 2016. He also mentored several postdocs and master\u2019s students.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EButera\u2019s accolades are numerous, including the prestigious Georgia Tech ANAK award and election as a Fellow to both the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering. He held significant leadership roles within the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. These honors reflect his impact on the field of biomedical engineering and his dedication to advancing scientific knowledge.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond his professional achievements, Butera\u2019s personal passions have also enriched the larger Georgia Tech community. His love for whitewater kayaking, which he discovered through Outdoor Recreation Georgia Tech (ORGT), led to a decade of volunteering as an instructor and trip leader. This commitment to adventure and leadership development has inspired many students and colleagues alike.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Rob\u0027s unwavering commitment to excellence and his visionary leadership have been instrumental in advancing Georgia Tech\u0027s research mission. His contributions have not only elevated our institution but have also profoundly impacted the broader scientific community. We are deeply grateful for his service and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement,\u201d said Tim Lieuwen, executive vice president for Research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAndr\u00e9s J. Garc\u00eda, executive director of the Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, shared these heartfelt words: \u0022Rob, the ultimate Yellow Jacket, has been a tireless champion to improve research, educational, and operational processes at Georgia Tech. He has had tremendous positive impact in Georgia Tech, the state, and the nation. We will miss his deep knowledge and expertise, exceptional problem solving, practical perspective, and genuine care for faculty, staff, and students, and we wish him continued success in his next chapter.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELena Ting, McCamish Foundation Distinguished Chair in Biomedical Engineering in the Walter H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, said, \u201cRob\u2019s heart\u0026nbsp;has a huge \u2018GT\u2019 stamped on it: He has always been engaged in all aspects of Georgia Tech life. I\u2019m always amazed to hear about his undergrad teaching and mentoring, kayaking with ORGT, and advising his fraternity. At the same time, he worked tirelessly to enhance interdisciplinary research and solve challenges affecting faculty research, all while conducting his own innovative research. Rob is a GT nexus, always in the know about what is going on around campus and \u2013 more importantly \u2013 how and why it got to be that way. He is a great friend and colleague who is always available for a beer, and I\u2019ll miss him dearly.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs we bid farewell to Rob, we also extend a warm welcome to \u003Cstrong\u003EBill Dracos, who will serve as the interim chief research operations officer, effective immediately.\u003C\/strong\u003E Bill brings a wealth of experience from his role as Deputy Chief Operating Officer at the Georgia Tech Research Institute and his previous leadership positions at George Mason University, Emory University, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. We are confident Bill will continue to build on Rob\u0027s legacy of excellence and innovation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThank you, Rob, for your years of service, your unwavering commitment to Georgia Tech, and your inspiring leadership.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EWe wish you all the best in your retirement and look forward to seeing the new adventures you will undoubtedly embark upon.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Tech is conducting a national search for the next Chief Research Operations Officer.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/career\/croo\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ELearn more\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E about the open position.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Bill Dracos Appointed Interim Chief Research Operations Officer as Rob Butera Announces His Retirement  "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECelebrating the Remarkable Career of Robert Butera\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBill Dracos Appointed Interim Chief Research Operations Officer as Rob Butera Announces His Retirement\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Celebrating the Remarkable Career of Robert Butera"}],"uid":"27561","created_gmt":"2025-03-05 16:13:18","changed_gmt":"2025-12-31 18:36:47","author":"Angela Ayers","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-03-05T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-03-05T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676470":{"id":"676470","type":"image","title":"Rob Butera 2025","body":null,"created":"1741192845","gmt_created":"2025-03-05 16:40:45","changed":"1741193046","gmt_changed":"2025-03-05 16:44:06","alt":"Headshot of Rob Butera.","file":{"fid":"260266","name":"Butera.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/05\/Butera.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/05\/Butera.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2794169,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/03\/05\/Butera.jpg?itok=L5by1dTE"}},"676469":{"id":"676469","type":"image","title":"Rob Butera Lab","body":null,"created":"1741192797","gmt_created":"2025-03-05 16:39:57","changed":"1741192831","gmt_changed":"2025-03-05 16:40:31","alt":"Rob Butera in the lab.","file":{"fid":"260265","name":"RobButeraLab.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/05\/RobButeraLab.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/05\/RobButeraLab.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":318423,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/03\/05\/RobButeraLab.jpg?itok=yY3lxOSp"}},"676468":{"id":"676468","type":"image","title":"Rob Butera ANAK award","body":null,"created":"1741192700","gmt_created":"2025-03-05 16:38:20","changed":"1741192774","gmt_changed":"2025-03-05 16:39:34","alt":"Robert Butera receives the Georgia Tech ANAK award in 2019.","file":{"fid":"260264","name":"Rob-Butera-ANAK-presentation_0.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/05\/Rob-Butera-ANAK-presentation_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/05\/Rob-Butera-ANAK-presentation_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":415794,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/03\/05\/Rob-Butera-ANAK-presentation_0.jpg?itok=wZ45hzhn"}},"676477":{"id":"676477","type":"image","title":"Butera White Water Rafting","body":null,"created":"1741212651","gmt_created":"2025-03-05 22:10:51","changed":"1741212712","gmt_changed":"2025-03-05 22:11:52","alt":"Rob Butera in a kayak white water rafting.","file":{"fid":"260273","name":"ButeraWhiteWaterRafting.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/05\/ButeraWhiteWaterRafting.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/05\/ButeraWhiteWaterRafting.png","mime":"image\/png","size":727696,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/03\/05\/ButeraWhiteWaterRafting.png?itok=a-vt3vna"}}},"media_ids":["676470","676469","676468","676477"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"681273":{"#nid":"681273","#data":{"type":"news","title":"School Presents Research in Weather Prediction, Carbon Storage, Nuclear Fusion, and More at Computing Conference","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMany communities rely on insights from computer-based models and simulations. This week, a nest of Georgia Tech experts are swarming an international conference to present their latest advancements in these tools, which offer solutions to pressing challenges in science and engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudents and faculty from the School of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) are leading the Georgia Tech contingent at the SIAM Conference on Computational Science and Engineering (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.siam.org\/conferences-events\/siam-conferences\/cse25\/\u0022\u003ECSE25\u003C\/a\u003E). The Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.siam.org\/\u0022\u003ESIAM\u003C\/a\u003E) organizes CSE25, occurring March 3-7 in Fort Worth, Texas.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt CSE25, the School of CSE researchers are presenting papers that apply computing approaches to varying fields, including: \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EExperiment designs to accelerate the discovery of material properties\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMachine learning approaches to model and predict weather forecasting and coastal flooding\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EVirtual models that replicate subsurface geological formations used to store captured carbon dioxide\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOptimizing systems for imaging and optical chemistry\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPlasma physics during nuclear fusion reactions\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E[Related:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/public.tableau.com\/app\/profile\/joshpreston\/viz\/SIAMCSE2025\/dash-long\u0022\u003EGT CSE at SIAM CSE25 Interactive Graphic\u003C\/a\u003E]\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn CSE, researchers from different disciplines work together to develop new computational methods that we could not have developed alone,\u201d said School of CSE Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/people\/edmond-chow\u0022\u003EEdmond Chow\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThese methods enable new science and engineering to be performed using computation.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECSE is a discipline dedicated to advancing computational techniques to study and analyze scientific and engineering systems. CSE complements theory and experimentation as modes of scientific discovery.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHeld every other year, CSE25 is the primary conference for the SIAM Activity Group on Computational Science and Engineering (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.siam.org\/get-involved\/connect-with-a-community\/activity-groups\/computational-science-and-engineering\/\u0022\u003ESIAG CSE\u003C\/a\u003E). School of CSE faculty serve in key roles in leading the group and preparing for the conference.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn December, SIAG CSE members elected Chow to a two-year term as the group\u2019s vice chair. This election comes after Chow completed a term as the SIAG CSE program director.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESchool of CSE Associate Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/people\/elizabeth-cherry\u0022\u003EElizabeth Cherry\u003C\/a\u003E has co-chaired the CSE25 organizing committee since the last conference in 2023. Later that year, SIAM members\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.siam.org\/publications\/siam-news\/articles\/siam-introduces-its-newly-elected-leadership\/\u0022\u003Ereelected Cherry to a second, three-year term as a council member at large\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt Georgia Tech, Chow serves as the associate chair of the School of CSE. Cherry, who recently became the\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/new-team-associate-deans-ready-advance-college-initiatives\u0022\u003E associate dean for graduate education of the College of Computing, continues as the director of CSE programs\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWith our strong emphasis on developing and applying computational tools and techniques to solve real-world problems, researchers in the School of CSE are well positioned to serve as leaders in computational science and engineering both within Georgia Tech and in the broader professional community,\u201d Cherry said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s School of CSE was\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/founding-school\u0022\u003Efirst organized as a division in 2005\u003C\/a\u003E, becoming one of the world\u2019s first academic departments devoted to the discipline. The division reorganized as a school in 2010 after establishing the flagship CSE Ph.D. and M.S. programs, hiring nine faculty members, and attaining substantial research funding.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETen School of CSE faculty members are presenting research at CSE25, representing one-third of the School\u2019s faculty body. Of the 23 accepted papers written by Georgia Tech researchers, 15 originate from School of CSE authors.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe list of School of CSE researchers, paper titles, and abstracts includes:\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBayesian Optimal Design Accelerates Discovery of Material Properties from Bubble Dynamics\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EPostdoctoral Fellow\u003Cstrong\u003E Tianyi Chu\u003C\/strong\u003E, Joseph Beckett, Bachir Abeid, and Jonathan Estrada (University of Michigan), Assistant Professor \u003Cstrong\u003ESpencer Bryngelson\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E[\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/meetings.siam.org\/sess\/dsp_talk.cfm?p=143459\u0022\u003EAbstract\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ELatent-EnSF: A Latent Ensemble Score Filter for High-Dimensional Data Assimilation with Sparse Observation Data\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EPh.D. student\u003Cstrong\u003E Phillip Si\u003C\/strong\u003E, Assistant Professor \u003Cstrong\u003EPeng Chen\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E[\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/meetings.siam.org\/sess\/dsp_talk.cfm?p=141182\u0022\u003EAbstract\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EA Goal-Oriented Quadratic Latent Dynamic Network Surrogate Model for Parameterized Systems\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EYuhang Li, Stefan Henneking, Omar Ghattas (University of Texas at Austin), Assistant Professor \u003Cstrong\u003EPeng Chen\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E[\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/meetings.siam.org\/sess\/dsp_talk.cfm?p=149331\u0022\u003EAbstract\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EPosterior Covariance Structures in Gaussian Processes\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EYuanzhe Xi (Emory University), Difeng Cai (Southern Methodist University), Professor \u003Cstrong\u003EEdmond Chow\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E[\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/meetings.siam.org\/sess\/dsp_talk.cfm?p=142554\u0022\u003EAbstract\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ERobust Digital Twin for Geological Carbon Storage\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EProfessor\u003Cstrong\u003E Felix Herrmann\u003C\/strong\u003E, Ph.D. student \u003Cstrong\u003EAbhinav Gahlot\u003C\/strong\u003E, alumnus \u003Cstrong\u003ERafael Orozco\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E(Ph.D. CSE-CSE 2024), alumnus \u003Cstrong\u003EZiyi (Francis) Yin\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E(Ph.D. CSE-CSE 2024), and Ph.D. candidate \u003Cstrong\u003EGrant Bruer\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E[\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/meetings.siam.org\/sess\/dsp_talk.cfm?p=142843\u0022\u003EAbstract\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EIndustry-Scale Uncertainty-Aware Full Waveform Inference with Generative Models\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERafael Orozco\u003C\/strong\u003E, Ph.D. student \u003Cstrong\u003ETuna Erdinc\u003C\/strong\u003E, alumnus \u003Cstrong\u003EMathias Louboutin\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E(Ph.D. CS-CSE 2020), and Professor \u003Cstrong\u003EFelix Herrmann\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E[\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/meetings.siam.org\/sess\/dsp_talk.cfm?p=143101\u0022\u003EAbstract\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EOptimizing Coupled Systems: Insights from Co-Design Imaging and Optical Chemistry\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAssistant Professor \u003Cstrong\u003ERapha\u00ebl Pestourie\u003C\/strong\u003E, Wenchao Ma and Steven Johnson (MIT), Lu Lu (Yale University), Zin Lin (Virginia Tech)\u003Cbr\u003E[\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/meetings.siam.org\/sess\/dsp_programsess.cfm?SESSIONCODE=82425\u0022\u003EAbstract\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EMultifidelity Linear Regression for Scientific Machine Learning from Scarce Data\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAssistant Professor\u003Cstrong\u003E Elizabeth Qian\u003C\/strong\u003E, Ph.D. student \u003Cstrong\u003EDayoung Kang\u003C\/strong\u003E, Vignesh Sella, Anirban Chaudhuri and Anirban Chaudhuri (University of Texas at Austin)\u003Cbr\u003E[\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/meetings.siam.org\/sess\/dsp_talk.cfm?p=141115\u0022\u003EAbstract\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ELyapInf: Data-Driven Estimation of Stability Guarantees for Nonlinear Dynamical Systems\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EPh.D. candidate \u003Cstrong\u003ETomoki Koike\u003C\/strong\u003E and Assistant Professor \u003Cstrong\u003EElizabeth Qian\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E[\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/meetings.siam.org\/sess\/dsp_talk.cfm?p=142603\u0022\u003EAbstract\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Information Geometric Regularization of the Euler Equation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAlumnus \u003Cstrong\u003ERuijia Cao\u003C\/strong\u003E (B.S. CS 2024), Assistant Professor \u003Cstrong\u003EFlorian Sch\u00e4fer\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E[\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/meetings.siam.org\/sess\/dsp_programsess.cfm?SESSIONCODE=80995\u0022\u003EAbstract\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EMaximum Likelihood Discretization of the Transport Equation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EPh.D. student \u003Cstrong\u003EBrook Eyob\u003C\/strong\u003E, Assistant Professor \u003Cstrong\u003EFlorian Sch\u00e4fer\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E[\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/meetings.siam.org\/sess\/dsp_talk.cfm?p=149340\u0022\u003EAbstract\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EIntelligent Attractors for Singularly Perturbed Dynamical Systems\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EDaniel A. Serino (Los Alamos National Laboratory), Allen Alvarez Loya (University of Colorado Boulder), Joshua W. Burby, Ioannis G. Kevrekidis (Johns Hopkins University), Assistant Professor \u003Cstrong\u003EQi Tang\u003C\/strong\u003E (Session Co-Organizer)\u003Cbr\u003E[\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/meetings.siam.org\/sess\/dsp_talk.cfm?p=140821\u0022\u003EAbstract\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAccurate Discretizations and Efficient AMG Solvers for Extremely Anisotropic Diffusion Via Hyperbolic Operators\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EGolo Wimmer, Ben Southworth, Xianzhu Tang (LANL), Assistant Professor \u003Cstrong\u003EQi Tang\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E[\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/meetings.siam.org\/sess\/dsp_talk.cfm?p=141012\u0022\u003EAbstract\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ERandomized Linear Algebra for Problems in Graph Analytics\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EProfessor \u003Cstrong\u003ERich Vuduc\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E[\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/meetings.siam.org\/sess\/dsp_talk.cfm?p=140989\u0022\u003EAbstract\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EImproving Spgemm Performance Through Reordering and Cluster-Wise Computation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAssistant Professor\u003Cstrong\u003E Helen Xu\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E[\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/meetings.siam.org\/sess\/dsp_talk.cfm?p=141133\u0022\u003EAbstract\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMany communities rely on insights from computer-based models and simulations. This week, a nest of Georgia Tech experts are swarming an international conference to present their latest advancements in these tools, which offer solutions to pressing challenges in science and engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudents and faculty from the School of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) are leading the Georgia Tech contingent at the SIAM Conference on Computational Science and Engineering (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.siam.org\/conferences-events\/siam-conferences\/cse25\/\u0022\u003ECSE25\u003C\/a\u003E). The Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.siam.org\/\u0022\u003ESIAM\u003C\/a\u003E) organizes CSE25, occurring March 3-7 in Fort Worth, Texas.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Students and faculty from the School of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) are leading the Georgia Tech contingent at the SIAM Conference on Computational Science and Engineering (CSE25). The Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) o"}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2025-03-21 12:53:27","changed_gmt":"2025-12-31 18:03:29","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-03-06T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-03-06T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676493":{"id":"676493","type":"image","title":"CSE25-Head-Image-v3.1.jpg","body":null,"created":"1741290615","gmt_created":"2025-03-06 19:50:15","changed":"1741290615","gmt_changed":"2025-03-06 19:50:15","alt":"GT CSE at SIAM CSE25","file":{"fid":"260290","name":"CSE25-Head-Image-v3.1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/06\/CSE25-Head-Image-v3.1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/06\/CSE25-Head-Image-v3.1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":159289,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/03\/06\/CSE25-Head-Image-v3.1.jpg?itok=Mr30PYKB"}},"676494":{"id":"676494","type":"image","title":"CSE25-Tableau.png","body":null,"created":"1741290772","gmt_created":"2025-03-06 19:52:52","changed":"1741290772","gmt_changed":"2025-03-06 19:52:52","alt":"SIAM CSE25 Tableau","file":{"fid":"260291","name":"CSE25-Tableau.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/06\/CSE25-Tableau.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/06\/CSE25-Tableau.png","mime":"image\/png","size":539581,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/03\/06\/CSE25-Tableau.png?itok=lRlCOcEm"}}},"media_ids":["676493","676494"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/school-present-research-weather-prediction-carbon-storage-nuclear-fusion-and-more-computing","title":"School to Present Research in Weather Prediction, Carbon Storage, Nuclear Fusion, and More at Computing Conference"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"681761":{"#nid":"681761","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Researchers Pioneer Eco-Friendly Building Materials for Earth and Mars","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor centuries, innovations in structural materials have prioritized strength and durability \u2014 often at a steep environmental price. Today, the construction industry accounts for approximately 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with cement, steel, and concrete responsible for more than two-thirds of that total. As the world presses for a sustainable future, scientists are racing to reinvent the very foundations of our built environment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EParadigm Shift in Construction\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a novel class of modular, reconfigurable, and sustainable building blocks \u2014 a new construction paradigm as well-suited for terrestrial homes as it is for extraterrestrial habitats. Their \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2590238525001493?dgcid=author\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Estudy\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, published in \u003Cem\u003EMatter\u003C\/em\u003E, demonstrates that these innovative units, dubbed eco-voxels, can reduce carbon footprints by up to 40% compared to traditional construction materials. These units also maintain the structural performance needed for applications ranging from load-bearing walls to aircraft wings.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe created sustainable structures using these eco-friendly building blocks, combining our knowledge of structural mechanics and mechanical design with industry-relevant manufacturing practices and environmental assessments,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/christos-e-athanasiou\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChristos Athanasiou\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDaniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHousing Affordability Solutions\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir work offers a potential solution to the growing housing affordability crisis. As climate-driven disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods increase, homes are damaged at higher rates, and insurance costs are skyrocketing. This crisis is fueled by rising land prices and restrictive development regulations. Meanwhile, the growing demand for housing places an increasing strain on global resources and the environment. The modularity and circularity of the developed approach can effectively address these issues.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe New Building Blocks\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEco-voxels \u2014 short for eco-friendly voxels, the 3D equivalent of pixels \u2014 are made from polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT). PTT is a partially bio-based polymer derived from corn sugar and reinforced with recycled carbon fibers from aerospace waste (scrap material lost during the manufacturing of aerospace components). Eco-voxels can be easily assembled into large, load-bearing structures and then disassembled and reconfigured, all without generating waste. Consequently, they offer a highly adaptable, sustainable approach to construction.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team tested eco-voxels and found they can handle the pressure that buildings usually face. They also used computer simulations to show that changing the shape of eco-voxels makes them suitable for many different building needs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers compared the eco-voxel approach to other emerging construction methods like 3D-printed concrete and cross-laminated timber (CLT), finding that eco-voxels offer significant environmental advantages. While traditional and alternative materials are often heavy and carbon-intensive, the eco-voxel wall had the lowest carbon footprint: 30% lower than concrete and 20% lower than CLT.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese results highlight eco-voxels as a promising low-carbon, high-performance solution for sustainable and affordable construction, opening new possibilities for faster, more sustainable building solutions. In addition to residential uses, emergency shelters built with eco-voxels could be used for disaster-relief scenarios, where quick assembly, modularity, and minimal environmental impact are crucial.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u201c\u003C\/em\u003EThis study exemplifies how advances in structural mechanics, sustainable composite development, and sustainability analysis can yield transformative solutions when coupled. Eco-voxels\u0026nbsp; \u2014\u0026nbsp; our modular, reconfigurable building blocks \u2014 provide a scalable, low-carbon alternative that redefines our approach to building in both terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments,\u0022 said Athanasiou.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuilding in Space\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond their terrestrial potential, eco-voxels can also offer a promising solution for off-world construction where traditional building methods are unfeasible. Their lightweight, rapid assembly \u2014 structures can be erected in less than an hour \u2014 and reliance on sustainable or locally sourced materials make them ideal candidates for future Martian or lunar shelters.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe ability to build these structures quickly is a significant advantage for space construction,\u201d said Athanasiou. \u201cIn space, we need lightweight units made from locally sourced materials.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPerhaps most importantly, the researchers envision a future where the built environment not only minimizes harm but actively contributes to the preservation of planetary health.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis research was led by Georgia Tech, in collaboration with teams from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, and the National University of Singapore.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"A new study explores reconfigurable, sustainable construction materials that could transform how we build on this planet \u2014  and beyond."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EResearchers at Georgia Tech have developed a novel class of modular, reconfigurable, and sustainable building blocks \u2014 a new construction paradigm as well-suited for terrestrial homes as it is for extraterrestrial habitats. Their \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2590238525001493?dgcid=author\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Estudy\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, published in \u003Cem\u003EMatter\u003C\/em\u003E, demonstrates that these innovative units, dubbed eco-voxels, can reduce carbon footprints by up to 40% compared to traditional construction materials. These units also maintain the structural performance needed for applications ranging from load-bearing walls to aircraft wings.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A new study explores reconfigurable, sustainable construction materials that could transform how we build on this planet \u2014  and beyond."}],"uid":"36345","created_gmt":"2025-04-11 22:25:47","changed_gmt":"2025-12-31 18:00:50","author":"gwaddell3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-04-11T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-04-11T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677358":{"id":"677358","type":"video","title":"Eco-Voxels Build Tech Tower","body":null,"created":"1752062867","gmt_created":"2025-07-09 12:07:47","changed":"1752062867","gmt_changed":"2025-07-09 12:07:47","video":{"youtube_id":"E-QaIMFTLvc","video_url":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/E-QaIMFTLvc?feature=shared"}}},"media_ids":["677358"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/08\/christos-athanasiou-works-reuse-materials-our-planet-and-beyond","title":"Christos Athanasiou Works to Reuse Materials on Our Planet \u2014 and Beyond"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"1325","name":"aerospace"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"193657","name":"Space Research Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMonique Waddell\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["monique.waddell@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682699":{"#nid":"682699","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Army Awards Tech-Led Project $20M to Develop Aluminum Manufacturing for Hydrogen Energy Production","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAluminum scrap is one of the most common materials found on military bases and aircraft carriers worldwide. Now, the U.S. Army has tapped Georgia Tech to help turn that waste into power that can be generated off the grid and on demand.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Army Research Office awarded Georgia Tech and its partners $20 million to develop scalable, efficient methods for transforming aluminum into hydrogen energy. The project could lead to a new, low-cost, clean, and efficient energy source powered by discarded materials.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/stebner\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAaron Stebner\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, professor and Eugene C. Gwaltney Jr. Chair in Manufacturing in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool of Materials Science and Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, will oversee the multi-year effort at Georgia Tech together with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/scott-mcwhorter\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EScott McWhorter\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, lead for Federal Initiatives at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to several team members from Georgia Tech and the Georgia Tech Research Institute, the project includes researchers from Fort Valley State University, the 21st Century Partnership, MatSys, and Drexel University.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAluminum already reacts with water \u2014 even wastewater and floodwater \u2014 to create hydrogen gas, power, and thermal energy,\u201d McWhorter said. \u201cIf aluminum can be efficiently upcycled into stored energy, it could be a game-changer.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team\u2019s goal is to experiment with aluminum\u2019s material properties so it can be inexpensively manufactured to create a highly effective reaction that produces low-cost, clean hydrogen.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHaving this ability would allow military bases to be less dependent on the use of a foreign country\u2019s electrical grids,\u201d said Stebner, who is also co-director of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/georgiaaim.org\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and faculty at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/manufacturing\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech Manufacturing Institute\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EManufacturing Aluminum\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESeveral years ago, the Army Research Lab discovered and patented the basic technology for recycling aluminum to produce hydrogen gas. However, current manufacturing methods require too much energy for the amount of hydrogen energy produced. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo make the technology viable and effective, Stebner and his colleagues will research alternate manufacturing processes and then develop automated methods for safely producing and storing stable aluminum. They also plan to optimize these processes using digital twin technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECurrently, manufacturers use large machines to grind up and tumble the aluminum in very controlled environments, because stray aluminum powder can be explosive. These methods are very costly.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStebner and the team are looking into small, modular technologies that could allow for convenient, onsite energy generation. According to Stebner, they are interested in determining how these smaller machines could be so efficient that they could be powered using solar panels.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStebner envisions that a field of solar panels could power the aluminum-processing modules \u2014 the aluminum recycling could be done while the sun shines and produce power 24\/7.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESustainable Impact\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce they have developed the manufacturing techniques and processes, the team plans to test their efficacy by generating power for rural Georgia communities. Success here would prove the technology could be viable for military deployments and other off-grid scenarios.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe Deep South \u2014 especially middle and southern Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana \u2014 often has enormous energy disruptions during hurricanes or power outages due to flooding and severe rains,\u201d Stebner said. \u201cManufacturers can be hesitant to build big plants there, because the grids aren\u2019t as stable. This same technology that the Army plans to use for remote military bases could be a game-changer in rural Georgia.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf power is unexpectedly cut in those areas, floodwater could then be used to make hydrogen gas. While hydrogen has not yet had its day in the sun, it has great potential as an alternative to fossil fuels, Stebner says.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFrom a sustainability perspective, any time you can take something that\u2019s already waste \u2014 like scrap aluminum and wastewater \u2014 and turn it into a high-value product that can be used to power communities, that is a huge win.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFunding\u003C\/strong\u003E: Army Research Office\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Army Research Office awarded Georgia Tech and its partners $20 million to develop scalable, efficient methods for transforming aluminum into hydrogen energy. The project could lead to a new, low-cost, clean, and efficient energy source powered by discarded materials.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The multi-year research project could make scalable off-grid power sources a reality for rural communities and the military."}],"uid":"36123","created_gmt":"2025-06-05 16:10:27","changed_gmt":"2025-12-31 17:42:15","author":"Catherine Barzler","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-06-05T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-06-05T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677196":{"id":"677196","type":"image","title":"aluminum powder.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EScientists at the Army Research Laboratory found that an aluminum-based powder prompts hydrogen to split from water. Now, a Georgia Tech-led partnership will carry that research forward. Credit: US Army\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1749139837","gmt_created":"2025-06-05 16:10:37","changed":"1749139837","gmt_changed":"2025-06-05 16:10:37","alt":"a small vial of white powder","file":{"fid":"261070","name":"1-armyplanstol--1-.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/05\/1-armyplanstol--1-.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/05\/1-armyplanstol--1-.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":608105,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/06\/05\/1-armyplanstol--1-.jpg?itok=nhqnY83a"}},"677194":{"id":"677194","type":"image","title":"Aaron Stebner.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAaron Stebner\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1749139837","gmt_created":"2025-06-05 16:10:37","changed":"1749139837","gmt_changed":"2025-06-05 16:10:37","alt":"A man with glasses and a beard in a dark vest and dress shirt","file":{"fid":"261068","name":"Media-e1740408363490.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/05\/Media-e1740408363490.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/05\/Media-e1740408363490.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":169800,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/06\/05\/Media-e1740408363490.jpeg?itok=UOfQe7cb"}},"677195":{"id":"677195","type":"image","title":"Photo-McWhorter-Christopher.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EScott McWhorter\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1749139837","gmt_created":"2025-06-05 16:10:37","changed":"1749139837","gmt_changed":"2025-06-05 16:10:37","alt":"A headshot of a man in a blue shirt and dark blazer","file":{"fid":"261069","name":"Photo-McWhorter-Christopher.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/05\/Photo-McWhorter-Christopher.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/05\/Photo-McWhorter-Christopher.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":40865,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/06\/05\/Photo-McWhorter-Christopher.jpg?itok=RTFiwlqs"}}},"media_ids":["677196","677194","677195"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"186857","name":"go-gtmi"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECatherine Barzler, Senior Research Writer\/Editor\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:catherine.barzler@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ecatherine.barzler@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["catherine.barzler@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682801":{"#nid":"682801","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Alumni Develop Device to Understand Moon\u2019s Water Content","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen NASA\u2019s PRIME-1 Mission \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/athena-moon-lander-tips-over-intuitive-machines-mission\/\u0022\u003Elanded\u003C\/a\u003E on the moon in March, an Intuitive Machine\u2019s lander named Athena ended up on its side. The faulty landing meant the instruments couldn\u2019t drill into the moon to measure water and other resources, as intended. But the mission wasn\u2019t a total loss: PRIME-1\u2019s The Regolith Ice Drill for Exploring New Terrain (TRIDENT) and Mass Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations (MSOLO)\u0026nbsp;could still operate and gather some data. The mission, led by Georgia Tech alumni who collaborated with Georgia Tech faculty, is already pivotal to future NASA missions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/polar-resources-ice-mining-experiment-1-prime-1\/\u0022\u003EPRIME-1\u003C\/a\u003E, or Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1, is a combination tool of two instruments: TRIDENT and MSOLO. PRIME-1\u2019s objective is to help scientists determine resources available on the moon, with the eventual goal of sending humans to live there. TRIDENT is a space-rated drill designed and built by Honeybee Robotics that can extract lunar soil up to 3 feet deep. MSOLO is a mass spectrometer that can analyze TRIDENT\u2019s soil samples for water and other critical volatiles. Together, this data can show how viable living on and mining from the moon could be.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETwo Georgia Tech alumna, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/technology.nasa.gov\/blog-MEET-THE-INVENTOR-Jackie-Quinn\u0022\u003EJackie Williams Quinn\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/people\/janine-captain\/\u0022\u003EJanine E. \u0026nbsp;Captain\u003C\/a\u003E, led the PRIME-1 team for NASA. They had help with computer modeling of PRIME-1\u2019s mass spectrometer data from Georgia Tech\u2019s Regents\u2019 Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/thomas-orlando\u0022\u003EThom Orlando\u003C\/a\u003E and Senior Research Scientist Brant Jones in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech to the Moon\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s expertise influenced all areas of developing PRIME-1, but perhaps their biggest contribution was the collaboration across disciplines.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EQuinn, a civil engineering graduate, wrote the initial proposal. She also managed TRIDENT\u2019s development, through a contract with Honeybee Robotics, ensuring it was also built to operate in the harsh lunar environment (a process known as ruggedizing). The team worked with Honeybee\u2019s Jameil Bailey, fellow Tech alumnus.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECaptain, the MSOLO principal investigator and chemistry Ph.D. graduate, never planned to work at NASA. But her advisor, Orlando, got her interested.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhat drew me to NASA\u2019s In-Situ Resource Utilization team is that I could apply the instrumentation techniques that I learned in my Ph.D. \u0026nbsp;to measuring vital things like oxygen on the moon,\u201d Captain said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERuggedization Redux\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen it was confirmed in 2008 the moon had water, NASA wondered if humans could one day live there. Having a functional mass spectrometer on the moon was paramount to determining where the water was and how much of it existed. Captain\u2019s team modified a commercial mass spectrometer and tested it in a harsh environment comparable to the moon: Hawaii\u2019s dormant shield volcano, Mauna Kea. Once they demonstrated the mission operation in this environment, they worked to ruggedize an existing one manufactured by instrumentation company INFICON. The team worked with INFICON and through lab tests, they showed that all components of the mass spectrometer functioned in a lunar vacuum environment. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn Orlando\u2019s lab, his team experimented with lunar material to determine how water interacts with lunar soil. From there, they created a theoretical model that simulated how much water they might find from what PRIME-1 sampled. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTo create the model, we used the data of how water sticks to the lunar surface \u2014 from controlled experiments carried out in our ultra-high vacuum chambers at Georgia Tech,\u201d Orlando said. \u201cWe approached the problem from a surface physics point of view in these lab experiments, but then in our model, we were able to connect to the actual mission activity.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce PRIME-1 hardware validation testing was finished, NASA was ready to launch. \u0026nbsp;That\u2019s when things got hairy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe don\u0027t fully understand everything that happened during the landing, but the fact that PRIME-1 was fully functional is pretty amazing,\u201d Captain said. \u201cWe got the data. It was so cool to know that all this work we did was worth it.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMoon Milestones\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlthough they didn\u2019t get the chance to drill into the moon as planned, they can still analyze the data PRIME-1 pulled from the lunar atmosphere. This data includes how the spacecraft may have contaminated the local atmosphere.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cPRIME-1 was the only instrument that got to fully run and check out everything because when the lander fell over, the instrument was on top,\u201d Quinn noted. \u201cThey were able to extend the drill all the way out a meter. It was drilling into empty space, but we were able to show that the drill got the signal from Earth, fully extended, and was able to auger and percuss. We were also able to fully operate MSOLO and gather data on gases coming off the lander in its final resting orientation.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe mass spectrometer and ice drill will be crucial to future NASA missions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The mass spectrometer and ice drill will be crucial to future NASA missions. "}],"uid":"34541","created_gmt":"2025-06-16 20:37:19","changed_gmt":"2025-12-31 17:36:23","author":"Tess Malone","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-06-16T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-06-16T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677238":{"id":"677238","type":"image","title":"54370792577_4e391512ec_k.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAthena landed on its side with MSOLO glowing. \u0026nbsp;[Image courtesy of Intuitive Machines]\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1750106384","gmt_created":"2025-06-16 20:39:44","changed":"1750106384","gmt_changed":"2025-06-16 20:39:44","alt":"Athena landed on its side with MSOLO glowing. ","file":{"fid":"261119","name":"54370792577_4e391512ec_k.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/16\/54370792577_4e391512ec_k.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/16\/54370792577_4e391512ec_k.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":135656,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/06\/16\/54370792577_4e391512ec_k.jpg?itok=TMW2a0Go"}}},"media_ids":["677238"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"187582","name":"go-ibb"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETess Malone, Senior Research Writer\/Editor\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003Etess.malone@gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682938":{"#nid":"682938","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Ready Named Inaugural Executive Director of the Georgia Tech Space Research Institute","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEffective July 1,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/2885\u0022\u003EW. Jud Ready\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ewill serve as the inaugural executive director of Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;new\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/space.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESpace Research Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (SRI), which will officially launch on the same date.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe SRI builds upon Georgia Tech\u2019s long and distinguished history in space research and exploration. By uniting experts across disciplines \u2014 from aerospace engineering to planetary science, astrophysics, robotics, policy, the arts, and origin of life explorations \u2014 the SRI aims to create a resilient ecosystem for space research that can adapt and thrive, even in an era of fiscal uncertainty. It is composed of faculty, staff, and students whose collaborative research spans a broad spectrum of space-related topics, all deeply connected to advancing our understanding of space and its impact on the human experience.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe launch of the SRI comes at a pivotal moment for the scientific community,\u201d said Vice President of Interdisciplinary Research Julia Kubanek. \u201cAs the federal government proposes major cuts to funding agencies, our interdisciplinary research institutes are striving to support faculty and make them more competitive across disciplinary boundaries. This institute will publicly showcase impactful research led by Georgia Tech faculty, attract new collaborators, and pursue alternative funding strategies via philanthropic and industry partners.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Space Research Institute will consist of an interdisciplinary community of faculty across Georgia Tech\u2019s schools, colleges, and the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt is an honor to be appointed executive director of the Space Research Institute,\u201d said Ready. \u201cMy plan is to provide internal and external space researchers with access to Georgia Tech\u2019s world class facilities and turbocharge the space activities already underway. We\u2019re committed to empowering our existing community while forging new partnerships that will expand our reach and impact across the global space ecosystem.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReady, a\u0026nbsp;principal research engineer in GTRI\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gtri.gatech.edu\/laboratories\/electro-optical-systems-laboratory\u0022\u003EElectro-Optical Systems Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;is the\u0026nbsp;first GTRI faculty member to serve in a long-term capacity as an IRI executive director. Prior to his appointment, he served as\u0026nbsp;associate\u0026nbsp;director of external engagement\u0026nbsp;for the Georgia Tech \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/matter-systems.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EInstitute for Matter and Systems\u003C\/a\u003E and director of the Georgia Tech Center for Space Technology and Research (CSTAR).\u0026nbsp;He is also an adjunct professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Materials Science and Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBefore joining the Georgia Tech faculty, Ready worked for General Dynamics and MicroCoating\u0026nbsp;Technologies. Throughout his career,\u0026nbsp;he has served as PI or co-PI for grants totaling more than $25M awarded by the Army, Navy, Air Force, DARPA, NASA, NSF, NIST,\u0026nbsp;DOE, other federal sponsors,\u0026nbsp;industry, charitable foundations, private citizens, and\u0026nbsp;the States of Georgia and Florida.\u0026nbsp;His current research focuses primarily on energy capture, storage, and delivery enabled by nanomaterial design. His research has been included on three missions to the International Space Station, two others to low earth orbit, and one perpetually in heliocentric orbit (Lunar Flashlight). His future space missions include MISSE-21 to the International Space Station and SSTEF-1 to the Lunar surface. A half dozen solar cells from his past missions to the International Space Station will be included in the permanent At Home in Space exhibit opening on the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum\u0027s 50th Anniversary.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReady has received numerous awards and honors for his work. His most recent awards include the Class of 1934 Outstanding Innovative Use of Education Technology award in 2025 and the Outstanding Achievement in Research Program Development award in 2023, both from Georgia Tech. He also received the One GTRI Collaboration Award in 2022, which he was awarded during GTRI\u2019s annual Distinguished Performance Awards celebration.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdditional articles of interest:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/magazine\/2025\/spring\/10-questions-jud-ready\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E10 Questions with Jud Ready\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gtri.gatech.edu\/newsroom\/space-station-testing-will-evaluate-photovoltaic-materials\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESpace Station Testing Will Evaluate Photovoltaic Materials\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Effective July 1, Ready will serve as the inaugural executive director of Georgia Tech\u2019s new Space Research Institute, which will officially launch on the same date."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEffective July 1, Ready will serve as the inaugural executive director of Georgia Tech\u2019s new Space Research Institute, which will officially launch on the same date.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Effective July 1, Ready will serve as the inaugural executive director of Georgia Tech\u2019s new Space Research Institute, which will officially launch on the same date."}],"uid":"34760","created_gmt":"2025-06-30 14:27:59","changed_gmt":"2025-12-31 17:22:59","author":"Laurie Haigh","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-06-30T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-06-30T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677316":{"id":"677316","type":"image","title":"Jud Ready","body":null,"created":"1751374763","gmt_created":"2025-07-01 12:59:23","changed":"1751374791","gmt_changed":"2025-07-01 12:59:51","alt":"Jud Ready","file":{"fid":"261202","name":"Ready-recropped.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/01\/Ready-recropped.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/01\/Ready-recropped.png","mime":"image\/png","size":498883,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/07\/01\/Ready-recropped.png?itok=Gk_6TGDx"}}},"media_ids":["677316"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"193657","name":"Space Research Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: laurie.haigh@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ELaurie Haigh\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EResearch Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682962":{"#nid":"682962","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Launches Two New Interdisciplinary Research Institutes","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech has launched two new Interdisciplinary Research Institutes (IRIs): The Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS) and the Space Research Institute (SRI).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe new institutes focus on expanding breakthroughs in neuroscience and space, two areas where research and federal funding are anticipated to remain strong. Both fields are poised to influence research in everything from healthcare and ethics to exploration and innovation. This expansion of Georgia Tech\u2019s research enterprise represents the Institute\u2019s commitment to research that will shape the future.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAt Georgia Tech, innovation flourishes where disciplines converge. With the launch of the Space Research Institute and the Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society, we\u2019re uniting experts across fields to take on some of humanity\u2019s most profound questions. Even as we are tightening our belts in anticipation of potential federal R\u0026amp;D budget actions, we also are investing in areas where non-federal funding sources will grow and where big impacts are possible,\u201d said Executive Vice President for Research Tim Lieuwen. \u0022These institutes are about advancing knowledge \u2014 and using it to improve lives, inspire future generations, and help shape a better future for us all.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBoth INNS and SRI grew out of faculty-led initiatives shaped by a strategic planning process and campus-wide collaboration. Their evolution into formal institutes underscores the strength and momentum of Georgia Tech\u2019s interdisciplinary research enterprise.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s 11 IRIs support collaboration between researchers and students across the Institute\u2019s seven colleges, the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), national laboratories, and corporate entities to tackle critical topics of strategic significance for the Institute as well as for local, state, national, and international communities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022IRIs bring together Georgia Tech researchers making them more competitive and successful in solving research challenges, especially across disciplinary boundaries,\u201d said Julia Kubanek, vice president of interdisciplinary research. \u201cWe\u0027re making these new investments in neuro- and space-related fields to publicly showcase impactful discoveries and developments led by Georgia Tech faculty, attract new partners and collaborators, and pursue alternative funding strategies at a time of federal funding uncertainty.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Space Research Institute\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/space.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESpace Research Institute\u003C\/a\u003E will connect faculty, students, and staff who share a passion for space exploration and discovery. They will investigate a wide variety of space-related topics, exploring how space influences and intersects with the human experience. The SRI fosters a collaborative community including scientific, engineering, cultural, and commercial research that pursues broadly integrated, innovative projects.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESRI is the hub for all things space-related at Georgia Tech. It connects the Institute\u2019s schools, colleges, research institutes, and labs to lead conversations about space in the state of Georgia and the world. Working in partnership with academics, business partners, philanthropists, students, and governments, Georgia Tech is committed to staying at the forefront of space-related innovation.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe SRI will build upon the collaborative work of the Space Research Initiative, the first step in formalizing Georgia Tech\u2019s broad interdisciplinary space research community. The Initiative brought together researchers from across campus and was guided by input from Georgia Tech stakeholders and external partners. It was led by an executive committee including\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/4313\u0022\u003EGlenn Lightsey\u003C\/a\u003E, John W. Young Chair Professor in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering;\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/21316\u0022\u003EMariel Borowitz\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs; and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/2804\u0022\u003EJennifer Glass\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Beginning July 1, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/s1.space.research.gatech.edu\/w-jud-ready\u0022\u003EW. Jud Ready\u003C\/a\u003E, a principal research engineer in GTRI\u2019s Electro-Optical Systems Laboratory, will serve as the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/ready-named-inaugural-executive-director-georgia-tech-space-research-institute\u0022\u003Einaugural executive director of the Space Research Institute\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo receive the latest updates on space research and innovation at Georgia Tech,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/app.e2ma.net\/app2\/audience\/signup\/2015041\/1983075\/\u0022\u003Ejoin the SRI mailing list\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EInstitute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society\u003C\/a\u003E (INNS) is dedicated to advancing neuroscience and neurotechnology to improve society through discovery, innovation, and engagement. INNS brings together researchers from neuroscience, engineering, computing, ethics, public policy, and the humanities to explore the brain and nervous system while addressing the societal and ethical dimensions of neuro-related research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EINNS builds on a foundation established over a decade ago, which first led to the GT-Neuro Initiative and later evolved into the Neuro Next Initiative. Over the past two years, this effort has culminated in the development of a comprehensive plan for an IRI, guided by an executive committee composed of faculty and staff from across Georgia Tech. The committee included \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/3736\u0022\u003ESimon Sponberg,\u003C\/a\u003E Dunn Family Associate Professor in the School of Physics and the School of Biological Sciences; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/3728\u0022\u003EChristopher Rozell,\u003C\/a\u003E Julian T. Hightower Chaired Professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/11576\u0022\u003EJennifer Singh\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor in the School of History and Sociology; and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/directory\/sarah-peterson\u0022\u003ESarah Peterson\u003C\/a\u003E, Neuro Next Initiative program manager. Their leadership shaped the vision for a research community both scientifically ambitious and socially responsive.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EINNS will serve as a dynamic hub for interdisciplinary collaboration across the full spectrum of brain-related research \u2014 from biological foundations to behavior and cognition, and from fundamental research to medical innovations that advance human flourishing. Research areas will encompass the foundations of human intelligence and movement, bio-inspired design and neurotechnology development, and the ethical dimensions of a neuro-connected future.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy integrating technical innovation with human-centered inquiry, INNS is committed to ensuring that advances in neuroscience and neurotechnology are developed and applied ethically and responsibly. Through fostering innovation, cultivating interdisciplinary expertise, and engaging with the public, the institute seeks to shape a future where advancements in neuroscience and neurotechnology serve the greater good. INNS also aims to deepen Georgia Tech\u2019s collaborations with clinical, academic, and industry partners, creating new pathways for translational research and real-world impact.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn internal search for INNS\u2019s inaugural executive director is in the final stages, with an announcement expected soon.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/eepurl.com\/iX8jss\u0022\u003EJoin our mailing list\u003C\/a\u003E to receive the latest updates on everything neuro at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBy uniting experts across disciplines, Georgia Tech is positioning itself at the forefront of neuroscience and space research.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"By uniting experts across disciplines, Georgia Tech is positioning itself at the forefront of neuroscience and space research."}],"uid":"34760","created_gmt":"2025-07-01 11:53:04","changed_gmt":"2025-12-31 16:58:27","author":"Laurie Haigh","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-07-01T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-07-01T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677315":{"id":"677315","type":"image","title":"Tech Tower","body":null,"created":"1751369747","gmt_created":"2025-07-01 11:35:47","changed":"1751369782","gmt_changed":"2025-07-01 11:36:22","alt":"Tech Tower","file":{"fid":"261201","name":"tech-tower.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/01\/tech-tower.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/01\/tech-tower.png","mime":"image\/png","size":3688196,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/07\/01\/tech-tower.png?itok=k1paARgU"}}},"media_ids":["677315"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"188087","name":"go-irim"},{"id":"187582","name":"go-ibb"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"},{"id":"39521","name":"Robotics"},{"id":"193657","name":"Space Research Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: laurie.haigh@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ELaurie Haigh\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EResearch Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683264":{"#nid":"683264","#data":{"type":"news","title":" How the World\u2019s Nuclear Watchdog Monitors Facilities Around the World \u2013 and What it Means That Iran Kicked it Out","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat happens when a country seeks to develop a peaceful nuclear energy program? Every peaceful program starts with a promise not to build a nuclear weapon. Then, the global community verifies that stated intent via the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/disarmament.unoda.org\/wmd\/nuclear\/npt\/\u0022\u003ETreaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce a country signs the treaty, the world\u2019s nuclear watchdog, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iaea.org\/\u0022\u003EInternational Atomic Energy Agency\u003C\/a\u003E, provides continuous and technical proof that the country\u2019s nuclear program is peaceful.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe IAEA ensures that countries operate their programs within the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iaea.org\/topics\/safeguards-legal-framework\/more-on-safeguards-agreements\u0022\u003Elimits of nonproliferation agreements\u003C\/a\u003E: low enrichment and no reactor misuse. Part of the agreement allows the IAEA to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iaea.org\/topics\/additional-protocol\u0022\u003Einspect nuclear-related sites\u003C\/a\u003E, including unannounced surprise visits.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese are not just log reviews. Inspectors know what should and should not be there. When the IAEA is not on site, cameras, tamper-revealing seals on equipment and real-time radiation monitors are working full-time to gather or verify inside information about the program\u2019s activities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESafeguards Toolkit\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe IAEA safeguards toolkit is designed to detect proliferation activities early. Much of the work is fairly technical. The safeguards toolkit combines physical surveillance, material tracking, data analytics and scientific sampling. Inspectors are chemists, physicists and nuclear engineers. They count spent fuel rods in a cooling pond. They check tamper seals on centrifuges. Often, the inspectors walk miles through hallways and corridors carrying heavy equipment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat\u2019s how the world learned in April 2021 about Iran pushing uranium enrichment from reactor-fuel-grade to near-weapons-grade levels. IAEA inspectors were \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iaea.org\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/govinf2021-26.pdf\u0022\u003Eable to verify\u003C\/a\u003E that Iran was feeding uranium into a series of centrifuges designed to enrich the uranium from 5%, used for energy programs, to 60%, which is a step toward the 90% level used in nuclear weapons.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAround the facilities, whether for uranium enrichment or plutonium processing, closed-circuit surveillance cameras monitor for undeclared materials or post-work activities. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iaea.org\/newscenter\/news\/new-seals-to-verify-the-use-of-nuclear-material-and-technology-demonstrated-at-iaea-general-conference\u0022\u003ESeals around the facilities\u003C\/a\u003E provide evidence that uranium gas cylinders have not been tampered with or that centrifuges operate at the declared levels. Beyond seals, online enrichment monitors allow inspectors to look inside of centrifuges for any changes in the declared enrichment process.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESeals verify whether nuclear equipment or materials have been used between onsite inspections.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen the inspectors are on-site, they collect environmental swipes: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iaea.org\/newscenter\/news\/swipe-check-collecting-and-analysing-environmental-samples-nuclear-verification\u0022\u003Esamples of nuclear materials on surfaces\u003C\/a\u003E, in dust or in the air. These can reveal if uranium has been enriched to levels beyond those allowed by the agreement. Or if plutonium, which is not used in nuclear power plants, is being produced in a reactor. Swipes are precise. They can identify enrichment levels from a particle smaller than a speck of dust. But they take time, days or weeks. Inspectors analyze the samples at the IAEA\u2019s laboratories using sophisticated equipment called mass spectrometers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to physical samples, IAEA inspectors look at the logs of material inventories. They look for diversion of uranium or plutonium from normal process lines, just like accountants trace the flow of finances, except that their verification is supported by the ever-watching online monitors and radiation sensors. They also \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iaea.org\/topics\/verification-and-other-safeguards-activities\u0022\u003Ecount items of interest\u003C\/a\u003E and weigh them for additional verification of the logs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond accounting for materials, IAEA inspectors verify that the facility \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iaea.org\/topics\/verification-and-other-safeguards-activities\u0022\u003Ematches the declared design\u003C\/a\u003E. For example, if a country is expanding centrifuge halls to increase its enrichment capabilities, that\u2019s a red flag. Changes to the layout of material processing laboratories near nuclear reactors could be a sign that the program is preparing to produce unauthorized plutonium.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ELosing Access\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIran announced on June 28, 2025, that it has \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/iran-ban-iaea-chief-rafael-grossi-surveillance-camera-nuclear-plant\/\u0022\u003Eended its cooperation with the IAEA\u003C\/a\u003E. It removed the monitoring devices, including surveillance cameras, from centrifuge halls. This move followed the news by the IAEA that Iran\u2019s enrichment activities are well outside of allowed levels. Iran now operates \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/why-the-us-bombed-a-bunch-of-metal-tubes-a-nuclear-engineer-explains-the-importance-of-centrifuges-to-iranian-efforts-to-build-nuclear-weapons-259883\u0022\u003Esophisticated uranium centrifuges\u003C\/a\u003E, like models IR-6 and IR-9.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERemoving IAEA access means that the international community loses insight into how quickly Iran\u2019s program can accumulate weapon-grade uranium, or how much it has produced. Also lost is information about whether the facility is undergoing changes for proliferation purposes. These processes are difficult to detect with external surveillance, like satellites, alone.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/680796\/original\/file-20250717-56-yh9yjg.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/680796\/original\/file-20250717-56-yh9yjg.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 alt=\u0022a satellite view of a complex of buidlings on a desert landscape\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EA satellite view of Iran\u2019s Arak Nuclear Complex, which has a reactor capable of producing plutonium. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/maxar-satellite-imagery-shows-the-arak-heavy-water-reactor-news-photo\/2220199432\u0022\u003ESatellite image (c) 2025 Maxar Technologies via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn alternative to the uranium enrichment path for producing nuclear weapons material is plutonium. Plutonium can\u2019t be mined, it has to be produced in a nuclear reactor. Iran built a reactor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/isis-online.org\/uploads\/isis-reports\/documents\/Plutonium_Pathway_Final.pdf\u0022\u003Ecapable of producing plutonium\u003C\/a\u003E, the IR-40 Heavy Water Research Reactor at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nti.org\/education-center\/facilities\/arak-nuclear-complex\/\u0022\u003EArak Nuclear Complex\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIran modified the Arak reactor under the now-defunct \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/question\/What-is-the-Iran-nuclear-deal-and-why-was-it-scrapped\u0022\u003EJoint Comprehensive Plan of Action\u003C\/a\u003E to make plutonium production less likely. During the June 2025 missile attacks, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/defence-blog.com\/israel-hits-irans-arak-reactor\/\u0022\u003EIsrael targeted Arak\u2019s facilities\u003C\/a\u003E with the aim of eliminating the possibility of plutonium production.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith IAEA access suspended, it won\u2019t be possible to see what happens inside the facility. Can the reactor be used for plutonium production? Although a lengthier process than the uranium enrichment path, plutonium provides a parallel path to uranium enrichment for developing nuclear weapons.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EContinuity of Knowledge\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENorth Korea \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iaea.org\/newscenter\/pressreleases\/iaea-inspectors-depart-dprk\u0022\u003Eexpelled IAEA inspectors\u003C\/a\u003E in 2009. Within a few years, they \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/posts\/2021\/09\/what-the-restarting-of-north-koreas-yongbyon-reactor-means?lang=en\u0022\u003Erestarted activities\u003C\/a\u003E related to uranium enrichment and plutonium production in the Yongbyon reactor. The international community\u2019s information about North Korea\u2019s weapons program now relies solely on external methods: satellite images, radioactive particles like xenon \u2013 airborne fingerprints of nuclear activities \u2013 and seismic data.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat is lost is the continuity of the knowledge, a chain of verification over time. Once the seals are broken or cameras are removed, that chain is lost, and so is confidence about what is happening at the facilities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen it comes to IAEA inspections, there is no single tool that paints the whole picture. Surveillance plus sampling plus accounting provide validation and confidence. Losing even one weakens the system in the long term.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe existing safeguards regime is meant to detect violations. The countries that sign the nonproliferation treaty know that they are always watched, and that plays a deterrence role. The inspectors can\u2019t just resume the verification activities after some time if access is lost. Future access won\u2019t necessarily enable inspectors to clarify what happened during the gap.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/260689\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-the-worlds-nuclear-watchdog-monitors-facilities-around-the-world-and-what-it-means-that-iran-kicked-it-out-260689\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhat happens when a country seeks to develop a peaceful nuclear energy program?\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"What happens when a country seeks to develop a peaceful nuclear energy program?"}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-07-24 17:48:38","changed_gmt":"2025-12-31 16:40:29","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-07-20T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-07-20T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677480":{"id":"677480","type":"image","title":"This travel case holds a toolkit containing equipment for inspecting nuclear facilities","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThis travel case holds a toolkit containing equipment for inspecting nuclear facilities. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/iaea_imagebank\/30483028477\/\u0022\u003EDean Calma\/IAEA\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\u0022\u003ECC BY\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1753379503","gmt_created":"2025-07-24 17:51:43","changed":"1753379503","gmt_changed":"2025-07-24 17:51:43","alt":"This travel case holds a toolkit containing equipment for inspecting nuclear facilities","file":{"fid":"261382","name":"file-20250717-56-7a42gj.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/24\/file-20250717-56-7a42gj.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/24\/file-20250717-56-7a42gj.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":313068,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/07\/24\/file-20250717-56-7a42gj.jpg?itok=oZugr_QX"}}},"media_ids":["677480"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-the-worlds-nuclear-watchdog-monitors-facilities-around-the-world-and-what-it-means-that-iran-kicked-it-out-260689","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/anna-erickson-2420881\u0022\u003EAnna Erickson\u003C\/a\u003E, professor of Nuclear and Radiological Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683422":{"#nid":"683422","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Mapping Georgia\u2019s Urban Forest: Georgia Tech Tools Help Planners Prioritize Tree Canopy","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor more than 15 years, Georgia Tech has provided the City of Atlanta with the foundational data and insight that shape how the city tracks, understands, and plans for changes in its tree canopy. The latest cycle of this research \u2014 delivered through the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/resilience.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Urban Resilience and Analytics (CURA)\u003C\/a\u003E \u2014 continues that legacy by offering a high-resolution, citywide canopy assessment using satellite imagery and field validation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe assessment, funded by the city\u2019s Tree Recompense Fund, uses advanced remote sensing tools such as WorldView-2 satellite data and a random forest classification model to categorize land into three land cover types. These include tree canopy, non-tree vegetation (grass, shrubs, and low lying vegetation) and non-vegetation (water, pervious surface). The methodology delivers a detailed spatial picture of land cover across the city.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis is simply a tool in their planning arsenal,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/planning.gatech.edu\/people\/tony-giarrusso\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAnthony Giarrusso\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, who has led every canopy study since 2008. \u201cBefore they did any of this work in 2008, everything was anecdotal. It was reactionary.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe new study is not advocacy \u2014 it\u2019s information. Giarrusso emphasized that while researchers stay neutral in the politics of urban growth and conservation, their work equips city leaders with science-based knowledge to make more effective zoning and planning decisions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to mapping existing conditions, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/storymaps.arcgis.com\/stories\/b53452fbad5c4cc6a237940bcd08bd7d\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech team developed the Potential Planting Index (PPI)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, a scalable tool that identifies where tree planting is physically possible based on current land cover. The tool quantifies the difference between tree canopy and non-tree vegetation, indicating zones with restoration potential.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother key insight is the challenge of interpreting canopy change without understanding land use patterns. \u201cIt gives you a false sense of stability if you don\u2019t understand the underlying land use,\u201d said Giarrusso. \u201cYou might see canopy regrowth on paper, but that land could be cleared again tomorrow.\u201d He explained that this false signal is particularly common in stalled development sites: \u201cWe saw a lot of properties where trees had regrown after initial clearing, but it was temporary and monoculture, low quality canopy. Several of those areas were cleared again for construction later.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGiarrusso pointed to these \u201closs-gain-loss\u201d cycles as one of the more misleading aspects of tree canopy analysis without strong land use context. \u201cSome of them were pipe farms \u2014 land cleared for development with infrastructure like water and sewer lines installed, but then construction never happened. So trees grow back, and you get a canopy gain that doesn\u2019t last and is nowhere near the quality of the trees originally cleared.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe stressed that policymakers need to consider the permanence of canopy when using the data. \u201cIf it\u2019s just going to be cleared again in two years, it\u2019s not really a gain. That\u2019s why long-term tracking and land use analysis together are so important.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe city has incorporated these tools into broader planning efforts, including zoning reform and tree ordinance revisions. The research supports recommendations such as restricting full lot clearing in certain zoning categories and adjusting setback or lot coverage limits to better preserve existing canopy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGiarrusso underscored the urgency of protecting larger, intact forested tracts. \u201cIf you can see it from space and it\u2019s still forest \u2014 save it,\u201d he said. \u201cOnce it\u2019s cleared, you don\u2019t get it back.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers developed new statewide canopy assessment tools to help urban planners, policymakers, and communities make data-informed decisions for climate resilience.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers developed new statewide canopy assessment tools to help urban planners, policymakers, and communities make data-informed decisions for climate resilience."}],"uid":"36761","created_gmt":"2025-07-31 19:26:56","changed_gmt":"2025-12-31 16:38:16","author":"malonso35","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-07-31T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-07-31T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"587356":{"id":"587356","type":"image","title":"Trees around Einstein Statue","body":null,"created":"1487015393","gmt_created":"2017-02-13 19:49:53","changed":"1487015393","gmt_changed":"2017-02-13 19:49:53","alt":"Trees around Einstein","file":{"fid":"223847","name":"16C10400-P15-015.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/16C10400-P15-015.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/16C10400-P15-015.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2802823,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/16C10400-P15-015.jpg?itok=uBcC4GSz"}}},"media_ids":["587356"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"179325","name":"urban canopy"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"},{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["Melissa.Alonso@design.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683964":{"#nid":"683964","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Farming for the Future of the Planet: How Liming Could Be Key for Carbon Removal","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EOverly acidic soils can mean the difference between feeding a region and famine. Each crop needs the right soil pH to thrive, and acidic conditions, produced primarily by industrial emissions and application of fertilizers,\u0026nbsp;can harm growing conditions. It has recently been estimated that sub-Saharan Africa, for example, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s43016-025-01194-z\u0022\u003Eloses\u003C\/a\u003E billions of dollars annually in crop yield because of poor agricultural conditions. But there is a possible solution \u2014 and it could even help the Earth\u2019s climate.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor centuries, farmers have neutralized soil acidity with a practice called liming. It involves mixing crushed calcium- or magnesium-rich rocks, known as limestone, into the soil to balance pH. But liming has long been an assumed tradeoff in which removing acid also meant increasing carbon emissions into the atmosphere.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENew research from Georgia Tech shows that the opposite may be true. Agricultural liming can actually reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide \u003Cem\u003Eand\u003C\/em\u003E improve crop yield.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe current thinking about liming is that farmers must choose between doing something that could benefit them economically or reducing their greenhouse gas emissions,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/reinhard.gatech.edu\/chris-reinhard.html\u0022\u003EChris Reinhard\u003C\/a\u003E, an associate professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cBut this is often a false choice. They can do both.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers published a new framework for the potential role of liming in food security and greenhouse gas mitigation in August in the paper, \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s44221-025-00473-0\u0022\u003EUsing Carbonates for Carbon Removal,\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d in \u003Cem\u003ENature Water\u003C\/em\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECollecting Carbon Data\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe framework is based in part on ongoing work Reinhard and his collaborators are pursuing on the impacts of agricultural liming in the Upper Midwest\u2019s Corn Belt for a Department of Energy study. With funding from the Grantham Foundation, they\u2019re now turning their attention to local farms in southern Georgia and North Carolina.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor each farm, the researchers measure data that most farmers would collect already, like soil pH and nutrients. But the team also tracks more specialized measurements, including trace elements and greenhouse gas fluxes in the soil. All this data is matched to a high-resolution, machine learning grid of the farm\u2019s geography to determine exactly which crops might benefit.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers are using the data to build a computer model that predicts how carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases will move through any particular soil system. Liming won\u2019t universally absorb carbon dioxide \u2014 or if it does, there may be an occasional time delay between carbon emissions and absorption \u2014 which is why the researchers factor soil, crop rotation, climate, and other management practices into their calculations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur goal is to develop a way that farmers can monitor and plan cheaply, and largely through techniques they are already using, so we don\u0027t have to send out a whole team to gather data,\u201d Reinhard said. \u201cWe are trying to develop a predictive model architecture for planning agricultural practice across scales, but it\u2019s important that the techniques required on the field are actually feasible for farmers.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis data could be pivotal for farmers, and it could also help policymakers as they address farming subsidies and foreign aid funding. Globally, food-insecure regions like sub-Saharan Africa could become more self-sufficient with more liming. Farmers in parts of the U.S. could also improve their yields and, in effect, their profits, if they limed more fields.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe added benefit of lowering carbon could get even more farmers on board, and there is extensive exploration and implementation of agricultural practices already on voluntary and governmental carbon markets. Carbon dioxide is only one greenhouse gas that liming can lower; researchers are also exploring how liming can reduce methane and nitrous oxide \u2014 the latter of which is a key climate impact of human agriculture and is often considered a \u201chard-to-abate\u201d emission.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELiming may be a centuries-old practice, but its applications are potentially much wider than initially believed. In the future, farming may be part of the answer to reducing carbon emissions, instead of part of the problem.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELiming, a centuries-old agricultural practice, can improve crop yield and greenhouse gas reduction.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Liming, a centuries-old agricultural practice, can improve crop yield and greenhouse gas reduction. "}],"uid":"34541","created_gmt":"2025-08-19 17:57:58","changed_gmt":"2025-12-31 16:35:44","author":"Tess Malone","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-08-19T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-08-19T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677739":{"id":"677739","type":"image","title":"AdobeStock_445557503.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA tractor applying lime to mitigate acidity in the soil. [Adobe Stock]\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1755626294","gmt_created":"2025-08-19 17:58:14","changed":"1755626294","gmt_changed":"2025-08-19 17:58:14","alt":"A tractor applying lime","file":{"fid":"261673","name":"AdobeStock_445557503.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/19\/AdobeStock_445557503.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/19\/AdobeStock_445557503.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":11458364,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/08\/19\/AdobeStock_445557503.jpeg?itok=4fZDo7bg"}}},"media_ids":["677739"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETess Malone, Senior Research Writer\/Editor\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003Etess.malone@gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"684959":{"#nid":"684959","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Links in Air Pollution and Dementia","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EScientists at Georgia Tech have teamed up with researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine and Columbia University to better understand how certain types of air pollution increase the risk of developing dementia.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ETheir findings, published this month in the journal\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/science.adu4132\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EScience\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, help explain how small particle pollution \u2014 think industrial emissions and car exhaust, wildfires and burning wood for heat and cooking \u2014 can lead to Lewy body dementia, a devastating disease that causes toxic clumps of protein to destroy nerve cells in the brain.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0022Epidemiological studies have suggested a strong link between air pollution and dementia, but what sets this study apart is that we also provide a convincing biological mechanism,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/people\/liu-pengfei-0\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPengfei Liu\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E and one of the study\u2019s co-authors. \u201cThis collaborative work shows that fine particulate matter from different geographic regions consistently triggers a specific stain of misfolded protein that drives Lewy body dementia.\u0022\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe work has \u201cprofound implications\u201d for helping scientists and policy makers better understand measures to prevent this type of dementia, which is among the most common forms of the disease and affects millions of people around the world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAlong with Liu, the research team from Georgia Tech includes\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/rweber.eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERodney Weber\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EMinhan Park\u003C\/strong\u003E, a postdoctoral research fellow co-advised by Liu and Weber;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EBin Bai\u003C\/strong\u003E, a graduate student in Liu\u2019s lab; and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EMa Cristine Faye Denna\u003C\/strong\u003E, a graduate student in Weber\u2019s lab.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cFiguring out how exposure to atmospheric aerosols might be linked to dementia, and what mechanisms are involved, is a complex and challenging problem \u2014\u0026nbsp;and as this study shows, it takes a large team with many different areas of expertise,\u201d Weber adds.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELearn more:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/science.adu4132\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EScience\u003C\/em\u003E: Lewy body dementia promotion by air pollutants\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.hopkinsmedicine.org\/news\/newsroom\/news-releases\/2025\/09\/researchers-reveal-potential-molecular-link-between-air-pollutants-and-increased-risk-of-lewy-body-dementia\u0022\u003EJohns Hopkins Medicine newsroom\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.publichealth.columbia.edu\/news\/potential-molecular-link-between-air-pollutants-increased-risk-lewy-body-dementia-revealed\u0022\u003EColumbia University newsroom\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2025\/sep\/04\/fine-particulate-air-pollution-trigger-forms-dementia-study-lewy-body\u0022\u003EPress: \u003Cem\u003EThe Guardian\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EScientists at Georgia Tech have teamed up with researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine and Columbia University to better understand how certain types of air pollution increase the risk of developing dementia.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Scientists team up to better understand how certain types of air pollution increase the risk of developing dementia.\u00a0"}],"uid":"34528","created_gmt":"2025-09-16 21:26:52","changed_gmt":"2025-12-30 19:50:28","author":"jhunt7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-09-16T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-09-16T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678035":{"id":"678035","type":"image","title":"Car exhaust (Adobe: elcovalana)","body":null,"created":"1758058019","gmt_created":"2025-09-16 21:26:59","changed":"1758058019","gmt_changed":"2025-09-16 21:26:59","alt":"Car exhaust (Adobe: elcovalana)","file":{"fid":"262013","name":"Car-exhaust---elcovalana.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/16\/Car-exhaust---elcovalana.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/16\/Car-exhaust---elcovalana.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":952683,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/09\/16\/Car-exhaust---elcovalana.jpeg?itok=UiPeGoBL"}}},"media_ids":["678035"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"61541","name":"Earth and Atmospheric Sciences"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"},{"id":"184361","name":"brain health"},{"id":"5076","name":"dementia"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jess@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Communications\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Sciences at Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jess@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"684993":{"#nid":"684993","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Why Do Big Oil Companies Invest in Green\u00a0Energy?","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome major oil companies such as Shell and BP that once were touted as leading the way in clean energy investments are now \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/c3374ekd11po\u0022\u003Epulling back from those projects\u003C\/a\u003E to refocus on oil and gas production. Others, such as Exxon Mobil and Chevron, have concentrated on oil and gas but announced recent investments in carbon capture projects, as well as in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/carboncredits.com\/chevron-joins-other-oil-majors-to-boost-the-u-s-lithium-supply-chain\/\u0022\u003Elithium\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/09\/09\/business\/energy-environment\/exxon-mobil-graphite-electric-vehicles.html\u0022\u003Egraphite production for electric vehicle batteries\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENational oil companies have also been investing in renewable energy. For example, Saudi Aramco has \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energypolicy.columbia.edu\/saudi-arabias-renewable-energy-initiatives-and-their-geopolitical-implications\/\u0022\u003Einvested in clean energy\u003C\/a\u003E while at the same time asserting that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2024\/03\/18\/saudi-aramco-ceo-says-energy-transition-is-failing-give-up-fantasy-of-phasing-out-oil.html\u0022\u003Eit\u2019s unrealistic to phase out oil and gas entirely\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut the larger question is why oil companies would invest in clean energy at all, especially at a time when many \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/thehill.com\/policy\/energy-environment\/5417842-trump-administration-cuts-green-energy\/\u0022\u003Efederal clean energy incentives are being eliminated\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/time.com\/7314000\/trump-administration-climate-report-scientists\/\u0022\u003Eclimate science is being dismantled\u003C\/a\u003E, at least in the United States.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome answers \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/11\/18\/business\/energy-environment\/cop-oil-gas-green-energy.html\u0022\u003Edepend on whom you ask\u003C\/a\u003E. More traditional petroleum industry followers would urge the companies to keep focused on their core fossil fuel businesses to meet growing energy demand and corresponding near-term shareholder returns. Other shareholders and stakeholders concerned about \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/terms\/e\/environmental-social-and-governance-esg-criteria.asp\u0022\u003Esustainability\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iisd.org\/articles\/press-release\/new-analysis-what-ipcc-energy-pathways-tell-us-about-paris-aligned-policies\u0022\u003Eclimate\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 including an increasing number of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.erm.com\/globalassets\/insights\/ermsi_annual_trends_report_2025_2.pdf#page=10\u0022\u003Ecompanies with sustainability goals\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 would likely point out the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.deloitte.com\/us\/en\/insights\/industry\/renewable-energy\/renewable-energy-industry-outlook.html\u0022\u003Ebusiness opportunities for clean energy to meet global needs\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther answers depend on the particular company itself. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ipaa.org\/independent-producers\/\u0022\u003EVery small producers\u003C\/a\u003E have different business plans than very large private and public companies. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu\/commentary\/podcast\/why-oil-companies-support-renewable-energy\/\u0022\u003EGeography and regional policies can also play a key role\u003C\/a\u003E. And \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.numberanalytics.com\/blog\/national-oil-companies-energy-economics\u0022\u003Egovernment-owned companies\u003C\/a\u003E such as Saudi Aramco, Gazprom and the China National Petroleum Corp. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iisd.org\/publications\/report\/energy-transitions-national-oil-companies\u0022\u003Econtrol the majority\u003C\/a\u003E of the world\u2019s oil and gas resources with revenues that support their national economies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDespite the relatively \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iea.org\/reports\/world-energy-investment-2024\/overview-and-key-findings\u0022\u003Emodest scale of investment in clean energy\u003C\/a\u003E by oil and gas companies so far, there are several business reasons oil companies would increase their investments in clean energy over time.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe oil and gas industry has provided energy that has helped create much of modern society and technology, though those advances have also come with significant environmental and social costs. My own experience in the oil industry gave me insight into how at least some of these companies try to reconcile this tension and to make \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.erss.2022.102800\u0022\u003Estrategic portfolio decisions regarding what \u201cgreen\u201d technologies to invest in\u003C\/a\u003E. Now the managing director and a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/directory\/faculty\/oxman\/index.html\u0022\u003Eprofessor of the practice\u003C\/a\u003E at the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business at Georgia Tech, I seek ways to eliminate the boundaries and identify mutually reinforcing innovations among \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/2024\/01\/climate-action-for-profitable-business-growth\u0022\u003Ebusiness interests and environmental concerns\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/687570\/original\/file-20250826-55-mka3uw.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022People march holding signs objecting to fossil fuels.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/687570\/original\/file-20250826-55-mka3uw.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/687570\/original\/file-20250826-55-mka3uw.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/687570\/original\/file-20250826-55-mka3uw.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/687570\/original\/file-20250826-55-mka3uw.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/687570\/original\/file-20250826-55-mka3uw.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/687570\/original\/file-20250826-55-mka3uw.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/687570\/original\/file-20250826-55-mka3uw.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EProtesters call for companies and international organizations to reduce their spending on fossil fuels.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/protesters-march-in-protest-outside-of-the-imf-world-bank-news-photo\/2147931402\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EKent Nishimura\/Getty Images\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EDiversification and Financial Drivers\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJust like financial advisers tell you to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/viewpoints\/investing-ideas\/guide-to-diversification\u0022\u003Ediversify your 401(k) investments\u003C\/a\u003E, companies do so to weather different kinds of volatility, from commodity prices to political instability. Oil and gas markets are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.numberanalytics.com\/blog\/maximizing-returns-diversification-petroleum-economics\u0022\u003Enotoriously cyclical\u003C\/a\u003E, so investments in clean energy can hedge against these shifts for companies and investors alike.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClean energy can also provide opportunities for new revenue. Many customers want to buy clean energy, and oil companies want to be \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.erss.2023.103253\u0022\u003Epositioned to cash in\u003C\/a\u003E as this transition occurs. By developing employees\u2019 expertise and investing in emerging technologies, they can be ready for commercial opportunities in biofuels, renewable natural gas, hydrogen and other pathways that may overlap with their existing, core business competencies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFossil fuel companies have also found what other companies have: Clean energy can reduce costs. Some oil companies not only invest in energy efficiency for their buildings but use \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research-hub.nrel.gov\/en\/publications\/approaches-for-integrating-renewable-energy-technologies-in-oil-a-3\u0022\u003Esolar or wind to power their wells\u003C\/a\u003E. And adding renewable energy to their activities can also \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/systemschangelab.org\/finance\/scale-down-investment-harmful-climate-and-nature\/cost-capital-fossil-fuel-production\u0022\u003Elower the cost of investing in these companies\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EPublic Pressure\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAll companies, including those in oil and gas, are under \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/wcc.919\u0022\u003Egrowing pressure to address climate change\u003C\/a\u003E, from the public, from other companies with whom they do business and from government regulators \u2013 at least outside the U.S. For example, campaigns seeking to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/trellis.net\/article\/how-the-fossil-fuel-industry-is-fighting-for-legitimacy-by-using-big-tobaccos-playbook\u0022\u003Ereduce investment in fossil fuels\u003C\/a\u003E are increasing along with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/06\/22\/climate\/oil-industry-anti-slapp-climate-lawsuits.html\u0022\u003Eclimate-related lawsuits\u003C\/a\u003E. Government policies focused on both \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/commission.europa.eu\/topics\/energy\/repowereu_en\u0022\u003Emitigating carbon emissions and enhancing energy independence\u003C\/a\u003E are also making headway in some locations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn response, many oil companies are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.woodmac.com\/news\/opinion\/how-will-oil-and-gas-companies-get-to-scope-3-net-zero\/\u0022\u003Ereducing their own operational emissions\u003C\/a\u003E and setting targets to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.woodmac.com\/news\/opinion\/infographic-scope-for-improvement\/\u0022\u003Eoffset or eliminate emissions from products\u003C\/a\u003E that they sell \u2013 though many observers \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/transitionpathwayinitiative.org\/publications\/uploads\/2024-setting-the-standard-assessing-oil-and-gas-companies-transition-plans\u0022\u003Equestion the viability of these commitments\u003C\/a\u003E. Other companies are investing in emerging technologies such as hydrogen and methods to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/carboncredits.com\/prairie-operating-co-and-the-oil-industrys-shift-toward-sustainable-energy-practices-prop\/\u0022\u003Eremove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome companies, such as BP and Equinor, have previously even gone so far as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.qbco.io\/insights\/strategic-rebranding-in-the-energy-sector-lessons-from-the-past-and-present\u0022\u003Erebranding themselves\u003C\/a\u003E and acquiring clean energy businesses. But those efforts have also been criticized as \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/climatechange\/science\/climate-issues\/greenwashing\u0022\u003Egreenwashing\u003C\/a\u003E,\u201d taking actions for public relations value rather than real results.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/687571\/original\/file-20250826-55-ciyuy3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022A net containing fish is pulled aboard a fishing vessel.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/687571\/original\/file-20250826-55-ciyuy3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/687571\/original\/file-20250826-55-ciyuy3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/687571\/original\/file-20250826-55-ciyuy3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/687571\/original\/file-20250826-55-ciyuy3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/687571\/original\/file-20250826-55-ciyuy3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/687571\/original\/file-20250826-55-ciyuy3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/687571\/original\/file-20250826-55-ciyuy3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EFishing, like energy production, does not have to be done in ways that damage the environment.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/net-full-of-salmon-being-hauled-onto-purse-seiner-royalty-free-image\/1200731386\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EThomas Barwick\/DigitalVision via Getty Images\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow Far Can This Go?\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt is even possible for a fossil fuel company to reinvent itself as a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2214629623002712\u0022\u003Eclean energy operation\u003C\/a\u003E. Denmark\u2019s Orsted \u2013 formerly known as Danish Oil and Natural Gas \u2013 transitioned from fossil fuels to become a global leader in offshore wind. The company, whose majority owner is the Danish government, made the shift, however, with the help of significant public and political support.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut most large oil companies \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.erss.2023.103194\u0022\u003Earen\u2019t likely to completely reinvent themselves\u003C\/a\u003E anytime soon. Making that change requires leadership, investor pressure, customer demand and shifts in government policy, such as putting a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/carbonpricingdashboard.worldbank.org\/what-carbon-pricing\u0022\u003Eprice or tax on carbon emissions\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo show students in my sustainability classes how companies\u2019 choices affect both the environment and the industry as a whole, I use the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mitsloan.mit.edu\/teaching-resources-library\/fishbanks-a-renewable-resource-management-simulation\u0022\u003EMIT Fishbanks simulation\u003C\/a\u003E. Students run fictional fishing companies competing for profit. Even when they know the fish population is finite, they overfish, leading to the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/online.hbs.edu\/blog\/post\/tragedy-of-the-commons-impact-on-sustainability-issues\u0022\u003Ecollapse of the fishery and its businesses\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/rpc.cfainstitute.org\/policy\/positions\/short-termism\u0022\u003EShort-term profits\u003C\/a\u003E cause long-term disaster for the fishery and the businesses that depend on it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe metaphor for oil and gas is clear: As fossil fuels continue to be extracted and burned, they release \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ipcc.ch\/report\/ar6\/wg1\/resources\/climate-change-in-data\/\u0022\u003Eplanet-warming emissions\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/overshoot.footprintnetwork.org\u0022\u003Eharming the planet as a whole\u003C\/a\u003E. They also pose substantial \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.3390\/infrastructures4040074\u0022\u003Ebusiness risks to the oil and gas industry itself\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYet students in a recent class showed me that a more collective way of thinking may be possible. Teams voluntarily reduced their fishing levels to preserve long-term business and environmental sustainability, and they even cooperated with their competitors. They did so without in-game regulatory threats, shareholder or customer complaints, or lawsuits.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir shared understanding that the future of their own fishing companies was at stake makes me hopeful that this type of leadership may take hold in real companies and the energy system as a whole. But the question remains about how fast that change can happen, amid the accelerating global demand for more energy along with the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/climatechange\/science\/causes-effects-climate-change\u0022\u003Eincreasing urgency and severity of climate change and its effects\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/260855\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/why-do-big-oil-companies-invest-in-green-energy-260855\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EDespite the relatively modest scale of investment in clean energy by oil and gas companies so far, there are several business reasons oil companies would increase their investments in clean energy over time.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Despite the relatively modest scale of investment in clean energy by oil and gas companies so far, there are several business reasons oil companies would increase their investments in clean energy over time."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-09-17 16:20:15","changed_gmt":"2025-12-30 19:44:36","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-09-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-09-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678053":{"id":"678053","type":"image","title":"A flare burns natural gas at an oil well on Aug. 26, 2021, in Watford City, N.D. ","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA flare burns natural gas at an oil well on Aug. 26, 2021, in Watford City, N.D. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/newsroom.ap.org\/detail\/BidenMethaneEmissions\/bd59009031284cb2be9e346df5201077\/photo\u0022\u003EAP Photo\/Matthew Brown\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1758126088","gmt_created":"2025-09-17 16:21:28","changed":"1758126088","gmt_changed":"2025-09-17 16:21:28","alt":"A flare burns natural gas at an oil well on Aug. 26, 2021, in Watford City, N.D. ","file":{"fid":"262031","name":"file-20250826-75-dih7vn.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/17\/file-20250826-75-dih7vn.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/17\/file-20250826-75-dih7vn.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":203831,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/09\/17\/file-20250826-75-dih7vn.jpg?itok=rUJ21cdd"}}},"media_ids":["678053"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/why-do-big-oil-companies-invest-in-green-energy-260855","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"479","name":"Green Buzz"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/michael-oxman-2431432\u0022\u003EMichael Oxman\u003C\/a\u003E, Professor of the Practice of Sustainable Business, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"686866":{"#nid":"686866","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Divan, Raychowdhury Named National Academy of Inventors Fellows","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/academyofinventors.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENational Academy of Inventors\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E is honoring two Georgia Tech faculty members for their contributions to technology and society: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/directory\/deepakraj-m-divan\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDeepakraj \u201cDeepak\u201d Divan\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/directory\/arijit-raychowdhury\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EArijit Raychowdhury\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. Both are in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERaychowdhury is a semiconductor pioneer whose patented circuit and system-on-chip designs have advanced computing efficiency and commercialization. Divan is a global leader in power electronics and grid modernization, whose innovations and ventures have transformed how electricity is delivered and managed worldwide.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cCongratulations to Deepakraj and Arijit on earning one of the most esteemed accolades in technology and discovery. Their groundbreaking work, with nearly 100 patents between them, advances solutions to global challenges,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/raghupathy-sivakumar\u0022\u003ERaghupathy \u201cSiva\u201d Sivakumar\u003C\/a\u003E, chief commercialization officer at Georgia Tech. \u201cTheir success exemplifies how research commercialization drives real-world impact, and we\u2019re proud to see them honored as academy fellows.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EElection to NAI is the highest professional distinction specifically awarded to inventors. With this recognition, Georgia Tech\u2019s roster of NAI Fellows grows to 24. Divan and Raychowdhury join a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/academyofinventors.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-Fellows-List.pdf\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2025 class of 169 new fellows\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E representing university, government, and nonprofit organizations worldwide. They will be inducted at the NAI 15th Annual Conference on June 4, 2026, in Los Angeles.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDeepakraj\u202f\u201cDeepak\u201d Divan\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProfessor Emeritus (2004-2025)\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EFounder, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cde.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech Center for Distributed Energy\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDeepakraj\u202f\u201cDeepak\u201d Divan is a globally recognized innovator in power electronics and grid transformation. He was awarded the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/news\/2023\/12\/divan-selected-ieee-medal-power-engineering-recipient\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIEEE Medal in\u202fPower Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E in 2024.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe holds over 85 U.S. and international patents and has authored 400 refereed publications. His pioneering work on soft\u2011switching converters\u2014integral for efficient energy storage, EV charging, and industrial controls\u2014has spurred a global $70\u202fbillion power electronics industry.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDivan laid the groundwork for grid\u2011forming inverter control, enabling high-renewables integration. He is the co-author of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy-2040.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnergy 2040: Aligning Innovation, Economics and Decarbonization\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, named by Forbes as one of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/globalcitizen\/2024\/12\/28\/10-essential-books-and-podcasts-every-leader-needs-in-2025\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u201c10 Essential Books and Podcasts Every Leader Needs in 2025\u201d\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBeing named an NAI Fellow is a tremendous honor,\u201d said Divan. \u201cIt reflects years of effort to rethink how electricity is delivered and managed to solve real problems and to drive practical innovations that matter.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;As the founder of Georgia Tech\u2019s Center for Distributed Energy, he led research that transforms electricity delivery through analytics, monitoring, and optimization.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn entrepreneur, Divan co-founded Varentec (backed by Bill Gates and Khosla Ventures) and seeded ventures including GridBlock, Soft Switching Technologies, Innovolt, and Smart Wires\u2014raising over $500\u202fmillion. A National Academy of Engineering member and IEEE Fellow, he champions scalable energy-access solutions worldwide.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EArijit Raychowdhury\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProfessor and Steve W. Chaddick School Chair\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EDirector, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cocosys.ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECenter for the Co-Design of Cognitive Systems\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EArijit Raychowdhury has been the Steve W. Chaddick School Chair of ECE since 2021. He is a leading innovator in semiconductor technologies, holding more than 27 U.S. and international patents and authoring over 350 publications.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHis work spans low-power circuits, specialized accelerators, and system-on-chip design, with breakthroughs widely adopted in industry.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis recognition reflects the collective effort of students, colleagues, and partners who share a vision for advancing microelectronics,\u201d said Raychowdhury. \u201cI am honored that NAI champions the same mission to lead through research, education, and innovation.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt Texas Instruments, he developed the world\u2019s first adaptive echo-cancellation network for integrated Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL)\u2014a patented technology that enabled high-speed internet over traditional phone lines that received the EDN Innovation of the Year award. At Intel, he developed and incorporated foundational memory and logic technologies that shaped commercial products across global markets for more than a decade.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHis research on fine-grain power management of systems-on-chip at Georgia Tech has been licensed and widely adopted by the semiconductor industry.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe directs Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/Georgia Tech\u2019s Center for the Co-Design of Cognitive Systems \u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECenter for the Co-Design of Cognitive Systems\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and leads initiatives to advance microelectronics design with applications to AI. Over the years, he has served as a founding advisor and board member to multiple startups in the areas of edge-computing and low power design.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERaychowdhury\u2019s research bridges invention and real-world impact, earning him numerous honors, including IEEE\u0026nbsp;Fellow, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/news\/2023\/12\/raychowdhury-chosen-src-technical-excellence-award\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESemiconductor Research Corporation Technical Excellence Award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, and multiple industry awards. Through pioneering designs and mentorship, he continues to drive innovation in computing systems, influencing both academic research and industrial commercialization.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Divan, Raychowdhury Named National Academy of Inventors Fellows"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDivan, Raychowdhury Named National Academy of Inventors Fellows\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Divan, Raychowdhury Named National Academy of Inventors Fellows"}],"uid":"36172","created_gmt":"2025-12-11 14:36:38","changed_gmt":"2025-12-12 14:36:15","author":"dwatson71","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-12-11T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-12-11T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678826":{"id":"678826","type":"image","title":"Divan-and-Arijit_NAI-Fellows-2025.png","body":null,"created":"1765463811","gmt_created":"2025-12-11 14:36:51","changed":"1765463811","gmt_changed":"2025-12-11 14:36:51","alt":"Deepak and Arijit headshot","file":{"fid":"262914","name":"Divan-and-Arijit_NAI-Fellows-2025.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/11\/Divan-and-Arijit_NAI-Fellows-2025.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/11\/Divan-and-Arijit_NAI-Fellows-2025.png","mime":"image\/png","size":3056772,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/11\/Divan-and-Arijit_NAI-Fellows-2025.png?itok=WD-DCWjq"}}},"media_ids":["678826"],"groups":[{"id":"655285","name":"GT Commercialization"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"194609","name":"Industry"},{"id":"132","name":"Institute Leadership"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192255","name":"go-commercializationnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EDan Watson\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["dwatson@ece.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"685663":{"#nid":"685663","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Method Uses Collisions to Break Down Plastic for Sustainable Recycling","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile plastics help enable modern standards of living, their accumulation in landfills and the overall environment continues to grow as a global concern.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPolyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the world\u2019s most widely used plastics, with tens of millions of tons produced annually in the production of bottles, food packaging, and clothing fibers. The durability that makes PET so useful also means that it is more difficult to recycle efficiently.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, researchers have developed a method to break down PET using mechanical forces instead of heat or harsh chemicals. Published in the journal \u003Cem\u003EChem\u003C\/em\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2451929425003456\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Etheir findings\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E demonstrate how a \u201cmechanochemical\u201d method \u2014 chemical reactions driven by mechanical forces such as collisions \u2014 can rapidly convert PET back into its basic building blocks, opening a path toward faster, cleaner recycling.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELed by postdoctoral researcher Kinga Go\u0142\u0105bek and Professor Carsten Sievers of Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, the research team hit solid pieces of PET with metal balls with the same force they would experience in a machine called a ball mill. This can make the PET react with other solid chemicals such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH), generating enough energy to break the plastic\u2019s chemical bonds at room temperature, without the need for hazardous solvents.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe\u2019re showing that mechanical impacts can help decompose plastics into their original molecules in a controllable and efficient way,\u201d \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sievers.chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESievers\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E said. \u201cThis could transform the recycling of plastics into a more sustainable process.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMapping the Impact\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn demonstrating the process, the researchers used controlled single-impact experiments along with advanced computer simulations to map how energy from collisions distributes across the plastic and triggers chemical and structural transformations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese experiments showed changes in structure and chemistry of PET in tiny zones that experience different pressures and heat. By mapping these transformations, the team gained new insights into how mechanical energy can trigger rapid, efficient chemical reactions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis understanding could help engineers design industrial-scale recycling systems that are faster, cleaner, and more energy-efficient,\u201d Go\u0142\u0105bek said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBreaking Down Plastic\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEach collision created a tiny crater, with the center absorbing the most energy. In this zone, the plastic stretched, cracked, and even softened slightly, creating ideal conditions for chemical reactions with sodium hydroxide.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHigh-resolution imaging and spectroscopy revealed that the normally ordered polymer chains became disordered in the crater center, while some chains broke into smaller fragments, increasing the surface area exposed to the reactant. Even without sodium hydroxide, mechanical impact alone caused minor chain breaking, showing that mechanical force itself can trigger chemical change.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe study also showed the importance of the amount of energy delivered by each impact. Low-energy collisions only slightly disturb PET, but stronger impacts cause cracks and plastic deformation, exposing new surfaces that can react with sodium hydroxide for rapid chemical breakdown.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cUnderstanding this energy threshold allows engineers to optimize mechanochemical recycling, maximizing efficiency while minimizing unnecessary energy use,\u201d Sievers explained.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClosing the Loop on Plastic Waste\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese findings point toward a future where plastics can be fully recycled back into their original building blocks, rather than being downcycled or discarded. By harnessing mechanical energy instead of heat or harsh chemicals, recycling could become faster, cleaner, and more energy-efficient.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis approach could help close the loop on plastic waste,\u201d Sievers said. \u201cWe could imagine recycling systems where everyday plastics are processed mechanochemically, giving waste new life repeatedly and reducing environmental impact.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team now plans to test real-world waste streams and explore whether similar methods can work for other difficult-to-recycle plastics, bringing mechanochemical recycling closer to industrial use.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWith millions of tons of PET produced every year, improving recycling efficiency could significantly reduce plastic pollution and help protect ecosystems worldwide,\u201d Go\u0142\u0105bek said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECITATION: Kinga Go\u0142\u0105bek, Yuchen Chang, Lauren R. Mellinger, Mariana V. Rodrigues, Cau\u00ea de Souza Coutinho Nogueira, Fabio B. Passos, Yutao Xing, Aline Ribeiro Passos, Mohammed H. Saffarini, Austin B. Isner, David S. Sholl, Carsten Sievers, \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2451929425003456\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESpatially-resolved reaction environments in mechanochemical upcycling of polymers\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u201d \u003Cem\u003EChem\u003C\/em\u003E, 2025.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EResearchers have developed a method to break down polyethylene terephthalate, one of the world\u2019s most widely used plastics, using mechanical forces instead of heat or harsh chemicals. Published in the journal \u003Cem\u003EChem\u003C\/em\u003E, their findings demonstrate how a \u201cmechanochemical\u201d method \u2014 chemical reactions driven by mechanical forces such as collisions \u2014 can rapidly convert PET back into its basic building blocks, opening a path toward faster, cleaner recycling.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers have developed a method to break down PET, one of the world\u2019s most widely used plastics, for sustainable recycling using mechanical forces instead of heat or harsh chemicals."}],"uid":"27271","created_gmt":"2025-10-10 16:09:50","changed_gmt":"2025-12-10 20:34:48","author":"Brad Dixon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-10-10T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-10-10T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678329":{"id":"678329","type":"image","title":"sieversballmachine.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe high impact between the metal balls in a ball mill reactor and the polymer surface is suffi\u0002cient to momentarily liquefy the polymer and facilitate chemical reactions.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1760112196","gmt_created":"2025-10-10 16:03:16","changed":"1760112196","gmt_changed":"2025-10-10 16:03:16","alt":"The high impact between the metal balls in a ball mill reactor and the polymer surface is suffi\u0002cient to momentarily liquefy the polymer and facilitate chemical reactions.","file":{"fid":"262342","name":"sieversballmachine.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/10\/sieversballmachine.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/10\/sieversballmachine.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":240481,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/10\/sieversballmachine.jpg?itok=WPkvqn7-"}},"678330":{"id":"678330","type":"image","title":"Kinga-Golabek.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EKinga Go\u0142\u0105bek\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1760112262","gmt_created":"2025-10-10 16:04:22","changed":"1760112262","gmt_changed":"2025-10-10 16:04:22","alt":"Kinga Golabek","file":{"fid":"262343","name":"Kinga-Golabek.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/10\/Kinga-Golabek.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/10\/Kinga-Golabek.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":103075,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/10\/Kinga-Golabek.jpg?itok=ZljPVPOR"}},"678331":{"id":"678331","type":"image","title":"sievers2023webcrop.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EProf. Carsten Sievers\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1760116175","gmt_created":"2025-10-10 17:09:35","changed":"1760116175","gmt_changed":"2025-10-10 17:09:35","alt":"Professor Carsten Sievers","file":{"fid":"262347","name":"sievers2023webcrop.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/10\/sievers2023webcrop.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/10\/sievers2023webcrop.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":116072,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/10\/sievers2023webcrop.jpg?itok=QeQj0eFu"}}},"media_ids":["678329","678330","678331"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"5607","name":"chemical recycling"},{"id":"14536","name":"plastic"},{"id":"194823","name":"plastic recycling"},{"id":"171925","name":"mechanochemistry"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBrad Dixon, \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:braddixon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebraddixon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["braddixon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"686330":{"#nid":"686330","#data":{"type":"news","title":"How the US Cut Climate-Changing Emissions While Its Economy More Than\u00a0Doubled","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECountries around the world have been discussing the need to rein in climate change \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/climatechange\/un-climate-conferences\u0022\u003Efor three decades\u003C\/a\u003E, yet global greenhouse gas emissions \u2013 and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/climate.copernicus.eu\/climate-indicators\/temperature\u0022\u003Eglobal temperatures\u003C\/a\u003E with them \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ourworldindata.org\/co2-and-greenhouse-gas-emissions\u0022\u003Ekeep rising\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen it seems like we\u2019re getting nowhere, it\u2019s useful to step back and examine the progress that has been made.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELet\u2019s take a look at the United States, historically the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/education.cfr.org\/learn\/reading\/who-releases-most-greenhouse-gases\u0022\u003Eworld\u2019s largest greenhouse gas emitter\u003C\/a\u003E. Over those three decades, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/fred.stlouisfed.org\/series\/POPTOTUSA647NWDB\u0022\u003EU.S. population soared by 28%\u003C\/a\u003E and the economy, as measured by gross domestic product adjusted for inflation, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/fred.stlouisfed.org\/series\/GDPCA\u0022\u003Emore than doubled\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYet U.S. emissions from many of the activities that produce greenhouse gases \u2013 transportation, industry, agriculture, heating and cooling of buildings \u2013 have remained \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/environment\/emissions\/carbon\/\u0022\u003Eabout the same\u003C\/a\u003E over the past 30 years. Transportation is a bit up; industry a bit down. And electricity, once the nation\u2019s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, has seen its emissions drop significantly.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe class=\u0022tc-infographic-datawrapper\u0022 style=\u0022border-width:0;\u0022 id=\u0022YzooO\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/YzooO\/1\/\u0022 height=\u0022400px\u0022 width=\u0022100%\u0022 scrolling=\u0022no\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOverall, the U.S. is still among the countries with the highest \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ourworldindata.org\/co2-and-greenhouse-gas-emissions\u0022\u003Eper capita emissions\u003C\/a\u003E, so there\u2019s room for improvement, and its emissions haven\u2019t fallen enough to put the country on track to meet \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/unfccc.int\/sites\/default\/files\/2024-12\/United%20States%202035%20NDC.pdf\u0022\u003Eits pledges\u003C\/a\u003E under the 10-year-old \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/unfccc.int\/process-and-meetings\/the-paris-agreement\u0022\u003EParis climate agreement\u003C\/a\u003E. But U.S. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/ghgemissions\/inventory-us-greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-sinks\u0022\u003Eemissions are down\u003C\/a\u003E about 15% over the past 10 years.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere\u2019s how that happened:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EUS Electricity Emissions Have Fallen\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EU.S. electricity use \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/todayinenergy\/detail.php?id=65264\u0022\u003Ehas been rising\u003C\/a\u003E lately with the shift toward more electrification of cars and heating and cooling and expansion of data centers, yet greenhouse gas emissions from electricity are down by almost 30% since 1995.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of the main reasons for this big drop is that Americans are using less coal and more natural gas to make electricity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBoth coal and natural gas are fossil fuels. Both \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/energyexplained\/energy-and-the-environment\/where-greenhouse-gases-come-from.php#\u0022\u003Erelease carbon dioxide\u003C\/a\u003E to the atmosphere when they are burned to make electricity, and that carbon dioxide traps heat, raising global temperatures. But power plants can \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/todayinenergy\/detail.php?id=44436\u0022\u003Emake electricity more efficiently\u003C\/a\u003E using natural gas compared with coal, so it produces less emissions per unit of power.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe class=\u0022tc-infographic-datawrapper\u0022 style=\u0022border-width:0;\u0022 id=\u0022u3fo9\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/u3fo9\/1\/\u0022 height=\u0022400px\u0022 width=\u0022100%\u0022 scrolling=\u0022no\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhy did the U.S. start using more natural gas?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearch and technological innovation in fracking and horizontal drilling have allowed companies to extract more oil and gas at lower cost, making it \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/rmi.org\/utilities-analysts-and-customers-agree-transitioning-from-coal-saves-money\/\u0022\u003Echeaper to produce electricity\u003C\/a\u003E from natural gas rather than coal.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a result, utilities have built more natural gas power plants \u2013 especially super-efficient \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gevernova.com\/gas-power\/resources\/education\/combined-cycle-power-plants\u0022\u003Ecombined cycle\u003C\/a\u003E gas power plants, which produce power from gas turbines and also capture waste heat from those turbines to generate more power. More coal plants have been shutting down or running less.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe class=\u0022tc-infographic-datawrapper\u0022 style=\u0022border-width:0;\u0022 id=\u0022zl7DI\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/zl7DI\/1\/\u0022 height=\u0022400px\u0022 width=\u0022100%\u0022 scrolling=\u0022no\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBecause natural gas is a more efficient fuel than coal, it has been a win for climate in comparison, even though it\u2019s a fossil fuel. The U.S. has reduced emissions from electricity as a result.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESignificant \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/energy-star-on-the-trump-administrations-target-list-has-a-long-history-of-helping-consumers-wallets-and-the-planet-258152\u0022\u003Eimprovements in energy efficiency\u003C\/a\u003E, from appliances to lighting, have also played a role. Even though tech gadgets seem to be recharging everywhere all the time today, household electricity use, per person, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/todayinenergy\/detail.php?id=49036\u0022\u003Eplateaued over the first two decades of the 2000s after rising continuously\u003C\/a\u003E since the 1940s.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ECosts for Renewable Electricity, Batteries Fall\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EU.S. renewable electricity generation, including wind, solar and hydro power, has \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/energyexplained\/electricity\/electricity-in-the-us.php\u0022\u003Enearly tripled since 1995\u003C\/a\u003E, helping to further reduce emissions from electricity generation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECosts for solar and wind power have fallen so much that they are now \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energyinnovation.org\/report\/the-coal-cost-crossover-3-0\/\u0022\u003Echeaper than coal\u003C\/a\u003E and competitive with natural gas. Fourteen states, including most of the Great Plains, now get \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cleanpower.org\/facts\/state-fact-sheets\/\u0022\u003Eat least 30% of their power\u003C\/a\u003E from solar, wind and battery storage.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe class=\u0022tc-infographic-datawrapper\u0022 style=\u0022border-width:0;\u0022 id=\u0022Hw4VE\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/Hw4VE\/1\/\u0022 height=\u0022400px\u0022 width=\u0022100%\u0022 scrolling=\u0022no\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile wind power has been cost competitive with fossil fuels for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/700156\/original\/file-20251104-66-ftct1o.png\u0022\u003Eat least 20 years\u003C\/a\u003E, solar photovoltaic power has only been competitive with fossil fuels for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.lazard.com\/news-announcements\/lazard-releases-2025-levelized-cost-of-energyplus-report-pr\/\u0022\u003Eabout 10 years\u003C\/a\u003E. So expect deployment of solar PV to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iea.org\/news\/global-renewable-capacity-is-set-to-grow-strongly-driven-by-solar-pv\u0022\u003Econtinue to increase\u003C\/a\u003E, both in the U.S. and internationally, even as U.S. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/07\/16\/nx-s1-5462190\/trump-tax-credit-solar-ev-heat-pump\u0022\u003Efederal subsidies disappear\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBoth wind and solar provide intermittent power: The sun does not always shine, and the wind does not always blow. There are a number of ways utilities are dealing with this. One way is to use \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/oe\/demand-response\u0022\u003Edemand management\u003C\/a\u003E, offering lower prices for power during off-peak periods or discounts for companies that can cut their power use during high demand. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/lpo\/virtual-power-plants-projects\u0022\u003EVirtual power plants\u003C\/a\u003E aggregate several kinds of distributed energy resources \u2013 solar panels on homes, batteries and even smart thermostats \u2013 to manage power supply and demand. The U.S. had an estimated \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/transformers-magazine.com\/tm-news\/north-american-virtual-power-plants-grow-13-7\/\u0022\u003E37.5 gigawatts of virtual power plants\u003C\/a\u003E in 2024, equivalent to about 37.5 nuclear power reactors.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/700156\/original\/file-20251104-66-ftct1o.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Charts show cost decline compared with fossil fuels.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/700156\/original\/file-20251104-66-ftct1o.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/700156\/original\/file-20251104-66-ftct1o.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=345\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/700156\/original\/file-20251104-66-ftct1o.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=345\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/700156\/original\/file-20251104-66-ftct1o.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=345\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/700156\/original\/file-20251104-66-ftct1o.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=433\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/700156\/original\/file-20251104-66-ftct1o.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=433\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/700156\/original\/file-20251104-66-ftct1o.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=433\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EGlobally, the costs of solar, onshore wind and EV batteries fell quickly over the first two decades of the 2000s.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ipcc.ch\/report\/ar6\/wg3\/chapter\/summary-for-policymakers\/#figure-spm-3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EIPCC 6th Assessment Report\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother energy management method is battery storage, which is just now \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/todayinenergy\/detail.php?id=64586\u0022\u003Ebeginning to take off\u003C\/a\u003E. Battery \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/about.bnef.com\/insights\/commodities\/lithium-ion-battery-pack-prices-see-largest-drop-since-2017-falling-to-115-per-kilowatt-hour-bloombergnef\/\u0022\u003Ecosts have come down\u003C\/a\u003E enough in the past few years to make utility-scale battery storage cost-effective.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe class=\u0022tc-infographic-datawrapper\u0022 style=\u0022border-width:0;\u0022 id=\u0022nX9Rl\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/nX9Rl\/2\/\u0022 height=\u0022400px\u0022 width=\u0022100%\u0022 scrolling=\u0022no\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhat About Driving?\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the U.S., gasoline consumption has remained roughly constant but \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/eere\/vehicles\/articles\/fotw-1237-may-9-2022-fuel-economy-all-vehicle-classes-has-improved\u0022\u003Efuel efficiency has generally improved\u003C\/a\u003E over the decades.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESales of electric vehicle, which could cut emissions more, have been slow, however. Some of this could be due to the success of fracking: U.S. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/afdc.energy.gov\/data\/10324\u0022\u003Epetroleum production has increased\u003C\/a\u003E, and gasoline and diesel \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.rff.org\/publications\/explainers\/gas-prices-101\/\u0022\u003Eprices have remained relatively low\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPeople in other countries are switching \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.virta.global\/global-electric-vehicle-market\u0022\u003Eto electric vehicles more rapidly\u003C\/a\u003E than in the U.S. as the cost of EVs has fallen. Chinese consumers can buy an entry-level EV for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/electrek.co\/2025\/04\/08\/byds-low-cost-seagull-ev-now-starts-under-8000-china\/\u0022\u003Eunder US$10,000\u003C\/a\u003E in China with the help of government subsidies, and the country \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iea.org\/reports\/global-ev-outlook-2025\/trends-in-electric-car-markets-2\u0022\u003Eleads the world in EV sales\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2024, people in the U.S. bought \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iea.org\/reports\/global-ev-outlook-2025\/trends-in-electric-car-markets-2\u0022\u003E1.6 million EVs\u003C\/a\u003E, and global sales reached \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.virta.global\/global-electric-vehicle-market\u0022\u003E17 million\u003C\/a\u003E, up 25% from the year before.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe class=\u0022tc-infographic-datawrapper\u0022 style=\u0022border-width:0;\u0022 id=\u0022fSBGn\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/fSBGn\/1\/\u0022 height=\u0022400px\u0022 width=\u0022100%\u0022 scrolling=\u0022no\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Unknowns Ahead: What About Data Centers?\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe construction of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/ais-ballooning-energy-consumption-puts-spotlight-on-data-center-efficiency-254192\u0022\u003Enew data centers\u003C\/a\u003E, in part to serve the explosive growth of artificial intelligence, is drawing a lot of attention to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-utilities-are-working-to-meet-ai-data-centers-voracious-appetite-for-electricity-240196\u0022\u003Efuture energy demand\u003C\/a\u003E and to the uncertainty ahead.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EData centers are increasing electricity demand in some locations, such as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/07\/17\/nx-s1-5469933\/virginia-data-centers-residents-saying-no\u0022\u003Enorthern Virginia\u003C\/a\u003E, Dallas, Phoenix, Chicago and Atlanta. The future \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.wri.org\/insights\/us-data-centers-electricity-demand\u0022\u003Eelectricity demand growth from data centers is still unclear\u003C\/a\u003E, though, meaning the effects of data centers on electric rates and power system emissions are also uncertain.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, AI is not the only reason to watch for increased electricity demand: The U.S. can expect growing electricity demand for industrial processes and electric vehicles, as well as the overall transition from using oil and gas for heating and appliances \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nrel.gov\/analysis\/electrification-futures\u0022\u003Eto using electricity\u003C\/a\u003E that continues across the country.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/268763\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-the-us-cut-climate-changing-emissions-while-its-economy-more-than-doubled-268763\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECountries around the world have been discussing the need to rein in climate change for three decades, yet global greenhouse gas emissions \u2013 and global temperatures with them \u2013 keep rising.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Countries around the world have been discussing the need to rein in climate change for three decades, yet global greenhouse gas emissions \u2013 and global temperatures with them \u2013 keep rising."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-11-06 17:17:39","changed_gmt":"2025-12-08 19:34:19","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-11-06T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-11-06T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678588":{"id":"678588","type":"image","title":"Wind power near Dodge City, Kan. Halbergman\/iStock\/Getty Images Plus","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWind power near Dodge City, Kan. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/drone-shot-of-pick-up-truck-approaching-wind-royalty-free-image\/1287525883?phrase=road%20solar%20wind\u0026amp;searchscope=image,film\u0026amp;adppopup=true\u0022\u003EHalbergman\/iStock\/Getty Images Plus\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1762795118","gmt_created":"2025-11-10 17:18:38","changed":"1762795118","gmt_changed":"2025-11-10 17:18:38","alt":"Wind power near Dodge City, Kan. Halbergman\/iStock\/Getty Images Plus","file":{"fid":"262642","name":"file-20251104-56-f02oyt.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/10\/file-20251104-56-f02oyt.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/10\/file-20251104-56-f02oyt.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":171900,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/11\/10\/file-20251104-56-f02oyt.jpg?itok=xs5XfgAn"}}},"media_ids":["678588"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-the-us-cut-climate-changing-emissions-while-its-economy-more-than-doubled-268763","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"194701","name":"go-resarchnews"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/valerie-thomas-1633560\u0022\u003EValerie Thomas\u003C\/a\u003E, Professor of Industrial Engineering, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"680642":{"#nid":"680642","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Tim Lieuwen Named Georgia Tech\u2019s Executive Vice President for Research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFollowing a nationwide search, Georgia Tech President \u00c1ngel Cabrera has named \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/timothy-charles-lieuwen\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ETimothy Lieuwen\u003C\/a\u003E the Executive Vice President for Research (EVPR). \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/regents-professor-tim-lieuwen-serve-georgia-techs-interim-evpr\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ELieuwen has served as interim EVPR\u003C\/a\u003E since September 10, 2024.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTim\u2019s ability to bridge academia, industry, and government has been instrumental in driving innovation and positioning Georgia Tech as a critical partner in tackling complex global challenges,\u201d said Cabrera. \u201cWith his leadership, I am confident Georgia Tech will continue to expand its impact, strengthen its strategic collaborations, and further solidify its reputation as a world leader in research and innovation.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA proud Georgia Tech alumnus (M.S. ME 1997, Ph.D. ME 1999), Lieuwen has spent more than 25 years at the Institute. He is a Regents\u2019 Professor and holds the David S. Lewis, Jr. Chair in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EDaniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. Prior to the interim EVPR role, Lieuwen served as executive director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E for 12 years. His expertise spans energy, propulsion, energy policy, and national security, and he has worked closely with industry and government to develop new knowledge and see its implementation in the field.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELieuwen has been widely recognized for his contributions to research and innovation. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, as well as a fellow of multiple other professional organizations. Recently, he was elected an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/tim-lieuwen-honored-royal-academy-engineering\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EInternational Fellow of the U.K.\u2019s Royal Academy of Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, one of only three U.S. engineers in 2024 to receive this prestigious commendation. The honor acknowledges Lieuwen\u2019s contributions to engineering and his efforts to advance research, education initiatives, and industry collaborations.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe has authored or edited four books, published over 400 scientific articles, and holds nine patents \u2014 several of which are licensed to industry. He also founded TurbineLogic, an analytics firm working in the energy industry. Additionally, Lieuwen serves on governing and advisory boards for three Department of Energy national labs and was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Energy to the National Petroleum Council.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe EVPR is the Institute\u2019s chief research officer and directs Georgia Tech\u2019s $1.37 billion portfolio of research, development, and sponsored activities. This includes leadership of the Georgia Tech Research Institute, the Enterprise Innovation Institute, nine Interdisciplinary Research Institutes and numerous associated research centers, and related research administrative support units: commercialization, corporate engagement, research development and operations, and research administration.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI am honored to step into this role at a time when research and innovation have never been more critical,\u201d Lieuwen said. \u201cGeorgia Tech\u2019s research enterprise is built on collaboration \u2014 across disciplines, across industries, and across communities. Our strength lies not just in the breakthroughs we achieve, but in how we translate them into real-world impact.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMy priority is to put people first \u2014 empowering our researchers, students, and partners to push boundaries, scale our efforts, and deepen our engagement across Georgia and beyond. Together, we will expand our reach, accelerate discovery, and ensure that Georgia Tech remains a driving force for progress and service.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Regents\u2019 Professor and current interim EVPR brings strong leadership and deep research expertise to the role.\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Regents\u2019 Professor and current interim EVPR brings strong leadership and deep research expertise to the role. "}],"uid":"28766","created_gmt":"2025-02-20 20:15:39","changed_gmt":"2025-12-02 05:14:26","author":"Shelley Wunder-Smith","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-02-20T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-02-20T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676355":{"id":"676355","type":"image","title":"Tim Lieuwen, Executive Vice President for Research","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETim Lieuwen, Executive Vice President for Research\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1740085148","gmt_created":"2025-02-20 20:59:08","changed":"1740085210","gmt_changed":"2025-02-20 21:00:10","alt":"Tim Lieuwen, Executive Vice President for Research","file":{"fid":"260127","name":"0A6A1348-RT 1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/20\/0A6A1348-RT%201.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/20\/0A6A1348-RT%201.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5458715,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/20\/0A6A1348-RT%201.jpg?itok=CDksVaZo"}}},"media_ids":["676355"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"130","name":"Alumni"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"132","name":"Institute Leadership"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith | Director of Research Communications\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:swundersmith3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["swundersmith3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"681603":{"#nid":"681603","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Study: Burning heavy fuel oil with scrubbers is the best available option for bulk maritime shipping","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen the International Maritime Organization enacted a mandatory cap on the sulfur content of marine fuels in 2020, with an eye toward reducing harmful environmental and health impacts, it left shipping companies with three main options.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey could burn low-sulfur fossil fuels, like marine gas oil, or install cleaning systems to remove sulfur from the exhaust gas produced by burning heavy fuel oil. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cba.mit.edu\/docs\/papers\/22.01.biofuel.pdf\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBiofuels with lower sulfur content\u003C\/a\u003E offer another alternative, though their limited availability makes them a less feasible option.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile installing exhaust gas cleaning systems, known as scrubbers, is the most feasible and cost-effective option, there has been a great deal of uncertainty among firms, policymakers, and scientists as to how \u201cgreen\u201d these scrubbers are.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough a novel lifecycle assessment, researchers from MIT, Georgia Tech, and elsewhere have now found that burning heavy fuel oil with scrubbers in the open ocean can match or surpass using low-sulfur fuels, when a wide variety of environmental factors is considered.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe scientists combined data on the production and operation of scrubbers and fuels with emissions measurements taken onboard an oceangoing cargo ship.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey found that, when the entire supply chain is considered, burning heavy fuel oil with scrubbers was the least harmful option in terms of nearly all 10 environmental impact factors they studied, such as greenhouse gas emissions, terrestrial acidification, and ozone formation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn our collaboration with Oldendorff Carriers to broadly explore reducing the environmental impact of shipping, this study of scrubbers turned out to be an unexpectedly deep and important transitional issue,\u201d says Neil Gershenfeld, an MIT professor, director of the Center for Bits and Atoms (CBA), and senior author of the study.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cClaims about environmental hazards and policies to mitigate them should be backed by science. You need to see the data, be objective, and design studies that take into account the full picture to be able to compare different options from an apples-to-apples perspective,\u201d adds lead author \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chbe.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/patricia-stathatou\u0022\u003EPatricia Stathatou\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor at Georgia Tech\u0027s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, who began this study as a postdoc in the CBA.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStathatou is joined on the paper by Michael Triantafyllou and others at the National Technical University of Athens in Greece and the maritime shipping firm Oldendorff Carriers. The research \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/10.1021\/acs.est.4c10006\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eappears today in \u003Cem\u003EEnvironmental Science and Technology.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESlashing sulfur emissions\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHeavy fuel oil, traditionally burned by bulk carriers that make up about 30 percent of the global maritime fleet, usually has a sulfur content around 2 to 3 percent. This is far higher than the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.imo.org\/en\/MediaCentre\/PressBriefings\/pages\/34-IMO-2020-sulphur-limit-.aspx#:~:text=and%20the%20environment.-,From%201%20January%202020%20the%20global%20upper%20limit%20on%20the,the%20limit%20is%20already%200.10%25.\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EInternational Maritime Organization\u2019s 2020 cap\u003C\/a\u003E of 0.5 percent in most areas of the ocean and 0.1 percent in areas near population centers\u0026nbsp;or environmentally sensitive regions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESulfur oxide emissions contribute to air pollution and acid rain, and can damage the human respiratory system.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2018, fewer than 1,000 vessels employed scrubbers. After the cap went into place, higher prices of low-sulfur fossil fuels and limited availability of alternative fuels led many firms to install scrubbers so they could keep burning heavy fuel oil.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EToday,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.lloydslist.com\/LL1150318\/Shipowners-still-adding-more-scrubbers-via-newbuildings-not-retrofits\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Emore than 5,800\u003C\/a\u003E vessels utilize scrubbers, the majority of which are wet, open-loop scrubbers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cScrubbers are a very mature technology. They have traditionally been used for decades in land-based applications like power plants to remove pollutants,\u201d Stathatou says.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA wet, open-loop marine scrubber is a huge, metal, vertical tank\u0026nbsp;installed in a ship\u2019s exhaust stack, above the engines. Inside, seawater drawn from the ocean is sprayed through a series of nozzles downward to wash the hot exhaust gases as they exit the engines.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe seawater interacts with sulfur dioxide in the exhaust, converting it to sulfates \u2014 water-soluble, environmentally benign compounds that naturally occur in seawater. The washwater is released back into the ocean, while the cleaned exhaust escapes to the atmosphere with little to no sulfur dioxide emissions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut the acidic washwater can contain other combustion byproducts like heavy metals, so scientists wondered if scrubbers were comparable, from a holistic environmental point of view, to burning low-sulfur fuels.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESeveral studies explored toxicity of washwater and fuel system pollution, but none painted a full picture.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers set out to fill that scientific gap.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA \u201cwell-to-wake\u201d analysis\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team conducted a lifecycle assessment using a global environmental database on production and transport of fossil fuels, such as heavy fuel oil, marine gas oil, and very-low sulfur fuel oil. Considering the entire lifecycle of each fuel is key, since producing low-sulfur fuel requires extra processing steps in the refinery, causing additional emissions of greenhouse gases and particulate matter.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf we just look at everything that happens before the fuel is bunkered onboard the vessel, heavy fuel oil is significantly more low-impact, environmentally, than low-sulfur fuels,\u201d she says.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers also collaborated with a scrubber manufacturer to obtain detailed information on all materials, production processes, and transportation steps involved in marine scrubber fabrication and installation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf you consider that the scrubber has a lifetime of about 20 years, the environmental impacts of producing the scrubber over its lifetime are negligible compared to producing heavy fuel oil,\u201d she adds.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor the final piece, Stathatou spent a week onboard a bulk carrier vessel in China to measure emissions and gather seawater and washwater samples. The ship burned heavy fuel oil with a scrubber and low-sulfur fuels under similar ocean conditions and engine settings.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECollecting these onboard data was the most challenging part of the study.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAll the safety gear, combined with the heat and the noise from the engines on a moving ship, was very overwhelming,\u201d she says.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir results showed that scrubbers reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by 97 percent, putting heavy fuel oil on par with low-sulfur fuels according to that measure. The researchers saw similar trends for emissions of other pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition, they tested washwater samples for more than 60 chemical parameters, including nitrogen, phosphorus, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and 23 metals.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe concentrations of chemicals regulated by the IMO were far below the organization\u2019s requirements. For unregulated chemicals, the researchers compared the concentrations to the strictest limits for industrial effluents from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and European Union.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost chemical concentrations were at least an order of magnitude below these requirements.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition, since washwater is diluted thousands of times as it is dispersed by a moving vessel, the concentrations of such chemicals would be even lower in the open ocean.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese findings suggest that the use of scrubbers with heavy fuel oil can be considered as equal to or more environmentally friendly than low-sulfur fuels across many of the impact categories the researchers studied.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis study demonstrates the scientific complexity of the waste stream of scrubbers. Having finally conducted a multiyear, comprehensive, and peer-reviewed study, commonly held fears and assumptions are now put to rest,\u201d says Scott Bergeron, managing director at Oldendorff Carriers and co-author of the study.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis first-of-its-kind study on a well-to-wake basis provides very valuable input to ongoing discussion at the IMO,\u201d adds Thomas Klenum, executive vice president of innovation and regulatory affairs at the Liberian Registry, emphasizing the need \u201cfor regulatory decisions to be made based on scientific studies providing factual data and conclusions.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUltimately, this study shows the importance of incorporating lifecycle assessments into future environmental impact reduction policies, Stathatou says.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere is all this discussion about switching to alternative fuels in the future, but how green are these fuels? We must do our due diligence to compare them equally with existing solutions to see the costs and benefits,\u201d she adds.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis study was supported, in part, by Oldendorff Carriers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E- Written by Adam Zewe, MIT News Office\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Researchers analyzed the full lifecycle of several fuel options and found this approach has a comparable environmental impact, overall, to burning low-sulfur fuels.ulfur fuels"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EResearchers found that burning heavy fuel oil with scrubbers is the best available option for bulk maritime shipping. They analyzed the full lifecycle of several fuel options and found this approach has a comparable environmental impact, overall, to burning low-sulfur fuels.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers found that burning heavy fuel oil with scrubbers is the best available option for bulk maritime shipping. They analyzed the full lifecycle of several fuel options and found this ble environmental impact, overall, to burning low-sulfur fuels."}],"uid":"27271","created_gmt":"2025-04-04 15:07:46","changed_gmt":"2025-12-02 05:09:27","author":"Brad Dixon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-04-04T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-04-04T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676754":{"id":"676754","type":"image","title":"Barge.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHedwig Oldendorff vessel at the start of its emission monitoring voyage\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1743779290","gmt_created":"2025-04-04 15:08:10","changed":"1743779290","gmt_changed":"2025-04-04 15:08:10","alt":"Hedwig Oldendorff vessel at the start of its emission monitoring voyage","file":{"fid":"260584","name":"Barge.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/04\/Barge.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/04\/Barge.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":460117,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/04\/04\/Barge.jpg?itok=TPA-HrNw"}},"676756":{"id":"676756","type":"image","title":"stathatou.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe study\u0027s lead author Patricia Stathatou is now an assistant professor at Georgia Tech. She began this study as a postdoc in MIT\u0027s Center for Bits and Atoms.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1743788582","gmt_created":"2025-04-04 17:43:02","changed":"1743788582","gmt_changed":"2025-04-04 17:43:02","alt":"Patricia Stathatou","file":{"fid":"260586","name":"stathatou.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/04\/stathatou.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/04\/stathatou.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4211128,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/04\/04\/stathatou.jpeg?itok=apdajdKM"}},"676758":{"id":"676758","type":"image","title":"MIT-Scrubber-Perform-02-press.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPatricia Stathatou onboard a bulk carrier vessel to measure emissions and gather seawater and washwater samples. The image shows (from left to right) measuring emissions upstream of the scrubber, Stathatou downsteam of the scrubber, and the enginer room aboard the bulk carrier vessel.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1743789998","gmt_created":"2025-04-04 18:06:38","changed":"1743789998","gmt_changed":"2025-04-04 18:06:38","alt":"Patricia Stathatou onboard a bulk carrier vessel to measure emissions and gather seawater and washwater samples. The image shows (from left to right) measuring emissions upstream of the scrubber, Stathatou downsteam of the scrubber, and the enginer room aboard the bulk carrier vessel.","file":{"fid":"260588","name":"MIT-Scrubber-Perform-02-press.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/04\/MIT-Scrubber-Perform-02-press.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/04\/MIT-Scrubber-Perform-02-press.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":590456,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/04\/04\/MIT-Scrubber-Perform-02-press.jpg?itok=nlY9tqi2"}},"676759":{"id":"676759","type":"image","title":"MIT-Scrubber-Perform-03-press.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EStathatou (center) onboard the Hedwig Oldendorff vessel with crew members.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1743790073","gmt_created":"2025-04-04 18:07:53","changed":"1743790073","gmt_changed":"2025-04-04 18:07:53","alt":"Stathatou (center) onboard the Hedwig Oldendorff vessel with the crew.","file":{"fid":"260589","name":"MIT-Scrubber-Perform-03-press.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/04\/MIT-Scrubber-Perform-03-press.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/04\/MIT-Scrubber-Perform-03-press.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":483298,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/04\/04\/MIT-Scrubber-Perform-03-press.jpg?itok=gulsavIr"}}},"media_ids":["676754","676756","676758","676759"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2342","name":"biofuels"},{"id":"170910","name":"shipping"},{"id":"190761","name":"maritime"},{"id":"188360","name":"go-bbiss"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"188776","name":"go-research"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003Ebraddixon@gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["braddixon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"677096":{"#nid":"677096","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Scheller Business Insights: Achieving Net Zero Featuring Beril Toktay","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EScheller Business Insights is a dynamic video series that highlights the innovative thought leadership of the esteemed faculty at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business. At Scheller, we are committed to exploring ideas that educate and inform others about the profound impact of business on our lives and the world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn this episode, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/directory\/faculty\/toktay\/index.html\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBeril Toktay\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Regents\u0027 Professor and faculty director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/centers-and-initiatives\/ray-c-anderson-center-for-sustainable-business\/index.html\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERay C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, defines net zero and discusses some ways to alleviate climate change by reducing carbon emissions to the point of net zero emissions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGlobally, most major polluters, such as China, the U.S., India, and the EU, are among over 140 nations with net-zero goals, which encompasses roughly 88 percent of global emissions. Meeting the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/unfccc.int\/process-and-meetings\/the-paris-agreement\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EParis Agreement\u0027s\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E 1.5\u00b0C climate threshold requires 45 percent emissions cut by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050 (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/climatechange\/net-zero-coalition\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUnited Nations Climate Action\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EToktay describes ways this can be accomplished in different business sectors. For example, in the energy sectors, this means moving from fossil fuels to renewable technologies, and in the transportation sector, moving to electrification and innovative battery technologies as well as developing the infrastructure to support these initiatives. These efforts help move businesses towards achieving net zero as well as providing cleaner air and water, and better health outcomes to the global population.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EListen as Toktay discusses what net zero means, the importance of getting to net zero, and how businesses can help reduce carbon emissions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn this episode of Scheller Business Insights, Beril Toktay, director of the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business and Regents\u0027 Professor in Operations Management, discusses achieving net zero and provides examples of how some industries can reduce carbon emissions to combat climate change.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Beril Toktay, director of the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business and Regents\u0027 Professor in Operations Management, discusses achieving net zero and provides examples of how some industries can reduce carbon emissions to combat climate change."}],"uid":"28082","created_gmt":"2024-09-25 15:50:30","changed_gmt":"2025-10-03 19:12:55","author":"Lorrie Burroughs","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-09-25T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-09-25T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678262":{"id":"678262","type":"image","title":"Beril Toktay, Brady Family Chair in Management and regents professor","body":null,"created":"1759518194","gmt_created":"2025-10-03 19:03:14","changed":"1759518687","gmt_changed":"2025-10-03 19:11:27","alt":"Beril Toktay, Brady Family Chair in Management and regents professor","file":{"fid":"262263","name":"beril-toktay.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/03\/beril-toktay.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/03\/beril-toktay.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":121084,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/03\/beril-toktay.jpg?itok=Eib20_cn"}}},"media_ids":["678262"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"179355","name":"Building Construction"},{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"166920","name":"Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business"},{"id":"87921","name":"Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"188512","name":"bio-renewable energy"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ELorrie Burroughs\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683306":{"#nid":"683306","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Powering the Future \u2014 Without Breaking the Grid","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs Georgia positions itself as a hub for digital infrastructure, communities across the state are facing a growing challenge: how to welcome the economic benefits of data centers while managing their significant environmental and infrastructure impacts.\u0026nbsp;These facilities, essential for powering artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and everyday internet use, are also among the most resource-intensive buildings in the modern economy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile companies like Microsoft and Google have pledged to reach net-zero emissions, experts say more transparency and smarter policy are needed to ensure that data center development aligns with community and environmental priorities. That means ensuring adequate energy infrastructure, investing in renewables, training local workers, and mitigating water and carbon impacts through innovation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA New Kind of Energy Crunch\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe rapid rise of AI is fueling explosive demand for computing power \u2014 and in turn, energy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe proliferation of AI workloads has significantly increased data center energy requirements,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/directory\/divya-mahajan\u0022\u003EDivya Mahajan\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering.\u0026nbsp;\u201cLarge-scale AI training, especially for language models, leads to elevated and sustained power draw, often nearing the thermal and power envelopes of graphics processing units systems.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis sustained demand is particularly challenging in hot, humid regions like Georgia, where cooling systems must work harder. \u201cTraining these models can cause thermal instability that directly affects cooling efficiency and power provisioning,\u201d Mahajan explains. \u201cThis amplifies reliance on external cooling infrastructure, increasing water consumption and grid strain.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnvironmental and Economic Pressure\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEach new data center could lead to greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to a small town,\u201d says Marilyn Brown,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/marilyn-a-brown\u0022\u003ERegents\u2019 and Brook Byers Professor of Sustainable Systems in the School of Public Policy\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cIn Georgia, the growth of data centers has already led to plans for new gas plants and the extension of aging coal plants.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere\u2019s an environmental cost to this growth: electricity and water. A single large data center can consume up to 5 million gallons of water per day.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERising demand has a price. \u201cIt\u2019s simple supply and demand,\u201d\u0026nbsp;says\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scs.gatech.edu\/people\/ahmed-saeed\u0022\u003EAhmed Saeed\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor at the School of Computer Science.\u0026nbsp;\u201cAs overall power demand increases, if supply doesn\u2019t keep up, costs will rise and the most affected will be lower-income consumers.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStill, experts are optimistic that policy and technology can help mitigate these impacts.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInnovation May Hold the Key\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDespite the challenges, experts see opportunities for innovation. \u201cTechnologies like direct-to-chip cooling and liquid cooling are promising,\u201d says Mahajan. \u201cBut they\u2019re not yet widespread.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESaeed notes that some companies are experimenting with radical ideas, like Microsoft\u2019s underwater Project Natick or locating data centers in Nordic countries where ambient air can be used for cooling. These approaches challenge conventional infrastructure norms by placing servers underwater or in remote, cold regions. \u201cThese are exciting, but we need scalable solutions that work in places like Georgia,\u201d he emphasizes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat Communities Should Ask For\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs communities compete to attract data centers, experts say they should push for commitments that go beyond job creation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cCommunities should ensure that their power infrastructure can handle the added load without compromising resilience or increasing costs,\u201d Saeed advises. \u201cThey should also require that data centers use renewable energy or invest in local clean energy projects.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETraining and hiring local workers is another key benefit communities can demand. \u201cDeployment and maintenance of data centers require skilled workers,\u201d Saeed adds. \u201cOperators should invest in technical training and hire locally.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPolicy Can Make the Difference\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStronger policy frameworks can ensure growth doesn\u2019t come at the expense of Georgia\u2019s most vulnerable communities.\u0026nbsp;\u201cWe need more transparency from companies about their energy and water use,\u201d says Brown. \u201cAnd we need policies that prevent the costs of supporting large consumers from being passed on to residential ratepayers.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome states are already taking action. Texas passed a bill to give regulators more control over large power consumers. In Georgia, a bill that would have paused tax breaks for data centers until their community impact was assessed was vetoed \u2014 but experts say the conversation is far from over.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cData centers are here to stay,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;Saeed. \u201cThe question is whether we can make them sustainable \u2014 before their footprint becomes too large to manage.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs Georgia emerges as a hub for digital infrastructure, the rapid growth of data centers \u2014 driven by rising demand for AI and cloud computing \u2014 presents both economic opportunity and environmental challenges. These resource-intensive facilities strain local power grids, increase greenhouse gas emissions, and consume millions of gallons of water daily. While companies pledge sustainability goals, Georgia Tech experts say stronger policies, greater transparency, and community-driven requirements are essential to ensure that growth benefits residents without overwhelming infrastructure or raising utility costs. Innovations in energy efficiency and cooling technologies show promise, but scalable solutions tailored to Georgia\u2019s climate are urgently needed.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia\u2019s booming data center industry brings economic promise and environmental pressure. Researchers say innovation and local action can tip the balance."}],"uid":"35798","created_gmt":"2025-07-25 19:41:22","changed_gmt":"2025-07-28 15:27:15","author":"Ayana Isles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-07-25T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-07-25T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677496":{"id":"677496","type":"image","title":"Data-Center.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1753473797","gmt_created":"2025-07-25 20:03:17","changed":"1753473797","gmt_changed":"2025-07-25 20:03:17","alt":"Server room in data center","file":{"fid":"261399","name":"Data-Center.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/25\/Data-Center.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/25\/Data-Center.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":19314656,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/07\/25\/Data-Center.jpeg?itok=RVVooqjd"}}},"media_ids":["677496"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"}],"keywords":[{"id":"110561","name":"data centers"},{"id":"58181","name":"environmental impact"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:aisles3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAyana Isles\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESenior Media Relations Representative\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682665":{"#nid":"682665","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Power Play: The Global Stakes Behind the Battery Boom ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs electric vehicles and renewable energy storage become central to the global energy transition, the battery supply chain is under more pressure than ever. In 2024, global battery demand surpassed \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iea.org\/commentaries\/the-battery-industry-has-entered-a-new-phase\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E1 terawatt-hour\u003C\/a\u003E, equal to powering 100 million homes for an hour,\u0026nbsp;according to the International Energy Agency. But while demand is booming, the infrastructure to meet it \u2014 especially in the U.S. \u2014 is still catching up.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe U.S. Push for Battery Independence\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor years, the U.S. has relied heavily on foreign sources for battery components and materials. Now, with geopolitical tensions rising and clean energy goals looming, policymakers are trying to change that. The \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/house-bill\/5376\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EInflation Reduction Act\u003C\/a\u003E (IRA), passed in 2022, offered tax credits and incentives to boost domestic battery production. It also introduced restrictions to limit reliance on adversarial nations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThese policies, as well as support from state and local governments, have significantly accelerated battery manufacturing in the U.S.,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/people\/matthew-mcdowell\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMatt McDowell\u003C\/a\u003E, a mechanical engineering and materials science professor at Georgia Tech and Carter N. Paden Jr. Distinguished Chair for Innovation in Material Science and Metals Processing. \u201cBut we\u2019re still in the early stages of building a truly resilient supply chain.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/gleb-yushin\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGleb Yushin\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor at Georgia Tech and chief technical officer of battery materials company Sila, agrees. \u201cThe IRA\u2019s FEOC restrictions sent a timely, much-needed market signal to spur demand for battery materials made outside of China and, in turn, investments by cell makers into local suppliers,\u201d he said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStill, reshoring production is no small feat. \u201cIt\u2019s been great to see increased domestic production of graphite and other components,\u201d McDowell added. \u201cThis will result in more robust battery supply and lower prices in the long-term.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow New Materials Are Changing the Game\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile policy is one piece of the puzzle, innovation is another. For decades, graphite has been the go-to material for battery anodes. But researchers have long eyed silicon as a more powerful alternative \u2014 one that can store up to 10 times more charge.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe problem? Silicon swells dramatically during charging, which can damage the battery. \u201cIt expands by 300%,\u201d Yushin explained. \u201cThat\u2019s compared to just 7% for graphite.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter years of research, Sila developed \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.silanano.com\/our-solutions\/titan-silicon-anode\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ETitan Silicon\u2122\u003C\/a\u003E, a silicon-carbon composite that solves the swelling issue. \u201cIt offers 25\u201335% more energy density, over two times faster charging, and can be dropped into any production line,\u201d Yushin said. \u201cNow, the challenge lies in scaling this technology for mass production while staying ahead of market pressures.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESolid-state and lithium-sulfur batteries are also gaining attention for their potential to improve safety and performance. But while McDowell is excited about these technologies, he cautions that they\u2019re not yet ready for prime time. \u201cA key focus is developing scalable manufacturing processes to compete with lithium-ion batteries,\u201d he said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYushin is more skeptical of the benefits. \u201cSolid-state batteries require entirely new supply chains and infrastructure,\u201d he said. \u201cSilicon is a perfect replacement for lithium metal \u2014 it\u2019s stable, reversible, and compatible with existing infrastructure.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat It Will Take to Compete and Lead\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe IRA initially generated over $115 billion in clean energy investments, with $69 billion directed toward battery manufacturing. But with parts of the law now under threat of repeal, the future is uncertain.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNow that most of the IRA stands to be repealed, we will see if a tariff approach can spur the same results,\u201d Yushin said. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of capital waiting on the sidelines. But without long-term certainty, it\u2019s hard to justify the risk.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe also pointed to deeper structural issues. \u201cCapital intensity and the cost of borrowing are primary inhibitors of investment,\u201d he said. \u201cFirm purchasing of goods is required to secure financing, but uncertainty over tax credits has cooled demand for local supply.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMcDowell believes the solution lies in a broader strategy. \u201cWe need to invest in workforce development, research, and infrastructure,\u201d he said. \u201cThis isn\u2019t just about batteries \u2014 it\u2019s about building an entire ecosystem.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;As the world shifts toward electrification, the nations that command the battery supply chain will define the future of mobility, energy, and economic influence. For the U.S., the challenge isn\u2019t just to keep pace \u2014 it\u2019s to lead the charge.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":" As the world shifts toward electrification, the nations that command the battery supply chain will define the future of mobility, energy, and economic influence. For the U.S., the challenge isn\u2019t just to keep pace \u2014 it\u2019s to lead the charge. "}],"uid":"35797","created_gmt":"2025-06-05 14:13:47","changed_gmt":"2025-06-24 13:15:31","author":"Siobhan Rodriguez","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-06-05T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-06-05T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677191":{"id":"677191","type":"image","title":"AdobeStock_647691237.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1749132835","gmt_created":"2025-06-05 14:13:55","changed":"1749132835","gmt_changed":"2025-06-05 14:13:55","alt":"Image of a robot inserting lithium ion into a battery. ","file":{"fid":"261065","name":"AdobeStock_647691237.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/05\/AdobeStock_647691237.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/05\/AdobeStock_647691237.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":7941375,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/06\/05\/AdobeStock_647691237.jpeg?itok=WkvuBsuR"}}},"media_ids":["677191"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"194539","name":"Battery supply chain"},{"id":"185112","name":"lithium-ion batteries"},{"id":"194540","name":"silicon anode"},{"id":"194541","name":"Titan Silicon"},{"id":"181588","name":"solid-state batteries"},{"id":"175832","name":"energy density"},{"id":"187224","name":"battery innovation"},{"id":"194542","name":"battery chemistry"},{"id":"194543","name":"EV batteries"},{"id":"194544","name":"battery manufacturing"},{"id":"194545","name":"gigafactories"},{"id":"194546","name":"graphite alternatives"},{"id":"175915","name":"electrification"},{"id":"194526","name":"critical minerals"},{"id":"194547","name":"global battery race"},{"id":"194548","name":"supply chain resilience"},{"id":"194549","name":"Foreign Entity of Concern"},{"id":"194550","name":"FEOC"},{"id":"194551","name":"Inflation Reduction Act"},{"id":"194552","name":"IRA"},{"id":"119981","name":"reshoring"},{"id":"194553","name":"energy independence"},{"id":"194554","name":"strategic materials"},{"id":"194555","name":"clean energy transition"},{"id":"194556","name":"domestic production"},{"id":"194557","name":"clean energy policy"},{"id":"194558","name":"industrial strategy"},{"id":"194559","name":"investment incentives"},{"id":"194560","name":"Section 45X tax credit"},{"id":"194561","name":"tariffs on EVs"},{"id":"194562","name":"local sourcing requirements"},{"id":"59541","name":"workforce development"},{"id":"194563","name":"infrastructure investment"},{"id":"41551","name":"public-private partnerships"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESiobhan Rodriguez\u003Cbr\u003ESenior Media Relations\u0026nbsp;Representative\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:media@gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Emedia@gatech.edu\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["sar30@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"681961":{"#nid":"681961","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Thesis on Human-Centered AI Earns Honors from International Computing Organization","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA Georgia Tech alum\u2019s dissertation introduced ways to make artificial intelligence (AI) more accessible, interpretable, and accountable. Although it\u2019s been a year since his doctoral defense,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/zijie.wang\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EZijie (Jay) Wang\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019s (Ph.D. ML-CSE 2024) work continues to resonate with researchers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWang is a recipient of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/medium.com\/sigchi\/announcing-the-2025-acm-sigchi-awards-17c1feaf865f\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2025 Outstanding Dissertation Award from the Association for Computing Machinery Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction (ACM SIGCHI)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. The award recognizes Wang for his lifelong work on democratizing human-centered AI.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThroughout my Ph.D. and industry internships, I observed a gap in existing research: there is a strong need for practical tools for applying human-centered approaches when designing AI systems,\u201d said Wang, now a safety researcher at OpenAI.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMy work not only helps people understand AI and guide its behavior but also provides user-friendly tools that fit into existing workflows.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E[Related: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/research\/chi-2025\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech College of Computing Swarms to Yokohama, Japan, for CHI 2025\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWang\u2019s dissertation presented techniques in visual explanation and interactive guidance to align AI models with user knowledge and values. The work culminated from years of research, fellowship support, and internships.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWang\u2019s most influential projects formed the core of his dissertation. These included:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/poloclub.github.io\/cnn-explainer\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECNN Explainer\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E: an open-source tool developed for deep-learning beginners. Since its release in July 2020, more than 436,000 global visitors have used the tool.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/poloclub.github.io\/diffusiondb\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDiffusionDB\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E: a first-of-its-kind large-scale dataset that lays a foundation to help people better understand generative AI. This work could lead to new research in detecting deepfakes and designing human-AI interaction tools to help people more easily use these models.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/interpret.ml\/gam-changer\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGAM Changer\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E: an interface that empowers users in healthcare, finance, or other domains to edit ML models to include knowledge and values specific to their domain, which improves reliability.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.jennwv.com\/papers\/gamcoach.pdf\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGAM Coach\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E: an interactive ML tool that could help people who have been rejected for a loan by automatically letting an applicant know what is needed for them to receive loan approval. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/new-tool-teaches-responsible-ai-practices-when-using-large-language-models\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFarsight\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E: a tool that alerts developers when they write prompts in large language models that could be harmful and misused. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI feel extremely honored and lucky to receive this award, and I am deeply grateful to many who have supported me along the way, including Polo, mentors, collaborators, and friends,\u201d said Wang, who was advised by School of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/poloclub.github.io\/polochau\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPolo Chau\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis recognition also inspired me to continue striving to design and develop easy-to-use tools that help everyone to easily interact with AI systems.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELike Wang, Chau advised Georgia Tech alumnus\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/fredhohman.com\/\u0022\u003EFred Hohman\u003C\/a\u003E (Ph.D. CSE 2020).\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/alumnus-building-legacy-through-dissertation-and-mentorship\u0022\u003EHohman won the ACM SIGCHI Outstanding Dissertation Award in 2022\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/poloclub.github.io\/\u0022\u003EChau\u2019s group\u003C\/a\u003E synthesizes machine learning (ML) and visualization techniques into scalable, interactive, and trustworthy tools. These tools increase understanding and interaction with large-scale data and ML models.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChau is the associate director of corporate relations for the Machine Learning Center at Georgia Tech. Wang called the School of CSE his home unit while a student in the ML program under Chau.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWang is one of five recipients of this year\u2019s award to be presented at the 2025 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chi2025.acm.org\/\u0022\u003ECHI 2025\u003C\/a\u003E). The conference occurs April 25-May 1 in Yokohama, Japan.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESIGCHI is the world\u2019s largest association of human-computer interaction professionals and practitioners. The group sponsors or co-sponsors 26 conferences, including CHI.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWang\u2019s outstanding dissertation award is the latest recognition of a career decorated with achievement.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMonths after graduating from Georgia Tech,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/research-ai-safety-lands-recent-graduate-forbes-30-under-30\u0022\u003EForbes named Wang to its 30 Under 30 in Science for 2025\u003C\/a\u003E for his dissertation. Wang was one of 15 Yellow Jackets included in nine different 30 Under 30 lists and the only Georgia Tech-affiliated individual on the 30 Under 30 in Science list.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile a Georgia Tech student, Wang earned recognition from big names in business and technology. He received the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/student-named-apple-scholar-connecting-people-machine-learning\u0022\u003EApple Scholars in AI\/ML Ph.D. Fellowship in 2023\u003C\/a\u003E and was in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/georgia-tech-machine-learning-students-earn-jp-morgan-ai-phd-fellowships\u0022\u003E2022 cohort of the J.P. Morgan AI Ph.D. Fellowships Program\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlong with the CHI award, Wang\u2019s dissertation earned him awards this year at banquets across campus. The\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com\/sites.gatech.edu\/dist\/0\/283\/files\/2025\/03\/2025-Sigma-Xi-Research-Award-Winners.pdf\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech chapter of Sigma Xi presented Wang with the Best Ph.D. Thesis Award\u003C\/a\u003E. He also received the College of Computing\u2019s Outstanding Dissertation Award.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech attracts many great minds, and I\u2019m glad that some, like Jay, chose to join our group,\u201d Chau said. \u201cIt has been a joy to work alongside them and witness the many wonderful things they have accomplished, and with many more to come in their careers.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA Georgia Tech alum\u2019s dissertation introduced ways to make artificial intelligence (AI) more accessible, interpretable, and accountable. Although it\u2019s been a year since his doctoral defense,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/zijie.wang\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EZijie (Jay) Wang\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019s (Ph.D. ML-CSE 2024) work continues to resonate with researchers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWang is a recipient of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/medium.com\/sigchi\/announcing-the-2025-acm-sigchi-awards-17c1feaf865f\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2025 Outstanding Dissertation Award from the Association for Computing Machinery Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction (ACM SIGCHI)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. The award recognizes Wang for his lifelong work on democratizing human-centered AI.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":" Zijie (Jay) Wang (Ph.D. ML-CSE 2024) is a recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Dissertation Award from the Association for Computing Machinery Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction (ACM SIGCHI)."}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2025-04-22 14:24:46","changed_gmt":"2025-04-22 14:29:07","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-04-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-04-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676903":{"id":"676903","type":"image","title":"Jay-Wang-SIGCHI-Dissertation-Award.jpg","body":null,"created":"1745331896","gmt_created":"2025-04-22 14:24:56","changed":"1745331896","gmt_changed":"2025-04-22 14:24:56","alt":"Zijie (Jay) Wang CHI 2025","file":{"fid":"260750","name":"Jay-Wang-SIGCHI-Dissertation-Award.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/22\/Jay-Wang-SIGCHI-Dissertation-Award.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/22\/Jay-Wang-SIGCHI-Dissertation-Award.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":99526,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/04\/22\/Jay-Wang-SIGCHI-Dissertation-Award.jpg?itok=_QvwIP00"}},"673947":{"id":"673947","type":"image","title":"Farsight CHI.jpg","body":null,"created":"1714954253","gmt_created":"2024-05-06 00:10:53","changed":"1714954253","gmt_changed":"2024-05-06 00:10:53","alt":"CHI 2024 Farsight","file":{"fid":"257404","name":"Farsight CHI.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/05\/Farsight%20CHI.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/05\/Farsight%20CHI.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":139358,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/05\/Farsight%20CHI.jpg?itok=6genJVjw"}}},"media_ids":["676903","673947"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/thesis-human-centered-ai-earns-honors-international-computing-organization","title":"Thesis on Human-Centered AI Earns Honors from International Computing Organization"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50877","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"155","name":"Congressional Testimony"},{"id":"143","name":"Digital Media and Entertainment"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"42921","name":"Exhibitions"},{"id":"42891","name":"Georgia Tech Arts"},{"id":"179356","name":"Industrial Design"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"132","name":"Institute Leadership"},{"id":"194248","name":"International Education"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"147","name":"Military Technology"},{"id":"148","name":"Music and Music Technology"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"},{"id":"42931","name":"Performances"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"152","name":"Robotics"},{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"},{"id":"193157","name":"Student Honors and Achievements"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"681839":{"#nid":"681839","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Liquid Cooling Technology Developed at Georgia Tech Awarded U.S. Patent, Company Raising Capital to Scale","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhat\u2019s the hottest thing in electronics and high-performance computing? In a word, it\u2019s \u201ccool.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo be more precise, it\u2019s a liquid cooling system developed at Georgia Tech for electronics aimed at solving a long-standing problem: overheating.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDeveloped by Daniel Lorenzini, a 2019 Tech graduate who earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, the cooling system uses microfluidic channels \u2014 tiny, intricate pathways for liquids \u2014 that are embedded within the chip packaging.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe worked with VentureLab, a Tech program in the Office of Commercialization, to spin his research into a startup company, EMCOOL, headquartered in Norcross.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur solution directly addresses the heat at the source of the silicon chip and therefore makes it faster,\u201d Lorenzini said. \u201cOur design has our system sitting directly on the silicon chips that generate the most heat. Using the fluids in the micro-pin fins, it carries the heat that\u2019s produced away from the chip.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat cooling solution is directly integrated into the electronic components, making it significantly more efficient than conventional cooling methods, because it enhances the heat dissipation process.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe result is a much lower risk of overheating and reduced power consumption, he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELorenzini, who researched and refined the technology in the lab of Yogendra Joshi at the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, was awarded a patent for the technology in September 2024.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, EMCOOL, which has five empoloyees, is actively pursuing venture capital funding to scale its technology and address the escalating thermal management challenges posed by AI processors in modern data centers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe system uses a cooling block with tiny, pin-like fins on one side and a special thermal interface material on the other. There\u0027s also a junction attached to the block, with ports for the fluid to flow in and out. The cooling fluid moves through the micro-pin fins and helps to carry away the heat.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince the ports are designed to match the shape of the fins, it ensures that the fluid flows efficiently and the heat is dissipated as effectively as possible at chip-scale.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs electronic devices \u2014 from high-performance personal computers to data centers used for artificial intelligence processing \u2014 become more powerful, they generate more heat. This excess heat can damage components or cause the device to underperform.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETraditional cooling methods, which include fans or heat sinks, often struggle to keep pace with the increasing demands of the newer model electronics. Lorenzini\u2019s microfluidic system addresses the challenge of overheating with his patented, more effective, compact, and integrated cooling solution.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith the guidance of Jonathan Goldman, director of Quadrant-i in Tech\u2019s Office of Commercialization, Lorenzini secured grant funding through the National Science Foundation and the Georgia Research Alliance to further the research and build design prototypes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe immediately had the sense there was commercial potential here,\u201d Goldman said. \u201cThermal management, or getting rid of heat, is a ubiquitous problem in the computer industry, so when we saw what Daniel was doing, we immediately began to engage with him to understand what the commercial potential was.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIndeed, the initial focus for the technology was the $159 billion global electronic gaming market. Gamers need a lot of computing power, which generates a lot of heat, causing lag.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut beyond gaming systems, the company, which manufactures custom cooling blocks and kits at its Norcross facility, is eyeing more sectors, which also suffer from overheating, Goldman said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe technology addresses similar overheating electronics challenges in high-performance computing, telecommunications, and energy systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis work propels us forward in pushing the boundaries of what traditional cooling technologies can achieve because by harnessing the power of microfluidics, EMCOOL\u0027s systems offer a compact and energy-efficient way to manage heat,\u201d Goldman said. \u201cThis has the potential to revolutionize industries reliant on high-performance computing, where heat management is a constant challenge.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWith support from Georgia Tech\u2019s Office of Commercialization, VentureLab, NSF, and GRA, EmCool now manufactures custom cooling solutions in Norcross, GA for gaming, high-performance computing, and more.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"EMCOOL\u0027s technology solves overheating in electronics."}],"uid":"28137","created_gmt":"2025-04-16 15:23:51","changed_gmt":"2025-04-16 17:39:45","author":"P\u00e9ralte Paul","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Norcross, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-04-16T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-04-16T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676859":{"id":"676859","type":"video","title":"EMCOOL Video","body":"\u003Cp\u003EEmCool, a Georgia Tech spinout, is tackling one of tech\u2019s biggest challenges: overheating.\r\nDeveloped by Ph.D. alum Daniel Lorenzini, EmCool\u2019s patented microfluidic cooling system is embedded directly into silicon chips\u2014making it faster, smaller, and more efficient than traditional fans or heat sinks.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1744820433","gmt_created":"2025-04-16 16:20:33","changed":"1744820433","gmt_changed":"2025-04-16 16:20:33","video":{"youtube_id":"eZZg391Z_3s","video_url":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/eZZg391Z_3s?si=xKbGHkGQnXRgOS-D"}}},"media_ids":["676859"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"193395","name":"Office of Commercialization"},{"id":"4193","name":"venturelab"},{"id":"190790","name":"Jonathan Goldman"},{"id":"181188","name":"Daniel Lorenzini"},{"id":"194476","name":"EMCOOL"},{"id":"194477","name":"liquid cooling technology"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"},{"id":"193654","name":"Enterprise Innovation Institute"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EP\u00e9ralte C. Paul\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:peralte@gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eperalte@gatech.edu\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E404.316.1210\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["peralte@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"680735":{"#nid":"680735","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Algorithms Developed at Georgia Tech are Lunar Bound","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn the past five years, five lunar landers have launched into space, marking a series of first successful landings in decades. The future will see more of these type of missions, including \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/artemis\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENASA\u2019s Artemis program\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and various private ventures. These missions need reliable and quick navigation abilities to successfully complete missions, especially if ground stations on Earth are overburdened or disconnected.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/seal.ae.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESpace Exploration and Analysis Laboratory\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (SEAL) has developed new algorithms that are headed to the Moon, as part of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.intuitivemachines.com\/im-2\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIntuitive Machine\u2019s\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E IM-2 mission. The mission is sending a Nova-C class lunar lander named Athena to the Moon\u2019s south pole region to test technologies and collect data that aim to enable future exploration. The mission is part of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/commercial-lunar-payload-services\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENASA\u2019s Commercial Lunar Payload Services\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (CLPS) initiative.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESEAL\u2019s Space Odyssey\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESEAL, led by AE professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/john-christian\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJohn Christian\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, collaborated with Intuitive Machines to develop algorithms to guide Athena to the Shackleton crater: a region known for its limited sunlight and cold temperatures. In coordination with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.spacex.com\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESpaceX\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, launch of the company\u2019s IM-2 mission is targeted for a multi-day launch window that opens no earlier than February 26 from Launch Complex 39A at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAthena will transport NASA\u0027s\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/polar-resources-ice-mining-experiment-1-prime-1\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPRIME-1\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1) which includes two instruments: a drill and spectrometer. The Regolith and Ice Drill for Exploring New Terrain (TRIDENT) is designed to drill up to three feet of lunar surface to extract soil, while the mass spectrometer (MSOLO) will measure the amount of ice in the soil samples.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter launch, Athena will separate from the rocket and begin a roughly five-to-four-day cruise to the Moon\u2019s orbit. The lander will orbit the Moon for approximately three to 1.5 days before its descent to the south pole.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn Fall 2022, Research Engineer \u003Cstrong\u003EAva Thrasher\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E(AE 2022, M.S. AE 2024)\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ebegan working on IM-2, developing new algorithms to guide Athena to the Shackleton crater using optical terrain relative navigation (TRN). Her approach looked at developing a crater detection algorithm (CDA) using image processing techniques that capture crater center locations on the Moon which are then used to determine Athena\u0027s position estimations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThen, she developed a crater identification algorithm (CIA) to match craters found in the image to a catalog of known lunar craters. By using CDA and CIA in tandem, Athena is able to estimate its location and orientation with a single photo, autonomously, and in real-time.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe wanted to strike a balance between creating something that would be done quickly on board, but also something that was reliable,\u201d she explained. \u201cWe ended up using simple crater geometry and knowledge of the sun angle to render what we expect a crater to look like in the image.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe CDA finds craters by calculating a similarity score between the image and the rendered crater at each image pixel point. This process, also known as template matching, marks crater centers at points of very high similarity. CIA then uses these crater center locations to match them with known craters in a catalog. By matching pixel locations in an image to known three-dimensional positions on the Moon, the spacecraft is able to produce an estimation of its position.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter two years of research and testing, Thrasher, Christian, and the Intuitive Machines team successfully demonstrated the CDA and CIA on synthetic imagery and Thrasher handed off the algorithms to Intuitive Machines to convert them into flight software for Athena.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe first got involved with optical navigation (OPNAV) research after she took AE 4342: Senior Design with Prof. Christian as an undergraduate student. \u201cI found optical navigation to be really interesting. I liked the idea of being able to figure out where you are and how you\u2019re moving in real-time based on a picture,\u201d she said. In Fall 2022, she started her first graduate semester at Tech and was a new member of SEAL, where she quickly began demonstrating the idea of detecting craters and prototyping the CDA and CIA programmed into Athena. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter she graduated with her master\u2019s degree in aerospace engineering in May 2024, \u0026nbsp;she loved what she did so much, that she decided to stay and work as a full-time research engineer in SEAL. Now, she\u2019s gearing up to see her work make its way to the Moon.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u0027s been really exciting and humbling to contribute to the massive task of putting a lander on the Moon. I never really appreciated the scale of work and collaboration needed to make it happen until I was lucky enough to be a part of it. I\u0027ll certainly be watching the launch and tracking the mission with great anticipation of both the engineering and scientific results,\u201d said Thrasher.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIM-1 Makes History\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs part of a multi-year collaboration, Christian helped \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ae.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/02\/georgia-tech-algorithm-headed-moon\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Edevelop a key navigation algorithm for Intuitive Machines\u2019 first space mission (IM-1\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E) which launched a Nova-C lunar lander named Odysseus to the Malapert A crater on the Moon\u2019s south pole region; about 11 miles away from IM-2\u2019s targeted Shackleton crater.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe IM-1 mission launched from Kennedy Space Center on February 15, 2024 and soft-landed on the Moon on February 22, 2024---making Odysseus the first U.S. lunar landing since the Apollo program and the first-ever successful commercial lunar landing. Odysseus had a rougher-than-expected soft landing due to an anomaly with the altimeter that was supposed to provide insight into the lander\u2019s height above the lunar surface. In the absence of these altimeter measurements, Odysseus relied critically on the visual odometry technique that was jointly developed by Christian and Intuitive Machines.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDespite these challenges, Odysseus captured images of the Moon during landing and operated on the lunar surface for 144 hours before entering standby mode.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProf. Christian and SEAL have more projects on the horizon to develop new technologies for exploring our Moon, other planets, asteroids, and the solar system. These technologies will enable future scientific missions to safely explore challenging destinations and answer scientific questions that were impossible with yesterday\u2019s technology.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/seal.ae.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESpace Exploration and Analysis Laboratory\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (SEAL) has developed new algorithms that are headed to the Moon, as part of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.intuitivemachines.com\/im-2\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIntuitive Machine\u2019s\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E IM-2 mission. The mission is sending a Nova-C class lunar lander named Athena to the Moon\u2019s south pole region to test technologies and collect data that aim to enable future exploration. The mission is part of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/commercial-lunar-payload-services\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENASA\u2019s Commercial Lunar Payload Services\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (CLPS) initiative.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESEAL, led by Professor \u003Cstrong\u003EJohn Christian\u003C\/strong\u003E, collaborated with Intuitive Machines to develop algorithms to guide Athena to the Shackleton crater: a region known for its limited sunlight and cold temperatures. Research Engineer \u003Cstrong\u003EAva Thrasher\u003C\/strong\u003E (AE 2022, M.S. AE 2024) led Georgia Tech\u0027s SEAL team on developing the algorithms used for Athena\u0027s flight software.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"AE researchers have developed new algorithms to help Intuitive Machine\u2019s lunar lander find water ice on the Moon.  "}],"uid":"34736","created_gmt":"2025-02-26 16:19:31","changed_gmt":"2025-02-26 16:27:39","author":"Kelsey Gulledge","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-02-25T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-02-25T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676397":{"id":"676397","type":"image","title":"54284511327_9ca21c7337_o.jpg","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIntuitive Machines\u0027 IM-2 mission lunar lander, Athena, in the company\u0027s Lunar Production and Operations Center. Credit: Intuitive Machines\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1740586783","gmt_created":"2025-02-26 16:19:43","changed":"1740586783","gmt_changed":"2025-02-26 16:19:43","alt":"Intuitive Machines\u0027 IM-2 mission lunar lander, Athena, in the company\u0027s Lunar Production and Operations Center. Credit: Intuitive Machines","file":{"fid":"260181","name":"54284511327_9ca21c7337_o.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/26\/54284511327_9ca21c7337_o.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/26\/54284511327_9ca21c7337_o.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5213520,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/26\/54284511327_9ca21c7337_o.jpg?itok=-2RtZOQq"}},"676398":{"id":"676398","type":"image","title":"Christian-John.jpg","body":null,"created":"1740586840","gmt_created":"2025-02-26 16:20:40","changed":"1740586840","gmt_changed":"2025-02-26 16:20:40","alt":"Headshot of John Christian, AE School Professor","file":{"fid":"260182","name":"Christian-John.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/26\/Christian-John.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/26\/Christian-John.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1385478,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/26\/Christian-John.jpg?itok=E0GH0VXB"}},"676399":{"id":"676399","type":"image","title":"HeadShotThrasher.JPG","body":null,"created":"1740586878","gmt_created":"2025-02-26 16:21:18","changed":"1740586878","gmt_changed":"2025-02-26 16:21:18","alt":"Headshot of Ava Thrasher, AE School alumna and research engineer","file":{"fid":"260183","name":"HeadShotThrasher.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/26\/HeadShotThrasher.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/26\/HeadShotThrasher.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":630760,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/26\/HeadShotThrasher.JPG?itok=P_w4muA9"}},"676401":{"id":"676401","type":"image","title":"AAS_2024_CraterDetection_final-2.png","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIllustration of the steps used to detect and identify craters to ultimately determine the vehicles state estimation. Credit: Georgia Tech\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1740587067","gmt_created":"2025-02-26 16:24:27","changed":"1740587067","gmt_changed":"2025-02-26 16:24:27","alt":"Illustration of the steps used to detect and identify craters to ultimately determine the vehicles state estimation. Credit: Georgia Tech ","file":{"fid":"260185","name":"AAS_2024_CraterDetection_final-2.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/26\/AAS_2024_CraterDetection_final-2.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/26\/AAS_2024_CraterDetection_final-2.png","mime":"image\/png","size":201361,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/26\/AAS_2024_CraterDetection_final-2.png?itok=neltaeuF"}}},"media_ids":["676397","676398","676399","676401"],"groups":[{"id":"660364","name":"Aerospace Engineering"},{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"130","name":"Alumni"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"152","name":"Robotics"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EKelsey Gulledge\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["kelsey.gulledge@aerospace.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"663693":{"#nid":"663693","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Department of Energy Awards Georgia Tech Grant for Energyshed Project","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor decades, the U.S. energy generation, transmission, and distribution model has been developed and planned around large-scale power plants that combust fossil fuels to create power that is then transferred to population centers via a network of powerlines.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith the recent and rapid growth of distributed renewable technologies \u2014 wind, solar, and hydropower, and storage assets like batteries \u2014 a team of researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology is reimagining the planning paradigm for electric power infrastructure. The hope is to help shape new models that are better suited to community needs and include input and decision-making at the local level.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs envisioned, the Georgia Energyshed (G-SHED) will analyze the benefits, costs, and effects of various electricity generation, distribution, and usage-and-demand scenarios via use-case tests and modeling. That data will then be used to inform policy decisions at the local level and the implementation of new ideas for the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/atlantaregional.org\/browse\/?browse=topic\u0026amp;topic=atlanta-region\u0026amp;subtopic=county-profiles\u0026amp;type=\u0026amp;\u0022\u003E11-county metro Atlanta area\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;as defined by the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/atlantaregional.org\/\u0022\u003EAtlanta Regional Commission (ARC)\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhat\u2019s unique about this proposal is we\u2019re using this funding to explore a new planning mechanism that would really listen to the voices of these communities around their energy matrix,\u201d said Richard Simmons, director of research and studies at Georgia Tech\u2019s Strategic Energy Institute.\u0026nbsp;Simmons is the project\u0027s principal investigator.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnnounced\u0026nbsp;on November 2, the energyshed award is part of the federal agency\u2019s push to encourage a regional approach to understanding local energy demands and needs \u2014 and the best solutions to solve them tailored to those communities. Through its Office of Energy Efficiency \u0026amp; Renewable Energy, the DOE funding is part of a wider strategy to help communities understand the impacts and benefits of consuming energy that they generate locally.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe idea is not only to better include these communities in the conversation, but demonstrate that they can realize more local benefits from their and input and decisions.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELeading the initiative is the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEnergy, Policy, and Innovation Center (EPICenter)\u003C\/a\u003E. An arm of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E, EPICenter is tasked with marrying innovation with energy technology and policy; contributing to sound recommendations for the Southeast through unbiased research and analysis.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis grant is ideally suited for the mission of the EPICenter, which really tries to take leading energy technology and apply it in a local context that is mindful of the economic and social implications,\u201d Simmons said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech team also includes researchers from the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Public Policy\u003C\/a\u003E, the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/planning.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of City and Regional Planning\u003C\/a\u003E, and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECollege of Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo conduct the work, Georgia Tech is collaborating with key partners: the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), which has engaged in similar planning and modeling processes for regional water and transportation usage and trends; and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.southface.org\/\u0022\u003ESouthface Institute\u003C\/a\u003E, a sustainability non-profit with extensive experience in outreach, and community engagement research. Another nonprofit, the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/psequity.org\/\u0022\u003EPartnership for Southern Equity\u003C\/a\u003E, has also provided a letter endorsing the initiative.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA New Approach to Resource Management\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe G-SHED idea is modeled after the watershed concept, which takes a regional, solutions-based approach to address water demand and usage at the community level. Much like watersheds, where water collection, processing, distribution, use, and discharge is determined at the community level, Simmons said the idea is to explore how a similar approach can be valid for planning and infrastructure related to energy systems, such as electricity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere do appear to be some critical advantages by looking at local generation, consumption and even storage of renewable energy,\u201d said Simmons.\u0026nbsp;\u201cThat might help not only meet the needs of the local populace, but it could have conversion efficiency benefits and have more direct impact on both the economic and environmental wellness of the area.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile individual people and organizations already make energy-related decisions \u2014 consumers buying electric vehicles or developers erecting green or sustainable office buildings, for example \u2014 there\u2019s greater impact when broadened to the community or regional level, said Joe Hagerman, EPICenter director.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSo, when decisions are made, they are being made at a community level and capture a more representative local understanding. That information can be shared both upstream and downstream to the utilities, planners, and policymakers,\u201d Hagerman said. \u201cWe\u2019re hoping to create a tool that will help people make those decisions in a more holistic way, rather than making it all individually.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnsuring All Voices Are Heard\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EA key component of the G-SHED effort is to ensure all communities are included in the regional energy planning and decision-making processes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMarilyn Brown, Regents\u2019 Professor and Brook Byers Professor of Sustainable Systems in the School of Public Policy, has conducted pioneering work on energy burdens in the Southeast.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe goal is balanced growth and shared prosperity in the Atlanta metropolitan area by helping local communities and neighborhoods,\u201d Brown said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Southface Institute and ARC will leverage novel socio-technical tools developed by Georgia Tech to assess ways metro Atlanta can ensure all residents benefit from the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy economy. The team will survey community groups about energy use and service options, access to rate plans, ease of understanding electric bills, and familiarity with community energy options. Then, they will build an online toolkit to address these needs and help them learn how to use it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFocusing on that aspect is critical to the overall project\u2019s success because rising energy and utility costs fall disproportionately on those who can least afford them and yet have limited influence in the decision making,\u201d said Chandra Farley, the city of Atlanta\u2019s chief sustainability officer.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENationally, Atlanta is 4th\u0026nbsp;highest in median energy burden levels (behind Memphis, New Orleans, and Birmingham, respectively) and 3rd\u0026nbsp;highest among low-income household populations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEvaluating energy needs at the local and metro area level with direct input from the communities who have typically had no voice in energy decision making is an important tool in energy planning,\u201d Farley said. \u201cThe work that Georgia Tech is leading on energysheds will support community-informed energy planning and reinforce our efforts in the city of Atlanta to address energy affordability and advance access to the benefits of renewable energy projects leading to healthier communities and economic empowerment.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe U.S. Department of Energy award,\u0026nbsp;announced\u0026nbsp;on November 2, is part of the federal agency\u2019s push to encourage a regional approach to understanding local energy demands and needs.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Energy, Policy, and Innovation Center leads effort to develop new energy planning models for metro Atlanta"}],"uid":"28137","created_gmt":"2022-12-07 15:58:52","changed_gmt":"2025-02-11 19:24:42","author":"P\u00e9ralte Paul","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2022-12-07T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2022-12-07T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"664250":{"id":"664250","type":"image","title":"Atlanta Energyshed","body":null,"created":"1672169152","gmt_created":"2022-12-27 19:25:52","changed":"1672169152","gmt_changed":"2022-12-27 19:25:52","alt":"Atlanta city skyline","file":{"fid":"251394","name":"thumbnail_PastedGraphic-22.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/thumbnail_PastedGraphic-22.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/thumbnail_PastedGraphic-22.png","mime":"image\/png","size":230938,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/thumbnail_PastedGraphic-22.png?itok=tyxHEGxS"}},"657795":{"id":"657795","type":"image","title":"Marilyn Brown headshot","body":null,"created":"1651240925","gmt_created":"2022-04-29 14:02:05","changed":"1651241034","gmt_changed":"2022-04-29 14:03:54","alt":"Marilyn Brown, Regents\u0027 and Brook Byers Professor of Sustainable Systems in the School of Public Policy","file":{"fid":"249330","name":"Marilyn A Brown DSC_2963.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Marilyn%20A%20Brown%20DSC_2963.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Marilyn%20A%20Brown%20DSC_2963.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":341650,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Marilyn%20A%20Brown%20DSC_2963.jpg?itok=KqXX5hPQ"}},"664251":{"id":"664251","type":"image","title":"Clone of Rich Simmons Portrait","body":null,"created":"1672169500","gmt_created":"2022-12-27 19:31:40","changed":"1672169500","gmt_changed":"2022-12-27 19:31:40","alt":"Portrait of Rich Simmons","file":{"fid":"247014","name":"Rich_Simmons_portrait_2015.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Rich_Simmons_portrait_2015.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Rich_Simmons_portrait_2015.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2669610,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Rich_Simmons_portrait_2015.jpg?itok=tCFgkujG"}},"664252":{"id":"664252","type":"image","title":"Clone of Joseph Hagerman Portrait","body":null,"created":"1672169764","gmt_created":"2022-12-27 19:36:04","changed":"1672169764","gmt_changed":"2022-12-27 19:36:04","alt":"Portrait of Joseph Hagerman,\u00a0Director of the Energy, Policy, and Innovation Institute (EPICenter).","file":{"fid":"249649","name":"Joe_Hagerman_cropped.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Joe_Hagerman_cropped.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Joe_Hagerman_cropped.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":981391,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Joe_Hagerman_cropped.jpg?itok=Mo-tRulD"}}},"media_ids":["664250","657795","664251","664252"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"191718","name":"energyshed"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"330","name":"Marilyn Brown"},{"id":"479","name":"Green Buzz"},{"id":"191719","name":"Joe Hagerman"},{"id":"188484","name":"Richard Simmons"},{"id":"663","name":"Department of Energy"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPeralte C. Paul\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003Eperalte.paul@comm.gatech.edu\u003Cbr\u003E404.316.1210\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["peralte.paul@comm.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"679437":{"#nid":"679437","#data":{"type":"news","title":"AI\u2019s Energy Demands Spark Nuclear Revival","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe demand for electricity to power AI data centers is skyrocketing, placing immense pressure on traditional energy sources.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf we continue pursuing clean energy for AI and data centers, we will need to triple the energy supply for data centers by 2030,\u201d says \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/erickson\u0022\u003EWoodruff Professor Anna Erickson, a nuclear engineering expert from Georgia Tech\u003C\/a\u003E. Nuclear power, with its high energy density and continuous operation, is well-suited to provide the steady base load of electricity required.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to Erickson, the recent headlines of the restarting of Pennsylvania\u2019s Three Mile Island Unit 1 reactor (TMI-1) could play a crucial role in meeting these demands sustainably.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis decision, supported by a 20-year agreement with Microsoft, aims to provide carbon-free energy to meet the escalating power demands of AI data centers. The company\u2019s goal to be carbon negative by 2030 aligns with the broader push for sustainable energy solutions.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/energyexplained\/nuclear\/us-nuclear-industry.php\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EUnited States Energy Information Administration\u003C\/a\u003E, as of Aug. 1, 2023, the United States has 93 operating commercial nuclear reactors across 54 nuclear power plants in 28 states. The most recent reactor to begin commercial operation is Unit 4 at the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant in Georgia, which started on April 29, 2024.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe commercial start of Unit 4 completes the 11-year expansion project at Plant Vogtle.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Historic Site With a New Mission\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThree Mile Island, infamous for the 1979 partial meltdown of its Unit 2 reactor, has remained a symbol of nuclear caution. However, the reopening of TMI-1, which operated safely for decades before its 2019 shutdown due to financial constraints, represents a potential renaissance for nuclear power. The plant\u2019s revival is seen as a strategic move to address the increasing strain on conventional electricity grids, exacerbated by the energy-intensive needs of AI technologies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExpert Insights on Safety and Innovation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EErickson stresses the importance of rigorous safety measures and technological upgrades in the reopening process.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cReopening TMI-1 will require addressing several critical safety concerns, primarily focused on aging infrastructure and modern regulatory standards,\u201d she explains. Comprehensive inspections and upgrades to emergency cooling, radiation monitoring, and digital control systems will be essential to ensure structural integrity and operational reliability.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EErickson notes, \u201cWe can expect to see developments in advanced radiation detection, novel sensors, and AI-driven security systems.\u201d These technologies not only enhance safety but also improve the efficiency and reliability of nuclear power plants. She also highlights the potential for innovative advancements in reactor technology.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEconomic and Environmental Implications\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe reopening of TMI-1 is expected to bring notable economic advantages. According to Erickson, upgrading existing infrastructure is likely to be more cost-effective than new construction and can be completed more quickly.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe implications of restarting are significant,\u201d she explains. \u201cIt supports clean energy goals and provides a reliable power source for the growing needs of data centers.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnvironmental considerations are also paramount. The plant\u2019s carbon-free energy production aligns with efforts to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNuclear energy is a clean and reliable power source that can help us achieve our climate goals while meeting the growing energy demands of AI,\u201d Erickson emphasizes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPublic Perception and Regulatory Oversight\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDespite the potential benefits, public perception of nuclear energy remains cautious, primarily due to historical incidents like the Three Mile Island accident. Erickson acknowledges these concerns and indicates the importance of transparent regulatory oversight and effective communication. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe says the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) \u201cdoes a lot to ensure safety and security, but as experts, we need to do a better job of explaining technological advances and the benefits of nuclear energy.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe reopening of TMI-1 is subject to approval from the NRC and other regulatory bodies, ensuring that all safety and environmental standards are met.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWoodruff Professor Anna Erickson from Georgia Tech emphasizes the increasing energy demands of AI data centers, which are putting pressure on traditional energy sources and prompting a shift towards nuclear power for its high energy density and continuous operation. The reopening of Pennsylvania\u2019s Three Mile Island Unit 1, supported by a 20-year agreement with Microsoft, aims to provide a steady, carbon-free energy supply to meet these demands. This move aligns with Microsoft\u0027s goal to be carbon negative by 2030 and represents a strategic effort to address the strain on conventional electricity grids. Despite public caution due to historical incidents, Erickson stresses the importance of safety measures and technological upgrades to ensure the plant\u0027s reliability and efficiency.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Professor Anna Erickson highlights the reopening of Three Mile Island Unit 1 as a crucial step in meeting the growing energy demands of AI data centers with carbon-free nuclear power, aligning with Microsoft\u0027s sustainability goals."}],"uid":"35797","created_gmt":"2025-01-10 17:56:16","changed_gmt":"2025-01-17 15:10:54","author":"Siobhan Rodriguez","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-01-10T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-01-10T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675990":{"id":"675990","type":"image","title":"Three Mile Island","body":null,"created":"1736531791","gmt_created":"2025-01-10 17:56:31","changed":"1736531791","gmt_changed":"2025-01-10 17:56:31","alt":"Image of Three Mile Island","file":{"fid":"259682","name":"AdobeStock_229927661 (1).jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/10\/AdobeStock_229927661%20%281%29.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/10\/AdobeStock_229927661%20%281%29.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":10774783,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/01\/10\/AdobeStock_229927661%20%281%29.jpeg?itok=Xdmn2JcO"}}},"media_ids":["675990"],"groups":[{"id":"1316","name":"Green Buzz"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"193987","name":"Three Mile Island"},{"id":"194190","name":"AI data centers"},{"id":"194191","name":"electricity demand"},{"id":"194192","name":"traditional energy sources"},{"id":"8732","name":"clean energy"},{"id":"14003","name":"Nuclear Power"},{"id":"194193","name":"Three Mile Island Unit 1"},{"id":"194194","name":"Professor Anna Erickson"},{"id":"109","name":"Georgia Tech"},{"id":"335","name":"Microsoft"},{"id":"194195","name":"carbon-free energy"},{"id":"194196","name":"sustainability goals"},{"id":"194197","name":"United States Energy Information Administration"},{"id":"194198","name":"commercial nuclear reactors"},{"id":"194199","name":"Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant"},{"id":"194200","name":"safety measures"},{"id":"194201","name":"technological upgrades"},{"id":"194202","name":"economic advantages"},{"id":"194203","name":"environmental implications"},{"id":"194204","name":"public perception"},{"id":"194205","name":"regulatory oversight"},{"id":"194206","name":"U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission"},{"id":"2835","name":"ai"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"479","name":"Green Buzz"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESiobhan Rodriguez\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInstitute Communications\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["sar30@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"678746":{"#nid":"678746","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Multipurpose Model Enhances Forecasting Across Epidemics, Energy, and Economics","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new machine learning (ML) model from Georgia Tech could protect communities from diseases, better manage electricity consumption in cities, and promote business growth, all at the same time.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearchers from the School of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) created the Large Pre-Trained Time-Series Model (LPTM) framework.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2311.11413\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELPTM\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E is a single foundational model that completes forecasting tasks across a broad range of domains.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlong with performing as well or better than models purpose-built for their applications, LPTM requires 40% less data and 50% less training time than current baselines. In some cases, LPTM can be deployed without any training data.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe key to LPTM is that it is pre-trained on datasets from different industries like healthcare, transportation, and energy. The Georgia Tech group created an adaptive segmentation module to make effective use of these vastly different datasets.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech researchers will present LPTM in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, at the 2024 Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/nips.cc\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENeurIPS 2024\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E). NeurIPS is one of the world\u2019s most prestigious conferences on artificial intelligence (AI) and ML research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe foundational model paradigm started with text and image, but people haven\u2019t explored time-series tasks yet because those were considered too diverse across domains,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/faculty.cc.gatech.edu\/~badityap\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EB. Aditya Prakash\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, one of LPTM\u2019s developers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur work is a pioneer in this new area of exploration where only few attempts have been made so far.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E[\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/research\/neurips-2024\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMICROSITE: Georgia Tech at NeurIPS 2024\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFoundational models are trained with data from different fields, making them powerful tools when assigned tasks. Foundational models drive GPT, DALL-E, and other popular generative AI platforms used today. LPTM is different though because it is geared toward time-series, not text and image generation. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech researchers trained LPTM on data ranging from epidemics, macroeconomics, power consumption, traffic and transportation, stock markets, and human motion and behavioral datasets.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter training, the group pitted LPTM against 17 other models to make forecasts as close to nine real-case benchmarks. LPTM performed the best on five datasets and placed second on the other four.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe nine benchmarks contained data from real-world collections. These included the spread of influenza in the U.S. and Japan, electricity, traffic, and taxi demand in New York, and financial markets.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe competitor models were purpose-built for their fields. While each model performed well on one or two benchmarks closest to its designed purpose, the models ranked in the middle or bottom on others.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn another experiment, the Georgia Tech group tested LPTM against seven baseline models on the same nine benchmarks in zero-shot forecasting tasks. Zero-shot means the model is used out of the box and not given any specific guidance during training. LPTM outperformed every model across all benchmarks in this trial.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELPTM performed consistently as a top-runner on all nine benchmarks, demonstrating the model\u2019s potential to achieve superior forecasting results across multiple applications with less and resources.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur model also goes beyond forecasting and helps accomplish other tasks,\u201d said Prakash, an associate professor in the School of CSE.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cClassification is a useful time-series task that allows us to understand the nature of the time-series and label whether that time-series is something we understand or is new.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne reason traditional models are custom-built to their purpose is that fields differ in reporting frequency and trends.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, epidemic data is often reported weekly and goes through seasonal peaks with occasional outbreaks. Economic data is captured quarterly and typically remains consistent and monotone over time.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELPTM\u2019s adaptive segmentation module allows it to overcome these timing differences across datasets. When LPTM receives a dataset, the module breaks data into segments of different sizes. Then, it scores all possible ways to segment data and chooses the easiest segment from which to learn useful patterns.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELPTM\u2019s performance, enhanced through the innovation of adaptive segmentation, earned the model acceptance to NeurIPS 2024 for presentation. NeurIPS is one of three primary international conferences on high-impact research in AI and ML. NeurIPS 2024 occurs Dec. 10-15.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPh.D. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.harsha-pk.com\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHarshavardhan Kamarthi\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E partnered with Prakash, his advisor, on LPTM. The duo are among the 162 Georgia Tech researchers presenting over 80 papers at the conference.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrakash is one of 46 Georgia Tech faculty with research accepted at NeurIPS 2024. Nine School of CSE faculty members, nearly one-third of the body, are authors or co-authors of 17 papers accepted at the conference.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlong with sharing their research at NeurIPS 2024, Prakash and Kamarthi released an\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/github.com\/AdityaLab\/Samay\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eopen-source library of foundational time-series modules\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E that data scientists can use in their applications.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGiven the interest in AI from all walks of life, including business, social, and research and development sectors, a lot of work has been done and thousands of strong papers are submitted to the main AI conferences,\u201d Prakash said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAcceptance of our paper speaks to the quality of the work and its potential to advance foundational methodology, and we hope to share that with a larger audience.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new machine learning (ML) model from Georgia Tech could protect communities from diseases, better manage electricity consumption in cities, and promote business growth, all at the same time.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearchers from the School of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) created the Large Pre-Trained Time-Series Model (LPTM) framework.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2311.11413\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELPTM\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E is a single foundational model that completes forecasting tasks across a broad range of domains.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlong with performing as well or better than models purpose-built for their applications, LPTM requires 40% less data and 50% less training time than current baselines. In some cases, LPTM can be deployed without any training data.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe key to LPTM is that it is pre-trained on datasets from different industries like healthcare, transportation, and energy. The Georgia Tech group created an adaptive segmentation module to make effective use of these vastly different datasets.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech researchers will present LPTM in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, at the 2024 Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/nips.cc\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENeurIPS 2024\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E). NeurIPS is one of the world\u2019s most prestigious conferences on artificial intelligence (AI) and ML research.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Large Pre-Trained Time-Series Model (LPTM) framework completes forecasting tasks across a broad range of domains, outperforms current models,  and requires 40% less data and 50% less training time than current baselines."}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2024-12-04 12:32:04","changed_gmt":"2024-12-05 20:53:31","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2024-12-03T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-12-03T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675764":{"id":"675764","type":"image","title":"LPTM Head photo.jpg","body":null,"created":"1733315535","gmt_created":"2024-12-04 12:32:15","changed":"1733315535","gmt_changed":"2024-12-04 12:32:15","alt":"CSE NeurIPS 2024","file":{"fid":"259428","name":"LPTM Head photo.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/04\/LPTM%20Head%20photo.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/04\/LPTM%20Head%20photo.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":138121,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/04\/LPTM%20Head%20photo.jpg?itok=-_oqygAy"}},"675765":{"id":"675765","type":"image","title":"Aditya and Harsha.jpg","body":null,"created":"1733315572","gmt_created":"2024-12-04 12:32:52","changed":"1733315572","gmt_changed":"2024-12-04 12:32:52","alt":"CSE NeurIPS 2024","file":{"fid":"259429","name":"Aditya and Harsha.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/04\/Aditya%20and%20Harsha.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/04\/Aditya%20and%20Harsha.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":54358,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/04\/Aditya%20and%20Harsha.jpg?itok=Dv3sFphr"}}},"media_ids":["675764","675765"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/multipurpose-model-enhances-forecasting-across-epidemics-energy-and-economics","title":"Multipurpose Model Enhances Forecasting Across Epidemics, Energy, and Economics"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50877","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"2556","name":"artificial intelligence"},{"id":"9167","name":"machine learning"},{"id":"191912","name":"Data Science at GT"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"677897":{"#nid":"677897","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Cybersecurity Goes Green with $4.6 Million DOE Grant","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded Georgia Tech researchers a $4.6 million grant to develop improved cybersecurity protection for renewable energy technologies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAssociate Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.google.com\/site\/samanzonouz4n6\/saman-zonouz\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESaman Zonouz\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\/strong\u003Ewill lead the project and leverage the latest artificial technology (AI) to create Phorensics. The new tool will anticipate cyberattacks on critical infrastructure and provide analysts with an accurate reading of what vulnerabilities were exploited.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis grant enables us to tackle one of the crucial challenges facing national security today: our critical infrastructure resilience and post-incident diagnostics to restore normal operations in a timely manner,\u201d said Zonouz.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTogether with our amazing team, we will focus on cyber-physical data recovery and post-mortem forensics analysis after cybersecurity incidents in emerging renewable energy systems.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs the integration of renewable energy technology into national power grids increases, so does their vulnerability to cyberattacks. These threats put energy infrastructure at risk and pose a significant danger to public safety and economic stability. The AI behind Phorensics will allow analysts and technicians to scale security efforts to keep up with a growing power grid that is becoming more complex.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis effort is part of the Security of Engineering Systems (SES) initiative at Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Cybersecurity and Privacy (SCP). SES has three pillars: research, education, and testbeds, with multiple ongoing large, sponsored efforts.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe had a successful hiring season for SES last year and will continue filling several open tenure-track faculty positions this upcoming cycle,\u201d said Zonouz.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWith top-notch cybersecurity and engineering schools at Georgia Tech, we have begun the SES journey with a dedicated passion to pursue building real-world solutions to protect our critical infrastructures, national security, and public safety.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZonouz\u0026nbsp;is the director of the Cyber-Physical Systems Security Laboratory (CPSec) and is jointly appointed by Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Cybersecurity and Privacy\u0026nbsp;(SCP) and the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe three Georgia Tech researchers joining him on this project are \u003Cstrong\u003EBrendan Saltaformaggio\u003C\/strong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;associate\u0026nbsp;professor in SCP and ECE; \u003Cstrong\u003ETaesoo Kim\u003C\/strong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;jointly appointed professor in SCP and the School of Computer Science; and \u003Cstrong\u003EAnimesh Chhotaray\u003C\/strong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;research\u0026nbsp;scientist in SCP.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKatherine Davis\u003C\/strong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;associate\u0026nbsp;professor at the Texas A\u0026amp;M University Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has partnered with the team to develop Phorensics. The team will also collaborate with the NREL National Lab, and industry partners for technology transfer and commercialization initiatives.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Energy Department defines renewable energy as energy from unlimited, naturally replenished resources, such as the sun, tides, and wind. Renewable energy can be used for electricity generation, space and water heating and cooling, and transportation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers received a $4.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to enhance cybersecurity for renewable energy technologies. Led by Associate Professor Saman Zonouz, the project will develop an AI-based tool called Phorensics to anticipate cyberattacks on critical infrastructure and analyze exploited vulnerabilities. The initiative is crucial as the growing integration of renewable energy into power grids increases their vulnerability to cyber threats. This project is part of the Security of Engineering Systems (SES) initiative at Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Cybersecurity and Privacy, aiming to improve national security and public safety. The team includes Georgia Tech faculty and industry partners for technology development and commercialization.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers received a $4.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to enhance cybersecurity for renewable energy technologies."}],"uid":"36253","created_gmt":"2024-10-24 15:48:35","changed_gmt":"2024-10-30 15:24:42","author":"John Popham","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-10-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-10-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673306":{"id":"673306","type":"image","title":"Saman Zonouz is a Georgia Tech associate professor and lead researcher for the DerGuard project. ","body":null,"created":"1709660104","gmt_created":"2024-03-05 17:35:04","changed":"1709660054","gmt_changed":"2024-03-05 17:34:14","alt":"Saman Zonouz is a Georgia Tech associate professor and lead researcher for the DerGuard project. ","file":{"fid":"256679","name":"Saman-Zonouz.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/03\/05\/Saman-Zonouz.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/03\/05\/Saman-Zonouz.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":56998,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/03\/05\/Saman-Zonouz.jpg?itok=qOSZDIrt"}}},"media_ids":["673306"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"660373","name":"School of Cybersecurity \u0026 Privacy (Do not use)"},{"id":"660367","name":"School of Cybersecurity and Privacy"}],"categories":[{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"365","name":"Research"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"2835","name":"ai"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"107031","name":"College of Engineering; School of Electrical and Computer Engineering"},{"id":"168414","name":"College of Engineering; School of Electrical and Computer Engineering; College of Computing"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"3245","name":"News"},{"id":"2634","name":"grant"},{"id":"194059","name":"million"},{"id":"364","name":"Funding"},{"id":"1506","name":"faculty"},{"id":"516","name":"engineering"},{"id":"208","name":"computing"},{"id":"1404","name":"Cybersecurity"},{"id":"182941","name":"cc-research; ic-cybersecurity; ic-hcc"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"145171","name":"Cybersecurity"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"},{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Popham\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommunications Officer II\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECollege of Computing | School of Cybersecurity and Privacy\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jpopham3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"677477":{"#nid":"677477","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Soil-Powered Fuel Cell Makes List of Best Sustainability Designs","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA newly designed soil-powered fuel cell that could provide a sustainable alternative to batteries was recognized as an honorable mention in the annual Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETerracell is roughly the size of a paperback book and uses microbes found in soil to generate energy for low-power applications.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrevious designs for soil microbial fuel cells required water submergence or saturated soil. Terracell can function in soil with a volumetric water content of 42%\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETerracell placed in Fast Company\u2019s list of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fastcompany.com\/91129811\/students-innovation-by-design-2024\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ebest sustainability-focused designs of 2024\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearchers at Northwestern University lead the multi-institution research team that designed Terracell.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJosiah\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cstrong\u003EHester\u003C\/strong\u003E, an associate professor in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ic.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech\u0027s School of Interactive Computing\u003C\/a\u003E who previously worked at Northwestern, directs the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/kamoamoa.com\/\u0022\u003EKa Moamoa Lab\u003C\/a\u003E, where the project was conceived.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team includes researchers from Northwestern, Georgia Tech, Stanford, the University of California-San Diego, and the University of California-Santa Cruz.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir research was published in January in the Proceedings of the Association for Computing Machinery on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable, and Ubiquitous Technologies. The researchers will also present this work at the ACM international joint conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing (Ubicomp), Oct. 5-9.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to the Fast Company website, the Innovation by Design Awards recognize \u201cdesigners and businesses solving the most crucial problems of today and anticipating the pressing issues of tomorrow.\u201d Winners are published in Fast Company Magazine and are honored at the Fast Company Innovation Festival in the fall.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTerracell could reduce e-waste and extend the useful lifetime of electronics deployed for agriculture, environmental monitoring, and smart cities,\u201d Hester said. \u201cWe were honored to be recognized for the design innovation award. It is a testament to the promise of sustainable computing and our hope for a more sustainable world.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor more information about Terracell, see the story featured on Northwestern Now, or visit the project\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.terracell.org\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ewebsite\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAssociate Professor of Interactive Computing \u003Cstrong\u003EJosiah\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cstrong\u003EHester\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0027s lab is developing new technology that harvests energy from soil. Terracell placed in Fast Company\u2019s list of the best sustainability-focused designs of 2024.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"New technology being developed at Georgia Tech placed in Fast Company\u2019s list of the best sustainability-focused designs of 2024."}],"uid":"32045","created_gmt":"2024-10-11 14:16:38","changed_gmt":"2024-10-11 14:23:43","author":"Ben Snedeker","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-10-11T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-10-11T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675290":{"id":"675290","type":"image","title":"Lighted bulb in the dirt illustrates new technology that draws energy from dirt.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAn Adobe stock conceptual image of a lighted bulb in the dirt illustrating new technology that draws energy from dirt.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1728656208","gmt_created":"2024-10-11 14:16:48","changed":"1728656208","gmt_changed":"2024-10-11 14:16:48","alt":"An Adobe stock conceptual image of a lighted bulb in the dirt illustrating new technology that draws energy from dirt.","file":{"fid":"258897","name":"AdobeStock_241936979.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/11\/AdobeStock_241936979.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/11\/AdobeStock_241936979.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":105240,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/10\/11\/AdobeStock_241936979.jpeg?itok=6MaZJidR"}},"671840":{"id":"671840","type":"image","title":"Georgia Tech Associate Professor of Interactive Computing Josiah Hester","body":null,"created":"1695750013","gmt_created":"2023-09-26 17:40:13","changed":"1695750013","gmt_changed":"2023-09-26 17:40:13","alt":"Georgia Tech Associate Professor of Interactive Computing Josiah Hester","file":{"fid":"254978","name":"Josiah Hester_86A0504.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/09\/26\/Josiah%20Hester_86A0504.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/09\/26\/Josiah%20Hester_86A0504.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":598031,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2023\/09\/26\/Josiah%20Hester_86A0504.jpg?itok=9adMnFyo"}}},"media_ids":["675290","671840"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50876","name":"School of Interactive Computing"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENathan Deen, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech School of Interactive Computing\u003Cbr\u003Enathan.deen@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"677161":{"#nid":"677161","#data":{"type":"news","title":"DOE Recognizes Georgia Tech Researchers With Prestigious Early Career Awards","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETwo Georgia Tech assistant professors are among the recipients of this year\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.osti.gov\/early-career\u0022\u003EEarly Career\u0026nbsp;Research Program\u003C\/a\u003E (ECRP) grants from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/itamar-kimchi\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EItamar Kimchi\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E, and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/saha\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESourabh Saha\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Ethe George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, have each been awarded $875,000 over five years to pursue research on the role of entanglement in quantum materials and manufacturing cost-effective fuel capsules for fusion energy, respectively.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Department of Energy has funded these early career awards since 2010, and this year distributed $138 million to 91 scientists nationwide. These awards are critical to DOE\u2019s long-standing efforts to develop the next generation of STEM leaders and solidify America\u2019s role as the driver of science and innovation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cInvesting in cutting-edge research and science is a cornerstone of DOE\u0027s mission and essential to maintaining America\u2019s role as a global innovation leader,\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/articles\/us-department-energy-awards-138-million-91-early-career-scientists\u0022\u003Esaid\u0026nbsp;U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EItamar Kimchi\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKimchi\u2019s research in quantum theory explores the role of entanglement in strongly correlated quantum materials, which have potential applications in quantum computers, sensors, and solid-state devices. His work addresses the challenges posed by defects and quenched disorder in these materials.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKimchi\u2019s project aims to construct theoretical models to describe novel behaviors, particularly in quantum spin liquid (QSL) phases of magnetic insulators. The research seeks to demonstrate the transformation of QSLs from weak disorder, predict defect effects in QSLs, and collaborate with experimental labs to address the dichotomy between global and local experimental probes in materials with local defects.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe ECRP award will support Kimchi\u2019s efforts to develop theoretical frameworks that guide new concepts and experimental probes \u2014 and to uncover how crystallographic defects can identify, generate, and control emergent quantum behavior, contributing to next-generation technologies for energy applications.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cQuantum sciences and technologies are becoming increasingly important for U.S. interests, as seen in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.quantum.gov\/\u0022\u003Ethe National Quantum Initiative\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/new.nsf.gov\/chips\u0022\u003Ethe CHIPS and Science Act\u003C\/a\u003E, and other efforts,\u201d said Kimchi. \u201cTogether with my research group, we are delighted to be supported by the Department of Energy and to join its extraordinary network of researchers, which enables us to pursue these challenges in understanding and using quantum materials.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESourabh Saha\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESaha\u2019s research focuses on generating novel, advanced manufacturing capabilities that will massively reduce the cost of fabricating fuel capsules for inertial fusion energy. Nuclear fusion is the mechanism that powers the sun and generates the sunlight received on Earth. Fusion can be a clean, safe, abundant, and reliable source of electricity, but controlling it on Earth is a major challenge.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInertial fusion is one way to achieve and control fusion. This requires holding the nuclear fuel within pea-sized capsules, called targets, that are manufactured to extreme precision. For fusion to be a cost-effective source of electricity, the expense of producing these fuel capsules must be reduced from tens of thousands of dollars to less than a dollar. This is where Saha\u2019s work lies: in enabling new ways of making the fuel capsules, cost-effectively and precisely.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe ECRP award will allow Saha to focus on advancing the scientific knowledge base for scalable manufacturing of fusion targets. Generally, manufacturing scale-up is perceived as a late-stage engineering activity that can be postponed until a technology\u2019s scientific underpinnings have been determined. But this perception has also often led to the underfunding of manufacturing science research.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESaha believes that to solve many of engineering\u2019s current grand challenges, the science of manufacturing scale-up should be considered early on \u2014 and in concert with researching other aspects of a technology.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe DOE award allows our group to do precisely this kind of research in the area of fusion energy. I am humbled to be able to work on one of the most challenging but worthwhile problems of our time,\u201d Saha said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEarly Career Program awardees in this round of funding were required to be an untenured assistant or associate professor on the tenure track at a U.S. academic institution, or a full-time employee at a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/national-laboratories\u0022\u003EDOE national laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;or\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.osti.gov\/User-Facilities\/User-Facilities-at-a-Glance\u0022\u003EOffice of Science user facility\u003C\/a\u003E who received their Ph.D. within the past 12 years. A list of the 91 recipients, their institutions, and the titles of their research projects\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.osti.gov\/-\/media\/early-career\/pdf\/All-ECRP-FY24-public-abstracts_Final.pdf\u0022\u003Eis available on the ECRP website\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPrevious Recipients of DOE Early Career Grants\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/wenjing-liao-awarded-doe-early-career-award-model-simplification-deep-learning\u0022\u003EWenjing Lao\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor, School of Mathematics\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chbe.gatech.edu\/news\/2018\/06\/professor-lively-receives-does-early-career-award#:~:text=Lively%20and%20his%20team%20will,Early%20Career%20Research%20Program%20website\u0022\u003ERyan Lively\u003C\/a\u003E, Thomas C. DeLoach Professor, School of Chemical \u0026amp; Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.khabar.com\/magazine\/community-newsmakers\/devesh-ranjan-receives-early-career-award-from-u-s-department-of-energy\u0022\u003EDevesh Ranjan\u003C\/a\u003E, Eugene C. Gwaltney Jr. School Chair and professor, Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EItamar Kimchi and Sourabh Saha each received $875,000 for their pioneering work in quantum materials and fusion energy.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Itamar Kimchi and Sourabh Saha each received $875,000 for their pioneering work in quantum materials and fusion energy."}],"uid":"28766","created_gmt":"2024-09-26 21:05:22","changed_gmt":"2024-09-30 20:09:35","author":"Shelley Wunder-Smith","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-09-26T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-09-26T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675137":{"id":"675137","type":"image","title":"Itamar Kimchi and Sourabh Saha","body":null,"created":"1727382443","gmt_created":"2024-09-26 20:27:23","changed":"1727382498","gmt_changed":"2024-09-26 20:28:18","alt":"Itamar Kimchi and Sourabh Saha","file":{"fid":"258734","name":"kimchi saha.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/26\/kimchi%20saha.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/26\/kimchi%20saha.png","mime":"image\/png","size":5640203,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/09\/26\/kimchi%20saha.png?itok=Y9TwG9K2"}}},"media_ids":["675137"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"193266","name":"cos-research"},{"id":"192251","name":"cos-quantum"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Research Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"677026":{"#nid":"677026","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Battery Cathode Material Could Revolutionize EV Market and Energy Storage","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA multi-institutional research team led by Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/people\/hailong-chen\u0022\u003EHailong Chen\u003C\/a\u003E has developed a new, low-cost cathode that could radically improve lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) \u2014 potentially transforming the electric vehicle (EV) market and large-scale energy storage systems.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFor a long time, people have been looking for a lower-cost, more sustainable alternative to existing cathode materials. I think we\u2019ve got one,\u201d said Chen, an associate professor with appointments in the George W.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EWoodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Materials Science and Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe revolutionary material, iron chloride (FeCl3), costs a mere 1-2% of typical cathode materials and canstore the same amount of electricity. Cathode materials affect capacity,\u0026nbsp;energy, and efficiency, playing a major role in a battery\u2019s performance, lifespan, and affordability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur cathode can be a game-changer,\u201d said Chen, whose team \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41893-024-01431-6\u0022\u003Edescribes its work in \u003Cem\u003ENature Sustainability\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cIt would greatly improve the EV market \u2014 and the whole lithium-ion battery market.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFirst commercialized by Sony in the early 1990s, LIBs sparked an explosion in personal electronics, like smartphones and tablets. The technology eventually advanced to fuel electric vehicles, providing a reliable, rechargeable, high-density energy source. But unlike personal electronics, large-scale energy users like EVs are especially sensitive to the cost of LIBs.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBatteries are currently responsible for about 50% of an EV\u2019s total cost, which makes these clean-energy cars more expensive than their internal combustion, greenhouse-gas-spewing cousins. The Chen team\u2019s invention could change that.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuilding a Better Battery\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECompared to old-fashioned alkaline and lead-acid batteries, LIBs store more energy in a smaller package and power a device longer between charges. But LIBs contain expensive metals, including semiprecious elements like cobalt and nickel, and they have a high manufacturing cost.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo far, only four types of cathodes have been successfully commercialized for LIBs. Chen\u2019s would be the fifth, and it would represent a big step forward in battery technology: the development of an all-solid-state LIB.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EConventional LIBs use liquid electrolytes to transport lithium ions for storing and releasing energy. They have hard limits on how much energy can be stored, and they can leak and catch fire. But all-solid-state LIBs use solid electrolytes, dramatically boosting a battery\u2019s efficiency and reliability and making it safer and capable of holding more energy. These batteries, still in the development and testing phase, would be a considerable improvement.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs researchers and manufacturers across the planet race to make all-solid-state technology practical, Chen and his collaborators have developed an affordable and sustainable solution. With the FeCl3 cathode, a solid electrolyte, and a lithium metal anode, the cost of their whole battery system is 30-40% of current LIBs.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis could not only make EVs much cheaper than internal combustion cars, but it provides a new and promising form of large-scale energy storage, enhancing the resilience of the electrical grid,\u201d Chen said. \u201cIn addition, our cathode would greatly improve the sustainability and supply chain stability of the EV market.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESolid Start to New Discovery\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChen\u2019s interest in FeCl3 as a cathode material originated with his lab\u2019s research into solid electrolyte materials.\u0026nbsp;Starting in 2019,\u0026nbsp;his lab tried to make solid-state batteries using chloride-based solid electrolyteswith traditional commercial oxide-based cathodes. It didn\u2019t go well \u2014 the\u0026nbsp;cathode and electrolyte\u0026nbsp;materials didn\u2019t get along.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers thought\u0026nbsp;a chloride-based cathode could provide a better pairing with the chloride electrolyte to offer better battery performance.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe found a candidate\u0026nbsp;(FeCl3)\u0026nbsp;worth trying, as its crystal structure is potentially suitable for storing and transporting Li ions, and fortunately, it functioned as we expected,\u201d said Chen.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECurrently, the most popularly used cathodes in EVs\u0026nbsp;are oxides and\u0026nbsp;require a gigantic amount of costly nickel and cobalt, heavy elements that can be toxic and pose an environmental challenge. In contrast, the Chen team\u2019s cathode contains\u0026nbsp;only\u0026nbsp;iron (Fe) and chlorine (Cl)\u2014abundant, affordable, widely used elements found in steel and table salt.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn their initial tests, FeCl3 was found to perform as well as or better than the other, much more expensive cathodes. For example, it has a higher operational voltage than the popularly used cathode LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate, or LFP), which is the electrical force a battery provides when connected to a device, similar to water pressure from a garden hose.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis technology may be less than five years from commercial viability in EVs. For now, the team will continue investigating FeCl3 and related materials, according to Chen. The work was led by Chen and postdoc Zhantao Liu (the lead author of the study). Collaborators included researchers from Georgia Tech\u2019s Woodruff\u0026nbsp;School (Ting Zhu) and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/home\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(Yuanzhi Tang), as well as the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ornl.gov\/\u0022\u003EOak Ridge National Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(Jue Liu)\u0026nbsp;and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/uh.edu\/\u0022\u003EUniversity of Houston\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(Shuo Chen).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe want to make the materials as perfect as possible in the lab and understand the underlying functioning mechanisms,\u201d Chen said. \u201cBut we are open to opportunities to scale up the technology and push it toward commercial applications.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION:\u003C\/strong\u003E Zhantao Liu, Jue Liu, Simin Zhao, Sangni Xun, Paul Byaruhanga, Shuo Chen, Yuanzhi Tang, Ting Zhu, Hailong Chen. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41893-024-01431-6\u0022\u003E\u201cLow-cost iron trichloride cathode for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries.\u201d \u003Cem\u003ENature Sustainability\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFUNDING:\u003C\/strong\u003E National Science Foundation (Grant Nos. 1706723 and 2108688)\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Research team led by Georgia Tech\u0027s Hailong Chen developed a low-cost cathode for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA research team led by Georgia Tech\u2019s Hailong Chen has developed a low-cost iron chloride cathode for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries, which could significantly reduce costs and improve performance for electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage systems.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A research team led by Georgia Tech\u2019s Hailong Chen has developed a low-cost iron chloride cathode for lithium-ion batteries, which could significantly reduce costs and improve performance for electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage systems."}],"uid":"28153","created_gmt":"2024-09-22 21:36:54","changed_gmt":"2024-09-23 14:57:22","author":"Jerry Grillo","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-09-22T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-09-22T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675067":{"id":"675067","type":"image","title":"Zhantao Liu","body":"\u003Cp\u003EZhantao Liu with the new low-cost cathode that could revolutionize lithium-ion batteries and the EV industry. \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Photo by Jerry Grillo\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1727040576","gmt_created":"2024-09-22 21:29:36","changed":"1727040717","gmt_changed":"2024-09-22 21:31:57","alt":"Zhantau Liu","file":{"fid":"258658","name":"Zhantao sly smile device.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/22\/Zhantao%20sly%20smile%20device.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/22\/Zhantao%20sly%20smile%20device.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5681941,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/09\/22\/Zhantao%20sly%20smile%20device.jpg?itok=yXzUY_DS"}},"675066":{"id":"675066","type":"image","title":"Chen and Liu","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHailong Chen and Zhantao Liu present a new, low-cost cathode for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries. \u0026nbsp; Photo by Jerry Grillo\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1727039834","gmt_created":"2024-09-22 21:17:14","changed":"1727040786","gmt_changed":"2024-09-22 21:33:06","alt":"Hailong Chen and Zhantao Liu","file":{"fid":"258657","name":"hailong zhantao cathode.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/22\/hailong%20zhantao%20cathode.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/22\/hailong%20zhantao%20cathode.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3817651,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/09\/22\/hailong%20zhantao%20cathode.jpg?itok=Z_xMCLb2"}}},"media_ids":["675067","675066"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"182627","name":"lithium ion batteries"},{"id":"172936","name":"cathodes"},{"id":"12819","name":"electric vehicles"},{"id":"184014","name":"Hailong Chen"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"189842","name":"battery energy storage"},{"id":"44511","name":"energy storage"},{"id":"186870","name":"go-imat"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"188360","name":"go-bbiss"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"},{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jerry.grillo@ibb.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJerry Grillo\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jerry.grillo@ibb.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"676918":{"#nid":"676918","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Tim Lieuwen Honored by Royal Academy of Engineering","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProfessor \u003Cstrong\u003ETim Lieuwen\u003C\/strong\u003E has been elected to the status of International Fellow by the U.K.\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/raeng.org.uk\/news\/royal-academy-of-engineering-welcomes-71-new-fellows\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERoyal Academy of Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. He is one of three other US engineers to receive this prestigious fellowship, which emphasizes enhancing the role of engineering in society and developing an inclusive future through research, education initiatives, and industry collaborations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELieuwen is a Regents\u2019 Professor, the David S. Lewis, Jr. Chair in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering (AE), a member of the National Academy of Engineering, and a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, among several others. For 12 years, he served as executive director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E; he is \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/07\/30\/regents-professor-tim-lieuwen-serve-georgia-techs-interim-evpr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ecurrently serving as Georgia Tech\u2019s interim executive vice president\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E for Research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTim Lieuwen\u2019s groundbreaking research and leadership have been instrumental in advancing the AE School\u2019s mission,\u201d said \u003Cstrong\u003EMitchell Walker\u003C\/strong\u003E, AE chair. \u201cHis work in combustion dynamics, propulsion, and clean energy systems not only enhances our academic reputation but also drives significant, real-world impact, as recognized by the Academy.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELieuwen\u2019s research focuses on developing clean combustion technologies for power generation and propulsion. He works closely with industry and government professionals to address energy concerns and set the standard for clean tech manufacturing. The Georgia Tech alumnus will formally be admitted to the Academy at a special ceremony in London on November 27, 2024.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe 2024 class includes 60 Fellows, six International Fellows, and five Honorary Fellows, each of whom has made exceptional contributions to their own field, pioneering new innovations, leading progress in business or academia, providing high-level advice to government, or promoting wider understanding of engineering and technology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe former interim chair for the AE School has been elected an International Fellow for his contributions to the aerospace and energy professions.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The former interim chair for the AE School has been elected an International Fellow for his contributions to the aerospace and energy professions."}],"uid":"34736","created_gmt":"2024-09-18 14:29:31","changed_gmt":"2024-09-18 14:35:53","author":"Kelsey Gulledge","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-09-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-09-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675007":{"id":"675007","type":"image","title":"0A6A1348.jpg","body":null,"created":"1726669777","gmt_created":"2024-09-18 14:29:37","changed":"1726669777","gmt_changed":"2024-09-18 14:29:37","alt":"Tim Lieuwen standing above one of the Strategic Energy Institute\u0027s (SEI) research areas. ","file":{"fid":"258592","name":"0A6A1348.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/18\/0A6A1348.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/18\/0A6A1348.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":12742305,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/09\/18\/0A6A1348.jpg?itok=bV7OepTd"}}},"media_ids":["675007"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/feature\/tim-lieuwen-interim-evpr","title":"Tim Lieuwen: Shaping the Future of Research at Georgia Tech"},{"url":"https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/news\/2018\/02\/profile-aes-newest-nae-member-prof-timothy-lieuwen","title":"A Profile of AE\u0027s Newest NAE Member: Prof. Timothy Lieuwen"}],"groups":[{"id":"660364","name":"Aerospace Engineering"},{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"132","name":"Institute Leadership"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["kelsey.gulledge@aerospace.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"676155":{"#nid":"676155","#data":{"type":"news","title":"LANL and Georgia Tech Partner for Advanced AI Research on Energy Grids","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA new agreement between Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the National Science Foundation\u2019s Artificial Intelligence Institute for Advances in Optimization (AI4OPT) at Georgia Tech is set to propel research in applied artificial intelligence (AI) and engage students and professionals in this rapidly growing field.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis collaboration will help develop new AI technologies for the next generation of scientific discovery and the design of complex systems and the control of engineered systems,\u201d said Russell Bent, scientist at Los Alamos. \u201cAt Los Alamos, we have a lot of interest in optimizing complex systems. We see an opportunity with AI to enhance system resilience and efficiency in the face of climate change, extreme events, and other challenges.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe agreement establishes a research and educational partnership focused on advancing AI tools for a next-generation power grid. Maintaining and optimizing the energy grid involves extensive computation, and AI-informed approaches, including modeling, could address power-grid issues more effectively.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAI Approaches to Optimization and Problem-Solving\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOptimization involves finding solutions that utilize resources effectively and efficiently. This research partnership will leverage Georgia Tech\u0027s expertise to develop \u201ctrustworthy foundation models\u201d that, by incorporating AI, reduce the vast computing resources needed for solving complex problems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn energy grid systems, optimization involves quickly sorting through possibilities and resources to deliver immediate solutions during a power-distribution crisis. The research will develop \u201coptimization proxies\u201d that extend current methods by incorporating broader parameters such as generator limits, line ratings, and grid topologies. Training these proxies with AI for energy applications presents a significant research challenge.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe collaboration will also address problems related to LANL\u2019s diverse missions and applications. The team\u2019s research will advance pioneering efforts in graph-based, physics-informed machine learning to solve Laboratory mission problems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOutreach and Training Opportunities\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn January 2025, the Laboratory will host a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/web.cvent.com\/event\/30a7abad-62ae-489e-917f-4c842430403e\/summary\u0022\u003EGrid Science Winter School and Conference\u003C\/a\u003E, featuring lectures from LANL scientists and academic partners on electrical grid methods and techniques. With Georgia Tech as a co-organizer, AI optimization for the energy grid will be a focal point of the event.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince 2020, the Laboratory has been working with Georgia Tech on energy grid projects. AI4OPT, which includes several industrial and academic partners, aims to achieve breakthroughs by combining AI and mathematical optimization.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe use-inspired research in AI4OPT addresses fundamental societal and technological challenges,\u201d said Pascal Van Hentenryck, AI4OPT director. \u201cThe energy grid is crucial to our daily lives. Our collaboration with Los Alamos advances a research mission and educational vision with significant impact for science and society.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe three-year agreement, funded through the Laboratory Directed Research and Development program\u2019s ArtIMis initiative, runs through 2027. It supports the Laboratory\u2019s commitment to advancing AI. Earl Lawrence is the project\u2019s principal investigator, with Diane Oyen and Emily Castleton joining Bent as co-principal investigators.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBent, Castleton, Lawrence, and Oyen are also members of the AI Council at the Laboratory. The AI Council helps the Lab navigate the evolving AI landscape, build investment capacities, and forge industry and academic partnerships.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs highlighted in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/articles\/doe-announces-roadmap-new-initiative-artificial-intelligence-science-security-and\u0022\u003EDepartment of Energy\u2019s Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence for Science, Security, and Technology (FASST) initiative\u003C\/a\u003E, AI technologies will significantly enhance the contributions of laboratories to national missions. This partnership with Georgia Tech through AI4OPT is a key step towards that future.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"The agreement with AI4OPT will drive research and training on AI problem-solving"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new agreement between Los Alamos National Laboratory and AI4OPT at Georgia Tech will drive research in applied artificial intelligence and engage students and professionals in the burgeoning field.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Los Alamos National Laboratory and Georgia Tech\u0027s AI4OPT have partnered to advance research in applied AI and engage students and professionals in the field\u0027s future."}],"uid":"36348","created_gmt":"2024-08-21 18:20:28","changed_gmt":"2024-09-03 18:55:12","author":"Breon Martin","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-08-21T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-08-21T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674678":{"id":"674678","type":"image","title":"LANL teams with GT AI4OPT","body":null,"created":"1724264536","gmt_created":"2024-08-21 18:22:16","changed":"1724264536","gmt_changed":"2024-08-21 18:22:16","alt":"LANL teams with GT AI4OPT","file":{"fid":"258231","name":"LANL teams with GT AI4OPT.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/08\/21\/LANL%20teams%20with%20GT%20AI4OPT.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/08\/21\/LANL%20teams%20with%20GT%20AI4OPT.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":575887,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/08\/21\/LANL%20teams%20with%20GT%20AI4OPT.jpeg?itok=4aHxlSn5"}}},"media_ids":["674678"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/discover.lanl.gov\/news\/0821-ai-energy-grid-research\/","title":"Laboratory teams with Georgia Institute of Technology for AI energy-grid research"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"188370","name":"AI4OPT"},{"id":"193212","name":"AI4OPT, Artifical Intelligence, Optimization"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBreon Martin\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["breon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"675893":{"#nid":"675893","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech\u2019s Industrial Assessment Center Named Top in U.S. for 2024","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe federally funded IAC program provides small to mid-sized industrial facilities in the region with free assessments for energy, productivity, and waste, while also supporting workforce development, recruitment, and training.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis IAC is a great example of the ways in which Georgia Tech is serving all of Georgia and the Southeast,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/lieuwen\u0022\u003ETim Lieuwen\u003C\/a\u003E, executive director of Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(SEI) and Regents\u2019 Professor\u0026nbsp;and holder of the David S. Lewis, Jr. Chair in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EDaniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe support numerous small and medium-sized enterprises in rural, suburban, and urban areas, bringing the technical expertise of Georgia Tech to bear in solving real-world problems faced by our small businesses.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iacgeorgia.org\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s IAC\u003C\/a\u003E, which serves Georgia, South Carolina, and North Florida, is administered jointly by the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gamep.org\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership\u003C\/a\u003E (GaMEP), part of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/innovate.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEnterprise Innovation Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (EI2). The organization has performed thousands of assessments since its inception in the 1980s \u2013 usually at the rate of 15 to 20 per year \u2013 and typically identifies upwards of 10% in energy savings for clients.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe assessment team, overseen by IAC associate director \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gamep.org\/profiles\/kelly-grissom\/\u0022\u003EKelly Grissom\u003C\/a\u003E, comprises faculty and student engineers from Georgia Tech and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.famu.edu\/\u0022\u003EFlorida A\u0026amp;M University\u003C\/a\u003E\/\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eng.famu.fsu.edu\/\u0022\u003EFlorida State University College of Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition, Georgia Tech leads the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2023-04\/IAC%20-%20Ctr%20of%20Excellence%20-%20Project%20Factsheets%20-%20April%202023.pdf\u0022\u003ESoutheastern IACs Center of Excellence\u003C\/a\u003E, which partners the institution with fellow \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.usg.edu\/\u0022\u003EUniversity System of Georgia\u003C\/a\u003E (USG) entity \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.kennesaw.edu\/\u0022\u003EKennesaw State University\u003C\/a\u003E, local HBCU \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cau.edu\/\u0022\u003EClark Atlanta University\u003C\/a\u003E, and neighboring state capital HBCU \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.famu.edu\/\u0022\u003EFlorida A\u0026amp;M University\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlthough mechanical engineering has historically been the chief area of concentration for IAC\u2019s interns, the program currently accepts students across a range of disciplines. \u201cIncreased diversity from that standpoint enriches the potential of the recommendations we can make,\u201d said Grissom.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudents are integral to the program, as is Grissom\u2019s role in facilitating their experiences with client engagement and technical recommendations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cKelly is the reason our program has been recognized,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gamep.org\/profiles\/randy-green\/\u0022\u003ERandy Green\u003C\/a\u003E, energy and sustainability services group manager at GaMEP. \u201cHe works tirelessly to ensure that assessments are accomplished with success for our manufacturers and students.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe also recognize our partnership with the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and with IAC program lead \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/comas-haynes\u0022\u003EComas Haynes\u003C\/a\u003E, Ph.D., who works diligently to keep us on track and connected with our sponsors at the U.S. Department of Energy,\u201d Green added.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe DoE accolade represents \u201ca \u2018one Georgia Tech\u2019 win,\u201d symbolic of the synergistic relationships forged across the Institute, said Haynes, who also serves as the Hydrogen Initiative Lead at Georgia Tech\u2019s Strategic Energy Institute (SEI) and Energy branch head in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/fptd.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EIntelligent Sustainable Technologies Division\u003C\/a\u003E at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gtri.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Research Institute\u003C\/a\u003E. Haynes specifically cited Green\u2019s \u201ctechnical prowess and managerial oversight\u201d as another key to the IAC program\u2019s success.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESaid \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/ranjan\u0022\u003EDevesh Ranjan\u003C\/a\u003E, Eugene C. Gwaltney, Jr. School Chair and professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, \u201cIt is truly an honor for Georgia Tech to be named the Department of Energy Industrial (Training and) Assessment Center of the Year. Clean energy and manufacturing have been a focus for the Institute and the Woodruff School for a long time, and GTRI, EI2, and SEI have collaboratively done phenomenal work in helping manufacturers save energy, improve productivity, and reduce waste.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo check eligibility and apply for assistance from Georgia Tech\u2019s IAC, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iacgeorgia.org\/\u0022\u003Eclick here\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/\u0022\u003EU.S. Department of Energy\u003C\/a\u003E (DoE) recently named the Georgia Institute of Technology the country\u2019s top \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/mesc\/industrial-assessment-centers-iacs\u0022\u003EIndustrial Assessment Center\u003C\/a\u003E (IAC) for 2024.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Industrial Assessment Centers help medium-sized industrial facilities with energy-related support. "}],"uid":"36604","created_gmt":"2024-08-09 20:44:37","changed_gmt":"2024-08-10 13:28:37","author":"etolpa3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-08-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-08-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674554":{"id":"674554","type":"image","title":"IAC award image","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFrom left: Comas Haynes, Kelly Grissom, and Randy Green display the award for 2024\u2019s top IAC.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1723237225","gmt_created":"2024-08-09 21:00:25","changed":"1723237600","gmt_changed":"2024-08-09 21:06:40","alt":"Three men holding an award","file":{"fid":"258098","name":"image003.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/08\/09\/image003.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/08\/09\/image003.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":103910,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/08\/09\/image003.jpg?itok=eEEjQGFs"}}},"media_ids":["674554"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"3671","name":"Enterprise Innovation Institute"},{"id":"16331","name":"GaMEP"},{"id":"14545","name":"George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering"},{"id":"188629","name":"industrial assessment center"},{"id":"167358","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"},{"id":"128461","name":"U.S. Department  of Energy"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"193654","name":"Enterprise Innovation Institute"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEve Tolpa\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003Eeve.tolpa@innovate.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["eve.tolpa@innovate.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"675680":{"#nid":"675680","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Regents\u2019 Professor Tim Lieuwen to Serve as Georgia Tech\u2019s Interim EVPR","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETimothy Lieuwen\u003C\/strong\u003E has been appointed interim executive vice president for Research (EVPR) by Georgia Tech President \u00c1ngel\u0026nbsp;Cabrera, effective September 10.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/timothy-charles-lieuwen\u0022\u003ELieuwen is a Regents\u2019 Professor, the David S. Lewis, Jr. Chair\u003C\/a\u003E in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EDaniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, and executive director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E. His research interests range from clean energy and propulsion systems to energy policy, national security, and regional economic development. He works closely with industry and government to address fundamental problems and identify solutions in the development of clean energy systems and alternative fuels.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA proud Georgia Tech alumnus, Lieuwen (M.S. ME 1997, Ph.D. ME 1999) has had a remarkable academic career. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the American Physical Society, the Combustion Institute, and the Indian National Academy of Engineering (foreign fellow). He has received numerous awards, including the ASME George Westinghouse Gold Medal and the AIAA Pendray Award. He serves on governing or advisory boards of three Department of Energy national labs: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Energy to the National Petroleum Council.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELieuwen has authored or edited four books on combustion and over 400 scientific publications. He also holds nine patents, several of which are licensed to industry, and is founder of an energy analytics company, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/turbinelogic.com\/\u0022\u003ETurbine Logic\u003C\/a\u003E, where he acts as chief technology officer.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn Lieuwen\u2019s appointment announcement, President Cabrera said, \u201cTim\u2019s extensive experience and knowledge of Georgia Tech makes him uniquely suited to lead our research enterprise as we search for a permanent EVPR. I am grateful for his willingness to serve the Institute during this period of remarkable growth, and I look forward to working with him and the rest of the team.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ELieuwen will begin his term as interim EVPR on September 10, 2024.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Lieuwen will begin his term as interim EVPR on September 10, 2024."}],"uid":"28766","created_gmt":"2024-07-30 13:25:36","changed_gmt":"2024-07-30 13:49:57","author":"Shelley Wunder-Smith","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-07-30T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-07-30T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674447":{"id":"674447","type":"image","title":"Tim Lieuwen, Regents\u0027 Professor and SEI executive director, has been named interim EVPR. ","body":null,"created":"1722344223","gmt_created":"2024-07-30 12:57:03","changed":"1722345762","gmt_changed":"2024-07-30 13:22:42","alt":"Tim Lieuwen, Regents\u0027 Professor and SEI executive director, has been named interim EVPR. ","file":{"fid":"257964","name":"Tim Lieuwen Headshot_PNG_0.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/07\/30\/Tim%20Lieuwen%20Headshot_PNG_0.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/07\/30\/Tim%20Lieuwen%20Headshot_PNG_0.png","mime":"image\/png","size":4320902,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/07\/30\/Tim%20Lieuwen%20Headshot_PNG_0.png?itok=ADi7C9Qb"}}},"media_ids":["674447"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"132","name":"Institute Leadership"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"185390","name":"go-COE"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Research Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"673098":{"#nid":"673098","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Energy Materials: Driving the Clean Energy Transition","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEnergy is everywhere, affecting everything, all the time. And it can be manipulated and converted into the kind of energy that we depend on as a civilization. But transforming this ambient energy (the result of gyrating atoms and molecules) into something we can plug into and use when we need it requires specific materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThese energy materials \u2014 some natural, some manufactured, some a combination \u2014 facilitate the conversion or transmission of energy. They also play an essential role in how we store energy, how we reduce power consumption, and how we develop cleaner, efficient energy solutions.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAdvanced materials and clean energy technologies are tightly connected, and at Georgia Tech we\u2019ve been making major investments in people and facilities in batteries, solar energy, and hydrogen, for several decades,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/timothy-charles-lieuwen\u0022\u003ETim Lieuwen\u003C\/a\u003E, the David S. Lewis Jr. Chair and professor of aerospace engineering, and executive director of Georgia Tech\u2019s Strategic Energy Institute (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022\u003ESEI\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThat research synergy is the underpinning of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energymaterials\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Energy Materials Day (March 27)\u003C\/a\u003E, a gathering of people from academia, government, and industry, co-hosted by SEI, the Institute for Materials (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/materials\u0022\u003EIMat\u003C\/a\u003E), and the Georgia Tech Advanced Battery Center. This event aims to build on the momentum created by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-battery-day-reveals-opportunities-energy-storage-research\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Battery Day\u003C\/a\u003E, held in March 2023, which drew more than 230 energy researchers and industry representatives.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe thought it would be a good idea to expand on the Battery Day idea and showcase a wide range of research and expertise in other areas, such as solar energy and clean fuels, in addition to what we\u2019re doing in batteries and energy storage,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/people\/matthew-mcdowell\u0022\u003EMatt McDowell\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor in the George W. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EWoodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)\u003C\/a\u003E, and co-director, with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/people\/gleb-yushin\u0022\u003EGleb Yushin\u003C\/a\u003E, of the Advanced Battery Center.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EEnergy Materials Day will bring together experts from academia, government, and industry to discuss and accelerate research in three key areas: battery materials and technologies, photovoltaics and the grid, and materials for carbon-neutral fuel production, \u201call of which are crucial for driving the clean energy transition,\u201d noted \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/people\/eric-vogel\u0022\u003EEric Vogel\u003C\/a\u003E, executive director of IMat and the Hightower Professor of Materials Science and Engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech is leading the charge in research in these three areas,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd we\u2019re excited to unite so many experts to spark the important discussions that will help us advance our nation\u2019s path to net-zero emissions.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003EBuilding an Energy Hub\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EEnergy Materials Day is part of an ongoing, long-range effort to position Georgia Tech, and Georgia, as a go-to location for modern energy companies. So far, the message seems to be landing. Georgia has had more than $28 billion invested or announced in electric vehicle-related projects since 2020. And Georgia Tech was recently ranked by U.S. News \u0026amp; World Report as the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-named-top-ranked-public-university-energy\u0022\u003Etop public university for energy research\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia has become a major player in solar energy, also, with the announcement last year of a $2.5 billion plant being developed by Korean solar company Hanwha Qcells, taking advantage of President Biden\u2019s climate policies. Qcells\u2019 global chief technology officer, Danielle Merfeld, a member of SEI\u2019s External Advisory Board, will be the keynote speaker for Energy Materials Day.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGrowing these industry relationships, building trust through collaborations with industry \u2014 these have been strong motivations in our efforts to create a hub here in Atlanta,\u201d said Yushin, professor in MSE and co-founder of Sila Nanotechnologies, a battery materials startup valued at more than $3 billion.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMcDowell and Yushin are leading the battery initiative for Energy Materials Day and they\u2019ll be among 12 experts making presentations on battery materials and technologies, including six from Georgia Tech and four from industry. In addition to the formal sessions and presentations, there will also be an opportunity for networking.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI think Georgia Tech has a responsibility to help grow a manufacturing ecosystem,\u201d McDowell said. \u201cWe have the research and educational experience and expertise that companies need, and we\u2019re working to coordinate our efforts with industry.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/marta-hatzell\u0022\u003EMarta Hatzell\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor of mechanical engineering and chemical and biomolecular engineering, is leading the carbon-neutral fuel production portion of the event, while \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/juan-pablo-correa-baena\u0022\u003EJuan-Pablo Correa-Baena\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor in MSE, is leading the photovoltaics initiative.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThey\u2019ll be joined by a host of experts from Georgia Tech and institutes across the country, \u201csome of the top thought leaders in their fields,\u201d said Correa-Baena, whose lab has spent years optimizing a semiconductor material for solar energy conversion.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOver the past decade, we have been working to achieve high efficiencies in solar panels based on a new, low-cost material called halide perovskites,\u201d he said. His lab recently discovered how to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2023\/12\/researchers-find-they-can-stop-degradation-promising-solar-cell-materials\u0022\u003Eprevent the chemical interactions that can degrade it\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cIt\u2019s kind of a miracle material, and we want to increase its lifespan, make it more robust and commercially relevant.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile Correa-Baena is working to revolutionize solar energy, Hatzell\u2019s lab is designing materials to clean up the manufacturing of clean fuels.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe\u2019re interested in decarbonizing the industrial sector, through the production of carbon-neutral fuels,\u201d said Hatzell, whose lab is designing new materials to make clean ammonia and hydrogen, both of which have the potential to play a major role in a carbon-free fuel system, without using fossil fuels as the feedstock. \u201cWe\u2019re also working on a collaborative project focusing on assessing the economics of clean ammonia on a larger, global scale.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe hope for Energy Materials Day is that other collaborations will be fostered as industry\u2019s needs and the research enterprise collide in one place \u2014 Georgia Tech\u2019s Exhibition Hall \u2014 over one day. The event is part of what Yushin called \u201cthe snowball effect.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cYou attract a new company to the region, and then another,\u201d he said. \u201cIf we want to boost domestic production and supply chains, we must roll like a snowball gathering momentum. Education is a significant part of that effect. To build this new technology and new facilities for a new industry, you need trained, talented engineers. And we\u2019ve got plenty of those. Georgia Tech can become the single point of contact, helping companies solve the technical challenges in a new age of clean energy.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEnergy materials facilitate the conversion or transmission of energy. They also play an essential role in how we store energy, reduce power consumption, and develop cleaner, efficient energy solutions.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Energy materials facilitate the conversion or transmission of energy. They also play an essential role in how we store energy, reduce power consumption, and develop cleaner, efficient energy solutions."}],"uid":"34760","created_gmt":"2024-02-21 16:55:41","changed_gmt":"2024-04-29 18:57:42","author":"Laurie Haigh","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-02-21T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-02-21T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673164":{"id":"673164","type":"image","title":"Georgia Tech Energy Materials Day 2024","body":null,"created":"1708534719","gmt_created":"2024-02-21 16:58:39","changed":"1708534718","gmt_changed":"2024-02-21 16:58:38","alt":"Images of a light bulb, solar panels, and batteries","file":{"fid":"256522","name":"GTEM_event_web (2).png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/02\/21\/GTEM_event_web%20%282%29.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/02\/21\/GTEM_event_web%20%282%29.png","mime":"image\/png","size":420152,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/02\/21\/GTEM_event_web%20%282%29.png?itok=HkvgnWJZ"}}},"media_ids":["673164"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"187433","name":"go-ien"},{"id":"193266","name":"cos-research"},{"id":"192251","name":"cos-quantum"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: jerry.grillo@ibb.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJerry Grillo\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"672802":{"#nid":"672802","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Rajiv Shah Advocates \u0027Big Bets\u0027 Approach to Problem-Solving ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EDr. Rajiv Shah\u0027s book, \u003Cem\u003EBig Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Happens\u003C\/em\u003E, examines the inner workings of large-scale change from the perspective of the president of the Rockefeller Foundation and the former United States Agency for International Development ambassador. Shah shared his advice to Tech students and faculty during a conversation with President \u00c1ngel Cabrera Tuesday.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EShah noted that too often, many people settle for \u0022good enough\u0022 in problem-solving and stop short of seeking comprehensive solutions.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDrawing on his expertise after leading the U.S. response to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, and working to increase access to immunizations worldwide, Shah outlined the framework of a \u0022big bet.\u0022 It begins with identifying innovative solutions and building broad alliances to transform the lives of large numbers of people.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022If there\u0027s one message I hope people take away from the book, it\u0027s that these problems are actually solvable,\u0022 he said. \u0022If 50% of the world\u0027s global birth cohort is not getting vaccinated and immunized from simple diseases, it may take 20 years and $30 billion, but we\u0027re going to solve the problem of universal childhood immunization. If an Ebola pandemic is ravaging West Africa and threatening the rest of the world, we\u0027re not going to settle for what we can do. We\u0027re going to really study the issue, invent new solutions, and engineer new solutions.\u0022\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u0027s mission to advance technology and improve the human condition was on display throughout the Covid-19 pandemic as testing infrastructure and contingency plans were created and implemented. Cabrera and Shah discussed how such crises give way to creativity in developing solutions and how the Institute can use the same ambition to lead the world through the next decade\u0027s problems.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Coming to Georgia is so exciting because what\u0027s happening in the state is very much the epicenter of clean technology and jobs \u2014 power, manufacturing, science, and technology all coming together to shape the future. The question is, are you going to shape a future that solves the problems we face? Or are we going to shape a future that just serves the human desire for luxury and optimizing for those who have plenty? That\u0027s a set of judgments that\u0027s in your hands,\u0022 he said. \u0022To me, this is a great institution to be a part of because you have the position to be problem solvers.\u0022\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBefore the public conversation, Shah participated in a faculty roundtable discussion about combating climate change \u2014 a primary goal of the Rockefeller Foundation.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen thinking of their own \u0022big bets\u0022 or those that have a global impact, Shah encouraged students to simplify the problem they are trying to solve and apply what they\u0027ve learned at Georgia Tech to change the world for the better.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022I\u0027m a big believer that you all, especially students, can be change agents within whatever institutions you go to when you leave this great one, and I hope the book offers a bit of a playbook for how to do that,\u0022 he said. \u0022Asking simple questions is a gift we all tend to lose as we grow up professionally, but I hope you will retain it.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kb4Dkh4AOkM\u0022\u003EWatch the full conversation.\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Rockefeller Foundation President Rajiv Shah joined Georgia Tech President \u00c1ngel Cabrera for a discussion about his book \u0027Big Bets,\u0027 and students\u2019 pivotal role in finding solutions to global issues."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ERockefeller Foundation President Rajiv Shah joined Georgia Tech President \u00c1ngel Cabrera for a discussion about his book \u003Cem\u003EBig Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Happens\u003C\/em\u003E, and students\u2019 pivotal role in finding solutions to global issues.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Rockefeller Foundation President Rajiv Shah joined Georgia Tech President \u00c1ngel Cabrera for a discussion about his book \u0027Big Bets,\u0027 and students\u2019 pivotal role in finding solutions to global issues."}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2024-02-06 22:25:58","changed_gmt":"2024-02-09 15:19:25","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-02-07T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-02-07T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"672991":{"id":"672991","type":"image","title":"Rockefeller Foundation President Rajiv Shah joined Georgia Tech President \u00c1ngel Cabrera to discuss his book, \u0027Big Bets.\u0027 ","body":null,"created":"1707258682","gmt_created":"2024-02-06 22:31:22","changed":"1707258682","gmt_changed":"2024-02-06 22:31:22","alt":"Rockefeller Foundation President Rajiv Shah joined Georgia Tech President \u00c1ngel Cabrera to discuss his book, \u0027Big Bets.\u0027 ","file":{"fid":"256331","name":"24-R10400-P38-005.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/02\/06\/24-R10400-P38-005.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/02\/06\/24-R10400-P38-005.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":12912696,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/02\/06\/24-R10400-P38-005.jpg?itok=PmGeKWOc"}},"672992":{"id":"672992","type":"image","title":"Rajiv Shah Faculty Roundtable ","body":"\u003Cp\u003ERockefeller Foundation President Rajiv Shah participates in a faculty roundtable discussion at Georgia Tech about combating climate change.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1707258855","gmt_created":"2024-02-06 22:34:15","changed":"1707258855","gmt_changed":"2024-02-06 22:34:15","alt":"Rockefeller Foundation President Rajiv Shah participates in a faculty roundtable discussion about combating climate change. ","file":{"fid":"256332","name":"24-R10400-P38-003.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/02\/06\/24-R10400-P38-003.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/02\/06\/24-R10400-P38-003.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":6250639,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/02\/06\/24-R10400-P38-003.jpg?itok=_nM_Ug6F"}},"672993":{"id":"672993","type":"image","title":"Rockefeller Foundation President Rajiv Shah meets Shannon Yee touring the The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design.","body":"\u003Cp\u003ERockefeller Foundation President Rajiv Shah meets Associate Professor\u0026nbsp;Shannon Yee while touring the Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1707259460","gmt_created":"2024-02-06 22:44:20","changed":"1707259460","gmt_changed":"2024-02-06 22:44:20","alt":"Rockefeller Foundation President Rajiv Shah meets Associate Professor\u00a0Shannon Yee while touring the Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design.","file":{"fid":"256333","name":"24-R10400-P38-001.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/02\/06\/24-R10400-P38-001.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/02\/06\/24-R10400-P38-001.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5928528,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/02\/06\/24-R10400-P38-001.jpg?itok=7oqW27yN"}}},"media_ids":["672991","672992","672993"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/president.gatech.edu\/publications-speeches\/conversations","title":"Conversations With Cabrera"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"132","name":"Institute Leadership"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187373","name":"Conversations with Cabrera"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESteven Gagliano\u003C\/a\u003E - Institute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"672810":{"#nid":"672810","#data":{"type":"news","title":" Georgia Tech Named Top-Ranked Public University in Energy","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EU.S. News \u0026amp; World Report\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E has \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/education\/best-global-universities\/united-states\/energy-fuels\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eranked\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E the Georgia Institute of Technology as the top public university and No. 3 nationally in energy and fuels research. This is the first year the category has been included in the annual rankings, and Georgia Tech\u2019s dominance reflects the dynamic research and expertise of the Institute. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cI\u2019m thrilled to see Georgia Tech recognized for our leading-edge approach to creating sustainable energy solutions,\u201d said Executive Vice President for Research \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/chaouki-t-abdallah\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EChaouki Abdallah\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E. \u201cThis achievement reflects the unwavering commitment of our faculty and researchers to conducting groundbreaking research, transformative innovation, and our dedication and focus through our \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EStrategic Energy Institute (SEI)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E to addressing the world\u0027s most pressing energy challenges.\u201d\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ESEI integrates energy research across Georgia Tech and is one of 10 Interdisciplinary Research Institutes. Headed by Executive Director \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/timothy-charles-lieuwen\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ETim Lieuwen\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E, Regents\u2019 Professor and David S. Lewis Jr. Chair, \u003Cspan\u003ESEI helps connect and integrate the large Georgia Tech energy community for engagement with industry, government, communities, and nonprofits.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech has over 1,000 researchers working on the clean energy transition across every school, college, and unit,\u201d said Lieuwen. \u201cI\u2019m pleased to see the scale of our impact recognized by this ranking but also energized by the real-world impact that we are having on cleaner air, lower cost energy, and a healthier planet.\u201d\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EU.S. News \u0026amp; World Report\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E ranks 47 subject areas by tabulating \u003Cspan\u003Eacademic research performance such as publications and citations, and indicators for regional and global reputation. Georgia Tech was evaluated out of 319 universities, and continues its\u003C\/span\u003E strong \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2023\/09\/18\/georgia-tech-soars-2023-2024-us-news-world-report-best-colleges-rankings\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Estanding\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E in the rankings, claiming the \u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ENo. 33 spot overall in the nation and No. 10 among public schools.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EU.S. News \u0026amp; World Report\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E has \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/education\/best-global-universities\/united-states\/energy-fuels\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eranked\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E the Georgia Institute of Technology as the top public university and No. 3 nationally in energy and fuels research. This is the first year the category has been included in the annual rankings, and Georgia Tech\u2019s dominance reflects the dynamic research and expertise of the Institute.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"U.S. News \u0026 World Report has ranked the Georgia Institute of Technology as the top public university and No. 3 nationally in energy and fuels research. "}],"uid":"34541","created_gmt":"2024-02-07 16:21:51","changed_gmt":"2024-02-09 14:41:50","author":"Tess Malone","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-02-07T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-02-07T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"672999":{"id":"672999","type":"image","title":"EnergyGraphic.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1707323181","gmt_created":"2024-02-07 16:26:21","changed":"1707323181","gmt_changed":"2024-02-07 16:26:21","alt":"Graphic of Georgia Tech\u0027s No. 1 ranking in Energy","file":{"fid":"256339","name":"EnergyGraphic.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/02\/07\/EnergyGraphic.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/02\/07\/EnergyGraphic.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":256164,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/02\/07\/EnergyGraphic.jpeg?itok=EwgZKfNy"}}},"media_ids":["672999"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"193266","name":"cos-research"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETess Malone, Senior Research Writer\/Editor\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003Etess.malone@gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"667463":{"#nid":"667463","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Physics to Host Climate Talk with Former U.S. Secretary of Energy, Nobel Laureate ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EOn April 26, 2023, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech will welcome Stanford University physicist \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ESteven Chu\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E to speak on climate change and innovative paths towards a more sustainable future. Chu is the 1997 co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics, and in his former role as U.S. Secretary of Energy, became the first scientist to hold a U.S. Cabinet position. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAbout the Talk\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/calendar.gatech.edu\/event\/2023\/04\/26\/school-physics-public-lecture-professor-steven-chu-climate-change-and-innovative\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe event\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E is part of the School of Physics \u201cInquiring Minds\u201d public lecture series, and will be held at the \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arts.gatech.edu\/contact\/driving-directions\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EFerst Center for the Arts\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E. \u003Cstrong\u003EThe talk is free and open to campus and the Atlanta community, and no RSVP is required. Refreshments begin at 4:30, and the lecture will start at 5 p.m. ET.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cThe multiple industrial and agricultural revolutions have transformed the world,\u201d Chu recently shared in an abstract for the lecture. \u201cHowever, an unintended consequence of this progress is that we are changing the climate of our planet. In addition to the climate risks, we will need to provide enough clean energy, water, and food for a more prosperous world that may grow to 11 billion by 2100.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe talk will discuss the significant technical challenges and potential solutions that could provide better paths to a more sustainable future. \u201cHow we transition from where we are now to where we need to be within 50 years is arguably the most pressing set of issues that science, innovation, and public policy have to address,\u201d Chu added.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe event\u2019s faculty host is \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/daniel-goldman\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EDaniel Goldman\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E, Dunn Family Professor in the School of Physics at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAbout Steven Chu\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.stanford.edu\/people\/steven-chu\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ESteven Chu\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Physics and a professor of Molecular and Cellular Physiology in the Medical School at Stanford University.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EChu served as the 12\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eth\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E U.S. Secretary of Energy from January 2009 until the end of April 2013. As the first scientist to hold a U.S. Cabinet position and the longest serving Energy Secretary, Chu led several initiatives including ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency \u2013 Energy), the Energy Innovation Hubs, and was personally tasked by President Obama to assist in the Deepwater Horizon oil leak.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EIn the spring of 2010, Chu was the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/news\/2023\/03\/steven-chu-visits-ece-solar-power-research-center-georgia-tech\u0022\u003Ekeynote speaker\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003Efor the Georgia Tech Ph.D. and Master\u0027s Commencement Ceremony.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EPrior to his cabinet post, Chu was director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he was active in pursuit of alternative and renewable energy technologies, and a professor of Physics and Applied Physics at Stanford, where he helped launch Bio-X, a multi-disciplinary institute combining the physical and biological sciences with medicine and engineering. Previously he also served as head of the Quantum Electronics Research Department at AT\u0026amp;T Bell Laboratories.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EHe is the co-recipient of the 1997 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to laser cooling and atom trapping. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Pontifical Academy Sciences, and of seven foreign academies. He formerly served as president, and then chair of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EChu earned an A.B. degree in mathematics and a B.S. degree in physics from the University of Rochester, and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of California, Berkeley, as well as 35 honorary degrees.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EHe has published over 280 papers in atomic and polymer physics, biophysics, biology, bio-imaging, batteries, and other energy technologies. He holds 15 patents, and an additional 15 patent disclosures or filings since 2015.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EPhysicist Steven Chu was the first person appointed to the U.S. Cabinet after having won a Nobel Prize \u2014 and the first scientist to hold a Cabinet position. On April 26, he will deliver a public lecture at Georgia Tech on climate change and innovative paths towards a more sustainable future.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Physicist Steven Chu was the first person appointed to the U.S. Cabinet after having won a Nobel Prize. On April 26, he will deliver a public lecture at Georgia Tech on climate change and innovative paths towards a more sustainable future."}],"uid":"34528","created_gmt":"2023-04-20 22:46:44","changed_gmt":"2024-02-05 14:50:42","author":"jhunt7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2023-04-20T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2023-04-20T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"670596":{"id":"670596","type":"image","title":"Steven Chu (Credit: Imke Lass\/Redux)","body":null,"created":"1682031580","gmt_created":"2023-04-20 22:59:40","changed":"1682031580","gmt_changed":"2023-04-20 22:59:40","alt":"Steven Chu (Credit: Imke Lass\/Redux)","file":{"fid":"253482","name":"Steven Chu - credit Imke Lass - Redux.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/04\/20\/Steven%20Chu%20-%20credit%20Imke%20Lass%20-%20Redux.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/04\/20\/Steven%20Chu%20-%20credit%20Imke%20Lass%20-%20Redux.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":835401,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2023\/04\/20\/Steven%20Chu%20-%20credit%20Imke%20Lass%20-%20Redux.jpg?itok=e7sdDN_M"}},"670597":{"id":"670597","type":"image","title":"Steven Chu (Credit: Larry Downing\/Reuters)","body":null,"created":"1682031622","gmt_created":"2023-04-20 23:00:22","changed":"1682031622","gmt_changed":"2023-04-20 23:00:22","alt":"Steven Chu (Credit: Larry Downing\/Reuters)","file":{"fid":"253483","name":"Steven Chu - Photo by Larry Downing - Reuters.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/04\/20\/Steven%20Chu%20-%20Photo%20by%20Larry%20Downing%20-%20Reuters.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/04\/20\/Steven%20Chu%20-%20Photo%20by%20Larry%20Downing%20-%20Reuters.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":876097,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2023\/04\/20\/Steven%20Chu%20-%20Photo%20by%20Larry%20Downing%20-%20Reuters.jpg?itok=OXJDG-0S"}}},"media_ids":["670596","670597"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"},{"id":"1316","name":"Green Buzz"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"},{"id":"1279","name":"School of Mathematics"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"},{"id":"443951","name":"School of Psychology"}],"categories":[{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jess@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nDirector of Communications\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nCollege of Sciences at Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jess@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"671132":{"#nid":"671132","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Study Reveals Wintertime Formation of Large Pollution Particles in China\u2019s Skies ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EPrevious \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/acp.copernicus.org\/articles\/19\/14311\/2019\/#:~:text=Rapid%20sulfate%20formation%20is%20recognized%20as%20a%20key,to%20reduce%20gaps%20between%20observation%20and%20model%20simulation.\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Estudies\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E have found that the particles that float in the haze over the skies of Beijing include sulfate, a major source of outdoor air pollution that damages lungs and aggravates existing asthmatic symptoms, \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ww2.arb.ca.gov\/resources\/sulfate-and-health#:~:text=Sulfate%20particles%20are%20part%20of,chronic%20heart%20or%20lung%20diseases.\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eaccording\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E to the \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ww2.arb.ca.gov\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ECalifornia Air Resources Board\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ESulfates usually are produced by atmospheric oxidation in the summer, when ample sunlight facilitates the oxidation that turns sulfur dioxide into dangerous aerosol particles. How is it that China can produce such extreme pollution loaded with sulfates in the winter, when there\u2019s not as much sunlight and atmospheric oxidation is slow?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/people\/wang-dr-yuhang\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EYuhang Wang\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E, professor in the \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E at Georgia Tech, and his research team have conducted a study that may have the answer: All the chemical reactions needed to turn sulfur dioxide into sulfur trioxide, and then quickly into sulfate, primarily happen within the smoke plumes causing the pollution. That process not only creates sulfates in the winter in China, but it also happens faster and results in larger sulfate particles in the atmosphere.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cWe call the source \u2018in-source formation,\u2019\u201d Wang says. \u201cInstead of having oxidants spread out in the atmosphere, slowly oxidizing sulfur dioxide into sulfur trioxide to produce sulfate, we have this concentrated production in the exhaust plumes that turns the sulfuric acid into large sulfate particles. And that\u0027s why we\u0027re seeing these large sulfate particles in China.\u201d\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe findings of in-source formation of larger wintertime sulfate particles in China could help scientists accurately assess the impacts of aerosols on \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/climate.mit.edu\/explainers\/radiative-forcing#:~:text=Radiative%20forcing%20is%20what%20happens,infrared%20radiation%20exiting%20as%20heat.\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eradiative forcing\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E \u2014 how climate change and global warming impact the Earth\u2019s energy and heat balances \u2014 and on health, where larger aerosols means larger deposits into human lungs.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/10.1021\/acs.est.3c05645\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cWintertime Formation of Large Sulfate Particles in China and Implications for Human Health,\u201d\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E is published in \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/journal\/esthag\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EEnvironmental Science \u0026amp; Technology\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E an \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAmerican Chemical Society\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E publication. The co-authors include \u003Cstrong\u003EQianru Zhang\u003C\/strong\u003E of Peking University and \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/mingming-zhang\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EMingming Zheng\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E of Wuhan Polytechnic University, two of Wang\u2019s former students who conducted the research while at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EExplaining a historic smog\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EChina still burns a lot of coal in power plants because its costs are lower compared to natural gas, Wang says. It also makes for an easy comparison between China\u2019s hazy winters and a historic event that focused the United Kingdom\u2019s attention on dangerous environmental hazards \u2014 the Great London Smog.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe event, depicted in the Netflix show \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt5170842\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cThe Crown,\u201d\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E saw severe smog descend on London in December 1952. Unusually cold weather preceded the event, which brought the coal-produced haze down to ground level. UK officials later said the Great London Smog (also called the Great London Fog) was responsible for 4,000 deaths and 100,000 illnesses, although later studies estimated a higher death toll of 10,000 to 20,000.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cFrom the days of the London Fog to extreme winter pollution in China, it has been a challenge to explain how sulfate is produced in the winter,\u201d Wang says.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWang and his team decided to take on that challenge.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAerosol size and heavy metal influence?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe higher sulfate levels in China, notably in January 2013, defy conventional explanations that relied on standard photochemical oxidation. It was thought that nitrogen dioxide or other mild oxidants found in alkaline or neutral particles in the atmosphere were the cause. But measurements revealed the resulting sulfate particles were highly acidic.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EDuring Zheng\u2019s time at Georgia Tech, \u201cShe was just looking for interesting things to do,\u201d Wang says of the former student. \u201cAnd I said, maybe this is what we should do \u2014 I wanted her to look at aerosol size distributions, how large the aerosols are.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EZheng and Wang noticed that the size of the sulfate particles from China\u2019s winter were much larger than those that resulted from photochemically-produced aerosols. Usually measuring 0.3 to 0.5 microns, the sulfate was closer to 1 micron in size. (A human hair is about 70 microns.) Aerosols distributed over a wider area would normally be smaller.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe micron-sized aerosol observations imply that sulfate particles undergo substantial growth in a sulfur trioxide-rich environment,\u201d Wang says. Larger particles increase the risks to human health.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cWhen aerosols are large, more is deposited in the front part of the respiratory system but less on the end part, such as alveoli,\u201d he adds. \u201cWhen accounting for the large size of particles, total aerosol deposition in the human respiratory system is estimated to increase by 10 to 30 percent.\u201d\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ESomething still needs to join the chemical mix, however, so the sulfur dioxide could turn into sulfur trioxide while enlarging the resulting sulfate particles. Wang says a potential pathway involves the catalytic oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfuric acid by \u201ctransition metals.\u201d\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EHigh temperatures, acidity, and water content in the exhaust can greatly accelerate catalytic sulfur dioxide oxidation \u201ccompared to that in the ambient atmosphere. It is possible that similar heterogeneous processes occurring on the hot surface of a smokestack coated with transition metals could explain the significant portion of sulfur trioxide observed in coal-fired power plant exhaust,\u201d Wang says.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cA significant amount of sulfur trioxide is produced, either during combustion or through metal-catalyzed oxidation at elevated temperatures.\u201d\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAn opportunity for cleaner-burning coal power plants\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe impact of in-source formation of sulfate suggests that taking measures to cool off and remove sulfur trioxide, sulfuric acid, and particulates from the emissions of coal-combustion facilities could be a way to cut down on pollution that can cause serious health problems.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cThe development and implementation of such technology will benefit nations globally, particularly those heavily reliant on coal as a primary energy source,\u201d Wang says.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDOI:\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acs.est.3c05645\u0022 title=\u0022DOI URL\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acs.est.3c05645\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFunding: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (nos. 41821005 and 41977311). Yuhang Wang was supported by the National Science Foundation Atmospheric Chemistry Program.\u0026nbsp;Qianru Zhang would also like to thank the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2022M720005) and China Scholarship Council for support. Mingming Zheng is also supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Peking University (7100604309).\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences researchers find dangerous sulfates are formed, and their particles get bigger, within the plumes of pollution belching from coal-fired power plants."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences researchers find dangerous sulfates are formed, and their particles get bigger, within the plumes of pollution belching from coal-fired power plants.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences researchers find dangerous sulfates are formed, and their particles get bigger, within the plumes of pollution belching from coal-fired power plants."}],"uid":"34434","created_gmt":"2023-11-16 21:24:21","changed_gmt":"2024-02-05 14:29:13","author":"Renay San Miguel","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2023-11-16T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2023-11-16T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"672402":{"id":"672402","type":"image","title":"Beijing pollution (Photo Kevin Dooley, Creative Commons)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EBeijing pollution (Photo Kevin Dooley, Creative Commons)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1700170529","gmt_created":"2023-11-16 21:35:29","changed":"1700170529","gmt_changed":"2023-11-16 21:35:29","alt":"Beijing pollution (Photo Kevin Dooley, Creative Commons)","file":{"fid":"255633","name":"Beijing pollution (Photo Kevin Dooley, Creative Commons).jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/11\/16\/Beijing%20pollution%20%28Photo%20Kevin%20Dooley%2C%20Creative%20Commons%29.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/11\/16\/Beijing%20pollution%20%28Photo%20Kevin%20Dooley%2C%20Creative%20Commons%29.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":108120,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2023\/11\/16\/Beijing%20pollution%20%28Photo%20Kevin%20Dooley%2C%20Creative%20Commons%29.jpeg?itok=Blmdl5Q8"}},"672403":{"id":"672403","type":"image","title":"Yuhang Wang","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYuhang Wang\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1700170645","gmt_created":"2023-11-16 21:37:25","changed":"1700170645","gmt_changed":"2023-11-16 21:37:25","alt":"Yuhang Wang","file":{"fid":"255634","name":"Yuhang Wang.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/11\/16\/Yuhang%20Wang.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/11\/16\/Yuhang%20Wang.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2476110,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2023\/11\/16\/Yuhang%20Wang.jpg?itok=ASb4ukar"}}},"media_ids":["672402","672403"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/georgia-tech-study-sheds-light-toxicity-atmospheric-particulate-matter-pollution","title":"Georgia Tech Study Sheds Light on Toxicity of Atmospheric Particulate Matter Pollution"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/sea-spray-water-worlds-and-search-life","title":"Sea Spray, Water Worlds, and the Search for Life"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/canadian-wildfire-smoke-affects-atlanta","title":"Canadian Wildfire Smoke Affects Atlanta"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/science-matters\/sciencematters-season-3-episode-5-clearing-air-about-aerosol-science","title":"ScienceMatters - Season 3, Episode 5 - Clearing the Air About Aerosol Science"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"},{"id":"1316","name":"Green Buzz"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"166926","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences"},{"id":"169224","name":"Yuhang Wang"},{"id":"113111","name":"aerosols"},{"id":"173837","name":"China air pollution"},{"id":"169960","name":"sulfates"},{"id":"193266","name":"cos-research"},{"id":"192252","name":"cos-planetary"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWriter: Renay San Miguel\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nCommunications Officer II\/Science Writer\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nCollege of Sciences\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n404-894-5209\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EEditor: Jess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["renay.san@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"668019":{"#nid":"668019","#data":{"type":"news","title":"GTRI Works to Enhance EV Battery Reuse and Recycling in Georgia ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAmid the surge in demand for lithium-ion batteries, which power everything from smartphones to electric vehicles (EVs), there is a greater need to properly recycle them. The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is working to optimize Georgia\u2019s EV battery supply chain by developing cost- and energy-efficient methods to recover materials from spent batteries so that more of them can be reused \u2013 and pose fewer environmental risks. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EGeorgia is quickly emerging as a hub for the electronic transportation industry. According to \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.georgia.org\/EV#\/analyze?show_map=true\u0026amp;region=US-GA\u0022\u003Edata\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E from the Georgia Department of Economic Development, since 2018, 35 EV-related projects have contributed $23 billion in investments in the state.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ESouth Korea-based Hyundai Motor Group recently broke ground on its first fully dedicated EV manufacturing facility in Savannah\u2019s Bryan County. The company has also teamed up with LG Energy Solution to invest $4.3 billion in building an EV battery cell manufacturing plant at the same location. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EEV manufacturer and automotive technology company Rivian, which is based on Irvine, Calif., has announced a $5 billion investment in its second U.S. plant located east of Atlanta in Morgan and Walton Counties. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EHyundai\u2019s new facility is expected to reach full production capacity at the end of 2025, with 30 gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy anticipated to support the production of 300,000 EVs. Rivian, meanwhile, anticipates its Georgia plant will employ over 7,500 workers while producing up to 400,000 vehicles each year. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cThis level of industry engagement in Georgia is unprecedented,\u201d said Kevin Caravati, a GTRI principal research scientist, who is supporting this project. \u201cThe Hyundai plant, for example, could create tens of thousands of jobs in a very rural part of Georgia, which would be a step in the right direction for the entire state.\u201d \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe lithium-ion batteries that power EVs are seen as desirable over other battery technologies because of their high energy density, which allows electric cars to travel longer distances on a single charge. These types of batteries also have a low self-discharge rate, which means that the stored energy remains available for an extended period of time even when the vehicle is not in use.\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EHowever, these batteries \u003C\/span\u003Ecan easily turn into fire hazards \u2013 especially at the end of their life cycle. Very few batteries ever end up being recycled and those that do get recycled are often mishandled. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cCurrently, there are no recycling standards in place, which poses challenges for the entire supply chain,\u201d said Milad Navaei, a GTRI senior research engineer, who is leading this project. \u201c\u003Cspan\u003EOur goal is to create circular economy for batteries in Georgia where we can reduce our dependence on raw materials that often come from overseas and can be very expensive.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ELithium-ion batteries use metals including lithium, nickel, manganese, and cobalt that are mined in locations such as Africa\u2019s Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chile and Argentina. During the production process, the metals are combined with other materials to form the two key components of a battery cell \u2013 the cathode and the anode. Inside a battery, the cathode, which has a negative charge, and anode, which has a positive charge, interact to generate electrons that power the electronic device. Most lithium-ion batteries are currently made in China. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ENavaei noted that geopolitical sensitivities and lingering supply chain challenges in many of these regions makes GTRI\u2019s work all the more crucial. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EGTRI\u2019s research consists of two parts: One, develop more advanced analytics capabilities for fleet management companies to monitor the health and performance of EV batteries, and two, optimize the recovery of raw materials from batteries at the end of their useful life. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cThe battery is the most important part of an EV, and it\u2019s critical to know the battery\u2019s state of health (SoH), which is the ratio of the present capacity to the initial capacity,\u201d said Navaei. \u201cOur goal is to utilize technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) to monitor the SoH of these batteries and estimate the life cycle, which heavily depends on the usage and the type of battery for its safe and reliable implementation in the next life application.\u201d \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EGTRI aims to integrate these technologies into companies\u2019 existing inventory management systems to streamline process management and reporting.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EFor the second part of the research, GTRI is utilizing a statistical technique known as parametric modeling to aggregate data about known behaviors and characteristics of EV batteries to help companies make more informed decisions about properly depowering them and repurposing their raw materials with minimal environmental impact. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cDeveloping a robust system-modeling approach to support our energy research is a primary focus of ours,\u201d said GTRI Principal Research Scientist Ilan Stern, who is also supporting the project. \u201cSince our ultimate goal is to utilize domestic sources in our supply chain, really the only way to do that is by building out strong recycling models to account for the fact that these companies are working with finite materials and many of them are coming from conflict zones.\u201d \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EGTRI is working with a number of industry partners on this project, including many companies that participated in \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.research.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-battery-day-reveals-opportunities-energy-storage-research\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Battery Day\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E earlier this year. At the event, over 230 energy researchers and industry participants convened to discuss emerging opportunities in energy storage research. Some of the companies represented at the event included Hyundai Kia, Delta Airlines, Cox Automotive and Panasonic. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWriter: Anna Akins\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nPhoto Credit: iStock\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGTRI Communications\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Tech Research Institute\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gtri.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).\u202fFounded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $800 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry.\u202fGTRI\u0027s renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is working to optimize Georgia\u2019s EV battery supply chain by developing cost- and energy-efficient methods to recover materials from spent batteries so that more of them can be reused \u2013 and pose fewer environmental risks. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is working to optimize Georgia\u2019s EV battery supply chain by developing cost-and energy-efficient methods that pose fewer environmental risks."}],"uid":"35832","created_gmt":"2023-06-07 15:23:18","changed_gmt":"2023-06-12 14:29:33","author":"Michelle Gowdy","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2023-06-07T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2023-06-07T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"670938":{"id":"670938","type":"image","title":"GTRI\u0027s EV battery recycling efforts","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGTRI\u0027s EV battery recycling efforts are crucial because many of the key minerals found in lithium-ion batteries are sourced from geopolitically sensitive regions across the globe (Photo Credit: iStock).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1686150352","gmt_created":"2023-06-07 15:05:52","changed":"1686150650","gmt_changed":"2023-06-07 15:10:50","alt":"GTRI\u0027s EV battery recycling efforts","file":{"fid":"253911","name":"iStock-1399959531_0.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/06\/07\/iStock-1399959531_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/06\/07\/iStock-1399959531_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":328491,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2023\/06\/07\/iStock-1399959531_0.jpg?itok=-uWhD60G"}}},"media_ids":["670938"],"related_files":{"253911":{"fid":null,"name":"GTRI\u0027s EV battery recycling efforts","file_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/06\/07\/iStock-1399959531_0.jpg","file_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/06\/07\/iStock-1399959531_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":328491,"description":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGTRI\u0027s EV battery recycling efforts are crucial because many of the key minerals found in lithium-ion batteries are sourced from geopolitically sensitive regions across the globe (Photo Credit: iStock).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n"}},"groups":[{"id":"1276","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"1292","name":"battery"},{"id":"416","name":"GTRI"},{"id":"365","name":"Research"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"166902","name":"science and technology"},{"id":"1153","name":"recycling"},{"id":"11426","name":"Georgia Economy"},{"id":"192728","name":"EV battery supply chain"},{"id":"192729","name":"EV battery"},{"id":"192730","name":"Hyundai"},{"id":"213","name":"energy"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E(Interim) Director of Communications\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EMichelle Gowdy\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EMichelle.Gowdy@gtri.gatech.edu\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E404-407-8060\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["michelle.gowdy@gtri.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"667337":{"#nid":"667337","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Hitting the Brakes or the Accelerator on Electrified Semitrucks","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EElectrical cables have been suspended over trams and trolley tracks for more than 140 years. They\u2019ve electrified bullet trains in Japan and Amtrak railways that connect Washington D.C and Boston. Now the United States, Germany, and Sweden are testing the technology on highways, hoping to eliminate emissions from tractor-trailers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA new study from Georgia Tech\u2019s College of Engineering looks closer at using overhead cable line (OCL) technology to power trucks, evaluating if they are wise environmental and economical choices.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor some countries, including the United States as a whole, Sweden and Germany, the team suggests OCL technology is ideal. It\u2019s also beneficial at the state level for New York, Washington, and Georgia. But for other areas, it shouldn\u2019t be implemented until the region\u2019s electric grid is cleaner.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2023\/04\/hitting-brakes-or-accelerator-electrified-semitrucks\u0022\u003ERead the full story on the College of Engineering website.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EStudy looks at the environmental and economic benefits of overhead cable-line technology for nation\u2019s highways.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"  Study looks at the environmental and economic benefits of overhead cable-line technology for nation\u2019s highways"}],"uid":"27446","created_gmt":"2023-04-13 21:01:19","changed_gmt":"2023-04-13 21:05:17","author":"Joshua Stewart","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2023-04-13T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2023-04-13T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"670538":{"id":"670538","type":"image","title":"Siemens OCL Electric Truck","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESiemens Mobility built an overhead contact line for electric trucks on a 6.2-mile stretch of Germany\u2019s autobahn. (Photo courtesy: Siemens)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1681419690","gmt_created":"2023-04-13 21:01:30","changed":"1681419690","gmt_changed":"2023-04-13 21:01:30","alt":"An electric truck using overhead contact lines on Germany\u0027s autobahn (photo courtesy: Siemens)","file":{"fid":"253419","name":"Siemens-Mobility-Electric-Truck-Autobahn.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/04\/13\/Siemens-Mobility-Electric-Truck-Autobahn.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/04\/13\/Siemens-Mobility-Electric-Truck-Autobahn.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1703612,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2023\/04\/13\/Siemens-Mobility-Electric-Truck-Autobahn.jpeg?itok=f1R0Y7Ug"}}},"media_ids":["670538"],"groups":[{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"191939","name":"Joe Bozeman"},{"id":"1897","name":"Civil Engineering"},{"id":"4776","name":"civil and environmental engineering"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:maderer@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJason Maderer\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECollege of Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["maderer@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"660700":{"#nid":"660700","#data":{"type":"news","title":"DOE Renews Funding of Energy Frontier Research Center with $13.2 Million Grant","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering has been renewed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for a third round of funding ($13.2 million over four years) for its Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) to study materials used in clean energy technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis multi-institution EFRC, known as the Center for Understanding \u0026amp; Controlling Accelerated and Gradual Evolution of Materials for Energy (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/efrc.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EUNCAGE-ME\u003C\/a\u003E), has advanced understanding of how acid gases interact with energy-related materials since its inception in 2014. The Center, with Georgia Tech as the lead participating institution, was first renewed for four years of funding in 2018.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The selection for a third phase of funding is unusual, and speaks to the impact of the research already reported by the center in its first two phases,\u0026rdquo; said Christopher Jones, the John F. Brock III School Chair in Chemical \u0026amp; Biomolecular Engineering. \u0026ldquo;I believe this is attributable to the strong leadership provided by our current and former directors, Ryan Lively and Krista Walton. An additional constant throughout all three phases of the center has been strong collaboration between Georgia Tech, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Lehigh University, and the University of Alabama.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn the next four-year phase, UNCAGE-ME will leverage capabilities developed over the last eight years to address basic science questions associated with the evolution of materials to be used in clean energy technologies, including systems designed to capture and convert\u0026nbsp;CO2\u0026nbsp;from the air into useful chemicals.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Two of the most basic commodity chemicals in the clean energy economy will be\u0026nbsp;H2\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;CO2. A special emphasis has been given to these two molecules with DOE\u0026rsquo;s Energy Earthshots that were announced in November 2021 \u0026ndash; the Hydrogen Shot and the Carbon Negative Shot\u0026rdquo; said Ryan Lively, a professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and the director of UNCAGE-ME.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;These are all-hands-on-deck calls for innovations in technologies and approaches that will reduce the cost of clean hydrogen by 80% to $1 per 1 kg in one decade and remove\u0026nbsp;CO2\u0026nbsp;from the atmosphere and durably store it at meaningful scales for less than $100\/net metric ton of\u0026nbsp;CO2-equivalent,\u0026rdquo; said Krista Walton, professor in ChBE as well as the inaugural director of UNCAGE-ME.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETo help reach these goals, UNCAGE-ME will employ an interdisciplinary, matrixed research structure that combines novel materials synthesis, in situ characterization techniques, molecular modeling, and data science approaches to achieve an unprecedented level of design, prediction, and control over (electro)catalysts, sorbents, and membranes.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFrom 2014 to 2022, the UNCAGE-ME\u0026rsquo;s research accomplishments (appearing in more than 200 publications) provided detailed descriptions of the impact of acid gas exposure on metal-oxides, metal-organic frameworks, carbons, supported amines, porous organic cages, and other materials. This fundamental knowledge base directly supports the mission of the DOE\u0026rsquo;s Basic Energy Sciences program to provide the foundational science to guide the development of new energy technologies under realistic process environments.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The College of Engineering is proud to continue leading this important initiative for an additional four years,\u0026rdquo; said Raheem Beyah, dean of the College of Engineering and Southern Company Chair. \u0026ldquo;This second renewal from DOE is a testament to Krista and Ryan\u0026rsquo;s leadership, as well as the vision and innovation of a science team comprised of Georgia Tech researchers and our collaborators around the nation.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to Georgia Tech, the partner institutions for UNCAGE-ME include Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Alabama, University of Florida, University of California Riverside, Lehigh University, Sandia National Laboratory, and the University of Michigan.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EJulia Kubanek, professor and vice president for interdisciplinary research at Georgia tech, said it takes partnership across the Institute to support faculty in developing complex centers such as UNCAGE-ME.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Research centers like this one benefit from collaborations among faculty experts and grants administrator staff in our schools and colleges, contracting officials in Research Administration, plus two other sets of critical partners: the Office of Research Development, which supports complex proposal preparation, and the interdisciplinary research institutes IRIs,\u0026rdquo; Kubanek said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The IRIs gather information from our Office of Federal Relations and host workshops to help faculty prepare and form teams. In this case, the Strategic Energy Institute, Institute for Materials, and Renewable Bioproducts Institute were all involved in ensuring that faculty had advance notice of this competition and could make the most of expert advice,\u0026rdquo; she said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering has been renewed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for a third round of funding ($13.2 million over four years) for its Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) to study materials used in c"}],"uid":"27271","created_gmt":"2022-08-30 18:27:55","changed_gmt":"2022-08-30 19:21:29","author":"Brad Dixon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2022-08-30T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2022-08-30T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"660702":{"id":"660702","type":"image","title":"Ryan Lively","body":null,"created":"1661884184","gmt_created":"2022-08-30 18:29:44","changed":"1661884184","gmt_changed":"2022-08-30 18:29:44","alt":"Professor Ryan Lively","file":{"fid":"250332","name":"lively2019.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/lively2019.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/lively2019.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":74401,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/lively2019.jpg?itok=43N09WtQ"}},"660701":{"id":"660701","type":"image","title":"Krista Walton","body":null,"created":"1661884147","gmt_created":"2022-08-30 18:29:07","changed":"1661884147","gmt_changed":"2022-08-30 18:29:07","alt":"Professor Krista Walton","file":{"fid":"250331","name":"walton-inside.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/walton-inside_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/walton-inside_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":76471,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/walton-inside_0.jpg?itok=juB_FKZV"}}},"media_ids":["660702","660701"],"groups":[{"id":"1183","name":"Home"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"191188","name":"Clean Energy Technology"},{"id":"191189","name":"Acid Gases"},{"id":"96221","name":"Energy Frontier Research Center"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBrad Dixon, \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:braddixon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebraddixon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["braddixon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"660659":{"#nid":"660659","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Physicists Uncover New Dynamical Framework for Turbulence","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETurbulence plays a key role in our daily lives, making for bumpy plane rides, affecting weather and climate, limiting the fuel efficiency of the cars we drive, and impacting clean energy technologies. Yet, scientists and engineers have puzzled at ways to predict and alter turbulent fluid flows, and it has long remained one of the most challenging problems in science and engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ENow, physicists from the Georgia Institute of Technology have demonstrated \u0026mdash; numerically and experimentally \u0026mdash; that turbulence can be understood and quantified with the help of a relatively small set of special solutions to the governing equations of fluid dynamics that can be precomputed for a particular geometry, once and for all.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;For nearly a century, turbulence has been described statistically as a random process,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/roman-grigoriev\u0022\u003ERoman Grigoriev\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026ldquo;Our results provide the first experimental illustration that, on suitably short time scales, the dynamics of turbulence is deterministic \u0026mdash; and connects it to the underlying deterministic governing equations.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe findings were \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/doi\/10.1073\/pnas.2120665119\u0022\u003Epublished\u003C\/a\u003E in \u003Cem\u003EProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences \u003C\/em\u003Eon August 19, 2022. The team of researchers was led by Grigoriev and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/michael-schatz\u0022\u003EMichael Schatz\u003C\/a\u003E, professors in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/a\u003E who have collaborated on various research projects over the past two decades.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESchatz and Grigoriev were joined in the study by School of Physics graduate students Chris Crowley, Joshua Pughe-Sanford, and Wesley Toler, along with Michael Krygier, a postdoctoral scientist at Sandia National Laboratories, who developed the study\u0026rsquo;s numerical solvers as a graduate student at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA New \u0026#39;Roadmap\u0026#39; for Turbulence Research\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EQuantitatively predicting the evolution of turbulent flows \u0026mdash; and, in fact, almost any of their properties \u0026mdash; is rather difficult. \u0026ldquo;Numerical simulation is the only reliable existing prediction approach,\u0026rdquo; Grigoriev said. \u0026ldquo;But it can be awfully expensive. The goal of our research was to make prediction less costly.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers created a new \u0026ldquo;roadmap\u0026rdquo; of turbulence by looking at a weak turbulent flow that was confined between two independently rotating cylinders \u0026mdash; giving the team a unique way to compare experimental observations with numerically computed flows, due to the absence of \u0026ldquo;end effects\u0026rdquo; that are present in more familiar geometries, such as flow down a pipe.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Turbulence can be thought of as a car following a sequence of roads,\u0026rdquo; said Grigoriev. \u0026ldquo;Perhaps an even better analogy is a train, which not only follows a railway on a prescribed timetable but also has the same shape as the railway it is following.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe experiment featured transparent walls to allow full visual access, and it used a state-of-the-art flow visualization to allow the researchers to reconstruct the flow by tracking the motion of millions of suspended fluorescent particles. In parallel, advanced numerical methods were used to compute recurrent solutions of the partial differential equation (Navier-Stokes equation), governing fluid flows under conditions exactly matching experiment.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIt is well-known that turbulent fluid flows exhibit a repertoire of patterns \u0026mdash; referred to as \u0026#39;coherent structures\u0026#39; in the field \u0026mdash; that have a well-defined spatial profile but appear and disappear in an apparently random manner. By analyzing their experimental and numerical data, the researchers discovered that these flow patterns and their evolution resemble those described by the special solutions they computed. These special solutions are both recurrent and unstable, meaning they describe repeating flow patterns over short intervals of time. Turbulence tracks one such solution after another, which explains what patterns can appear, and in what order.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERecurrent Solutions, Two Frequencies\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;All the recurrent solutions that we found in this geometry turned out to be quasi-periodic \u0026mdash; that is, characterized by two different frequencies,\u0026rdquo; said Grigoriev. One frequency described the overall rotation of the flow pattern around the axis of symmetry of the flow, while the other described the changes in the shape of the flow pattern in a reference frame co-rotating with the pattern. The corresponding flows repeat periodically in these co-rotating frames.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We then compared turbulent flows in experiment and direct numerical simulations with these recurrent solutions and found turbulence to closely follow (track) one recurrent solution after another, for as long as turbulent flow persisted,\u0026rdquo; Grigoriev said. \u0026ldquo;Such qualitative behaviors were predicted for low-dimensional chaotic systems, such as the famous Lorenz model, derived six decades ago as a greatly simplified model of the atmosphere.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe work represents the first experimental observation of chaotic motion tracking recurrent solutions actually observed in turbulent flows. \u0026ldquo;The dynamics of turbulent flows are, of course, far more complicated due to the quasi-periodic nature of recurrent solutions,\u0026rdquo; Grigoriev added.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Using this method, we conclusively showed that the organization of turbulence in both space and time is well captured by these structures,\u0026rdquo; the researchers said. \u0026ldquo;These results lay the foundation for representing turbulence in terms of coherent structures and leveraging their persistence in time to overcome the devastating effects of chaos on our ability to predict, control, and engineer fluid flows.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA New Dynamical Foundation for 3D Fluid Flows\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThese findings most immediately impact the community of physicists, mathematicians, and engineers who are still trying to understand fluid turbulence, which remains \u0026ldquo;perhaps the greatest unsolved problem in all of science,\u0026rdquo; Grigoriev said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This work builds and expands on previous work on fluid turbulence by the same group, some of which was \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2017\/03\/15\/butterflys-wing-tornado-predicting-turbulence\u0022\u003Ereported at Georgia Tech in 2017\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026rdquo; he added. \u0026ldquo;Unlike the work discussed in that publication, which focused on idealized two-dimensional fluid flows, present research addresses the practically important and more complicated three-dimensional flows.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EUltimately, the team\u0026rsquo;s study lays a mathematical foundation for fluid turbulence which is dynamical, rather than statistical, in nature \u0026mdash; and hence has the capability to make quantitative predictions, which are crucial for a variety of applications.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;It can give us the ability to dramatically improve the accuracy of weather forecasts and, most notably, enable prediction of extreme events such as hurricanes and tornadoes,\u0026rdquo; said Grigoriev. \u0026ldquo;Dynamical framework is also essential for our ability to engineer flows with desired properties, for instance, reduced drag around vehicles to improve fuel efficiency, or enhanced mass transport to help remove more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in the emerging direct air capture industry.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFunding and acknowledgements:\u003C\/strong\u003E The researchers thank Marc Avila for sharing his Taylor\u0026ndash;Couette flow code, and gratefully acknowledge financial support by Army Research Office under Grants W911NF-15-1-0471 and W911NF-16-10281 and by NSF under Grant CMMI-1725587.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECitation and Video:\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1073\/pnas.2120665119\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1073\/pnas.2120665119\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout Georgia Tech\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/strong\u003E, or Georgia Tech, is a top 10 public research university developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences degrees. Its nearly 44,000 students representing 50 states and 149 countries, study at the main campus in Atlanta, at campuses in France and China, and through distance and online learning. As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EPhysicists at Georgia Tech have proven \u0026mdash; numerically and experimentally \u0026mdash; that turbulence in fluid flows can be understood and quantified with the help of a small set of special solutions that can be precomputed for a particular geometry, once and for all. The findings reveal a new, dynamical framework for turbulence, with a wide range of applications, from more accurate weather forecasts to improving the fuel efficiency of cars and airplanes.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech physicists have proven \u2014 numerically and experimentally \u2014 that turbulence in fluid flows can be understood and quantified with the help of a small set of special solutions that can be precomputed for a particular geometry, once and for all."}],"uid":"34528","created_gmt":"2022-08-29 19:14:07","changed_gmt":"2022-08-29 19:52:36","author":"jhunt7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2022-08-29T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2022-08-29T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"660664":{"id":"660664","type":"image","title":"The researchers\u0027 experiment featured transparent walls to allow full visual access, and used a state-of-the-art flow visualization. (Photo: Michael Schatz)","body":null,"created":"1661801565","gmt_created":"2022-08-29 19:32:45","changed":"1661801565","gmt_changed":"2022-08-29 19:32:45","alt":"","file":{"fid":"250314","name":"2022 08 29 IMG_20200307_135805[64].jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/2022%2008%2029%20IMG_20200307_135805%5B64%5D.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/2022%2008%2029%20IMG_20200307_135805%5B64%5D.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":942317,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/2022%2008%2029%20IMG_20200307_135805%5B64%5D.jpg?itok=M8W82sXi"}},"660666":{"id":"660666","type":"image","title":"The setup allowed the researchers to reconstruct the flow by tracking the motion of millions of suspended fluorescent particles. (Photo: Michael Schatz)","body":null,"created":"1661801652","gmt_created":"2022-08-29 19:34:12","changed":"1661801652","gmt_changed":"2022-08-29 19:34:12","alt":"","file":{"fid":"250315","name":"2022 08 29 ParticlesSetup[2].jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/2022%2008%2029%20ParticlesSetup%5B2%5D.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/2022%2008%2029%20ParticlesSetup%5B2%5D.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":996662,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/2022%2008%2029%20ParticlesSetup%5B2%5D.jpg?itok=Ktl2XmSm"}},"660667":{"id":"660667","type":"image","title":"A schematic of the physicists\u0027 research. ","body":null,"created":"1661801733","gmt_created":"2022-08-29 19:35:33","changed":"1661801733","gmt_changed":"2022-08-29 19:35:33","alt":"","file":{"fid":"250316","name":"2022 08 29 TCF_exp_schematic[67].png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/2022%2008%2029%20TCF_exp_schematic%5B67%5D.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/2022%2008%2029%20TCF_exp_schematic%5B67%5D.png","mime":"image\/png","size":362217,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/2022%2008%2029%20TCF_exp_schematic%5B67%5D.png?itok=4WEYNmtP"}},"660668":{"id":"660668","type":"image","title":"Roman Grigoriev (left) and Michael Schatz.","body":null,"created":"1661802244","gmt_created":"2022-08-29 19:44:04","changed":"1661802244","gmt_changed":"2022-08-29 19:44:04","alt":"","file":{"fid":"250317","name":"Grigoriev and Schatz.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Grigoriev%20and%20Schatz.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Grigoriev%20and%20Schatz.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1028417,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Grigoriev%20and%20Schatz.jpg?itok=5PRsuMCb"}}},"media_ids":["660664","660666","660667","660668"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"147","name":"Military Technology"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"}],"keywords":[{"id":"166937","name":"School of Physics"},{"id":"1255","name":"turbulence"},{"id":"191183","name":"recurrent solutions"},{"id":"191184","name":"coherent structures"},{"id":"191185","name":"turbulent solutions"},{"id":"170035","name":"Roman Grigoriev"},{"id":"40211","name":"Michael Schatz"},{"id":"960","name":"physics"},{"id":"2584","name":"fluid dynamics"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"},{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter and Media Contact: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jess.hunt@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nDirector of Communications\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nCollege of Sciences at Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEditor: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:georgia.parmelee@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EGeorgia Robert Parmelee\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nDirector of Research Communications\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jess@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"659064":{"#nid":"659064","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Saeedifard Receives 2022 Nagamori Foundation Award","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMaryam Saeedifard, associate professor in the Georgia Tech School for Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), has been selected as a recipient for the 8th Nagamori Foundation Awards. The prestigious award works to vitalize the research and development of motor, power generator, actuator, and other related technologies, and support research and development engineers.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESaeedifard, who has been an ECE faculty member since 2014 and holds a Dean\u0026rsquo;s Professorship from Tech\u0026rsquo;s College of Engineering, is being recognized for her research contributions in \u0026ldquo;highly-efficient, power-dense and fault-tolerant multilevel converter-based medium-voltage drives.\u0026rdquo; She is one of six award recipients and will be recognized at a commendation ceremony on September 4, 2022, where one recipient will be named the Grand Nagamori Award winner. Each recipient will receive 2 million yen and the Grand Nagamori Award winner will receive a prize of 5 million yen.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESaeedifard is a leading expert on power electronics for energy conversion systems, and was named an IEEE Fellow in January 2022. During her career, she has developed modular and scalable power conversion circuits for medium-and high-voltage applications.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESome awards and achievements include:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003ECo-Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE\u0026nbsp;Transactions\u0026nbsp;on Power Electronics since 2021\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EU.S. Clean Energy Education and Empowerment (C3E) Technology Research \u0026amp; Innovation Award from the Department of Energy (2021)\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EFirst Place Prize Paper Award from the IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics in (2021)\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EIEEE Region 3 Outstanding Engineer Award (2019)\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EBest Transactions Paper Award of the IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics (2018 and 2016)\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EIEEE J. David Irwin Early Career Award (2018)\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EIEEE Technical Committee Working Group Recognition Award (2015)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EU.S. National Academy of Engineering, Frontiers in Engineering in Education (2012)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EU.S. National Academy of Engineering, Frontiers in Engineering (2011)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EExcellence in Research Award from the Office of Vice President in Research at Purdue University (2012 and 2011)\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EIEEE Richard M. Bass Outstanding Young Power Electronic Engineer Award (2010)\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003ECo-Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Trans. on Power Electronics since 2021\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Nagamori Foundation of Kyoto, Japan, was founded in 2014 by its president, and the founder of Nidec Corporation, Shigenobu Nagamori. In 2021, Jun Ueda, professor of mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, was recognized with a Nagamori Award for his research on cellular actuators.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"She\u00a0is being recognized for her research contributions in \u201chighly-efficient, power-dense and fault-tolerant multilevel converter-based medium-voltage drives.\u201d"}],"uid":"36172","created_gmt":"2022-06-23 17:33:31","changed_gmt":"2022-06-27 19:28:38","author":"dwatson71","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2022-06-23T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2022-06-23T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"659060":{"id":"659060","type":"image","title":"Maryam Saeedifard, associate professor in the Georgia Tech School for Electrical and Computer Engineering","body":null,"created":"1656005105","gmt_created":"2022-06-23 17:25:05","changed":"1656005105","gmt_changed":"2022-06-23 17:25:05","alt":"Maryam Saeedifard, associate professor in the Georgia Tech School for Electrical and Computer Engineering","file":{"fid":"249824","name":"Maryam-photo.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Maryam-photo.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Maryam-photo.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":59381,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Maryam-photo.jpeg?itok=TNXgC_m5"}}},"media_ids":["659060"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/faculty-staff-directory\/maryam-saeedifard","title":"Maryam Saeedifard"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.nidec.com\/en\/nagamori-f\/","title":"Nagamori Foundation "},{"url":"https:\/\/ieeexplore.ieee.org\/xpl\/RecentIssue.jsp?punumber=63","title":"IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics "}],"groups":[{"id":"1255","name":"School of Electrical and Computer Engineering"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"137611","name":"Maryam Saeedifard"},{"id":"190844","name":"Nagamori Foundation"},{"id":"2435","name":"ECE"},{"id":"190566","name":"Dean\u2019s Professorship"},{"id":"190845","name":"energy conversion systems"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDan Watson\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dwatson@ece.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Edwatson@ece.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["dwatson@ece.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"658887":{"#nid":"658887","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Researchers Receive ARPA-E Funding to Develop Eco-Friendly High-Voltage Circuit Breaker ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EReplacing the potent greenhouse gas SF\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Csub\u003E6 \u003C\/sub\u003Ein high-voltage circuit breakers with a clean alternative is critical as the U.S. looks to upgrade its aging electrical infrastructure.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAlthough\u0026nbsp;well-known greenhouse gases\u0026nbsp;like carbon dioxide (CO\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E) and methane\u0026nbsp;contribute the most emissions,\u0026nbsp;it is a lesser-known greenhouse gas, sulfur hexafluoride (SF\u003Csub\u003E6\u003C\/sub\u003E), that owns the title\u0026nbsp;as the\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;most\u0026nbsp;potent.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;The\u0026nbsp;man-made\u0026nbsp;gas\u0026nbsp;has\u0026nbsp;a global warming potential 23,900\u202ftimes than\u0026nbsp;that of CO\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;an atmospheric lifetime persistence\u0026nbsp;of up to\u202f3,200 years.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ELike other greenhouse gases, SF\u003Csub\u003E6\u003C\/sub\u003E, plays a significant, albeit indirect, role in everyday life, as it is a key component in high-voltage circuit breakers and switchgear for electric power systems. For the U.S. to effectively decrease carbon emissions to goals set at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), the country\u0026rsquo;s electrical power grid will need substantial updating, which includes finding an alternative to SF\u003Csub\u003E6\u003C\/sub\u003E electrical equipment\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;High-voltage alternating current (AC) SF\u003Csub\u003E6\u003C\/sub\u003E-insulated circuit breakers can be found in most electrical substations in the U.S. and around the world. They are vital mechanisms for a reliable and resilient power grid,\u0026rdquo; said Lukas Graber, associate professor in the Georgia Tech School for Electrical and Computer Engineering. \u0026ldquo;But any leaks of SF\u003Csub\u003E6\u003C\/sub\u003E\u0026nbsp;are\u0026nbsp;extremely bad for the environment due to its greenhouse gas effect.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA team of researchers from Georgia Tech, led by Graber and in collaboration with Mississippi State University, has recently been awarded nearly $4 million from the Department of Energy\u0026rsquo;s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) to develop a three-phase SF\u003Csub\u003E6\u003C\/sub\u003E-free AC high-voltage circuit breaker. Fittingly, the proposed design is called TESLA (Tough and Ecological Supercritical Line Breaker for AC), acknowledging AC electricity pioneer Nikola Tesla.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Impact of SF\u003Csub\u003E6\u003C\/sub\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFrom 2008 to 2018, the annual emissions rate of SF\u003Csub\u003E6\u003C\/sub\u003E rose from about 7,300 tons to approximately 9,040 tons, an increase of 24%, according to a 2020 study published by the European Geosciences Union. That\u202famount of SF\u003Csub\u003E6\u003C\/sub\u003E equates to greenhouse gas emissions of approximately\u202f44 million passenger vehicles\u202fdriven for one year, or\u202f226 billion pounds of coal being burned.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAccording to ARPA-E, equipment leaks are a major source of SF\u003Csub\u003E6\u003C\/sub\u003E emissions from the electrical transport and distribution sector. This is particularly true for aging equipment which, due to natural deterioration, is more prone to gas leaks. Ironically, as the U.S. strives to supplant fossil fuel-derived electricity generation with cleaner wind and solar power, the power grid will become increasingly decentralized, which will require more SF\u003Csub\u003E6\u003C\/sub\u003E gas-insulated equipment.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The electrical infrastructure in the US is in desperate need of upgrades to accommodate an increasing share of renewable energy, the electrification of the transportation sector, and improved resiliency against cyberattacks,\u0026rdquo; said Graber. \u0026ldquo;Existing electrical substations will require new equipment, and as part of these upgrades, a new eco-friendly generation of circuit breakers should be implemented.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELooking to Supercritical Fluids\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EReplacing SF\u003Csub\u003E6\u003C\/sub\u003E is no easy task. While SF\u003Csub\u003E6 \u003C\/sub\u003Ehas exceedingly high global warming potential, the synthetic gas is an excellent electrical insulator \u0026mdash; a material in which electric current does not flow freely. The gas is known for its effectiveness, stability, and intrinsic non-toxic, non-corrosive, and non-flammable nature, and while non-SF\u003Csub\u003E6\u003C\/sub\u003E equipment has long been available for low to medium-voltage applications, there are no alternatives for high-voltage equipment ready for market.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe team\u0026rsquo;s research has shown that the key to success may be utilizing recent breakthroughs in the dielectric (or electrical insulating)\u0026nbsp;properties\u0026nbsp;of supercritical fluid. A supercritical fluid is a highly compressed fluid that combines the properties of gases and liquids, and is most frequently used for power generation. The team is currently experimenting with supercritical CO\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E, which has ecologically friendly attributes that could be utilized in high-voltage\u0026nbsp;equipment.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Our preliminary results show that the supercritical fluid is a better dielectric than SF\u003Csub\u003E6\u003C\/sub\u003E,\u0026rdquo; said Zhiyang Jin, research engineer in Graber\u0026rsquo;s Plasma and Dielectrics Lab at Georgia Tech. \u0026ldquo;The breakdown voltage of supercritical CO\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E is at least three times that of SF\u003Csub\u003E6\u003C\/sub\u003E, and since CO\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E is everywhere, so a man-made gas will no longer be needed.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EUnlike SF\u003Csub\u003E6\u003C\/sub\u003E circuit breakers, the design pressure needed for supercritical fluid in TESLA is significant \u0026mdash; about ten times higher than SF\u003Csub\u003E6\u003C\/sub\u003E counterparts. Achieving this design means developing a different circuit breaker chamber to maintain structural integrity during and after the fault current interrupting event. Computational fluid dynamics models have already been developed to study the pressure and temperature changes, and the velocity distribution of supercritical fluids for designs of the chamber, nozzle, and contact system.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to the engineering challenge of connection compatibility with existing high-voltage electrical equipment\/infrastructure, and the subsequent workforce training that will entail, market adoption is critical hurdle to clear.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;To replace existing circuit breakers, we cannot just show that TESLA passed all required tests,\u0026rdquo; said Jonathan Goldman, principal at Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s Venturelab. \u0026ldquo;Gaining trust from large utility companies is also one of our crucial tasks. We will seek opinions from experts from various backgrounds.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGoldman and electrical engineering professor Santiago Grijalva will work with several industry partners to guide the design process, explore additional application segments, and advise on the commercialization of TESLA.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGetting to Work\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe interdisciplinary team will design and build the proposed circuit breaker at a high voltage rating (245 kV, 4 kA) and validate the design and functionality using a synthetic test circuit. The testbed will be modular in design and enable both high-current and high-voltage testing without needing access to a high-power source or generator. According to Graber, the development of such experimental capability is not only important for the TESLA project, but also for the power and energy industry of the U.S.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe three-year ARPA-E-funded project will culminate in the development of a TESLA\u0026nbsp;prototype tested at the Paul B. Jacob High Voltage Laboratory at Mississippi State University \u0026mdash; the largest university-operated high voltage facility in North America. The lab is directed by\u0026nbsp;Chanyeop\u0026nbsp;Park, who received his Ph.D. at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe team also includes Juergen Rauleder, assistant professor in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, and Lauren Garten, assistant professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ERaulder will investigate the fluid dynamics inside the circuit breaker and\u0026nbsp;provide\u0026nbsp;guidance for mechanical designs of\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;high-pressure tank, contact system,\u0026nbsp;and arc quenching mechanism, while Garten will research metal oxide varistor\u0026nbsp;characteristics for\u0026nbsp;direct current circuit\u0026nbsp;breaker applications. Garten\u0026rsquo;s research\u0026nbsp;would have an impact on another\u0026nbsp;ARPA-E-funded project at\u0026nbsp;Georgia\u0026nbsp;Tech called EDISON led by Graber.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Edison and Tesla as people never got along with each other, but through advancements in high-voltage circuit breakers, we\u0026rsquo;re trying to make them good friends,\u0026rdquo; said Graber. \u0026ldquo;There is no win or lose for choosing AC or DC nowadays, together they can both make our world a better place to live.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Replacing the potent greenhouse gas SF6 in high-voltage circuit breakers with a clean alternative is critical as the U.S. looks to upgrade its aging electrical infrastructure. "}],"uid":"36172","created_gmt":"2022-06-14 20:13:19","changed_gmt":"2022-06-27 14:08:12","author":"dwatson71","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2022-06-14T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2022-06-14T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"658879":{"id":"658879","type":"image","title":"The TESLA (Tough and Ecological Supercritical Line Breaker for AC) team in front of high-voltage circuit breakers. ","body":null,"created":"1655236353","gmt_created":"2022-06-14 19:52:33","changed":"1655301303","gmt_changed":"2022-06-15 13:55:03","alt":"The TESLA (Tough and Ecological Supercritical Line Breaker for AC) team in front of high-voltage circuit breakers. ","file":{"fid":"249745","name":"DSC01852.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/DSC01852.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/DSC01852.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1905122,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/DSC01852.jpg?itok=sAnFCQqF"}},"658881":{"id":"658881","type":"image","title":"TESLA team examining a high-voltage circuit breaker","body":null,"created":"1655236521","gmt_created":"2022-06-14 19:55:21","changed":"1655236521","gmt_changed":"2022-06-14 19:55:21","alt":"The team examining a high-voltage circuit breaker at an electrical substation. The greenhouse gas, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), is found in the large horizontal tubes mounted to the platform. The TESLA team will develop a different circuit breaker chamber that will utilize supercritical CO2 instead of SF6.","file":{"fid":"249747","name":"DSC01900.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/DSC01900.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/DSC01900.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1695794,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/DSC01900.jpg?itok=taTdJK0Y"}},"658880":{"id":"658880","type":"image","title":"TESLA High-Voltage Circuit Breaker Team","body":null,"created":"1655236429","gmt_created":"2022-06-14 19:53:49","changed":"1655236429","gmt_changed":"2022-06-14 19:53:49","alt":"L-R: Zhiyang Jin (research engineer in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering), Lauren Garten (assistant professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering), Chanyeop Park (director of the Paul B. Jacob High Voltage Laboratory at Mississippi State University), Lukas Graber (associate professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering), Juergen Rauleder (assistant professor in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering), Kevin Whitmore (research engineer in the Sch","file":{"fid":"249746","name":"DSC01981.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/DSC01981.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/DSC01981.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1556248,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/DSC01981.jpg?itok=c-e2wk9n"}},"658882":{"id":"658882","type":"image","title":"TESLA High-Voltage Circuit Breaker Warning Sign","body":null,"created":"1655236623","gmt_created":"2022-06-14 19:57:03","changed":"1655236623","gmt_changed":"2022-06-14 19:57:03","alt":"A warning sign on a high-voltage circuit breaker mentioning\u00a0sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). SF6\u00a0has\u00a0a global warming potential 23,900\u202ftimes than\u00a0that of CO2.","file":{"fid":"249748","name":"DSC01965.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/DSC01965.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/DSC01965.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1035492,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/DSC01965.jpg?itok=a7V--zqN"}}},"media_ids":["658879","658881","658880","658882"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/arpa-e.energy.gov","title":"ARPA-E "},{"url":"https:\/\/graber.ece.gatech.edu","title":"Plasma and Dielectrics Lab"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/faculty-staff-directory\/lukas-graber","title":"Lukas Graber "},{"url":"https:\/\/www.ece.msstate.edu\/high-voltage-lab\/","title":"Paul B. Jacob High Voltage Laboratory"},{"url":"https:\/\/graber.ece.gatech.edu\/research\/edison\/","title":"Efficient DC Interrupter with Surge Protection (EDISON) "}],"groups":[{"id":"1255","name":"School of Electrical and Computer Engineering"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"190785","name":"Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy"},{"id":"57041","name":"ARPA-E"},{"id":"190786","name":"High-Voltage Circuit Breaker"},{"id":"179312","name":"Lukas Graber"},{"id":"190787","name":"Supercritical Fluids"},{"id":"663","name":"Department of Energy"},{"id":"190788","name":"Juergen Rauleder"},{"id":"190789","name":"Lauren Garten"},{"id":"171153","name":"Santiago Grijalva"},{"id":"190790","name":"Jonathan Goldman"},{"id":"4193","name":"venturelab"},{"id":"190791","name":"Zhiyang Jin"},{"id":"190792","name":"Chanyeop Park"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDan Watson\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:dwatson@ece.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Edwatson@ece.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["dwatson@ece.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"658761":{"#nid":"658761","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Study Describes Radar Impacts, Potential Mitigation, from Offshore Wind Turbines","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBy the end of this decade, offshore wind turbine generators (WTG) could provide enough energy to power 10 million homes in the United States. But producing all that new energy carries a surprising downside for large cargo ships, fishing boats, and other vessels that use radar to help navigate congested coastal waters.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA recent study led by a Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) specialist in sensors and intelligent systems documented the effects of wind turbines in creating potential confusion among ship operators using marine vessel radar (MVR) as a critical navigation tool. The \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/nap.nationalacademies.org\/catalog\/26430\/wind-turbine-generator-impacts-to-marine-vessel-radar\u0022\u003Eexpert study\u003C\/a\u003E, done for the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nationalacademies.org\/\u0022\u003ENational Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM)\u003C\/a\u003E, also identified potential ways to address the challenges of ensuring safe maritime navigation as wind farm operations expand in the coming years.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Ch2\u003EStudy Describes Radar Impacts, Potential Mitigation, from Offshore Wind Turbines\u003C\/h2\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E06.08.2022\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBy the end of this decade, offshore wind turbine generators (WTG) could provide enough energy to power 10 million homes in the United States. But producing all that new energy carries a surprising downside for large cargo ships, fishing boats, and other vessels that use radar to help navigate congested coastal waters.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA recent study led by a Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) specialist in sensors and intelligent systems documented the effects of wind turbines in creating potential confusion among ship operators using marine vessel radar (MVR) as a critical navigation tool. The \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/nap.nationalacademies.org\/catalog\/26430\/wind-turbine-generator-impacts-to-marine-vessel-radar\u0022\u003Eexpert study\u003C\/a\u003E, done for the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nationalacademies.org\/\u0022\u003ENational Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM)\u003C\/a\u003E, also identified potential ways to address the challenges of ensuring safe maritime navigation as wind farm operations expand in the coming years.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFive wind turbines located off the coast of Block Island, RI. (Credit: John Toon, GTRI)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This work informs decision-makers, helping them balance the nation\u0026rsquo;s energy needs against maritime commerce and safety,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gtri.gatech.edu\/people\/bill-melvin\u0022\u003EWilliam Melvin\u003C\/a\u003E, GTRI Deputy Director for Research, who chaired the six-member committee that conducted the study. \u0026ldquo;Understanding the ways wind turbines interfere with marine vessel radar and engineering mitigating solutions is an important undertaking to support the needs of a diverse maritime stakeholder community.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnergy Goals Call for Dramatic Expansion of Offshore Wind\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn conducting the study, the committee gathered and organized information from open-source literature reviews and information-gathering sessions to make their conclusions and recommendations. The 10-month study was commissioned by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to help address concerns raised by the maritime commerce community about the potential impacts of WTGs.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA January 2021 executive order from the Biden Administration set a goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of U.S. offshore wind energy by 2030. Meeting that goal could add more than 5,000 wind turbines to the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as in the Gulf of Mexico. But the towering steel wind turbine structures and their spinning blades produce radar returns that can clutter the displays used by ship operators \u0026ndash; and potentially make small vessels more difficult to detect.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELarge Structures and Spinning Blades Create Radar Clutter\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;There are a number of factors that impact the display,\u0026rdquo; Melvin explained in a webinar held to highlight findings and recommendations in the report. \u0026ldquo;There are strong returns from the wind turbine towers themselves, and different opportunities for multipath energy bouncing in angles other than the true angle to the target. And because these are large objects, radar returns can also enter through the side lobes of the radar receiver and create a confusing picture to the operator.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe resulting clutter can make it difficult for operators to understand what\u0026rsquo;s actually ahead of them, a critical challenge in bad weather or at night, especially when transiting busy shipping lanes. \u0026ldquo;The dominant effect is a strong increase in reflected energy that clutters the operator\u0026rsquo;s display and complicates decision-making related to navigation,\u0026rdquo; Melvin added.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBeyond the radar cross-section (RCS) reflectivity of the wind turbine structures themselves \u0026ndash; which can be nearly 1,000 feet (300 meters) high \u0026ndash; the spinning blades of the turbines create an additional source of interference. Doppler shift is a change in frequency caused by the interaction of electromagnetic energy with a moving object, in this case, blades that can be over 330 feet (100 meters) long.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The rotating blades themselves, depending on the radar class, can also lead to Doppler-shifted returns,\u0026rdquo; Melvin said. \u0026ldquo;The Doppler returns would be suggestive of other moving targets within that range and angle. And, of course, the situation is complicated when we have ambiguous returns, as well.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOther Radar Phenomena, Operator Response Create Challenges\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition, multipath signals are created when radar signals bounce off other objects, such as components of the ship sending out the electromagnetic energy. Reflections created by multipath can suggest the presence of objects that do not really exist, creating additional issues for the radar system operator to sort out. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EConfronted with interference and large returns from the wind turbines, MVR operators using older systems based on magnetron technology may respond by reducing the gain \u0026ndash; essentially the sensitivity \u0026ndash; of their systems. But doing so is equivalent to raising the detection threshold, which can make smaller vessels invisible to the radar. That could increase the risk of collisions and make search-and-rescue operations in wind farm areas more challenging.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStudy Identified Potential Approaches to Addressing Concerns\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETo address these concerns, the committee identified both passive and active steps that should be evaluated for their potential to help make marine traffic and WTGs more compatible. Among them are:\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003ETraining MVR operators to better understand how returns from WTGs affect displays and how to interpret information containing the large returns.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EExpanding the use of solid-state MVR systems that can better adjust to large structures such as WTGs and could be programmed to reduce the effects of interference. But replacing older magnetron-based radars ahead of normal cycles would be costly.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EPlacing standard buoys near wind farms to provide reference RCS returns to help operators adjust MVR control settings.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EStandardizing radar mounting procedures on vessels to reduce the potential effects of multipath interference.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EApplying radar-absorbing materials to WTGs to reduce their overall signatures and standardizing tower shapes to make their radar appearance more consistent.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003ERequiring small vessels to carry radar reflectors intended to make them more visible to MVR systems and stand out from the large returns of WTGs.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe committee report recommends additional research to help resolve the possible conflict between wind turbines and marine vessel radar. Steps could include more detailed data collection and modeling to understand the various ways that WTGs interfere with MVR, and a methodological approach to pursuing solutions from near-term actions to longer-term investments in both MVR and WTG technology, Melvin said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA substantial body of research already exists regarding the operation of European offshore wind farms, but U.S. wind farms are wider, larger, and laid out in different configurations. In addition, new WTG configurations in development, such as vertical-axis turbines and floating turbine generators, could create different types of radar interference.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to Melvin, committee members included Jennifer Bernhard from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Benjamin Karlson from Sandia National Laboratories, Andrew McGovern from the New Jersey Sandy Hook Pilots Association (Ret.), Hao Ling from The University of Texas at Austin (Ret.), and John Stone from the U.S. Coast Guard.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENASEM Studies Provide Thought Leadership Opportunities\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ELike other members of the committee, Melvin was nominated to participate in the study. He said leading the committee effort was an honor, and a way to both serve the nation and advance GTRI and Georgia Tech as thought leaders in key technology areas.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Involvement in NASEM studies and panels is a great way to impact the national dialogue on important technology issues,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;It requires an added commitment of time, but the payoff to the institute, the research community, and personal reputation make it all very worthwhile.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to his role as Deputy Director for Research at GTRI, Melvin is an adjunct professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and holds the title of Regents\u0026rsquo; Researcher in the University System of Georgia. His research interests include all aspects of sensor technology development, electronic warfare, applied electromagnetics, signatures, systems engineering\/developmental planning, autonomous\/intelligent systems and machine learning, and threat systems analysis. He has authored numerous papers in his areas of expertise and holds three U.S. patents on adaptive sensor technology. He is the co-editor of two of the three volumes of the popular \u0026ldquo;Principles of Modern Radar\u0026rdquo; book series.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMelvin received a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, as well as MSEE and BSEE degrees (with high honors) from Lehigh University. He is also a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force ROTC Program, and a graduate of the U.S. Army Airborne School and the U.S. Air Force Squadron Officer School.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWriter: John Toon (John.Toon@gtri.gatech.edu)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGTRI Communications\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech Research Institute\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAtlanta, Georgia USA\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gtri.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).\u202fFounded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,800 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $700 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry.\u202fGTRI\u0026#39;s renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A recent study led by a Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) specialist documented the effects of wind turbines in creating potential confusion among ship operators using marine vessel radar (MVR) as a critical navigation tool."}],"uid":"35832","created_gmt":"2022-06-09 14:52:47","changed_gmt":"2022-06-09 14:52:47","author":"Michelle Gowdy","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2022-06-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2022-06-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"658760":{"id":"658760","type":"image","title":"Wind Turbines at Block Island","body":null,"created":"1654786030","gmt_created":"2022-06-09 14:47:10","changed":"1654786030","gmt_changed":"2022-06-09 14:47:10","alt":"","file":{"fid":"249697","name":"block-island.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/block-island.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/block-island.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":712669,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/block-island.jpg?itok=jvK-gmgR"}},"658759":{"id":"658759","type":"image","title":"GTRI Bill Melvin","body":null,"created":"1654785934","gmt_created":"2022-06-09 14:45:34","changed":"1654785934","gmt_changed":"2022-06-09 14:45:34","alt":"","file":{"fid":"249696","name":"bill-melvin_6328.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/bill-melvin_6328.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/bill-melvin_6328.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":670597,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/bill-melvin_6328.jpg?itok=6bT79IX2"}}},"media_ids":["658760","658759"],"groups":[{"id":"1276","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"179348","name":"electromagnetics"},{"id":"416","name":"GTRI"},{"id":"365","name":"Research"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"166902","name":"science and technology"},{"id":"10583","name":"wind turbine"},{"id":"190760","name":"wind turbine generators"},{"id":"807","name":"environment"},{"id":"190761","name":"maritime"},{"id":"213","name":"energy"},{"id":"190762","name":"National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine"},{"id":"187577","name":"NASEM"},{"id":"6535","name":"wind energy"},{"id":"1564","name":"community"},{"id":"174658","name":"thought leadership"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E(Interim) Director of Communications\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMichelle Gowdy\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMichelle.Gowdy@gtri.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E404-407-8060\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["michelle.gowdy@gtri.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"653777":{"#nid":"653777","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Frenkel Biexcitons Light Up Organic Semiconductor Advances","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EOrganic semiconductors already provide the energy behind optical technologies inside television displays, solar cells, and lighting fixtures. Their molecular carbon-based structure makes them cheaper to produce, more flexible, of lighter weight, and more environmentally friendly than silicon-based or composite semiconductors. The future in more applications is bright \u0026mdash; if scientists can learn more about harnessing their ability to react to and produce light.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA team of Georgia Tech researchers brings us one step closer to understanding those properties. Their new study, published in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/sciadv.abi5197\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EScience Advances\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, for the first time brings tracking and measurement to organic semiconductor photoexcitations: particles put into \u0026ldquo;excited\u0026rdquo; or energized quantum states by light.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe semiconductors\u0026rsquo; primary photoexcitations, called Frenkel excitons, dictate the optical qualities in those semiconductors. They can, in principle, form bonded pairs called biexcitons, but these have never been identified unambiguously. Quantifying those reactions will help researchers learn more about their properties to unlock future uses, such as more efficient and sustainable batteries and solar cells, biosensors, and new types of lasers.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s a window into the basic electronic structure and properties of these materials,\u0026rdquo; says study co-author \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/carlos-silva\u0022\u003ECarlos Silva Acu\u0026ntilde;a\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor with joint appointments in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E, \u0026ldquo;but also into these tech applications we care about. How do we convert electrical energy to light? Or in photovoltaic applications, how do we convert solar light into electrical power? It\u0026rsquo;s more about understanding and discovering the very basic fundamental properties of materials that will allow the design of tailored materials that optimize a particular function.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESilva Acu\u0026ntilde;a and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/people\/natalie-stingelin\u0022\u003ENatalie Stingelin\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor with joint appointments in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Materials Science and Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, led a team of researchers that tweaked traditional spectroscopy \u0026mdash; how light or any other form of radiation is emitted and absorbed by materials \u0026mdash; to track and measure the energy coming from Frenkel biexcitons. The researchers wanted to know how those photoexcitations form \u0026ldquo;bonds\u0026rdquo; between each other, how excitons find the right partners to form biexcitons, and how stable those exciton partners are.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe scientists used different spectroscopy techniques such as non-linear and coherent versions, which give researchers more flexibility in determining the energies flying back and forth between pairs of excitons. \u0026ldquo;The idea is an advanced spectroscopy that allows us to dissect interactions between excitations,\u0026rdquo; Silva Acu\u0026ntilde;a says. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s designed to measure or resolve the interaction energy between different photoexcitations,\u0026rdquo; adding that the researchers can dissect with more detail where light from the biexcitons falls on the spectrum.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThose interactions are the foundation for any future quantum (atomic and subatomic) science applications for organic semiconductors, \u0026ldquo;because all the quantum phases we might want to induce are all governed by their interactions, and the interactions between photoexcitations are key.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe global organic semiconductor market is expected to grow by $90.8 billion between 2020 and 2024, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20201203005571\/en\/Semiconductor-Market-to-Grow-by-90.80-bn-During-2020-2024-Industry-Analysis-Market-Trends-Market-Growth-Opportunities-and-Forecast-2024-Technavio\u0022\u003Eaccording to Berkshire Hathaway company Business Wire\u003C\/a\u003E. Yet while composite semiconductors have well-studied and defined optical signatures, that\u0026rsquo;s not quite the case for organic semiconductors. \u0026ldquo;We could not find a clear optical signature of biexcitons,\u0026rdquo; Silva Acu\u0026ntilde;a says. \u0026ldquo;That\u0026rsquo;s what has made them more challenging. There is a lot of theoretical prediction and calculation, but not really any experimental measurement\u0026rdquo; preceding the new Georgia Tech research, he explains.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We can for the first time unambiguously identify bound excitons and characterize their nature. They\u0026rsquo;re attracted to what energy, repulsed by what energy, and why? How do those details relate to molecular structure?\u0026rdquo; he says. \u0026ldquo;What would we need to change to change those properties? How do we discover new materials with tailored properties?\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESilva Acu\u0026ntilde;a also notes an unexpected finding in the research: Excitons that interact with each other in different polymer chains attract each other to form biexcitons \u0026mdash; while excitons in the same polymer chain repel each other. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s a little bit counterintuitive that you can have two excitons repel each other, and yet they bind,\u0026rdquo; he says.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIf the interaction energy between excitons is strong, a lot of excitons will end up as bound biexcitons, Silva Acu\u0026ntilde;a adds. If science decides that can help add more functions to those materials, \u0026ldquo;Maybe we can design them to be even more strongly bound.\u0026rdquo; Or if it\u0026rsquo;s decided that those bonds need to be weaker for certain functions, \u0026ldquo;How can we turn them off? It\u0026rsquo;s all about material discovery.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E***\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDOI:\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cem\u003Escience.org\/doi\/10.1126\/sciadv.abi5197\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAuthors: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAlong with Silva-Acu\u0026ntilde;a (C.S.-A.) and Stingelin (N.S.), co-authors of the study include: Elizabeth Guti\u0026eacute;rrez-Meza, Ravyn Malatesta, and David A. Valverde-Ch\u0026aacute;vez (all of the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Georgia Tech), Hongmo Li and Seong-Min Kim (both of the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Georgia Tech), Ilaria Bargigia and Ajay Ram Srimath Kandada (Department of Physics and Center for Functional Materials at Wake Forest University), Eric R. Bittner and Hao Li (Department of Chemistry at University of Houston), and Sergei Tretiak (Theoretical Division and Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory). C.S.-A. acknowledges support from the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the College of Sciences at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFunding:\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cem\u003EThe work at Georgia Tech was funded by the National Science Foundation [DMR-1904293 (to C.S.-A.) and DMREF-1729737 (to N.S. and C.S.-A.)]. C.S.-A. acknowledges support from the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the College of Sciences at Georgia Tech. The work at the University of Houston was funded in part by the National Science Foundation (CHE-1664971 and DMR-1903785) and the Robert A. Welch Foundation (E-1337). This work was also conducted in part at the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, a U.S. Department of Energy and Office of Basic Energy Science user facility. \u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E***\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is a top 10 public research university developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences degrees. Its nearly 44,000 students representing 50 states and 149 countries, study at the main campus in Atlanta, at campuses in France and China, and through distance and online learning. As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"A team led by Carlos Silva Acu\u00f1a and Natalie Stingelin finds a way to track and measure biexcitons: the energy behind the light-emitting qualities of organic semiconductors "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe future of organic semiconductors is bright, thanks to their ability to react to, and produce, light on a much more affordable, sustainable scale than traditional semiconductors. But first scientists must learn more about the forces behind their light-emitting qualities, so-called Frenkel biexcitons. 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(Photo Rob Felt Georgia Tech)","body":null,"created":"1639687055","gmt_created":"2021-12-16 20:37:35","changed":"1639687055","gmt_changed":"2021-12-16 20:37:35","alt":"","file":{"fid":"247994","name":"Image shows organic-thin film transistors for organic semiconductors under continuous testing on a probe station. (Photo Rob Felt, Georgia Tech).jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Image%20shows%20organic-thin%20film%20transistors%20for%20organic%20semiconductors%20under%20continuous%20testing%20on%20a%20probe%20station.%20%28Photo%20Rob%20Felt%2C%20Georgia%20Tech%29.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Image%20shows%20organic-thin%20film%20transistors%20for%20organic%20semiconductors%20under%20continuous%20testing%20on%20a%20probe%20station.%20%28Photo%20Rob%20Felt%2C%20Georgia%20Tech%29.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":430647,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Image%20shows%20organic-thin%20film%20transistors%20for%20organic%20semiconductors%20under%20continuous%20testing%20on%20a%20probe%20station.%20%28Photo%20Rob%20Felt%2C%20Georgia%20Tech%29.jpg?itok=0XVanzJI"}},"628697":{"id":"628697","type":"image","title":"Organic photovoltaic devices","body":null,"created":"1573091672","gmt_created":"2019-11-07 01:54:32","changed":"1573091672","gmt_changed":"2019-11-07 01:54:32","alt":"Organic photovoltaic device in a hand","file":{"fid":"239436","name":"organic-pv.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/organic-pv.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/organic-pv.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1361225,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/organic-pv.jpg?itok=U22CTJni"}},"651283":{"id":"651283","type":"image","title":"Carlos Silva Acu\u00f1a, professor, School of Physics","body":null,"created":"1633030429","gmt_created":"2021-09-30 19:33:49","changed":"1633361640","gmt_changed":"2021-10-04 15:34:00","alt":"","file":{"fid":"247109","name":"Carlos Silva Acuna.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Carlos%20Silva%20Acuna.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Carlos%20Silva%20Acuna.png","mime":"image\/png","size":897147,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Carlos%20Silva%20Acuna.png?itok=_P_F_jmI"}},"653778":{"id":"653778","type":"image","title":"Natalie Stingelin","body":null,"created":"1639686221","gmt_created":"2021-12-16 20:23:41","changed":"1639686221","gmt_changed":"2021-12-16 20:23:41","alt":"","file":{"fid":"247993","name":"Natalie Stingelin.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Natalie%20Stingelin.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Natalie%20Stingelin.png","mime":"image\/png","size":5780806,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Natalie%20Stingelin.png?itok=rfmm-gJy"}}},"media_ids":["653779","628697","651283","653778"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/science-matters\/sciencematters-season-3-episode-7-finding-magic-materials-science","title":"ScienceMatters - Season 3, Episode 7 - Finding the Magic in Materials Science"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/future-colorfully-lit-mystifying-physics-paint-semiconductors","title":"A Future Colorfully Lit by the Mystifying Physics of Paint-On Semiconductors"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/hispanic-and-latinx-heritage-month-faculty-perspectives-representation-mentoring-leadership","title":"Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month: Faculty Perspectives on Representation, Mentoring, Leadership in STEM"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/carlos-silva-named-associate-editor-science-advances","title":"Carlos Silva-Acu\u00f1a Named Associate Editor of Science Advances"},{"url":"https:\/\/silva.chemistry.gatech.edu","title":"Silva Lab"},{"url":"https:\/\/silva.chemistry.gatech.edu","title":"Natalie Stingelin, Siva Sivakumar Named Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors"},{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/materials\/5questionsStingelin","title":"5 Questions with the New IMat Advisory Team: Natalie Stingelin"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/institute-materials-imat-announces-initiative-leads-and-science-advisor","title":"Institute for Materials (IMat) Announces Initiative Leads and Science Advisor"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"}],"keywords":[{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"166937","name":"School of Physics"},{"id":"166928","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"},{"id":"189593","name":"School of Materials Science"},{"id":"167445","name":"School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering"},{"id":"188975","name":"Carlos Silva Acuna"},{"id":"65041","name":"natalie stingelin"},{"id":"189564","name":"Frenkel biexcitons"},{"id":"6593","name":"organic semiconductors"},{"id":"12372","name":"organic solar cells"},{"id":"182287","name":"organic photovoltaics"},{"id":"2294","name":"materials science"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter:\u003C\/strong\u003E Renay San Miguel\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nCommunications Officer II\/Science Writer\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nCollege of Sciences\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n404-894-5209\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEditor: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jess@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["renay.san@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"653725":{"#nid":"653725","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Dupuis Selected as Benjamin Franklin Medal Recipient","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ERussell Dupuis has been named as a co-recipient of the 2022 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Electrical Engineering. He and his fellow laureates will be honored for their achievements during The Franklin Institute Awards Week, to be held May 2-5, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ENow in its 197th year, The Franklin Institute Awards Program pays tribute to its namesake and America\u0026rsquo;s first citizen scientist, Benjamin Franklin, by honoring 13 individuals for their extraordinary achievements in science, engineering, and business leadership. This awards program is the oldest comprehensive science and technology awards program in the United States and has recognized more than 2,000 of the most pioneering scientists, engineers, inventors, and innovators from across the globe.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDupuis is being honored for pioneering the technology known as MOCVD (metalorganic chemical vapor deposition). This technology provides the materials quality and ultra-precision required for many device components central to modern life, including LEDS, transistors, lasers, and high-performance solar cells.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHis contributions to the development of MOCVD are among the most significant contributions made in the growth of semiconductor devices in the last 40 years. His work on the understanding and improvement of the MOCVD process was the key development that led to the demonstration of the first MOCVD-grown III-V compound semiconductor heterostructure solar cells, injection lasers, the first CW room-temperature quantum-well lasers grown by any materials technology, and the demonstration of high-reliability MOCVD lasers. These important achievements have had a great impact on the efficient use of energy in the world.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDupuis has been a faculty member in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at Georgia Tech since 2003. He holds the Steve W. Chaddick Endowed Chair in Electro-Optics and is a Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar. Dupuis also leads the Center for Compound Semiconductors. Prior to his arrival at Tech, he was a chaired professor at the University of Texas at Austin and worked at Texas Instruments, Rockwell International, and AT\u0026amp;T Bell Laboratories.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDupuis has received several major honors in the last six years. Earlier this year, he and four of his colleagues were awarded the 2021 Queen Elizabeth Prize in Engineering for the creation and development of LED lighting. In 2019, Dupuis was honored with the\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EMaterials Today\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;Innovation Award for his development of the MOCVD technology and seminal contributions to compound semiconductor materials and devices. In 2015, he was one of five pioneers to receive the Draper Prize for Engineering in recognition of the significant benefit to society created by the initial development and commercialization of LED technologies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDupuis has also been recognized\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;the IEEE Edison Medal and as a Fellow of\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;IEEE, OSA, the American Physical Society, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EECE Professor Russell Dupuis has been named as a co-recipient of the 2022 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Electrical Engineering. He and his fellow laureates will be honored for their achievements during The Franklin Institute Awards Week, to be held May 2-5, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"ECE Professor Russell Dupuis has been named as a co-recipient of the 2022 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Electrical Engineering. "}],"uid":"27241","created_gmt":"2021-12-15 20:46:52","changed_gmt":"2021-12-20 16:30:58","author":"Jackie Nemeth","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2021-12-15T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2021-12-15T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"361591":{"id":"361591","type":"image","title":"Russell Dupuis","body":null,"created":"1449245782","gmt_created":"2015-12-04 16:16:22","changed":"1475895098","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:51:38","alt":"Russell Dupuis","file":{"fid":"201574","name":"drrusselldupuis-rgb-2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/drrusselldupuis-rgb-2_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/drrusselldupuis-rgb-2_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5161777,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/drrusselldupuis-rgb-2_0.jpg?itok=ZdC_0bql"}}},"media_ids":["361591"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/faculty-staff-directory\/russell-dean-dupuis","title":"Russell Dupuis"},{"url":"http:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu","title":"School of Electrical and Computer Engineering"},{"url":"http:\/\/www.gatech.edu","title":"Georgia Tech"},{"url":"http:\/\/gra.org","title":"Georgia Research Alliance"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.fi.edu\/awards","title":"The Franklin Institute Awards"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.fi.edu","title":"The Franklin Institute"}],"groups":[{"id":"1255","name":"School of Electrical and Computer Engineering"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2461","name":"Russell Dupuis"},{"id":"276","name":"Awards"},{"id":"1506","name":"faculty"},{"id":"109","name":"Georgia Tech"},{"id":"166855","name":"School of Electrical and Computer Engineering"},{"id":"12065","name":"Center for Compound Semiconductors"},{"id":"189538","name":"Benjamin Franklin Medal in Electrical Engineering"},{"id":"189539","name":"The Franklin Institute"},{"id":"173144","name":"MOCVD"},{"id":"14280","name":"LEDs"},{"id":"7528","name":"transistors"},{"id":"10652","name":"lasers"},{"id":"189540","name":"high-performance solar cells"},{"id":"1464","name":"Georgia Research Alliance"},{"id":"180173","name":"Led Lighting"},{"id":"189541","name":"semiconductor materials and devices"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jackie.nemeth@ece.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJackie Nemeth\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E404-894-2906\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jackie.nemeth@ece.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"653821":{"#nid":"653821","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Student\u2019s Microchip Startup Reduces Energy Waste, Amplifies Power Systems in 5G Space","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn 2015,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/edgargaray\/\u0022\u003EEdgar Garay\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;sent an email to a Georgia Tech professor asking to join his lab.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;I want to go to your lab because I want to improve the efficiency of power amplifiers,\u0026rdquo; Garay wrote in his email to Hua Wang, Garay\u0026rsquo;s advisor and director of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gems.ece.gatech.edu\/index.html\u0022\u003EElectronics and Micro-System Lab\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThat email set Garay, a Ph.D. candidate, on path of research and discovery that led him to launch his own startup,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.myfalcomm.com\/\u0022\u003EFalcomm\u003C\/a\u003E. Founded on his doctoral research in Wang\u0026rsquo;s lab, Garay\u0026rsquo;s company is a microchip design startup focused on improving energy efficiency. Its ultra-efficient, silicon-based power amplifiers and front-end modules (FEM will be used in 5G technology, the fifth-generation global wireless standard for machines, objects, and devices.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGaray\u0026rsquo;s work specifically focuses on issues related to thermal management challenges in 5G millimeter wave (mmWave) technology, which refers to super-high frequency bands for transmission of data and information.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026quot;Our mission with our\u0026nbsp;fabless semiconductor design is to provide the most energy efficient power amplifier products for hardware manufacturers in the 5G millimeter wave market,\u0026quot; Garay said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Last year alone, cell phone base station operators paid around $80 billion in electricity. Most of it is wasted in heat, because of the lack of efficiency in the hardware that they use,\u0026rdquo; Garay said. \u0026ldquo;We came up with this extremely novel power amplifier for the 5G mmWave.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWireless carriers could cut that energy waste, boost the speed of data transmission, and how much data can be moved at any one time.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;So, instead of your movie taking 30 seconds to download or a minute, now you can download it in half a second,\u0026rdquo; Garay said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIt also means carriers can increase the number of users on their networks, he said. By moving to higher frequencies on the 5G mmWave, people in a packed stadium for a sporting event or concert, will be able to make phone calls or even stream at the same time.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026quot;The ultra-efficient, Dual-drive Power Amplifier\u0026nbsp;technology system we created\u0026nbsp;will allow people with mobile-connected devices to spend less time looking for chargers and allow large companies\u0026nbsp;to lower their electricity bills by billions of dollars,\u0026quot; Garay said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETo get to this point, Garay worked with\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/venturelab.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EVentureLab\u003C\/a\u003E, a program that works with faculty and graduate students to help them commercialize Georgia Tech research and intellectual property.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EVentureLab along with\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/create-x.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECREATE-X\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;are part of a broader Georgia Tech strategy to\u0026nbsp;foster and encourage entrepreneurial confidence in students and faculty and expand the research-to-commercialized startup pipeline.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECREATE-X works with undergraduate and graduate students launching their own startups that are typically not based on Georgia Tech intellectual property.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile every student or faculty member won\u0026rsquo;t end up running their own startups, taking them through the entrepreneurial journey will help them regardless of what they in their professional careers,\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/siva.ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ERaghupathy Sivakumar\u003C\/a\u003E, Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s vice president of Commercialization and chief commercialization officer.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe strategy also helps support another goal: boost the number of startups in the marketplace that are based on Georgia Tech research, he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Out of the 60 licenses we did last year, approximately\u0026nbsp;10% went to startups,\u0026rdquo; Sivakumar said. \u0026ldquo;We have good relationships with business and industry that license our technologies, but we have room to grow in our startup efforts.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESilicon Valley Interest\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGaray\u0026rsquo;s startup has now attracted interest and support from\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/skydeck.berkeley.edu\/\u0022\u003EBerkeley SkyDeck\u003C\/a\u003E, a high-tech entrepreneurship startup accelerator at the University of California, Berkeley.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe highly competitive SkyDeck program reviews thousands of applications from startup founders around the world but accepts only about 1% of those into its portfolio, said Chon Tang, founding partner of the UC Berkeley SkyDeck Fund.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Skydeck Accelerator is a bridge between technology in the lab and helping those founders get to a stage where their startups are attractive to investors in Silicon Valley, Tang said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re looking for companies with a real, distinctive, technical edge,\u0026rdquo; he said, adding that while Falcomm is in the formation stage and on the early side of the companies SkyDeck accepts, Garay exhibited some compelling qualities.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;With Edgar, he\u0026rsquo;s certainly someone who knew the technology very well,\u0026rdquo; Tang said, explaining that acceptance into SkyDeck also comes with a $105,000 investment in Falcomm. Being accepted into SkyDeck gives the company access to UC Berkeley\u0026rsquo;s vast network of alumni and mentors. The company also has free access to software licenses for a year needed to design the chips.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGaray, who has a\u0026nbsp;provisional patent and plans to file for a non-provisional patent, pitched and presented to potential investors in San Francisco, California as part of a SkyDeck demo day in September.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThat Falcomm is an early-stage startup and was accepted into SkyDeck, which typically takes later-stage companies, speaks to caliber of research being done at Tech,\u0026nbsp;Sivakumar said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We see SkyDeck as a super exclusive venture firm for later-stage companies, but we at CREATE-X and VentureLab see ourselves as acting as the initial spark to get faculty and students going,\u0026rdquo; Sivakumar said. \u0026ldquo;This speaks to why it\u0026rsquo;s a priority for us to help researchers pursue commercialization. I am not surprised that Edgar got in so easily at Skydeck; we just need to encourage and nurture more students and faculty to see commercialization as an option to pursue.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhat made the impression with SkyDeck officials was Garay\u0026rsquo;s drive.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We were impressed by his attitude and his hustle,\u0026rdquo; Tang said. \u0026ldquo;Although he doesn\u0026rsquo;t have industry experience, he demonstrated enough energy and ability that we felt confident that he could move this to the next stage.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBeyond mobile devices, Garay said many industries can benefit from the technology.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;It\u0026#39;s applicable to any industry where everybody\u0026#39;s trying to get more energy efficiency out of the hardware,\u0026rdquo; he said. That includes the cell phone market, the Internet of Things, and even automotive radar.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Six years ago, I decided to come here to Georgia Tech to work on chips and develop technology that I thought was really cool,\u0026rdquo; Garay said. \u0026ldquo;I\u0026#39;ve always been super passionate about developing cool technology that can make a real impact in the world.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThat sentiment is exactly why Georgia Tech is so focused on encouraging entrepreneurial interest in students and faculty,\u0026nbsp;Sivakumar said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Edgar\u0026rsquo;s success is reflective of a broader change we are seeing in academia, where schools have moved from being purely teaching institutes to becoming discovery institutes,\u0026rdquo; Sivakumar said. \u0026ldquo;Now, we are impact centers of higher learning, creating impact through the knowledge and research that we do, and bringing it to the marketplace.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Startup technology leads to Silicon Valley investment"}],"uid":"28137","created_gmt":"2021-12-17 20:00:35","changed_gmt":"2021-12-17 22:37:04","author":"P\u00e9ralte Paul","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2021-12-17T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2021-12-17T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"653824":{"id":"653824","type":"image","title":"Edgar Garay - 1","body":null,"created":"1639776470","gmt_created":"2021-12-17 21:27:50","changed":"1639776470","gmt_changed":"2021-12-17 21:27:50","alt":"Edgar Garay","file":{"fid":"248016","name":"DSC_0222.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/DSC_0222.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/DSC_0222.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1547475,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/DSC_0222.jpg?itok=CvnIPBDH"}},"653825":{"id":"653825","type":"image","title":"Edgar Garay - 2","body":null,"created":"1639777101","gmt_created":"2021-12-17 21:38:21","changed":"1639777101","gmt_changed":"2021-12-17 21:38:21","alt":"Falcomm","file":{"fid":"248017","name":"DSC_0313.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/DSC_0313.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/DSC_0313.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1729354,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/DSC_0313.jpg?itok=CdFJ2BPp"}}},"media_ids":["653824","653825"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"172364","name":"5G"},{"id":"172310","name":"Edgar Garay"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EStory and Media Contact:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nP\u0026eacute;ralte C. Paul\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n404.316.1210\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nperalte.paul@comm.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["peralte.paul@comm.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"651074":{"#nid":"651074","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Wireless E-Tattoo for Pneumonia Aims to Transform Patient Monitoring","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EPneumonia has emerged as a life-threatening complication of COVID-19, accounting for nearly half of all patients who have died from the novel coronavirus in the U.S. since the beginning of the pandemic. Even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, pneumonia was responsible for more than 43,000 deaths in 2019.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMonitoring pneumonia remains a challenge because it manifests itself differently in almost every patient and can develop in any patient infected by coronavirus. The Georgia Institute of Technology is part of a team of engineers, data scientists, and medical clinicians led by the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin that has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation\u0026#39;s ASCENT program. The purpose of this project is to develop a wearable device for patients with pneumonia, allowing medical personnel to track their progress remotely and use data to predict how their condition may change.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis project combines state-of-the-art technology across wearable devices, integrated circuits and machine learning. And the larger goal is to develop ways to safely monitor patients remotely and maintain high-quality care, wherever they are.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026quot;We hope to solve this global challenge of achieving pervasive surveillance of patients, whether they\u0026#39;re in the hospital, out in the world or quarantining at home in the midst of a pandemic,\u0026quot; said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.utexas.edu\/nanshulu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENanshu Lu\u003C\/a\u003E, an associate professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics and the Wireless Networking and Communications Group (WNCG), who is leading the project.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe team was awarded $1.5 million over four years for the project, and the primary researchers include engineers, medical doctors, data scientists and more. They hope this interdisciplinary team will help knock down walls between specialties that keep medicine from advancing.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers will make a hair-thin, skin-soft wireless wearable sensor, known as an electronic tattoo or \u0026ldquo;e-tattoo.\u0026quot; This part of the project is led by Lu, who has been developing her e-tattoo technology for a decade at UT Austin.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAn integrated system-on-chip will read out sensor signals and perform signal processing with ultra-low power consumption to ensure that patients can wear the device without interruption for at least a week on a single charge.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/faculty-staff-directory\/shaolan-li\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EShaolan Li\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in Georgia Institute of Technology\u0026#39;s School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and a Ph.D. graduate from the Cockrell School, is handling this aspect of the project.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ELi noted that he and his team at Georgia Tech have previously developed a few sensor interface integrated circuits that are designed to read biomedical signals like ECG or EEG with record-setting energy efficiency. He also added that he wants to leverage this knowledge to expand all of the capabilities of this new wearable device, aiming to profoundly\u0026nbsp;advance the engagement of wearable electronics in clinical medicine. \u0026ldquo;Through this project, we really hope to showcase that the circuit technology innovation developed in our lab can truly address the most pressing problems that are facing humanity,\u0026rdquo; said Li.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA deep learning framework will be tailored to analyze all the data coming from the e-tattoo and predict how clinical condition progresses with evolution of the disease. Hongyu Miao, associate professor\u0026nbsp;in the Department of Biostatistics and Data Science at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, is leading the data science work and developing the deep learning tool.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAnd all this information will be managed through\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/michealthcare.com\/sickbay\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESickbay\u003C\/a\u003E, an FDA-approved virtual patient monitoring platform.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.bcm.edu\/people-search\/craig-rusin-29803\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECraig Rusin\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor at Baylor College of Medicine and head of the Predictive Analytics Lab at\u0026nbsp;Texas Children\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;Hospital, developed Sickbay. The program is used by hospitals across the country, including Texas Children\u0026rsquo;s, and he started the company\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/michealthcare.com\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMedical Informatics\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;to commercialize it.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.bcm.edu\/people-search\/parag-jain-23550\u0022\u003EParag Jain\u003C\/a\u003E, a pediatric critical care physician at Texas Children\u0026rsquo;s Hospital and assistant professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, will lead a clinical trial of the device. Using deep machine learning techniques, he will develop algorithms that can predict the progression of pneumonia using historical data. \u0026nbsp;Once a prototype device is ready, likely in two to three years, the team will test it on 20 patients at Texas Children\u0026rsquo;s Hospital, aged 13 to 18 years, with progressive pneumonia.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers targeted pneumonia for this project because it is a common illness, one that can be very dangerous, regardless of age or health status. As a side effect of not just COVID-19, but other respiratory viruses and bacteria, it is also quite prevalent. It also requires individualized care because each patient progresses differently.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe multi-faceted nature of the team illustrates the complexity of the problem they are trying to tackle. They are aiming to solve a challenging engineering problem as well as real-world issues with patient care.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDespite tremendous advances in medical technology, tools to continuously track and analyze all the data patients generate remain lacking. That often means that clinicians are only getting small snapshots of patients\u0026#39; condition, not the full picture.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis continuous monitoring and data analysis will allow medical personnel to use their time more wisely, to check in on patients at the most important moments. In critical cases of pneumonia, timing is everything, and the right treatment at the right time can make the difference between life and death.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026quot;The pandemic really exposed gaps in care that patients with severe disease have to be treated using bulky, constrained, conventional monitors,\u0026quot; Lu said. \u0026quot;We need sensors with \u0026lsquo;brains\u0026rsquo; that can tell doctors when the time is right for that critical intervention, whether the patient is in a hospital bed just a few steps away or in their own home.\u0026quot;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech ECE Assistant Professor Shaolan Li\u0026nbsp;is part of a team of engineers, data scientists, and medical clinicians led by the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin that has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation\u0026#39;s ASCENT program. The purpose of this project is to develop a wearable device for patients with pneumonia, allowing medical personnel to track their progress remotely and use data to predict how their condition may change.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech ECE Assistant Professor Shaolan Li is part of an effort to develop a wearable device for patients with pneumonia, allowing medical personnel to track their progress remotely and use data to predict how their condition may change."}],"uid":"27241","created_gmt":"2021-09-24 14:27:27","changed_gmt":"2021-09-24 19:05:36","author":"Jackie Nemeth","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2021-09-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2021-09-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"651075":{"id":"651075","type":"image","title":"Illustration of the e-tattoo device and how it would operate","body":null,"created":"1632493978","gmt_created":"2021-09-24 14:32:58","changed":"1632494020","gmt_changed":"2021-09-24 14:33:40","alt":"graphic of the e-tattoo device and how it will work","file":{"fid":"247046","name":"Drawing1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Drawing1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Drawing1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":196921,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Drawing1.jpg?itok=0pvXlj4u"}},"651098":{"id":"651098","type":"image","title":"Shaolan Li","body":null,"created":"1632509004","gmt_created":"2021-09-24 18:43:24","changed":"1632509004","gmt_changed":"2021-09-24 18:43:24","alt":"photograph of Shaolan Li","file":{"fid":"247050","name":"Shaolan Li - Sept. 10.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Shaolan%20Li%20-%20Sept.%2010.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Shaolan%20Li%20-%20Sept.%2010.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":836476,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Shaolan%20Li%20-%20Sept.%2010.jpg?itok=jj7l6tGR"}}},"media_ids":["651075","651098"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/faculty-staff-directory\/shaolan-li","title":"Shaolan Li"},{"url":"https:\/\/gamma.ece.gatech.edu","title":"GAMMA Group"},{"url":"http:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu","title":"School of Electrical and Computer Engineering"},{"url":"http:\/\/www.gatech.edu","title":"Georgia Tech"},{"url":"https:\/\/cockrell.utexas.edu\/news\/archive\/9345-wireless-e-tattoo-for-pneumonia-aims-to-transform-patient-monitoring","title":"News release issued from The University of Texas at Austin"}],"groups":[{"id":"1255","name":"School of Electrical and Computer Engineering"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"182039","name":"Shaolan Li"},{"id":"109","name":"Georgia Tech"},{"id":"166855","name":"School of Electrical and Computer Engineering"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"50611","name":"pneumonia"},{"id":"184289","name":"covid-19"},{"id":"188916","name":"Cockrell School of Engineering"},{"id":"188917","name":"The University of Texas at Austin"},{"id":"188918","name":"National Science Foundation ASCENT Program"},{"id":"172067","name":"wearable devices"},{"id":"9167","name":"machine learning"},{"id":"63161","name":"integrated circuits"},{"id":"188919","name":"Nanshu Lu"},{"id":"188920","name":"wireless wearable sensor"},{"id":"188921","name":"electronic tattoo"},{"id":"188922","name":"e-tattoo"},{"id":"188923","name":"integrated system-on-chip"},{"id":"169432","name":"signal processing"},{"id":"188924","name":"ultra-low power consumption"},{"id":"188925","name":"sensor interface integrated circuits"},{"id":"182411","name":"ecg"},{"id":"188926","name":"EEG"},{"id":"186785","name":"biomedical signals"},{"id":"109581","name":"deep learning"},{"id":"188927","name":"The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston"},{"id":"188928","name":"Sickbay"},{"id":"188929","name":"Hongyu Miao"},{"id":"188930","name":"Parag Jain"},{"id":"188931","name":"Texas Children\u2019s Hospital"},{"id":"188932","name":"Baylor College of Medicine"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jackie.nemeth@ece.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJackie Nemeth\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E404-894-2906\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jackie.nemeth@ece.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"650996":{"#nid":"650996","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Restoring Power During Severe Storms","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWith severe weather and natural disasters becoming more intense in a changing climate, a group of Georgia Tech researchers studied how recovery, guided by common policies from FEMA and industry, varies with respect to the severity of disruptive events. The study, a collaboration with National Grid, used large-scale data analytics to look at nine years of power failure data to gain insight on how quickly energy grids come back online for customers.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe study found that 90 percent of customers experience 10 percent of a disruptive event\u0026rsquo;s total downtime during moderate to extreme storms. However, recovery degrades with the severity of the disruptions. Large failures that cannot recover rapidly increase by 30% from the moderate to extreme events, while prolonged small failures dominate entire recovery processes.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe study from Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s College of Engineering looked at 169 weather-induced power failures at two service regions in the states of New York and Massachusetts. The failures were induced by a wide range of disruptive events from hurricanes, nor\u0026rsquo;easters, and thunder and winter storms from 2011-2019, affecting nearly 12 million people.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA feature article, \u0026ldquo;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cell.com\/joule\/fulltext\/S2542-4351(21)00344-5\u0022\u003ELarge-scale data analytics for resilient recovery services from power failures\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026rdquo; is published in Joule: Cell Press.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Our goal was to use large-scale data from the operational energy grid to better understand resiliency,\u0026rdquo; said lead author Amir Hossein Afsharinejad, a Ph.D. student in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s School of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EElectrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(ECE). \u0026ldquo;By using such a large dataset that covers nearly a decade, we sought to learn how recoveries respond to the severity of a wide range of weather-induced failure events.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech analysis finds that the behavior of restoration services follows a \u0026ldquo;recovery scaling law.\u0026rdquo; This law restores service for the majority of affected customers at the cost of a small fraction of the total interruption time. This prioritization policy, however, becomes less efficient, shown by large power failures that can\u0026rsquo;t be prioritized. This results in customer interruption times that are 47 times longer from moderate to extreme failure events.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe study found that the prioritization recovery doesn\u0026rsquo;t optimize restoration of small failures, which dominate delayed recovery during an entire evolution of an extreme event.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;These findings tell us that the typical services governed by the prioritized recovery policy is at the cost of the disparity, and the cost is significant when failure events become severe and extreme,\u0026rdquo; said study co-author Chuanyi Ji, a Georgia Tech ECE associate professor and Afsharinejad\u0026rsquo;s thesis advisor. \u0026ldquo;Our analysis shows both the capability and fundamental limitation of recovery under the prioritization policy, where rapid restoration does not sustain to severe and extreme failure events.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research team also explored if other approaches would be more beneficial to speed up recovery from failures. One included distributed generation and storage. Their initial study found the approach scales well, as expediting restoration of a small fraction of the large failures in the non-prioritized category can reverse the degraded recovery from the moderate to extreme events.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe data used in the study are commonly available to most distribution grid operators in the U.S. and other parts of the world. The researchers hope their work, which took more than four years to analyze, demonstrates that energy service providers have the ability to adopt data science and turn their own data into new knowledge to improve both recovery and infrastructure enhancement.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We are moving in a direction where severe storms are becoming more costly,\u0026rdquo; said Robert Wilcox, a principal engineer from National Grid who co-authored the paper. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe team is enthusiastic about the future direction. \u0026ldquo;This is also an historic time as more consumers need data and machine learning to help enhance energy services and smart infrastructure,\u0026rdquo; Wilcox added. \u0026ldquo;Hopefully our study will motivate the industry to use data to better understand the problems we face today and in the decades to come.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout Georgia Tech\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is a top 10 public research university developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences degrees. Its nearly 40,000 students, representing 50 states and 149 countries, study at the main campus in Atlanta, at campuses in France and China, and through distance and online learning. As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"New study examines nearly a decade of data to find trends within energy grid"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe study found that 90 percent of customers experience 10 percent of a disruptive event\u0026rsquo;s total downtime during moderate to extreme storms. However, recovery degrades with the severity of the disruptions. Large failures that cannot recover rapidly increase by 30% from the moderate to extreme events, while prolonged small failures dominate entire recovery processes.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers studied how recovery, guided by common policies from FEMA and industry, varies with respect to the severity of disruptive events. "}],"uid":"27560","created_gmt":"2021-09-22 13:45:50","changed_gmt":"2021-09-23 13:20:43","author":"Jason Maderer","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2021-09-22T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2021-09-22T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"650994":{"id":"650994","type":"image","title":"Power lines","body":null,"created":"1632317466","gmt_created":"2021-09-22 13:31:06","changed":"1632317466","gmt_changed":"2021-09-22 13:31:06","alt":"Power lines","file":{"fid":"247010","name":"iStock-522394296.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/iStock-522394296.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/iStock-522394296.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":865905,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/iStock-522394296.jpg?itok=Xp7opKrI"}},"650995":{"id":"650995","type":"image","title":"Amir Hossein Afsharinejad and Chuanyi Ji ","body":null,"created":"1632318186","gmt_created":"2021-09-22 13:43:06","changed":"1632318186","gmt_changed":"2021-09-22 13:43:06","alt":"photograph of Amir Hossein Afsharinejad and Chuanyi Ji","file":{"fid":"247011","name":"Lab_pic.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Lab_pic.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Lab_pic.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":650685,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Lab_pic.JPG?itok=y6I-LUu0"}}},"media_ids":["650994","650995"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/rh.gatech.edu\/news\/533911\/large-scale-data-study-super-storm-sandy-utility-damage-shows-small-failures-big-impact","title":"https:\/\/rh.gatech.edu\/news\/533911\/large-scale-data-study-super-storm-sandy-utility-damage-shows-small-failures-big-impact"}],"groups":[{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1255","name":"School of Electrical and Computer Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"2262","name":"climate"},{"id":"188896","name":"energy grid"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJason Maderer\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nCollege of Engineering\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nmaderer@gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["maderer@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"649866":{"#nid":"649866","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Helps to Lead Global Effort to Reinvent the Toilet","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA reinvented toilet without inlet water or output sewer lines may seem like an obscure concept; however, the need for such modernization is overwhelming. Billions of people globally \u0026mdash; close to half of the world\u0026rsquo;s population \u0026mdash; lack access to improved sanitation. But a global research team, led by Georgia Tech Associate Professor Shannon Yee, Ph.D., has been developing a portfolio of reinvented toilets that bring together the best concepts from the last decade of the Bill \u0026amp; Melinda Gates Foundation-led\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=2djGA861KP4\u0022\u003EReinvent the Toilet Challenge\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn the most recent phase of this effort, the Gates Foundation selected\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/yee\u0022\u003EYee\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;to assemble the best of the ideas from the challenge and develop a new, affordable toilet \u0026mdash; the Generation 2 Reinvented Toilet (G2RT) \u0026mdash; as a solution to the world\u0026rsquo;s sanitation problem. The G2RT team includes 70 engineers, scientists, and industrial designers from universities and corporations around the world.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGlobal inequity in access to toilets has led to the death of more than 500,000 children by preventable diarrheal disease each year. While it is primarily the world\u0026rsquo;s poorest communities that are most affected by the lack of safe sanitation, the crisis in areas of developed countries shouldn\u0026rsquo;t be overlooked. In rural parts of America, there are currently hundreds of thousands of people without steady access to clean water and proper sanitation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe G2RT aims to drastically shift human waste away from traditional sewage treatment infrastructure to a system that processes waste onsite in household bathrooms.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s no longer about running pipes to a central treatment plant,\u0026rdquo; explains Yee. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s about using new technology to reinvent a product that can be mass produced and accessible to the entire world.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHow will this project affect the way people use the bathroom? While using the G2RT won\u0026rsquo;t differ from current toilet designs, how the toilet processes waste will be drastically different. Instead of relying on a network of pipes and millions of gallons of water, G2RT will treat human waste within the toilet appliance itself. Urine will go through a filtration process that produces clean water, and fecal matter will be reduced to pathogen-free solids and clean water.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECurrently, Yee and his team are nearing the end of the development phase and will begin field testing it in South Africa, India, and China as well as at laboratory sites on Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s campus and in laboratories in Switzerland starting in 2022. The G2RT is now ready for demonstration, and the team will continue to the next phase in their journey to showcase the technology to potential commercial manufacturers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe G2RT is about the size of a washing machine but can be refined to be smaller, more durable, and easier to maintain. The target price for an individual reinvented toilet is $450.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;It needs to be affordable to be accessible to the entire world,\u0026rdquo; Yee says. \u0026ldquo;Collaboration with government agencies and the private sector is going to be critical in moving toward the adoption of this new sanitation solution.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EYee is passionate and confident that the G2RT has the potential to make a positive impact on the billions of people in need of improved sanitation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMore information on this project can be found here:\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gatesnotes.com%2FDevelopment%2F10-years-of-reinventing-the-toilet\u0026amp;data=04%7C01%7CAllison.Davis%40gatesfoundation.org%7Cb36a44c8bc9245afb57d08d955f45d6b%7C296b38384bd5496cbd4bf456ea743b74%7C0%7C0%7C637635330460417785%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000\u0026amp;sdata=boEo0LcRGkpcSmQ5jHrnH3UiW7uUa%2BoKNcaVw1Z4phs%3D\u0026amp;reserved=0\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/www.gatesnotes.com\/Development\/10-years-of-reinventing-the-toilet\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gatesnotes.com%2FDevelopment%2FHeroes-in-the-field-Dr-Shannon-Yee\u0026amp;data=04%7C01%7CAllison.Davis%40gatesfoundation.org%7Cb36a44c8bc9245afb57d08d955f45d6b%7C296b38384bd5496cbd4bf456ea743b74%7C0%7C0%7C637635330460407793%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000\u0026amp;sdata=sJmy6uj%2FOXg05gwquG4Grw2dXK4C5DtImnYcBBwxKjo%3D\u0026amp;reserved=0\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/www.gatesnotes.com\/Development\/Heroes-in-the-field-Dr-Shannon-Yee\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The G2RT aims to drastically shift human waste away from traditional sewage treatment infrastructure to a system that processes waste onsite in household bathrooms. "}],"uid":"35798","created_gmt":"2021-08-19 13:23:52","changed_gmt":"2021-09-23 12:44:29","author":"Ayana Isles","boilerplate_text":"\u003Cp\u003EThe\nGeorgia Institute\nof Technology is one of the world\u0027s premier research universities.\nRanked\nseventh among\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EU.S. News \u0026amp; World Report\u0027s\u003C\/em\u003E top public\nuniversities and the eighth\u0026nbsp;best engineering and information technology\nuniversity in the world by Shanghai\nJiao Tong University\u0027s Academic Ranking of World Universities, Georgia\nTech\u2019s more\nthan 20,000 students are enrolled in its Colleges of Architecture,\nComputing,\nEngineering, Liberal Arts, Management and Sciences. Tech is among the\nnation\u0027s\ntop producers of women and minority engineers.\u0026nbsp;The Institute offers\nresearch opportunities to both undergraduate and graduate students and\nis home\nto more than 100 interdisciplinary units plus the Georgia Tech Research\nInstitute.\u003C\/p\u003E","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2021-08-19T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2021-08-19T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"649869":{"id":"649869","type":"image","title":"Generation 2 Reinvented Toilet (G2RT)","body":null,"created":"1629380063","gmt_created":"2021-08-19 13:34:23","changed":"1629380063","gmt_changed":"2021-08-19 13:34:23","alt":"","file":{"fid":"246667","name":"g2rt.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/g2rt_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/g2rt_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2099287,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/g2rt_0.jpg?itok=ELkF9J7D"}}},"media_ids":["649869"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"188670","name":"G2RT"},{"id":"188671","name":"Generation 2 Reinvented Toilet"},{"id":"181825","name":"toilet"},{"id":"109","name":"Georgia Tech"},{"id":"33051","name":"Bill \u0026 Melinda Gates Foundation"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAyana Isles\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nInstitute Communications\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\naisles3@gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["aisles3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"651003":{"#nid":"651003","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Southeast Electric Transportation Regional Initiative to Accelerate Electric Vehicle Market Expansion","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA broad coalition of organizations from the business, education, government and non-profit sectors today announced the launch of the Southeast Electric Transportation Regional Initiative (SETRI).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe initiative is designed to address one of the region\u0026rsquo;s most pressing needs towards realizing the benefits of electric transportation, namely greater coordination and collaboration among key stakeholders. It will also tackle regional market challenges, such as electric vehicle (EV) charging and infrastructure gaps, accessibility, EV model availability and cost, policy guidance, and consumer awareness, while unlocking untapped opportunities for economic development, job growth, enhanced energy security, and environmental sustainability.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;SETRI\u0026rsquo;s ability to convene and partner with experts around a common table is one of the most promising aspects of the coalition,\u0026rdquo; said Rich Simmons, principal research engineer and director at Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s Energy Policy Innovation Center (EPICenter), and part of the steering committee that conceived SETRI. \u0026ldquo;We believe this is the first time that such a cross-cutting set of stakeholders have agreed to collaborate around major EV opportunities for the Southeast. While focused closely on regional gaps and opportunities, SETRI can also serve as an important model for other regions.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Southeast is not only emerging as a hub for EV manufacturing investment and job creation; it\u0026rsquo;s well positioned to accelerate EV deployment across a diverse set of applications, including fleets. The region accounts for 18% of the nation\u0026rsquo;s population, while capturing over 28% of America\u0026rsquo;s EV manufacturing investment, and a significant share of direct and supply chain jobs across a range of EV markets, including light duty vehicles, busses, and medium and heavy-duty trucks.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The Southeast has significant potential to realize the many economic, social, and environmental benefits of transportation electrification,\u0026rdquo; said Tom Ashley, vice president of Policy \u0026amp; Market Development at Greenlots, a member of the Shell Group. \u0026ldquo;Indeed, the region is already benefiting from good jobs manufacturing electric vehicles and supporting the electric vehicle supply chain. Greenlots is pleased to join SETRI\u0026rsquo;s founding members to accelerate electrification in the region to ensure these benefits are fully realized. Together, we can enable an emission-free future in the Southeast.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHowever, the Southeast is lagging the nation in EV sales and charging station deployment, accounting for just 10% of national EV sales and 13% of EV chargers deployed. The region is also significantly underrepresented in utility and government funding for transportation electrification: the Southeast accounts for approximately 1% of utility investment and 4% of government funding nationwide. Given the region\u0026rsquo;s abundant, affordable, and increasingly clean electric power, and an expanding manufacturing supply chain for EVs, the Southeast has much to gain from transportation electrification. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ENearly 60 public and private organizations are founding signatories to SETRI\u0026rsquo;s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at accelerating the benefits of electric transportation for the region. This coalition includes charging companies, utilities, automakers, public officials, city planners, non-profit organizations, and universities and other research institutions. The coalition will leverage the expertise and resources needed to help state leaders navigate the transition to electric mobility.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;As a Georgia-based manufacturer of EV school buses, Blue Bird is excited to be part of SETRI,\u0026rdquo; said Trevor Rudderham, Blue Bird senior vice president, Electrification. \u0026ldquo;We look forward to collaborating with a diverse set of regional partners to help further EV adoption throughout the Southeast.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe SETRI coalition welcomes the participation of additional organizations in the Southeast electrification transportation ecosystem. Entities interested in signing the MOU can do so at any time, and participation in the coalition is not restricted to signatories.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ERead the full press release \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/broad-coalition-forms-southeast-electric-transportation-regional-initiative-setri-to-accelerate-ev-market-expansion-301382869.html?tc=eml_cleartime\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nVisit \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/southeastev.org\/\u0022\u003ESoutheastev.org\u003C\/a\u003E for more information.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nSee the full list of signatories \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/southeastev.org\/documents\/SETRI-signatories.pdf\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Georgia Tech among 60 stakeholders to leverage transportation electrification opportunities in Southeast."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA broad coalition of organizations from the business, education, government and non-profit sectors announced the launch of the Southeast Electric Transportation Regional Initiative (SETRI). SETRI has been designed to address one of the region\u0026rsquo;s most pressing needs towards realizing the benefits of electric transportation, namely greater coordination and collaboration among key stakeholders. It will also tackle regional market challenges, such as electric vehicle (EV) charging and infrastructure gaps, accessibility, EV model availability and cost, policy guidance, and consumer awareness, while unlocking untapped opportunities for economic development, job growth, enhanced energy security, and environmental sustainability.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"SETRI will work to address the region\u2019s most pressing needs towards realizing the benefits of electric transportation, such as greater coordination and collaboration among key stakeholders, and regional market challenges."}],"uid":"27338","created_gmt":"2021-09-22 14:47:54","changed_gmt":"2021-09-22 17:11:18","author":"Brent Verrill","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2021-09-22T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2021-09-22T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"648279":{"id":"648279","type":"image","title":"Electric Cars at SE Policy Forum","body":null,"created":"1624388668","gmt_created":"2021-06-22 19:04:28","changed":"1629467899","gmt_changed":"2021-08-20 13:58:19","alt":"Several electric cars parked outside the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center.","file":{"fid":"246096","name":"evcarphoto_2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/evcarphoto_2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/evcarphoto_2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":535127,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/evcarphoto_2.jpg?itok=dYqESI5w"}},"651029":{"id":"651029","type":"image","title":"Rich Simmons Portrait Scaled","body":null,"created":"1632330642","gmt_created":"2021-09-22 17:10:42","changed":"1632330642","gmt_changed":"2021-09-22 17:10:42","alt":"Portrait of Rich Simmons","file":{"fid":"247025","name":"Rich_Simmons_portrait_2015_small.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Rich_Simmons_portrait_2015_small.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Rich_Simmons_portrait_2015_small.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":114701,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Rich_Simmons_portrait_2015_small.jpg?itok=U95ElPcS"}}},"media_ids":["648279","651029"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/broad-coalition-forms-southeast-electric-transportation-regional-initiative-setri-to-accelerate-ev-market-expansion-301382869.html?tc=eml_cleartime","title":"SETRI Press Release."},{"url":"https:\/\/southeastev.org\/","title":"Visit the SETRI website."},{"url":"https:\/\/southeastev.org\/documents\/SETRI-signatories.pdf","title":"Full list of signatories."}],"groups":[{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"132","name":"Institute Leadership"},{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"188897","name":"SETRI"},{"id":"144041","name":"Epicenter"},{"id":"188121","name":"Rich Simmons"},{"id":"12819","name":"electric vehicles"},{"id":"188898","name":"transportation electrification"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:brent.verrill@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EBrent Verrill\u003C\/a\u003E, Research Communications Program Manager, SEI\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["brent.verrill@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"650091":{"#nid":"650091","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Ben T. Zinn Combustion Laboratory Receives $2.4 Million Investment in Major Upgrade","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EPictured: Ben Emerson and Kristopher Manion inside the Zinn lab\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Institute of Technology will spend $2.4 million on a major upgrade to its facilities for combustion science and aerodynamics, an investment that is expected to provide a significant boost in researchers\u0026rsquo; ability to study high-temperature processes that exist inside modern combustion systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;People have been making fire since the dawn of time,\u0026rdquo; said Tim Lieuwen, professor in the Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Lieuwen\u0026rsquo;s research group focuses on advancing the understanding of this age-old process.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe bulk of the new funds will go towards improvements on the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.comblab.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EBen T. Zinn Combustion Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E, an 18,000 square-foot facility located on Tech\u0026rsquo;s campus that has played a key role in the training and education of engineers for two decades.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This is going to be a major differentiator for us,\u0026rdquo; Lieuwen said, \u0026ldquo;Letting us do real things we couldn\u0026#39;t have done. It\u0026#39;s pretty exciting.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe $30 million dollar facility is already one of the top two university-based laboratories in the country for its focus area, according to Lieuwen, director of the lab, as well as director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech. Twelve different academic and research faculty and 70 graduate and undergraduate students use the lab for research and education.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EExperiments performed at the facility have helped to make progress on a wide variety of combustion and aerodynamics problems. \u0026ldquo;Most of them have the objective of somehow cleaning up emissions,\u0026rdquo; said Ben Emerson, a senior research engineer at the lab. In some cases, researchers directly study how to make cleaner combustion, while in other cases, they study how to run combustors in cleaner but more challenging operating regimes. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWith the upgrades, Georgia Tech researchers will be able to use the laboratory to reproduce the airflow conditions inside the most modern jet engines and fuel-burning power systems. By emulating these conditions, they can then study and test how various technologies perform in them.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe investments, which will include gifts of $225,000 and $200,000 from industry partners, Leidos, and Pratt \u0026amp; Whitney, respectively, will allow the lab to hit extreme physics conditions. Much of the spending will go into specialized materials and supplies, like piping made from advanced alloys that can withstand high temperatures. The plan is to increase maximum temperatures of air that the pipes can deliver from 1,000 to 1,550 degrees Fahrenheit.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This piping is thousands of dollars per foot,\u0026rdquo; Lieuwen said. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re spending several hundred thousand on really, really expensive pipe.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOther upgrades will enable the lab to deliver hydrogen fuel to experiments, which has been studied for its potential to serve as a renewable resource in a cleaner energy economy.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Infrastructure to run hydrogen requires the right sensors and things from a safety standpoint,\u0026rdquo; said Devesh Ranjan, associate chair for Research and professor in the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. \u0026ldquo;Very few places in academia can do that.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAll these improvements will enhance researchers\u0026rsquo; ability to partner with government and industry on new research projects. These partnerships have been a longstanding feature of the lab, which has accrued $120 million dollars in funding over the last 20 years in various forms of grants and industry contracts, according to Lieuwen.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor industry partners, the Combustion Laboratory is positioned in a middle ground between large-scale, highly expensive facilities, which are needed to test full-scale power systems, and smaller university labs, which are unable to sustain comparable experimental conditions. Industry manufacturers often go to the lab when they are interested in obtaining specialized scientific studies at relatively low cost. Lieuwen believes that nearly a billion people rely on industry power systems that have been directly influenced by innovations made in the Zinn Lab.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe upgrade will continue to support local and regional collaborations, as well. \u0026ldquo;Georgia Tech is investing to support state priorities,\u0026rdquo; Lieuwen said. According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, aerospace products are the state of Georgia\u0026rsquo;s number one export, at $9.98 billion in 2020.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We have these really special capabilities,\u0026rdquo; Lieuwen said. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re continuing to invest in them. We\u0026rsquo;re committed to continuing to develop them.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout Georgia Tech\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is a top 10 public research university developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences degrees. Its nearly 40,000 students representing 50 states and 149 countries, study at the main campus in Atlanta, at campuses in France and China, and through distance and online learning. As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech and industry partners are ensuring that the time-tested campus facility stays at the leading-edge of propulsion and power systems research."}],"uid":"35899","created_gmt":"2021-08-25 18:34:41","changed_gmt":"2021-08-31 14:15:32","author":"Mordechai Rorvig","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2021-08-25T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2021-08-25T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"650173":{"id":"650173","type":"image","title":"Tim Lieuwen Zinn Lab Staff","body":null,"created":"1630075985","gmt_created":"2021-08-27 14:53:05","changed":"1630075985","gmt_changed":"2021-08-27 14:53:05","alt":"Kristopher Manion, lab manager, and Ben Emerson, research engineer stand in front of a combustion experiment at the Ben T. Zinn Combustion Lab.","file":{"fid":"246776","name":"22C5001-P1-015_small.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/22C5001-P1-015_small.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/22C5001-P1-015_small.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1535570,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/22C5001-P1-015_small.jpg?itok=iV4e26vS"}},"650095":{"id":"650095","type":"image","title":"Tim Lieuwen Zinn Lab thumb","body":null,"created":"1629920941","gmt_created":"2021-08-25 19:49:01","changed":"1630076307","gmt_changed":"2021-08-27 14:58:27","alt":"","file":{"fid":"246749","name":"22C5001-P1-010_small.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/22C5001-P1-010_small.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/22C5001-P1-010_small.png","mime":"image\/png","size":8257987,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/22C5001-P1-010_small.png?itok=MDE9WBkJ"}}},"media_ids":["650173","650095"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMordechai Rorvig\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nSenior Science Writer\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["mrorvig@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"650136":{"#nid":"650136","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Shreyes Melkote Appointed Novelis Innovation Hub Executive Director at Georgia Tech ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology and Novelis, Inc., the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, announced that Shreyes Melkote will serve as the new executive director of the Novelis Innovation Hub at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAs Melkote assumes his appointment, Georgia Tech commends George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering Regents Professor Surya Kalidindi\u0026rsquo;s service as the inaugural interim executive director during the Novelis Innovation Hub\u0026rsquo;s first two years.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESince its establishment in 2019, the Novelis Innovation Hub has set a bold vision to foster world-class partnerships and collaborated with the Institute on battery research, electronics, robotics, high-throughput research, and additive manufacturing.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAdvancing Mobility and Sustainability Goals\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWith additional investment and a permanent leadership appointment to guide the Innovation Hub, Novelis hopes to further advance its position in the aluminum industry through innovation in new technology and application domains, including sustainable mobility, electronics, advanced manufacturing, and supply chain.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Sustainability is an important element of what Novelis wants to accomplish,\u0026rdquo; said Melkote, noting Novelis\u0026rsquo;s target to reduce its carbon footprint by 30% by 2026 and to be net carbon neutral by 2050. \u0026ldquo;Georgia Tech is focused on a lot of basic science, technologies, and business practices relevant to enabling a more sustainable enterprise.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMelkote is uniquely qualified for the role, having led the Georgia Tech-Boeing Strategic University Partnership for the last eight years while serving as associate director of \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/manufacturing\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI)\u003C\/a\u003E. He facilitated the establishment of the Boeing Manufacturing Development Center, an on-campus lab where students and faculty regularly collaborate with a resident Boeing engineer.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;I see this as an opportunity to leverage my experience and knowledge from the Boeing partnership and to expand it. Novelis is engaged in the entire lifecycle of innovation, from early-stage basic research, to applied research and commercialization that will impact society at large,\u0026rdquo; said Melkote, who also holds the Morris M. Bryan, Jr. Professorship in Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech. He will work closely with Dr. Raj Gopalaswamy, Novelis\u0026rsquo; global technology director for new domains, who will lead Novelis\u0026rsquo; engagement with Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;To keep advancing the aluminum industry toward the circular economy, we must increase the pace of innovation and develop new solutions that demonstrate aluminum\u0026rsquo;s superior sustainability benefits,\u0026rdquo; said Gopalaswamy. \u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;Through research partnerships with world-leading institutions like Georgia Tech, we can fulfill the growing needs for aluminum applications that help our customers meet their sustainability goals faster and more efficiently.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMelkote agreed, adding, \u0026ldquo;What\u0026rsquo;s exciting is that \u0026nbsp;Novelis wants to look at the cutting edge of research and see how they can leverage that knowledge to innovate and develop new products.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re thrilled to have Professor Melkote take on this leadership position in our growing collaboration with Novelis,\u0026rdquo; said Julia Kubanek, vice president for Interdisciplinary Research at Georgia Tech. \u0026ldquo;He brings substantial experience to this new role, having built Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s partnership with Boeing and served as associate director of the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute for several years.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EKubanek added that Melkote is well positioned to help Novelis broaden its relationship with Georgia Tech faculty and students, while engaging in key research areas to accelerate Novelis\u0026rsquo;s product innovation. Additionally, the Innovation Hub intends to not only fund research, but also establish a Scholars Program to fund research fellowships for Georgia Tech graduate and undergraduate students.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Novelis\u0026rsquo;s philanthropy commitment allows us to innovate on the educational front, where we can make investments that benefit both Georgia Tech and our educational mission,\u0026rdquo; said Melkote. \u0026ldquo;In doing so, we help train the next generation of engineers who will go on to work for companies like Novelis that are committed to sustainability.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E***\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout Georgia Tech \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is a top 10 public research university developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences degrees. Its nearly 40,000 students representing 50 states and 149 countries, study at the main campus in Atlanta, at campuses in France and China, and through distance and online learning. As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Melkote to help Novelis achieve sustainability, mobility, and future workforce goals "}],"uid":"34602","created_gmt":"2021-08-26 18:14:15","changed_gmt":"2021-08-26 18:14:15","author":"Georgia Parmelee","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2021-08-26T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2021-08-26T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"650134":{"id":"650134","type":"image","title":"Melkote headshot","body":null,"created":"1630001280","gmt_created":"2021-08-26 18:08:00","changed":"1630001280","gmt_changed":"2021-08-26 18:08:00","alt":"Shreyes Melkote headshot","file":{"fid":"246762","name":"Screen Shot 2021-08-26 at 2.07.22 PM.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Screen%20Shot%202021-08-26%20at%202.07.22%20PM.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Screen%20Shot%202021-08-26%20at%202.07.22%20PM.png","mime":"image\/png","size":5592309,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Screen%20Shot%202021-08-26%20at%202.07.22%20PM.png?itok=Mc-JqwyY"}}},"media_ids":["650134"],"groups":[{"id":"155831","name":"Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI)"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"152","name":"Robotics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186857","name":"go-gtmi"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39521","name":"Robotics"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: Anne Wainscott-Sargent\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["asargent7@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"649133":{"#nid":"649133","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Joins the U.S. National Science Foundation to Advance AI Research and Education","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor decades, the Georgia Institute of Technology has focused on advancing artificial intelligence through interdisciplinary research and education designed to produce leading-edge technologies. Over the next five years, Georgia Tech will make a substantial investment in AI that includes hiring an additional 100 researchers in the field, further solidifying its standing as a leader in the teaching and discovery of machine learning.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EToday, Georgia Tech received two National Science Foundation (NSF) Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes awards, totaling $40 million. A third award for $20 million was granted to the Georgia Research Alliance (GRA), with Georgia Tech serving as one of the leading academic institutions.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;It is essential that we bring together our best minds to ensure that AI delivers on its promise to create a more prosperous, sustainable, safe, and fair future for everyone,\u0026rdquo; said\u0026nbsp;\u0026Aacute;ngel Cabrera, president of Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;These NSF awards recognize Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s vast expertise in machine learning and AI and will help us further develop our resources and amplify our impact in these crucial fields.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EChaouki T. Abdallah, executive vice president for Research at Georgia Tech, concurred, citing major efforts under development to help create a more robust and inclusive future of AI, both on campus and beyond.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We are incredibly grateful to the NSF for their investment and excited for the opportunities made possible because of this research,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;At Tech, our mission is to advance technology and improve the human condition, catalyzing research that matters. We invested in a unified approach to interdisciplinary research aligned with industry relevance and societal impact, and these awards demonstrate a clear return on that strategy.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECollectively, NSF made a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/news\/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=303176\u0022\u003E$220 million investment in 11 new NSF-led Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;I am delighted to announce the establishment of new NSF National AI Research Institutes as we look to expand into all 50 states,\u0026rdquo; said National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. \u0026ldquo;These Institutes are hubs for academia, industry, and government to accelerate discovery and innovation in AI. Inspiring talent and ideas everywhere in this important area will lead to new capabilities that improve our lives, from medicine to entertainment to transportation and cybersecurity, and position us in the vanguard of competitiveness and prosperity.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ELed by NSF, and in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u0026rsquo;s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Google, Amazon, Intel, and Accenture, the National AI Research Institutes will act as connections in a broader nationwide network to pursue transformational advances in a range of economic sectors, and science and engineering fields \u0026mdash; from food system security to next-generation edge networks. In addition to Georgia Tech and GRA, the University of California San Diego, Duke University, Iowa State University, North Carolina State University, The Ohio State University, and University of Washington are the lead universities included in the 11 AI Institutes.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe AI Institutes at Georgia Tech \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe three newly established Institutes will address societal challenges, including home care for aging adults; energy, logistics, and supply chains; sustainability; the widening gap in job opportunities; and changing needs in workforce development.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/649114\/new-ai-institute-builds-tech-support-aging\u0022\u003ENSF AI Institute for Collaborative Assistance and Responsive Interaction for Networked Groups (AI-CARING)\u003C\/a\u003E will seek to create a vibrant discipline focused on personalized, collaborative AI systems that will improve quality of care for the aging. The systems will learn individual models of human behavior and how they change over time and use that knowledge to better collaborate and communicate in caregiving environments. Led by Sonia Chernova, associate professor of interactive computing at Georgia Tech, the AI systems will help a growing population of older adults sustain independence, improve quality of life, and increase effectiveness of care coordination across the care network.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The AI-CARING Institute builds on our existing strengths in AI and in technology for aging. It will create not only novel solutions, but a new generation of researchers focused on the interaction between the two,\u0026rdquo; said Charles Isbell, dean and John P. Imlay Jr. Chair in the College of Computing. \u0026ldquo;Our aim is to build cutting-edge technologies that improve the lives of everyone, and I can\u0026rsquo;t think of a better example than AI-CARING.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/news\/team-led-isyes-pascal-van-hentenryck-awarded-20m-nsf-grant-fund-center-study-ai-and\u0022\u003ENSF AI Institute for Advances in Optimization (AI4Opt)\u003C\/a\u003E will revolutionize decision-making on a large scale \u0026ndash; fusing AI and mathematical optimization into intelligent systems that will achieve breakthroughs that neither field can achieve independently. Additionally, it will create pathways from high school to undergraduate and graduate education and workforce development training for AI in engineering that will empower a generation of underrepresented students and teachers to join the AI revolution. Led by Pascal Van Hentenryck, A. Russell Chandler III chair and professor in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Georgia Tech, AI4Opt will tackle use cases in energy, resilience and sustainability, supply chains, and circuit design and control.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;AI4Opt, with its focus on AI and optimization, will create new pathways for novel tools that allow better engineering applications to benefit society,\u0026rdquo; said Raheem Beyah, dean of Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s College of Engineering and Southern Company Chair. \u0026ldquo;This will allow engineers to build\u0026nbsp;higher quality\u0026nbsp;materials, more efficient renewable resources, new computing systems, and more, while also reinforcing the field as a career path for diverse students.\u0026nbsp;The new institute complements the College\u0026rsquo;s commitment to the integration of AI in engineering disciplines.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ic.gatech.edu\/news\/649137\/georgia-tech-will-help-bring-critical-advancements-online-learning-part-multimillion\u0022\u003ENSF AI Institute for Adult Learning and Online Education (ALOE)\u003C\/a\u003E will lead the country and the world in the development of novel AI theories and techniques for enhancing the quality of adult online education, making this mode of learning comparable to that of in-person education in STEM disciplines. Together with partners in the technical college systems and educational technology sector, ALOE will advance online learning using virtual assistants to make education more available, affordable, achievable, and ultimately more equitable. This Institute is led by the GRA, with support from Georgia Tech and the University System of Georgia (USG). Ashok Goel, professor in the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech, will serve as executive director. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Online education for adults has enormous implications for tomorrow\u0026rsquo;s workforce,\u0026rdquo; said Myk Garn, a GRA senior advisor, assistant vice chancellor for New Models of Learning at the USG, and ALOE\u0026rsquo;s principal investigator. \u0026ldquo;Yet, serious questions remain about the quality of online learning and how best to teach adults online. Artificial intelligence offers a powerful technology for dramatically improving the quality of online learning and adult education.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Future of AI at Georgia Tech\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is poised to strategically reimagine the future of AI. Currently, 66% of Georgia Tech undergraduate computer science students have an academic concentration in Intelligence, focusing on the top-to-bottom computational models of intelligence. The College of Computing\u0026rsquo;s recently launched Ph.D. program in machine learning pulls from faculty in all six colleges across the Institute, and many new courses are being developed that teach AI as a tool for science and engineering. Georgia Tech is exploring the potential creation of a school or college of AI within the next five years, further building on its expansive AI and machine learning footprint. The NSF AI Institutes awards will enable all AI-related academic programs to scale and further differentiate Georgia Tech as a leader in AI education.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAdditionally, the awards will expand and complement ongoing AI research efforts at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI). In the last fiscal year, GTRI received millions of dollars in research awards from the Department of Defense and other sponsors for AI-affiliated research, and currently, many GTRI researchers are focused on AI-affiliated projects.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;As part of Georgia Tech, GTRI will greatly benefit from the advances in AI that will be achieved as a result of these NSF-funded Institutes, helping us further excel in our aim to deliver leading-edge AI research that benefits national security,\u0026rdquo; said Mark Whorton, GTRI\u0026rsquo;s chief technology officer. \u0026ldquo;GTRI is one of the nation\u0026rsquo;s leading institutes of applied research for national security specifically because of our deep engagement and close affiliation with the academic units of Georgia Tech. AI is a tool we use in conducting larger research objectives, and we believe strongly that these AI Institutes will enable GTRI to put more research into practice.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Georgia Tech has for decades now been pursuing new AI technologies, and now leads the way in AI that is responsible to the needs of the humans who use it,\u0026rdquo; Isbell said. \u0026ldquo;We have also worked hard to expand access to AI, especially for underrepresented groups. These Institutes will build on that history, expanding both our ability to create new technologies and to train the next generation of innovators. I look forward to watching them grow and develop.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout the Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is a top 10 public research university developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences degrees. Its nearly 40,000 students, representing 50 states and 149 countries, study at the main campus in Atlanta, at campuses in France and China, and through distance and online learning.\u0026nbsp;As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout the National Science Foundation \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments, and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2021 budget of $8.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities, and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout the Georgia Research Alliance\u003C\/strong\u003E\u2028\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) helps Georgia\u0026rsquo;s university scientists do more research and start more companies. By expanding research and entrepreneurship capacity at public and private universities, GRA grows the Georgia economy by driving more investment in the state, developing a high-tech workforce, and strengthening Georgia\u0026rsquo;s reputation for innovation.\u0026nbsp;For 30 years, GRA has worked in partnership with the University System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Economic Development to create the companies and jobs of Georgia\u0026rsquo;s future. Visit \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gra.org\/\u0022\u003EGRA.org\u003C\/a\u003E for more information.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EContact: Georgia Parmelee | \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:georgia.parmelee@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Egeorgia.parmelee@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E | 404.281.7818\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech received two National Science Foundation Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes awards, totaling $40 million. Over the next five years, Georgia Tech will make a substantial investment in AI that includes hiring an additional 100 researchers in the field, further solidifying its standing as a leader in the teaching and discovery of machine learning.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Today, Georgia Tech received two National Science Foundation Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes awards, totaling $40 million."}],"uid":"34602","created_gmt":"2021-07-29 15:00:39","changed_gmt":"2021-08-06 16:23:40","author":"Georgia Parmelee","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2021-07-29T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2021-07-29T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"649130":{"id":"649130","type":"image","title":"AI map","body":null,"created":"1627568719","gmt_created":"2021-07-29 14:25:19","changed":"1627568719","gmt_changed":"2021-07-29 14:25:19","alt":"map of AI institutes in US","file":{"fid":"246448","name":"AI_map.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/AI_map.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/AI_map.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":422470,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/AI_map.jpg?itok=II3NIxrq"}},"649128":{"id":"649128","type":"image","title":"PIs for AI Institues","body":null,"created":"1627568604","gmt_created":"2021-07-29 14:23:24","changed":"1627576219","gmt_changed":"2021-07-29 16:30:19","alt":"Pascal Van Hentenryck and Sonia Chernova","file":{"fid":"246446","name":"nsf graphic-740px[52].jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/nsf%20graphic-740px%5B52%5D.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/nsf%20graphic-740px%5B52%5D.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":120078,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/nsf%20graphic-740px%5B52%5D.jpg?itok=SRcHWBKu"}},"649129":{"id":"649129","type":"image","title":"Ashok headshot","body":null,"created":"1627568645","gmt_created":"2021-07-29 14:24:05","changed":"1627572766","gmt_changed":"2021-07-29 15:32:46","alt":"Ashok Goel headshot","file":{"fid":"246447","name":"ashok headshot.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/ashok%20headshot.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/ashok%20headshot.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":36870,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/ashok%20headshot.jpg?itok=CxJx9XbO"}}},"media_ids":["649130","649128","649129"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1276","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI)"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"443951","name":"School of Psychology"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"152","name":"Robotics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187023","name":"go-data"},{"id":"188087","name":"go-irim"},{"id":"188084","name":"go-ipat"},{"id":"173894","name":"ML@GT"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39481","name":"National Security"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Parmelee\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\ngeorgia.parmelee@gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["georgia.parmelee@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"648935":{"#nid":"648935","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New \u0027Vibrant Pack Energy Harvesters\u0027 to Harness Big Bridge Vibrations","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis story by Craig McManamon \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.hw.ac.uk\/news\/articles\/2021\/bridge-energy-to-be-harvested-in-pioneering.htm\u0022\u003Efirst appeared\u003C\/a\u003E in the Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh, Scotland) newsroom and has been tailored for Georgia Tech audiences.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETraffic and wind regularly cause low frequency vibrations to ripple through bridge building materials such as steel and concrete. This energy would normally travel away from its source before dissipating \u0026mdash; but academics at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh alongside colleagues from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gsu.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia State University\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/a\u003E in the US have recognized an opportunity. They intend to capture and recycle this untapped source by using the principles of physics.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThey have received \u0026pound;340,000\u0026nbsp;(about $463,000) from the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gow.epsrc.ukri.org\/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP\/V034391\/1\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council\u0026nbsp;(EPSRC)\u003C\/a\u003E, part of UK Research and Innovation,\u0026nbsp;and $443,000 from the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENational Science Foundation\u003C\/a\u003E (NSF) to research and develop a revolutionary vibro-impact energy harvesting device.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDaniil Yurchenko, Ph.D., from Heriot-Watt University, has created a prototype called a \u0026lsquo;vibrant pack energy harvester\u0026rsquo; that can be fitted at multiple locations on a bridge.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThese autonomous devices, measuring around 5 \u0026ndash; 10cm in length, do not require wiring to an electrical power source and are relatively cheap to manufacture. They work by holding a small ball housed within a tube that rolls back and forth as the device absorbs low frequency vibrations. As the ball moves, it impacts on non-conductive materials, known as dielectric membranes, located at either end of the tube. When the membrane is stretched, a brief electrical charge is applied but once it returns to its undeformed state, the generated excessive electrical charge can be harvested.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis electrical energy is stored in a battery and used to power a sensor capable of monitoring the structural integrity of a bridge. Engineers can then record multiple measurements, such as vibrations, traffic load, wind and temperature, all at the same time but without the need for specialist infrastructure to be installed at significant cost.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EYurchenko, from the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Heriot-Watt University, explains that while dielectric elastomer technology has been tried in wave energy, nothing has been done on this centimetre scale before.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;What we are doing is creating a more efficient and cost-effective solution by harvesting energy that would otherwise be lost,\u0026rdquo; he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s something that has never been done before in this way.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s a technology that can be used on any bridge anywhere in the world. There are plenty of places where these devices can be fitted to a bridge structure such as on cables, on the pillars, other side of the bridge deck, there really aren\u0026rsquo;t any limits.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The biggest problem in energy harvesting is that the absolute amount of energy produced by a typical device is very small due to the low available level of vibrations. In fact, for the past 100 years scientists have been fighting adverse vibrations to ensure that bridges are safe. So, through this work we will try to optimise the performance of our vibro impact energy harvesting device tuning it to the bridge application.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe team is working alongside Wenzel Consult, an independent company that specialises in bridge sensor technology in Austria and Turkey.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAs the project advances, the scientists say they intend to carry our real-life testing of their prototype on a 32-meter long highway bridge in northern Austria.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe multidisciplinary project, entitled, Stochastic Nonsmooth Analysis For Energy Harvesting, is due to complete in 2024.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/rkuske7-home\/\u0022\u003ERachel Kuske\u003C\/a\u003E, professor and chair of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/math.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Mathematics\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech, said: \u0026ldquo;While the device has nonlinear behaviour, which is beneficial in generating more energy than is used to power the device, the same nonlinearity can result in a range of complex responses to the vibrations. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We will use dynamical analyses to predict the different types of responses, as well as to select design choices for responses that optimise energy output. As the bridge vibrations are also inherently noisy, the analysis will also identify how to leverage noise sources that are beneficial and mitigate effects from detrimental noise sources.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EProfessor Igor Belykh, co-investigator from Georgia State University, adds: \u0026ldquo;This project seeks to provide guidelines for designing power supplies that can harvest energy from bridge oscillations. These energy harvesters can be used in bridge damage sensors thereby minimising sensor maintenance\/battery replacement and decreasing the associated risks to service personnel on high suspension bridges. Moreover, this project is synergistically connected to another project supported by NSF grant (2019-2022) \u0026lsquo;Modern approaches to modelling and predicting bridge instabilities\u0026rsquo; that will inform the design of energy harvesters by offering a dynamical characterisation of bridge oscillations and external perturbations to be harvested.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe scientists say that in the future the same technology could be adapted and used to harvest energy from other vibrating man-made structures and machines.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ERelated news coverage: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com\/education\/vibrations-from-forth-bridge-and-queensferry-crossing-could-be-harvested-and-turned-into-electrical-power-3313475\u0022\u003EEdinburgh Evening News\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scottishconstructionnow.com\/article\/and-finally-good-vibrations\u0022\u003EScottish Construction Now\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/futurescot.com\/bridge-energy-to-be-harvested-in-pioneering-research-project-led-by-scottish-university\/\u0022\u003EFutureScot\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.heraldscotland.com\/news\/homenews\/19453629.heriot-watt-scientists-say-bridge-vibrations-used-improve-safety\/\u0022\u003EThe Herald Scotland\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/digit.fyi\/bridge-energy-gathered-heriot-watt-project\/\u0022\u003EDigit\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETraffic and wind regularly cause low frequency vibrations to ripple through bridge building materials such as steel and concrete. This energy would normally travel away from its source before dissipating \u0026mdash; but School of Mathematics\u0026#39; Rachel Kuske is joining colleagues at\u0026nbsp;Georgia State University and Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh to capture and recycle this untapped energy source by using the principles of physics.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Traffic and wind regularly cause low frequency vibrations to ripple through steel and concrete in bridges. This energy would normally travel away from its source before dissipating \u2014 but Rachel Kuske has joined an effort to capture and recycle this energy"}],"uid":"34528","created_gmt":"2021-07-20 19:07:23","changed_gmt":"2021-07-21 14:08:08","author":"jhunt7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2021-07-20T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2021-07-20T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"648936":{"id":"648936","type":"image","title":"Queensferry Crossing from Port Edgar Maria (Credit: Transport Scotland)","body":null,"created":"1626808364","gmt_created":"2021-07-20 19:12:44","changed":"1626808364","gmt_changed":"2021-07-20 19:12:44","alt":"","file":{"fid":"246359","name":"36246225504_af6d3632bc_k.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/36246225504_af6d3632bc_k.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/36246225504_af6d3632bc_k.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":832820,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/36246225504_af6d3632bc_k.jpg?itok=oOljozzJ"}},"595289":{"id":"595289","type":"image","title":"Rachel Kuske, School of Mathematics professor and chair","body":null,"created":"1504101520","gmt_created":"2017-08-30 13:58:40","changed":"1504101520","gmt_changed":"2017-08-30 13:58:40","alt":"","file":{"fid":"226868","name":"Rachel Kuske.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Rachel%20Kuske_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Rachel%20Kuske_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":40048,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Rachel%20Kuske_0.jpg?itok=TnvpWuF9"}},"648955":{"id":"648955","type":"image","title":"Daniil Yurchenko, associate professor in the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Heriot-Watt University","body":null,"created":"1626875943","gmt_created":"2021-07-21 13:59:03","changed":"1626876475","gmt_changed":"2021-07-21 14:07:55","alt":"","file":{"fid":"246373","name":"DDY.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/DDY.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/DDY.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":237517,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/DDY.jpg?itok=6QePh1x9"}},"648956":{"id":"648956","type":"image","title":"Igor Belykh, professor in the Department of Math and Statistics with a joint appointment at Neuroscience Institute in the College of Arts \u0026 Sciences at Georgia State University","body":null,"created":"1626876172","gmt_created":"2021-07-21 14:02:52","changed":"1626876172","gmt_changed":"2021-07-21 14:02:52","alt":"","file":{"fid":"246374","name":"igor.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/igor.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/igor.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":46959,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/igor.jpg?itok=xMB8SAV8"}}},"media_ids":["648936","595289","648955","648956"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1279","name":"School of Mathematics"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"179355","name":"Building Construction"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"}],"keywords":[{"id":"168854","name":"School of Mathematics"},{"id":"173361","name":"Rachel Kuske"},{"id":"188303","name":"vibro-impact energy harvesting"},{"id":"213","name":"energy"},{"id":"188304","name":"suspension bridges"},{"id":"1400","name":"Construction"},{"id":"188305","name":"bridge oscillations"},{"id":"188306","name":"energy harvesters"},{"id":"960","name":"physics"},{"id":"256","name":"math"},{"id":"173647","name":"_for_math_site_"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jess@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nDirector of Communications\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nCollege of Sciences at Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jess@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"648387":{"#nid":"648387","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Backscatter Breakthrough Runs Near-Zero-Power IoT Communicators at 5G Speeds Everywhere","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe promise of 5G Internet of Things (IoT) networks requires more scalable and robust communication systems \u0026mdash; ones that deliver drastically higher data rates and lower power consumption per device.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBackscatter radios \u2015 passive sensors that reflect rather than radiate energy \u2015 are known for their low-cost, low-complexity, and battery-free operation, making them a potential key enabler of this future although they typically feature low data rates and their performance strongly depends on the surrounding environment.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Nokia Bell Labs, and Heriot-Watt University have found a low-cost way for backscatter radios to support high-throughput communication and 5G-speed Gb\/sec data transfer using only a single transistor when previously it required expensive and multiple stacked transistors.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EEmploying a unique modulation approach in the 5G 24\/28 Gigahertz (GHz) bandwidth, the researchers have shown that these passive devices can transfer data safely and robustly from virtually any environment. The findings were reported earlier this month in the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature Electronics\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETraditionally, mmWave communications, called the extremely high frequency band, is considered \u0026ldquo;the last mile\u0026rdquo; for broadband, with directive point-to-point and point-to-multipoint wireless links. This spectrum band offers many advantages, including wide available GHz bandwidth, which enables very large communication rates, and the ability to implement electrically large antenna arrays, enabling on-demand beamforming capabilities. However, such mmWave systems depend on high-cost components and systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Struggle for Simplicity Versus Cost\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Typically, it was simplicity against cost. You could either do very simple things with one transistor or you need multiple transistors for more complex features, which made these systems very expensive,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/faculty-staff-directory\/emmanouil-m-tentzeris\u0022\u003EEmmanouil (Manos) Tentzeris\u003C\/a\u003E, Ken Byers Professor in Flexible Electronics in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026quot;Now we\u0026rsquo;ve enhanced the complexity, making it very powerful but very low cost, so we\u0026rsquo;re getting the best of both worlds.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Our breakthrough is being able to communicate over 5G\/millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies without actually having a full mmWave radio transmitter \u0026ndash; only a single mmWave transistor is needed along much lower frequency electronics, such as the ones found in cell phones or WiFi devices. Lower operating frequency keeps the electronics\u0026rsquo; power consumption and silicon cost low,\u0026rdquo; added first author Ioannis (John) Kimionis, a Georgia Tech Ph.D. graduate now a member of technical staff at Nokia Bell Labs. \u0026ldquo;Our work is scalable for any type of digital modulation and can be applied to any fixed or mobile device.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers are the first to use a backscatter radio for gigabit-data rate mmWave communications, while minimizing the front-end complexity to a single high-frequency transistor. Their breakthrough included the modulation as well as adding more intelligence to the signal that is driving the device.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We kept the same RF front-end for scaling up the data rate without adding more transistors to our modulator, which makes it a scalable communicator,\u0026rdquo; Kimionis said, adding that their demonstration showed how a single mmWave transistor can support a wide range of modulation formats.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPowering a Host of \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026lsquo;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESmart\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026rsquo; \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIoT Sensors\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe technology opens up a host of IoT 5G applications, including \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/rh.gatech.edu\/news\/645735\/leveraging-5g-network-wirelessly-power-iot-devices\u0022\u003Eenergy harvesting\u003C\/a\u003E, which Georgia Tech researchers recently demonstrated using a specialized Rotman lens that collects 5G electromagnetic energy from all directions.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETentzeris said additional applications for the backscatter technology could include \u0026ldquo;rugged\u0026rdquo; high-speed personal area networks with zero-power wearable\/implantable sensors for monitoring oxygen or glucose levels in the blood or cardiac\/EEG functions; smart home sensors that monitor temperature, chemicals, gases, and humidity; and smart agricultural applications for detecting frost on crops, analyzing soil nutrients, or even livestock tracking.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers developed an early proof of concept of this backscatter modulation, which won third prize at the 2016 Nokia Bell Labs Prize. At the time, Kimionis was a Georgia Tech ECE doctoral researcher working with Tentzeris in the ATHENA lab, which advances novel technologies for electromagnetic, wireless, RF, millimeter-wave, and sub-terahertz applications.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKey Enabler of Low Cost: Additive Manufacturing\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor Kimionis, the backscatter technology breakthrough reflects his goal to \u0026ldquo;democratize communications.\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;Throughout my career I\u0026rsquo;ve looked for ways to make all types of communication more cost-efficient and more energy-efficient. Now, because the whole front end of our solution was created at such low complexity, it is compatible with printed electronics. We can literally print a mmWave antenna array that can support a low-power, low-complexity, and low-cost transmitter.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETentzeris considers affordable printing crucial to making their backscattering technology market viable. Georgia Tech is a pioneer in inkjet printing on virtually every material (paper, plastics, glass, flexible\/organic substrates) and was one of the first research institutes to use 3D printing up to millimeter-frequency ranges back in 2002.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOther researchers who collaborated on this work included Apostolos Georgiadis and Spyridon Nektarios Daskalakis, both former visiting professors at Georgia Tech now on the faculty of Herriot-Watt University\u0026rsquo;s School of Engineering and Physical Sciences in Edinburgh.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis work was supported by the National Science Foundation-EFRI, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and by the European Union Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under the Marie Sk\u0142odowska-Curie grant agreement no. 661621.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: J. Kimionis, et al., \u0026ldquo;A printed millimetre-wave modulator and antenna array for backscatter communications at gigabit data rates.\u0026rdquo; (\u003Cem\u003ENature Electronics\u003C\/em\u003E, 2021) \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41928-021-00588-8\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41928-021-00588-8\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E***\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is a top 10 public research university developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences degrees. Its nearly 40,000 students, representing 50 states and 149 countries, study at the main campus in Atlanta, at campuses in France and China, and through distance and online learning.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAs a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter:\u003C\/strong\u003E Anne Wainscott-Sargent\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Low-cost, Low-power Devices Work Over mmWave and Use a Single Transistor to Transfer High-volume Data Anywhere "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EResearchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Nokia Bell Labs, and Heriot-Watt University have found a low-cost way for backscatter radios to support high-throughput communication and 5G-speed Gb\/sec data transfer using only a single transistor.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Nokia Bell Labs, and Heriot-Watt University have found a low-cost way for backscatter radios to support high-throughput communication and 5G-speed Gb\/sec data transfer using only a single transistor."}],"uid":"34528","created_gmt":"2021-06-25 20:28:30","changed_gmt":"2021-06-25 20:37:48","author":"jhunt7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2021-06-25T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2021-06-25T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"648390":{"id":"648390","type":"image","title":"Printed mmWave array prototype for Gbit-data rate backscatter communication. ","body":null,"created":"1624653200","gmt_created":"2021-06-25 20:33:20","changed":"1624653200","gmt_changed":"2021-06-25 20:33:20","alt":"","file":{"fid":"246152","name":"Image One Prototype.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Image%20One%20Prototype.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Image%20One%20Prototype.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":345514,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Image%20One%20Prototype.jpg?itok=emjCfBpp"}},"648388":{"id":"648388","type":"image","title":"Manos Tentzeris considers affordable printing crucial to making the backscattering technology market viable. ","body":null,"created":"1624653011","gmt_created":"2021-06-25 20:30:11","changed":"1624653011","gmt_changed":"2021-06-25 20:30:11","alt":"","file":{"fid":"246150","name":"Manos Tentzeris 2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Manos%20Tentzeris%202.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Manos%20Tentzeris%202.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":499631,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Manos%20Tentzeris%202.jpg?itok=WH6DwVS2"}},"648389":{"id":"648389","type":"image","title":"First author John Kimionis explains that the backscatter breakthrough only requires a single mmWave transistor and much lower frequency electronics.","body":null,"created":"1624653091","gmt_created":"2021-06-25 20:31:31","changed":"1624653091","gmt_changed":"2021-06-25 20:31:31","alt":"","file":{"fid":"246151","name":"kimionis_mmwave_backscatter_photo_lc.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/kimionis_mmwave_backscatter_photo_lc.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/kimionis_mmwave_backscatter_photo_lc.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":87347,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/kimionis_mmwave_backscatter_photo_lc.JPG?itok=0VFvDOFL"}}},"media_ids":["648390","648388","648389"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"177721","name":"backscattering"},{"id":"97401","name":"IoT"},{"id":"172364","name":"5G"},{"id":"57171","name":"additive manufacturing"},{"id":"188182","name":"mmWave communications"},{"id":"188183","name":"low-power communications"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News Media Relations:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:asargent7@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAnne Wainscott-Sargent\u003C\/a\u003E (404-435-5784)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:tracey.reeves@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ETracey Reeves\u003C\/a\u003E (404-660-2929)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["asargent7@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"648183":{"#nid":"648183","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Celebrates Opening of New Energy Project in Midtown Atlanta","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech and Georgia Power celebrated the opening of a 1.4-megawatt microgrid in Tech Square with a ribbon-cutting on Wednesday, June 16. The microgrid is located at Spring and Fifth Streets in\u0026nbsp;Atlanta. This project, made possible through a longstanding partnership\u0026nbsp;between Georgia Power and Georgia Tech, will help power the larger local grid in Midtown, while minimizing environmental impact.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMicrogrids are self-contained power systems, co-located with the facilities they serve, that include generation resources, storage systems, and energy management systems.\u0026nbsp;The Tech Square Microgrid, which was approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission, is being used to evaluate how a microgrid can effectively integrate into and operate as part of the overall electrical grid.\u0026nbsp;The\u0026nbsp;facility will not only provide clean power to Midtown, but\u0026nbsp;it will\u0026nbsp;also serve as a living laboratory in which Georgia Tech,\u0026nbsp;industry,\u0026nbsp;and government researchers will work collaboratively to create\u0026nbsp;the next generation of clean energy solutions.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Georgia Tech is committed to addressing the most consequential challenges of our time,\u0026rdquo; said Georgia Tech President \u0026Aacute;ngel Cabrera. \u0026ldquo;That involves advancing science and technology, developing leaders who can create and deploy new solutions, and leading by\u0026nbsp;example\u0026nbsp;with our own practices.\u0026nbsp;This microgrid is a great\u0026nbsp;illustration of the latter.\u0026nbsp;In our partnership with Georgia Power and the Georgia Public Service Commission, we will be\u0026nbsp;developing and adopting\u0026nbsp;some of the most advanced, efficient, and responsible energy solutions available,\u0026nbsp;in the hope we can serve\u0026nbsp;as an example for others.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe microgrid will provide Georgia Power with insight into how smart energy management systems, such as the one installed at the Coda data center, can interact with the grid to achieve optimal energy use. In addition, it will provide teaching and learning opportunities for Georgia Tech professors and students.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The Tech Square Microgrid is a proven innovative project that will help us better understand microgrids to help service our customers. It brings energy storage and data front and center for research. The microgrid\u0026rsquo;s distributed energy resources are vital to enhancing grid resiliency and bringing sustainable energy solutions to Georgia\u0026rsquo;s communities,\u0026rdquo; said Chris Womack, chairman, president, and CEO of\u0026nbsp;Georgia Power. \u0026ldquo;Georgia Tech is one of the nation\u0026rsquo;s leading research institutions and has been an integral partner in allowing their students and teachers to learn how these systems will interact not only with our grid but also with the Coda building on the Georgia Tech campus. It\u0026rsquo;s by collectively working together through projects like this that we will build a brighter energy future for our state.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe installation includes fuel cells, battery storage, diesel generators, and a natural gas generator, and it is adaptive to new and additional distributed energy resources. It is designed to also accommodate microturbines, solar panels, and electric vehicle chargers in the future. All components will be placed on a platform and obscured from view with 7-foot-high fencing and gate access along Williams Street. The\u0026nbsp;co-branded\u0026nbsp;(Georgia Tech and Georgia Power) fencing will have a mural designed and commissioned by Atlanta-based artist George F. Baker III, to be finished later this year.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech partnered with Georgia Power to host the dedication of the Microgrid in Tech Square.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech partnered with Georgia Power to host the dedication of the Microgrid in Tech Square."}],"uid":"35798","created_gmt":"2021-06-17 13:01:46","changed_gmt":"2021-06-18 13:55:28","author":"Ayana Isles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2021-06-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2021-06-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"648184":{"id":"648184","type":"image","title":"Microgrid Ribbon Cutting in Tech Square","body":null,"created":"1623939097","gmt_created":"2021-06-17 14:11:37","changed":"1623939234","gmt_changed":"2021-06-17 14:13:54","alt":"","file":{"fid":"246064","name":"MICROGRID_RIBBON CUTTING.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/MICROGRID_RIBBON%20CUTTING.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/MICROGRID_RIBBON%20CUTTING.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5338427,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/MICROGRID_RIBBON%20CUTTING.jpg?itok=h2sq9zj9"}}},"media_ids":["648184"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"170580","name":"microgrid"},{"id":"213","name":"energy"},{"id":"912","name":"ribbon cutting"},{"id":"109","name":"Georgia Tech"},{"id":"56661","name":"georgia power"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"},{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAyana Isles\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:aisles3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eaisles3@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["aisles3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"583014":{"#nid":"583014","#data":{"type":"news","title":"SEI Launches New Energy Policy Innovation Center","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology today announced the creation of a new, major regional energy center. The center will operate out of Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s Strategic Energy Institute (SEI) and provide an unbiased and interdisciplinary framework for informing energy policy and systems analysis for the Southeast region.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile located at Georgia Tech, the center will tap into regional expertise within academia, think tanks, businesses, non-governmental organizations (NGO), and research facilities. \u0026nbsp;Conferences, workshops and symposiums will also be held at the center, which will serve as a neutral facilitator of a range of interdisciplinary academic, business and nongovernmental stakeholders to discuss relevant, important energy issues.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Our region depends on us to help address our unique energy challenges,\u0026rdquo; said Georgia Tech President G. P. \u0026ldquo;Bud\u0026rdquo; Peterson.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;I can think of no better way to explore solutions to these challenges than to bring together the best minds and resources in the region. We look forward to working with experts in regional utilities, academics, industry, national labs and the Department of Energy to deliver pragmatic solutions with maximum impact in the Southeast.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAccording to \u0026ldquo;\u003Cem\u003ERising to the Challenge\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/em\u003E, a report produced by the National Research Council, federally-funded research and development has not been connected to state and regional industrial development. Bridging that gap can create the local talent and technology base needed to convert these U. S. investments into domestic companies, industries, and jobs. The report also documented that private businesses and local education institutions are among those organizations in the best positions to identify opportunities, gauge competitive strengths, and mobilize wide community support for regional cluster initiatives.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThere is growing recognition that solutions to global energy challenges must be tackled at a regional level.\u0026nbsp; U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz spoke in support of just such an approach during a recent meeting hosted by The Pew Charitable Trusts. \u0026ldquo;Different parts of the country have different resources, challenges, and capabilities, and having a component managed at the regional level, we think, can best address those,\u0026rdquo; Moniz said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Southeast region has a diverse energy mix, with natural gas power generation growing at about double the national rate, is home to the only new nuclear plants in the country, and is a leader in deploying utility scale solar.\u0026nbsp; It is also a global leader in industrial big data, hosting the largest global concentration of corporate facilities that are aggregating, analyzing, and remotely controlling major energy infrastructure.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The center will focus around these distinctives and engage a variety of regional stakeholders, to produce rigorous, fact-based policy studies and analyses that will address southeastern perspectives on global, national and regional energy issues\u0026rdquo;, said SEI executive director, Tim Lieuwen.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe goal is to broaden views and approaches for energy innovation, for example, by including policy, economic, even social considerations along with conventional technological factors. As such, this venture is the first known implementation of a regional partnership to focus on the interdependencies of energy policy and technology toward the pragmatic realization of clean, reliable, affordable energy solutions.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"EPICenter will explore the intersection of energy policy and technology innovation in the Southeast. "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u0026#39;s Strategic Energy Center will support a new, regional energy and policy center that will address challenges in the sector while generating partnerships to develop solutions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Strategic Energy Institute to develop regional energy and policy center."}],"uid":"33390","created_gmt":"2016-10-24 20:13:25","changed_gmt":"2021-04-22 15:26:09","author":"Jhai James","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-10-25T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2016-10-25T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"583033":{"id":"583033","type":"image","title":"Strategic Energy Institute Announces New Center","body":null,"created":"1477399458","gmt_created":"2016-10-25 12:44:18","changed":"1477399458","gmt_changed":"2016-10-25 12:44:18","alt":"","file":{"fid":"222257","name":"Web_EnergyandPolicyCtr.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Web_EnergyandPolicyCtr.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Web_EnergyandPolicyCtr.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":225498,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Web_EnergyandPolicyCtr.jpeg?itok=DnRSFZc8"}}},"media_ids":["583033"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/epicenter\/about\/","title":"About the EPICenter"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"167357","name":"SEI"},{"id":"167358","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"},{"id":"626","name":"public policy"},{"id":"235","name":"Center"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJhai James, Communications Officer\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nStrategic Energy Institute\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\njhai.james@energy.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E404.385.4198\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cpre\u003E\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/pre\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["brent.verrill@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"645735":{"#nid":"645735","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Leveraging the 5G Network to Wirelessly Power IoT Devices","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EResearchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have uncovered an innovative way to tap into the over-capacity of 5G networks, turning them into \u0026ldquo;a wireless power grid\u0026rdquo; for powering Internet of Things (IoT) devices that today need batteries to operate.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech inventors have developed a flexible Rotman lens-based rectifying antenna (rectenna) system capable, for the first time, of millimeter-wave harvesting in the 28-GHz band. (The Rotman lens is key for beamforming networks and is frequently used in radar surveillance systems to see targets in multiple directions without physically moving the antenna system.)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBut to harvest enough power to supply low-power devices at long ranges, large aperture antennas are required. The problem with large antennas is they have a narrowing field of view. This limitation prevents their operation if the antenna is widely dispersed from a 5G base station.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;ve solved the problem of only being able to look from one direction with a system that has a wide angle of coverage,\u0026rdquo; said senior researcher Aline Eid in the ATHENA lab, established in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E to advance and develop novel technologies for electromagnetic, wireless, RF, millimeter-wave, and sub-terahertz applications.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe findings were reported in the Jan.12 issue of the journal \u003Cem\u003EScientific Reports\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe FCC has authorized 5G to focalize power much more densely compared with\u0026nbsp; previous generations of cellular networks. While today\u0026rsquo;s 5G was built for high-bandwidth communication, the high-frequency network holds rich opportunity to \u0026ldquo;harvest\u0026rdquo; unused power that would otherwise be wasted.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETapping Into 5G High-frequency Power\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;With this innovation, we can have a large antenna, which works at higher frequencies and can receive power from any direction. It\u0026#39;s direction-agnostic, which makes it a lot more practical,\u0026rdquo; noted Jimmy Hester, senior lab advisor and the CTO and co-founder of Atheraxon, a Georgia Tech spinoff developing 5G radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWith the Georgia Tech solution, all the electromagnetic energy collected by the antenna arrays from one direction is combined and fed into a single rectifier, which maximizes its efficiency.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;People have attempted to do energy harvesting at high frequencies like 24 or 35 Gigahertz before,\u0026rdquo; Eid said, but such antennas only worked if they had line of sight to the 5G base station; there was no way to increase their angle of coverage until now.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOperating just like an optical lens, the Rotman lens provides six fields of view simultaneously in a pattern shaped like a spider. Tuning the shape of the lens results in a structure with one angle of curvature on the beam-port side and another on the antenna side. This enables the structure to map a set of selected radiation directions to an associated set of beam-ports. The lens is then used as an intermediate component between the receiving antennas and the rectifiers for 5G energy harvesting.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis novel approach addresses the tradeoff between rectenna angular coverage and turn-on sensitivity with a structure that merges unique radio frequency (RF) and direct current (DC) combination techniques, thereby enabling a system with both high gain and large beamwidth.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn demonstrations, Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s technology achieved a 21-fold increase in harvested power compared with a referenced counterpart, while maintaining identical angular coverage.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis robust system may open the door for new passive, long-range, mm-wave 5G-powered RFID for wearable and ubiquitous IoT applications. The researchers used inhouse additive manufacturing to print the palm-sized mm-wave harvesters on a multitude of everyday flexible and rigid substrates. Providing 3D and inkjet printing options will make the system more affordable and accessible to a broad range of users, platforms, frequencies, and applications.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EReplacing Batteries With Over-the-air Charging\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The fact is 5G is going to be everywhere, especially in urban areas. You can replace millions, or tens of millions, of batteries of wireless sensors, especially for smart city and smart agricultural applications,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/faculty-staff-directory\/emmanouil-m-tentzeris\u0022\u003EEmmanouil (Manos)Tentzeris\u003C\/a\u003E, Ken Byers Professor in Flexible Electronics in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETentzeris predicts that power as a service will be the next big application for the telecom industry, just as data overtook voice services as a major revenue producer.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nThe research team is most excited by the prospect of service providers embracing this technology to offer power on demand \u0026ldquo;over the air,\u0026rdquo; eliminating the need for batteries.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;I\u0026#39;ve been working on energy harvesting conventionally for at least six years, and for most of this time it didn\u0026#39;t seem like there was a key to make energy harvesting work in the real world, because of FCC limits on power emission and focalization,\u0026rdquo; Hester said. \u0026ldquo;With the advent of 5G networks, this could actually work and we\u0026rsquo;ve demonstrated it. That\u0026rsquo;s extremely exciting \u0026mdash; we could get rid of batteries.\u0026rdquo;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u003Cem\u003EThis work was supported by the Air Force Research Laboratory and the National Science Foundation (NSF) - Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation program. The work was performed in part at the Georgia Tech Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, a member of the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI), which is supported by the NSF (Grant ECCS-1542174).\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: A. Eid, et al., \u0026ldquo;5G as a wireless power grid.\u0026rdquo; (\u003Cem\u003EScientific Reports\u003C\/em\u003E, 2021) \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41598-020-79500-x\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41598-020-79500-x\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Rotman Lens-based \u2018Rectenna\u2019 Capable of Millimeter-wave Harvesting at 28-GHz With High Efficiency From All Directions for First Time "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe breakthrough leverages a Rotman lens-based rectifying antenna capable of millimeter-wave harvesting at 28 GHz. The innovation could help eliminate the world\u0026#39;s reliance on batteries for charging devices by providing an alternative using excess 5G capacity.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers at Georgia Tech have uncovered an innovative way to tap into the over-capacity of 5G networks, turning them into \u201ca wireless power grid\u201d for powering Internet of Things (IoT) devices that today need batteries to operate."}],"uid":"35692","created_gmt":"2021-03-25 16:42:02","changed_gmt":"2021-03-26 14:23:45","author":"Anne Sargent","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2021-03-25T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2021-03-25T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"645732":{"id":"645732","type":"image","title":"Prototype of mm-wave harvester  ","body":null,"created":"1616687855","gmt_created":"2021-03-25 15:57:35","changed":"1616687855","gmt_changed":"2021-03-25 15:57:35","alt":"Researcher holds a mm-wave harvester the size of a credit card.","file":{"fid":"245145","name":"Thumbnail_5G Energy Harvesting Device_lr.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Thumbnail_5G%20Energy%20Harvesting%20Device_lr.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Thumbnail_5G%20Energy%20Harvesting%20Device_lr.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1120481,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Thumbnail_5G%20Energy%20Harvesting%20Device_lr.jpeg?itok=AArnxvIT"}},"645733":{"id":"645733","type":"image","title":"ATHENA Lab Members in the Backdrop of Atlanta\u0027s Skyline","body":null,"created":"1616688130","gmt_created":"2021-03-25 16:02:10","changed":"1616688130","gmt_changed":"2021-03-25 16:02:10","alt":"","file":{"fid":"245146","name":"Researchers_Atlanta Skyline_Photo1_lr.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Researchers_Atlanta%20Skyline_Photo1_lr.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Researchers_Atlanta%20Skyline_Photo1_lr.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1840203,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Researchers_Atlanta%20Skyline_Photo1_lr.jpeg?itok=F7jtQePo"}}},"media_ids":["645732","645733"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186870","name":"go-imat"},{"id":"172364","name":"5G"},{"id":"97401","name":"IoT"},{"id":"13689","name":"energy harvesting"},{"id":"2616","name":"antenna"},{"id":"176701","name":"mm-Wave"},{"id":"184127","name":"wireless power grid"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"},{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;30332-0181\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: Anne Wainscott-Sargent (404-435-5784)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["asargent7@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"645171":{"#nid":"645171","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Researchers Awarded Total of $4.35 Million in 2020 for Direct Air Capture Projects","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EResearchers in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE) are principal investigators on six new projects that have been awarded a total of $4.35 million for studies related to direct air capture science and technology. Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a technology that removes carbon dioxide (CO\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E) directly from ambient air for use as a feedstock for chemical processes or transformed into a durable substance so that it can be sequestered. Some of the proposed chemical transformations that are possible with this technology include liquid fuels that could serve as \u0026ldquo;drop-in\u0026rdquo; replacements for the petroleum-based fuels we use for transportation.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWith these recent awards, Georgia Tech researchers, with the support of Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s Strategic Energy Institute (SEI), have launched the Direct Air Capture Center (DirACC) under the guidance of Christopher Jones, Professor and William R. McLain Chair, and Matthew Realff, Professor and David Wang Sr. Fellow. DirACC will create a forum for collaborative research on NETs and DAC, bringing together researchers from across the Institute working in energy, sustainability, policy, and related fields.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor more than a decade, Georgia Tech researchers have worked to develop materials and processes that extract carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere and transform it into something more durable or useful. In 2008, Jones began collaborating with the founders of a startup company, Global Thermostat, to develop materials and processes for DAC. His group first disclosed the use of hybrid silica\/organic amine materials for CO\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E capture from ambient air in 2009 at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting. Global Thermostat\u0026rsquo;s core technology marries the CO\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E-sorbing materials developed by Jones\u0026rsquo; group with a low energy process for ensuring good air contact with those materials. In 2015, Global Thermostat built their initial R\u0026amp;D facility in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), the nation\u0026rsquo;s oldest technology incubator. Global Thermostat operated its ATDC facility through the end of 2020, while building technology demonstration projects in Huntsville, Alabama, in 2019 and opening a new R\u0026amp;D facility in Denver, Colorado, in 2020.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn 2010, David Sholl, John F. Brock III School Chair, collaborated with Jones on what is believed to be the first federally funded DAC research project sponsored by the Department of Energy\u0026rsquo;s National Energy Technology Laboratory. The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation played an early role in sponsoring DAC research at Georgia Tech as well. The foundation has recently produced a short film, featuring Jones, on the concept of DAC in its Chemistry Shorts film series, which is aimed at attracting young people to careers in STEM (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistryshorts.org\/\u0022\u003Echemistryshorts.org\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn 2017-18, Jones co-led a study on DAC technology for inclusion in the U.S. National Academies consensus study on \u003Cem\u003ENegative Emissions Technologies and Reliable Sequestration: A Research Agenda\u003C\/em\u003E. This study adapted a technoeconomic analysis developed by Realff and former Georgia Tech Professor Yoshiaki Kawajiri (Nagoya University). The report explored all the terrestrial ways that CO\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E could be removed from the atmosphere, including DAC with geologic sequestration, bioenergy with carbon capture and sequestration (BECCS), carbon mineralization, and coastal, forest, and soil management practices. (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nap.edu\/read\/25259\/chapter\/1\u0022\u003Enap.edu\/read\/25259\/chapter\/1\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn parallel, researchers at Tech have engaged in related technology developments in carbon capture, with large, established technology firms. Examples include projects with ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company led by Associate Professor Ryan Lively, along with M.G. Finn, professor and chair of the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the James A. Carlos Family for Pediatric Technology; William Koros, professor and Roberto C. Goizueta Chair for Excellence in Chemical Engineering; and Realff, focusing on a range of CO2 capture problems. ExxonMobil has supported R\u0026amp;D efforts in CO2 capture at Georgia Tech dating back to 2005. To date, the GT-ExxonMobil relationship has resulted in the graduation of 10 Ph.D. students, the support of five postdoctoral researchers, and has resulted in more than 45 papers and 25 US patents.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBeyond the fundamental science and engineering of DAC, other research efforts at Georgia Tech are modeling the implications of large-scale deployment of negative emissions technologies. Alice Favero, an environmental economist in the School of Public Policy, develops economic models to study how NETs can be balanced with the optimal use of land and other climate mitigation policies. Recently, she has collaborated with Lively and Realff on assessing the global potential for DAC. In this work, the concept of using sustainable Bio-Energy for Carbon Capture and Sequestration (BECCS) processes coupled with DAC technology allows for significantly greater atmospheric CO\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E removal and avoids the complexity of connecting the biomass energy facility to the grid. In particular, Favero demonstrated that this technology can work in combination with ecological afforestation efforts that maintain or enhance the natural ecosystem services and avoid converting forested lands into plantations.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is also conducting research on DAC methods that leverage the photosynthesis of plants other than trees to capture CO\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E from the atmosphere to produce chemicals and fuels. Valerie Thomas, the Anderson-Interface Professor of Natural Systems in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, has worked with biofuels companies Algenol and LanzaTech to perform life cycle assessments to determine the potential for their technologies to contribute to carbon sequestration. Using life cycle assessment to study biofuel production also reveals the possibility of unexpected impacts and suggests ways that negative consequences can be averted or mitigated.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EClimate models now show that reduction of current and future emissions alone will not limit the global average temperature rise to 1.5-2 \u0026deg;C, the level suggested that may allow society to stave off the worst impacts of global climate change. These models suggest that negative emissions technologies, such as direct air capture, will need to be developed and deployed at a large scale to stabilize the climate. Georgia Tech researchers have done pioneering work in this area and are poised to continue advancing the state of the art.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contacts\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu) or Anne Wainscott-Sargent (404-435-5784) (asargent7@gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: Brent Verrill\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"With these recent awards, Georgia Tech researchers, with the support of Georgia Tech\u2019s Strategic Energy Institute (SEI), have launched the Direct Air Capture Center (DirACC)."}],"uid":"27561","created_gmt":"2021-03-09 21:39:44","changed_gmt":"2021-03-25 15:58:09","author":"Angela Ayers","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2021-03-09T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2021-03-09T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"645173":{"id":"645173","type":"image","title":"Direct Air Capture Installation from Global Thermostat ","body":null,"created":"1615326218","gmt_created":"2021-03-09 21:43:38","changed":"1615326218","gmt_changed":"2021-03-09 21:43:38","alt":"Global Theromostat\u2019s direct air capture installation in Huntsville, Alabama","file":{"fid":"244952","name":"Global_Thermostat_Huntsville_AL.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Global_Thermostat_Huntsville_AL.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Global_Thermostat_Huntsville_AL.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":109977,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Global_Thermostat_Huntsville_AL.jpg?itok=MJSXPV07"}}},"media_ids":["645173"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187252","name":"Direct air capture"},{"id":"1700","name":"Chris Jones"},{"id":"176639","name":"Matthew Realff"},{"id":"170046","name":"David Wang"},{"id":"7508","name":"carbon dioxide"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBrent Verrill\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch Communications\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["brent.verrill@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"643605":{"#nid":"643605","#data":{"type":"news","title":"X-Ray Tomography Lets Researchers Watch Solid-State Batteries Charge, Discharge","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EUsing X-ray tomography, a research team has observed the internal evolution of the materials inside solid-state lithium batteries as they were charged and discharged. Detailed three-dimensional information from the research could help improve the reliability and performance of the batteries, which use solid materials to replace the flammable liquid electrolytes in existing lithium-ion batteries.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Cem\u003Eoperando\u003C\/em\u003E synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography imaging revealed how the dynamic changes of electrode materials at lithium\/solid-electrolyte interfaces determine the behavior of solid-state batteries. The researchers found that battery operation caused voids to form at the interface, which created a loss of contact that was the primary cause of failure in the cells.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This work provides fundamental understanding of what is happening inside the battery, and that information should be important for guiding engineering efforts that will push these batteries closer to commercial reality in the next several years,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/mtmcdowell\u0022\u003EMatthew McDowell\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Materials Science and Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E at the Georgia Institute of Technology. \u0026ldquo;We were able to understand exactly how and where voids form at the interface, and then relate that to battery performance.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research, supported by the National Science Foundation, a Sloan Research Fellowship, and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, was reported Jan. 28 in the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature Materials\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe lithium-ion batteries now in widespread use for everything from mobile electronics to electric vehicles rely on a liquid electrolyte to carry ions back and forth between electrodes within the battery during charge and discharge cycles. The liquid uniformly coats the electrodes, allowing free movement of the ions.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ERapidly evolving solid-state battery technology instead uses a solid electrolyte, which should help boost energy density and improve the safety of future batteries. But removal of lithium from electrodes can create voids at interfaces that cause reliability issues, limiting how long the batteries can operate.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;To counter this, you could imagine creating structured interfaces through different deposition processes to try to maintain contact through the cycling process,\u0026rdquo; McDowell said. \u0026ldquo;Careful control and engineering of these interface structures will be very important for future solid-state battery development, and what we learned here could help us design interfaces.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech research team, led by first author and graduate student Jack Lewis, built special test cells about two millimeters wide. They were designed to be studied at the Advanced Photon Source, a synchrotron facility at Argonne National Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science facility located near Chicago. Four members of the team studied the changes in battery structure during a five-day period of intensive experiments.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The instrument takes images from different directions, and you reconstruct them using computer algorithms to provide 3D images of the batteries over time,\u0026rdquo; McDowell said. \u0026ldquo;We did this imaging while we were charging and discharging the batteries to visualize how things were changing inside the batteries as they operated.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBecause lithium is so light, imaging it with X-rays can be challenging and required a special design of the test battery cells. The technology used at Argonne is similar to what is used for medical computed tomography (CT) scans. \u0026ldquo;Instead of imaging people, we were imaging batteries,\u0026rdquo; he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBecause of limitations in the testing, the researchers were only able to observe the structure of the batteries through a single cycle. In future work, McDowell would like to see what happens over additional cycles, and whether the structure somehow adapts to the creation and filling of voids. The researchers believe the results would likely apply to other electrolyte formulations, and that the characterization technique could be used to obtain information about other battery processes.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBattery packs for electric vehicles must withstand at least a thousand cycles during a projected 150,000-mile lifetime. While solid-state batteries with lithium metal electrodes can offer more energy for a given size battery, that advantage won\u0026rsquo;t overcome existing technology unless they can provide comparable lifetimes.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We are very excited about the technological prospects for solid-state batteries,\u0026rdquo; McDowell said. \u0026ldquo;There is substantial commercial and scientific interest in this area, and information from this study should help advance this technology toward broad commercial applications.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to those already mentioned, co-authors included Francisco Javier Quintero Cortes, Yuhgene Liu, John C. Miers, Jared Tippens, Dhruv Prakash, Thomas S. Marchese, Sang Yun Han, Chanhee Lee, Pralav P. Shetty, and Christopher Saldana from Georgia Tech; Ankit Verma, Bairav S. Vishnugopi, and Partha P. Mukherjee from Purdue University; Hyun-Wook Lee from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology; and Pavel Shevchenko and Francesco De Carlo from Argonne National Laboratory.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis work is partially supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No. DMR-1652471, a Sloan Research Fellowship in Chemistry, a NASA Space Technology grant, the Colciencias-Fulbright scholarship program cohort 2016, the Ministry of Trade, Industry \u0026amp; Energy\/Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (MOTIE\/KETEP)(20194010000100), the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) under Grant FA9550-17-1-0130, and the Scialog program sponsored jointly by Research Corporation for Science Advancement and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation that includes a grant to Purdue University by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This research used resources of the Advanced Photon Source, a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science User Facility operated for the DOE Office of Science by Argonne National Laboratory under Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsoring agencies.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: John A. Lewis, et al., \u0026ldquo;Linking Void and Interphase Evolution to Electrochemistry in Solid-State Batteries Using Operando X-Ray Tomography.\u0026rdquo; (\u003Cem\u003ENature Materials\u003C\/em\u003E, 2021) \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41563-020-00903-2\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41563-020-00903-2\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EUsing X-ray tomography, a research team has observed the internal evolution of the materials inside solid-state lithium batteries as they were charged and discharged. Detailed three-dimensional information from the research could help improve the reliability and performance of the batteries, which use solid materials to replace the flammable liquid electrolytes in existing lithium-ion batteries.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Using X-ray tomography, a research team has observed the internal evolution of the materials inside solid-state lithium batteries as they were charged and discharged."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2021-01-29 01:24:23","changed_gmt":"2021-02-15 17:11:37","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2021-01-28T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2021-01-28T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"643600":{"id":"643600","type":"image","title":"Test cell for studying solid-state batteries","body":null,"created":"1611882618","gmt_created":"2021-01-29 01:10:18","changed":"1611882618","gmt_changed":"2021-01-29 01:10:18","alt":"Battery testing cell","file":{"fid":"244347","name":"Cell_v3.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Cell_v3.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Cell_v3.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":578303,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Cell_v3.jpg?itok=toH9XoAw"}},"643601":{"id":"643601","type":"image","title":"3D view of lithium-solid electrolyte interface","body":null,"created":"1611882749","gmt_created":"2021-01-29 01:12:29","changed":"1611882749","gmt_changed":"2021-01-29 01:12:29","alt":"3D image of interface of solid-state battery","file":{"fid":"244348","name":"3D reconstruction.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/3D%20reconstruction.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/3D%20reconstruction.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":280902,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/3D%20reconstruction.jpg?itok=_44U0sNK"}},"643602":{"id":"643602","type":"image","title":"Test cell for studying solid-state batteries - 2","body":null,"created":"1611882841","gmt_created":"2021-01-29 01:14:01","changed":"1611882841","gmt_changed":"2021-01-29 01:14:01","alt":"Test cell for studying solid-state batteries","file":{"fid":"244349","name":"solid-state_5047.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/solid-state_5047.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/solid-state_5047.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":359599,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/solid-state_5047.jpg?itok=5Wv3JfI5"}}},"media_ids":["643600","643601","643602"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"1292","name":"battery"},{"id":"186868","name":"solid-state battery"},{"id":"186869","name":"electrolyte"},{"id":"8948","name":"lithium-ion"},{"id":"186867","name":"X-ray tomography"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"641829":{"#nid":"641829","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Shuttering Fossil Fuel Power Plants May Cost Less Than Expected","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EDecarbonizing U.S. electricity production will require both construction of renewable energy sources and retirement of power plants now operated by fossil fuels. A generator-level model described in the Dec. 4 issue of the journal \u003Cem\u003EScience\u003C\/em\u003E suggests that most fossil fuel power plants could complete normal lifespans and still close by 2035 because so many facilities are nearing the end of their operational lives.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMeeting a 2035 deadline for decarbonizing U.S. electricity production, as proposed by the incoming U.S. presidential administration, would eliminate just 15% of the capacity-years left in plants powered by fossil fuels, says the article by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cee.gatech.edu\/people\/Faculty\/7658\/overview\u0022\u003EEmily Grubert\u003C\/a\u003E, a Georgia Institute of Technology researcher. Plant retirements are already underway, with 126 gigawatts of fossil generator capacity taken out of production between 2009 and 2018, including 33 gigawatts in 2017 and 2018 alone.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Creating an electricity system that does not contribute to climate change is actually two processes \u0026mdash; building carbon-free infrastructure like solar plants, and closing carbon-based infrastructure like coal plants,\u0026rdquo; said Grubert, an assistant professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cee.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Civil and Environmental Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026ldquo;My work shows that because a lot of U.S. fossil fuel plants are already pretty old, the target of decarbonization by 2035 would not require us to shut most of these plants down earlier than their typical lifespans.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOf U.S. fossil fuel-fired generation capacity, 73% (630 out of 840 gigawatts) will reach the end of its typical lifespan by 2035; that percentage would reach 96% by 2050, she says in the Policy Forum article published in Science. About 13% of U.S. fossil fuel-fired generation capacity (110 gigawatts) operating in 2018 had already exceeded its typical lifespan.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBecause typical lifespans are averages, some generators operate for longer than expected. Allowing facilities to run until they retire is thus likely insufficient for a 2035 decarbonization deadline, the article notes. Closure deadlines that strand assets relative to reasonable lifespan expectations, however, could create financial liability for debts and other costs. The research found that a 2035 deadline for completely retiring fossil fuel-based electricity generators would only strand about 15% (1,700 gigawatt-years) of capacity life, along with about 20% (380,000 job-years) of direct power plant and fuel extraction jobs that existed in 2018.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn 2018, fossil fuel facilities operated in 1,248 of 3,141 counties, directly employing about 157,000 people at generators and fuel extraction facilities. Plant closure deadlines can improve outcomes for workers and host communities \u0026mdash; providing additional certainty, for example, by enabling specific advance planning for things like remediation, retraining for displaced workers, and revenue replacements.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Closing large industrial facilities like power plants can be really disruptive for the people who work there and live in the surrounding communities,\u0026rdquo; Grubert said. \u0026ldquo;We don\u0026#39;t want to repeat the damage we saw with the collapse of the steel industry in the 1970s and \u0026rsquo;80s, where people lost jobs, pensions, and stability without warning. We already know where the plants are, and who might be affected. Using the 2035 decarbonization deadline to guide explicit, community grounded planning for what to do next can help, even without a lot of financial support.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPlanning ahead will also help avoid creating new capital investment that may not be needed long-term. \u0026ldquo;We shouldn\u0026#39;t build new fossil fuel power plants that would still be young in 2035, and we need to have explicit plans for closures both to ensure the system keeps working and to limit disruption for host communities,\u0026rdquo; she said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EUnderlying policies governing the retirement of fossil fuel-powered facilities is the concept of a \u0026ldquo;just transition\u0026rdquo; that ensures material well-being and distributional justice for individuals and communities affected by a transition from fossil to non-fossil electricity systems. Determining which assets are \u0026ldquo;stranded,\u0026rdquo; or required to close earlier than expected, is vital for managing compensation for remaining debt or lost revenue, Grubert said in the article.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Emily Grubert, \u0026ldquo;Fossil electricity retirement deadlines for a just transition\u0026rdquo; (Science, 2020).\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.sciencemag.org\/content\/370\/6521\/1171\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/science.sciencemag.org\/content\/370\/6521\/1171\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EDecarbonizing U.S. electricity production will require both construction of renewable energy sources and retirement of power plants now operated by fossil fuels. A generator-level model described in the Dec. 4 issue of the journal \u003Cem\u003EScience\u003C\/em\u003E suggests that most fossil fuel power plants could complete normal lifespans and still close by 2035 because so many facilities are nearing the end of their operational lives.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A generator-level model suggests that most fossil fuel power plants could complete normal lifespans and still close by 2035."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2020-12-03 16:05:37","changed_gmt":"2021-01-27 15:28:02","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2020-12-03T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2020-12-03T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"641827":{"id":"641827","type":"image","title":"Gibson Generating Station","body":null,"created":"1607010798","gmt_created":"2020-12-03 15:53:18","changed":"1607010798","gmt_changed":"2020-12-03 15:53:18","alt":"The Gibson Generating Station","file":{"fid":"243859","name":"gibson-plant.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/gibson-plant.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/gibson-plant.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":658085,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/gibson-plant.jpg?itok=Pv2OCGMH"}},"641828":{"id":"641828","type":"image","title":"Projected Power Plant Lifespans Beyond 2035","body":null,"created":"1607010922","gmt_created":"2020-12-03 15:55:22","changed":"1607010922","gmt_changed":"2020-12-03 15:55:22","alt":"Map showing power plants with lifespans beyond 2035","file":{"fid":"243860","name":"lifespan-map-2035.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/lifespan-map-2035.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/lifespan-map-2035.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":624863,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/lifespan-map-2035.jpg?itok=ZjibTkpC"}}},"media_ids":["641827","641828"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"}],"keywords":[{"id":"185904","name":"SEI Energy News"},{"id":"6446","name":"energy policy"},{"id":"185458","name":"energy markets"},{"id":"186372","name":"fossil fuel"},{"id":"186373","name":"decarbonizing"},{"id":"9136","name":"power plant"},{"id":"831","name":"climate change"},{"id":"7508","name":"carbon dioxide"},{"id":"436","name":"electricity"},{"id":"186374","name":"Emily Grubert"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"642332":{"#nid":"642332","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Will Help Manage DOE\u2019s Savannah River Laboratory","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Battelle Savannah River Alliance (BRSA) \u0026ndash; which includes Georgia Tech \u0026ndash; has been selected by the Department of Energy to manage one of the country\u0026rsquo;s premier environmental, energy, and national security research facilities\u0026mdash;the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EEmploying approximately 1,000 staff, SRNL conducts research and development for diverse federal agencies, providing practical, cost-effective solutions for the nation\u0026rsquo;s environmental, nuclear security, energy, and manufacturing challenges. As the U.S. Department of Energy\u0026rsquo;s (DOE\u0026rsquo;s) Environmental Management Laboratory, SRNL provides strategic scientific and technological support for the nation\u0026rsquo;s $6 billion per year waste clean-up program.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAs part of the BRSA, Georgia Tech will help manage the SRNL and guide the future growth of the lab\u0026rsquo;s core competencies while expanding collaboration with Tech\u0026rsquo;s $1 billion-per-year research program. The laboratory is located near Aiken, S.C., across the Savannah River from Augusta and Richmond County.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We are pleased to support the national interests of the Department of Energy and the impact that the SRNL has on the Augusta area,\u0026rdquo; said \u0026Aacute;ngel Cabrera, Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s president. \u0026ldquo;We look forward to expanding our collaborations with the Savannah River National Laboratory, other members of the Battelle Savannah River Alliance, and the Department of Energy.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBSRA is led by and wholly owned by Battelle, one of DOE\u0026rsquo;s leading laboratory management contractors. The BSRA Team includes five universities from the region\u0026mdash;Clemson University, Georgia Institute of Technology, South Carolina State University, University of Georgia, and University of South Carolina\u0026mdash;as well as small business partners, Longenecker \u0026amp; Associates and TechSource.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Our collaboration with the Battelle Savannah River Alliance and the Savannah River National Laboratory will provide new opportunities for our faculty and students in unique areas of research and education,\u0026rdquo; said Chaouki Abdallah, Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s executive vice president for research.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe contract includes a five-year base with five one-year options. The estimated value of the contract is $3.8 billion over the course of 10 years if all options are exercised.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We are honored by DOE\u0026rsquo;s decision to award the Savannah River National Laboratory management and operations contract to our team,\u0026rdquo; said Battelle President and CEO Lou Von Thaer. \u0026ldquo;We have the lab management experience to make a difference and we\u0026rsquo;re committed to ensuring the success of this important national resource.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re honored and excited to have this opportunity,\u0026rdquo; said Ron Townsend, Battelle\u0026rsquo;s Executive Vice President for Global Laboratory Operations. \u0026ldquo;BSRA\u0026rsquo;s approach will ensure the delivery of high-impact science, technology and engineering solutions into the future through a significant expansion of SRNL\u0026rsquo;s core competencies. Our team offers an exciting, compelling vision for the future of SRNL and provides DOE a leadership team that will deliver with excellence.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBattelle currently has a management role at seven DOE national labs including Pacific Northwest National Lab, Brookhaven National Lab, Oak Ridge National Lab, National Renewable Energy Lab, Idaho National Lab, Los Alamos National Lab and Lawrence Livermore National Lab. It also operates the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center for the Department of Homeland Security.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Battelle Savannah River Alliance (BRSA) \u0026ndash; which includes Georgia Tech \u0026ndash; has been selected by the Department of Energy to manage one of the country\u0026rsquo;s premier environmental, energy, and national security research facilities\u0026mdash;the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech is part of a team that has been selected to manage the DOE\u0027s Savannah River National Laboratory"}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2020-12-28 17:09:21","changed_gmt":"2020-12-28 17:21:22","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2020-12-28T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2020-12-28T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"642334":{"id":"642334","type":"image","title":"Georgia Tech and SRNL","body":null,"created":"1609176014","gmt_created":"2020-12-28 17:20:14","changed":"1609176014","gmt_changed":"2020-12-28 17:20:14","alt":"Georgia Tech tower","file":{"fid":"244002","name":"10P1000-P22-008.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/10P1000-P22-008.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/10P1000-P22-008.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":631337,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/10P1000-P22-008.jpg?itok=olyKNG6d"}}},"media_ids":["642334","642334"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"147","name":"Military Technology"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186512","name":"Savannah River National Laboratory"},{"id":"186513","name":"SRNL"},{"id":"213","name":"energy"},{"id":"3441","name":"DOE"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39481","name":"National Security"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E404-894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"641165":{"#nid":"641165","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Machine Learning Advances Materials for Separations, Adsorption, and Catalysis","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAn artificial intelligence technique \u0026mdash; machine learning \u0026mdash; is helping accelerate the development of highly tunable materials known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that have important applications in chemical separations, adsorption, catalysis, and sensing.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EUtilizing data about the properties of more than 200 existing MOFs, the machine learning platform was trained to help guide the development of new materials by predicting an often-essential property: water stability. Using guidance from the model, researchers can avoid the time-consuming task of synthesizing and then experimentally testing new candidate MOFs for their aqueous stability. Already, researchers are expanding the model to predict other important MOF properties.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESupported by the Office of Science\u0026rsquo;s Basic Energy Sciences program within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the research was reported Nov. 9 in the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature Machine Intelligence\u003C\/em\u003E. The research was conducted in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/efrc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Understanding and Control of Acid Gas-Induced Evolution of Materials for Energy\u003C\/a\u003E (UNCAGE-ME), a DOE Energy Frontier Research Center located at the Georgia Institute of Technology.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The issue of water stability with MOFs has existed in this field for a long time, with no easy way to predict it,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/people\/krista-s-walton\u0022\u003EKrista Walton\u003C\/a\u003E, professor and Robert \u0026quot;Bud\u0026quot; Moeller faculty fellow in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026ldquo;Rather than having to do the synthesis and experimentation to figure this out for each candidate MOF, this machine learning model now provides a way to predict water stability given a set of desired features. This will really speed up the process of identifying new materials for specific applications.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMOFs are a class of porous and crystalline materials that are synthesized from inorganic metal ions or clusters connected to organic ligands. They are known for their easily tunable components that can be customized for specific applications, but the large number of potential combinations makes it difficult to choose MOFs with the desired properties. That\u0026rsquo;s where artificial intelligence can help.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMachine learning is playing an increasingly important role in materials science, said \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/people\/rampi-ramprasad\u0022\u003ERampi Ramprasad\u003C\/a\u003E, professor and Michael E. Tennenbaum Family Chair in the Georgia Tech School of \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EMaterials Science and Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.gra.org\u0022\u003EGeorgia Research Alliance\u003C\/a\u003E Eminent Scholar in Energy Sustainability.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;When materials scientists plan the next set of experiments, we use the intuition and insights that we have accumulated from the past,\u0026rdquo; Ramprasad said. \u0026ldquo;Machine learning allows us to fully tap into this past knowledge in the most efficient and effective manner. If 200 experiments have already been done, machine learning allows us to exploit all that has been learned from them as we plan the 201st experiment.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBeyond experimental data, machine learning can also use the results of physics-based simulations. And unlike simulations, the results from machine learning models can be instantaneous. The machine learning algorithm improves as it receives more information, he noted, and both negative and positive results are useful.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Great discoveries are as important as not-so-exciting discoveries \u0026mdash; failed experiments \u0026mdash; because machine learning uses both ends of the spectrum to get better at what it does,\u0026rdquo; Ramprasad said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe machine learning model used information Walton and her research team had gathered on hundreds of existing MOF materials, both from compounds developed in her own lab and those reported by other researchers. To prepare the information for the model to learn from, she categorized each MOF according to four measures of water stability.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The couple hundred data points used to build the model represented years of experiments,\u0026rdquo; Walton said. \u0026ldquo;I spent basically the first half of my career working to understand this water stability problem with MOFs, so it\u0026rsquo;s something we have studied extensively.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EUsing the model, researchers who are developing new adsorbents and other porous materials for specific applications can now check their proposed formulas to determine the likelihood that a new MOF would be stable in the presence of water. That could be particularly helpful for researchers who don\u0026rsquo;t have this particular expertise or who don\u0026rsquo;t have easy access to experimental methods for examining stability.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The MOF community is diverse, with a variety of subfields. Not everyone has the chemical intuition about which materials\u0026rsquo; features lead to good framework stability, and experimental evaluation often requires specialty equipment that many labs may not have or wouldn\u0026rsquo;t otherwise need for their specific subfield. However, with good predictive models, they wouldn\u0026rsquo;t necessarily need to develop it to choose a material for a specific application,\u0026rdquo; Walton said. \u0026ldquo;This capability potentially opens up this field to a broader group of researchers that could accelerate application development.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile screening for water stability is important, Ramprasad says it\u0026rsquo;s just the beginning of the potential benefits from the project. The machine learning model can be trained to predict other properties as long as a sufficient amount of data exists. For instance, the team is already teaching their model about factors affecting methane absorption under varying levels of pressure. In that case, simulations will provide much of the data from which the model will learn.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We will have a very strong predictor that will tell us if a new MOF would be stable under aqueous conditions and a good candidate for methane uptake,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;What we are doing is creating a universal and scalable machine learning platform that can be trained on new properties. As long as the data is available, the model can learn from it, and make predictions for new cases.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to those already mentioned, recent Georgia Tech postdoctoral fellow Rohit Batra and Georgia Tech graduate students Carmen Chen and Tania G. Evans were also coauthors on the \u003Cem\u003ENature Machine Intelligence\u003C\/em\u003E paper.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ERamprasad has experience with machine learning techniques applied to other materials and application spaces, and recently coauthored a review article, \u0026ldquo;Emerging materials intelligence ecosystems propelled by machine learning,\u0026rdquo; about a range of artificial intelligence applications in materials science and engineering. Intended to demystify machine learning and to review success stories in the materials development space, it was published, also on Nov. 9, 2020, in the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature Reviews Materials\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to Ramprasad, coauthors on the \u003Cem\u003ENature Review Materials\u003C\/em\u003E paper included Batra and Le Song, associate professor in the Georgia Tech College of Computing.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis work was supported as part of the Center for Understanding and Control of Acid Gas-Induced Evolution of Materials for Energy (UNCAGE-ME), an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences under award no. DE-SC0012577.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Rohit Batra, Carmen Chen, Tania G. Evans, Krista S. Walton, and Rampi Ramprasad, \u0026ldquo;Prediction of water stability in metal\u0026ndash;organic frameworks using machine learning.\u0026rdquo; (\u003Cem\u003ENature Machine Intelligence\u003C\/em\u003E, 2020) \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s42256-020-00249-z\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s42256-020-00249-z\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Rohit Batra, Le Song, and Rampi Ramprasad, \u0026ldquo;Emerging materials intelligence ecosystems propelled by machine learning.\u0026rdquo; (\u003Cem\u003ENature Reviews Materials\u003C\/em\u003E, 2020) \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41578-020-00255-y.\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41578-020-00255-y.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAn artificial intelligence technique \u0026mdash; machine learning \u0026mdash; is helping accelerate the development of highly tunable materials known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that have important applications in chemical separations, adsorption, catalysis, and sensing.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Machine learning is helping accelerate the development of highly tunable materials known as metal-organic frameworks."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2020-11-10 01:26:31","changed_gmt":"2020-11-10 01:28:45","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2020-11-09T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2020-11-09T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"641162":{"id":"641162","type":"image","title":"Metal-Organic Framework Materials","body":null,"created":"1604970584","gmt_created":"2020-11-10 01:09:44","changed":"1604970584","gmt_changed":"2020-11-10 01:09:44","alt":"Vial containing a metal-organic framework material","file":{"fid":"243654","name":"MOF-1261.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/MOF-1261.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/MOF-1261.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":566912,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/MOF-1261.jpg?itok=c6NtjdiH"}},"641163":{"id":"641163","type":"image","title":"Metal-Organic Framework Materials-2","body":null,"created":"1604970676","gmt_created":"2020-11-10 01:11:16","changed":"1604970676","gmt_changed":"2020-11-10 01:11:16","alt":"Two vials containing metal-organic framework materials","file":{"fid":"243655","name":"MOF-1264.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/MOF-1264.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/MOF-1264.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":628096,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/MOF-1264.jpg?itok=V6JF0Cq3"}}},"media_ids":["641162","641163"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"}],"keywords":[{"id":"84571","name":"metal-organic framework"},{"id":"176532","name":"MOF"},{"id":"169566","name":"separation"},{"id":"38801","name":"adsorbent"},{"id":"2506","name":"catalyst"},{"id":"167318","name":"sensor"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"640638":{"#nid":"640638","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Strengthen Research Ties","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Institute of Technology and the U.S. Department of Energy\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.pnnl.gov\/\u0022\u003EPacific Northwest National Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E (PNNL) have entered into a formal agreement to bolster the interactions, collaborations, and joint scientific output of both institutions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe goals of this collaborative arrangement are to:\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESolve Big Problems\u003C\/em\u003E by leveraging the significant infrastructure and intellectual capabilities of both parties in a multidisciplinary and multi-institutional manner.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESustain and Engage Human Capital\u003C\/em\u003E by exposing a pipeline of talented future members of the workforce to problems of practical importance and complex nature early in their academic programs.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAccelerate Technology Adoption\u003C\/em\u003E by introducing new ideas, science, and technology into the industrial and federal marketplace for the public good.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis five-year agreement was acknowledged during a virtual memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing event on Oct. 23, organized by Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (SEI).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This MOU provides a basis for both parties to engage in research collaborations, and the joint creation and administration of intellectual property,\u0026rdquo; said Tim Lieuwen, SEI\u0026rsquo;s executive director.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ELeaders of both institutions emphasized that the MOU leverages existing relationships and takes advantage of synergies. PNNL and Georgia Tech already have a long history of collaboration, with more than 100 journal articles, conference papers, and the like coauthored by PNNL and Georgia Tech researchers over the past decade. PNNL also boasts 32 current staff members who earned a bachelor\u0026rsquo;s, master\u0026rsquo;s, or doctoral degree from Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe MOU lays out several potential topics of mutual interest to both institutions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Georgia Tech and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory share interests in many areas of science and technology, including data science and visual analytics, electrical grid technologies, cybersecurity, and processing for fuels, chemicals, and materials,\u0026rdquo; said Chaouki T. Abdallah, Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s executive vice president for research. \u0026ldquo;Through this MOU, we look forward to expanding our collaborations in these important research areas.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe MOU also calls for expanded intellectual engagement, with PNNL and Georgia Tech students and researchers having a substantive presence on each other\u0026rsquo;s campuses, often in the form of joint appointments and internships. Personnel exchanges of this nature typically accelerate research efforts by making available to both parties the unique capabilities, facilities, and research communities that both have to offer.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The complexity of the research problems we are tackling today requires cooperation among institutions. No one institution can solve the big problems alone,\u0026rdquo; Tony Peurrung, PNNL\u0026rsquo;s deputy director for science and technology, said. \u0026ldquo;We are pleased to elevate our partnership with Georgia Tech because with our combined strengths, we will be better prepared to solve some of world\u0026rsquo;s most difficult science and technology challenges.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESeveral online seminars are planned in the coming months to boost awareness of this agreement among the research communities of both institutions and to foster connections between researchers with similar interests.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPacific Northwest National Laboratory\u003C\/strong\u003E draws on signature capabilities in chemistry, earth sciences, and data analytics to advance scientific discovery and create solutions to the nation\u0026#39;s toughest challenges in energy resiliency and national security. Founded in 1965, PNNL is operated by Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy\u0026#39;s Office of Science \u0026mdash; the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States \u0026mdash; and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/strong\u003E, also known as Georgia Tech, is one of the nation\u0026rsquo;s leading research universities, providing a focused, technologically based education to more than 36,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The Institute has many nationally recognized programs, all top-ranked by peers and publications alike, and is ranked among the nation\u0026rsquo;s top public universities by\u003Cem\u003E U.S. News \u0026amp; World Report\u003C\/em\u003E. It offers degrees through the Colleges of Computing, Design, Engineering, Sciences, the Scheller College of Business, and the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts. As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech has hundreds of centers focused on interdisciplinary research that consistently contribute vital research and innovation to American government, industry, and business.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contacts\u003C\/strong\u003E: Georgia Tech - John Toon (jtoon@gatech.edu); PNNL - Greg Koller (greg.koller@pnnl.gov).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Institute of Technology and the U.S. Department of Energy\u0026rsquo;s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have entered into a formal agreement to bolster the interactions, collaborations, and joint scientific output of both institutions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will expand interactions, collaborations and joint scientific output."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2020-10-27 01:17:01","changed_gmt":"2020-10-27 01:21:04","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2020-10-26T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2020-10-26T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"640637":{"id":"640637","type":"image","title":"Pacific Northwest National Laboratory","body":null,"created":"1603760923","gmt_created":"2020-10-27 01:08:43","changed":"1603760923","gmt_changed":"2020-10-27 01:08:43","alt":"Pacific Northwest National Laboratory campus","file":{"fid":"243506","name":"PNNL Richland Campus Aerial Photo.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/PNNL%20Richland%20Campus%20Aerial%20Photo.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/PNNL%20Richland%20Campus%20Aerial%20Photo.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1282910,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/PNNL%20Richland%20Campus%20Aerial%20Photo.jpg?itok=hJgBywcF"}}},"media_ids":["640637","640637"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"}],"keywords":[{"id":"213","name":"energy"},{"id":"183598","name":"PNNL"},{"id":"184316","name":"Pacific Northwest National Laboratory"},{"id":"167357","name":"SEI"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39481","name":"National Security"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"638916":{"#nid":"638916","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Process Boosts Lignin Bio-oil as a Next-Generation Fuel","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new low-temperature, multi-phase process for upgrading lignin bio-oil to hydrocarbons could help expand use of the lignin, which is now largely a waste product left over from the production of cellulose and bioethanol from trees and other woody plants.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EUsing a dual catalyst system of superacid and platinum particles, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have shown they can add hydrogen and remove oxygen from lignin bio-oil, making the oil more useful as a fuel and source of chemical feedstocks. The process, based on an unusual hydrogen cycle, can be done at low temperature and ambient pressure, improving the practicality of the upgrade and reducing the energy input needed.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;From an environmental and sustainability standpoint, people want to use oil produced from biomass,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/people\/yulin-deng\u0022\u003EYulin Deng\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/rbi.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ERenewable Bioproducts Institute\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026ldquo;The worldwide lignin production from paper and bioethanol manufacturing is 50 million tons annually, and more than 95% of that is simply burned to generate heat. My lab is looking for practical methods to upgrade low molecular weight lignin compounds to make them commercially viable as high-quality biofuel and biochemicals.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe process was described September 7 in the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature Energy\u003C\/em\u003E. The research was supported by the Renewable Bioproducts Institute at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin are extracted from trees, grasses, and other biomass materials. The cellulose is used to make paper, ethanol, and other products, but the lignin \u0026mdash; a complex material that gives strength to the plants \u0026mdash; is largely unused because it\u0026rsquo;s difficult to break down into low-viscosity oils that could serve as the starting point for kerosene or diesel fuel.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPyrolysis techniques done at temperatures over 400 degrees Celsius can be used to create bio-oils such as phenols from the lignin, but the oils lack sufficient hydrogen and contain too many oxygen atoms to be useful as fuels. The current approach to addressing that challenge involves adding hydrogen and removing oxygen through a catalytic process known as hydrodeoxygenation. But that process now requires high temperatures and pressures 10 times higher than ambient, and it produces char and tar that quickly reduce the efficiency of the platinum catalyst.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDeng and colleagues set out to develop a new solution-based process that would add hydrogen and remove the oxygen from the oil monomers using a hydrogen buffer catalytic system. Because hydrogen has very limited solubility in water, the hydrogenation or hydrodeoxygenation reaction of lignin biofuel in solution is very difficult. Deng\u0026rsquo;s group used polyoxometalate acid (SiW\u003Csub\u003E12\u003C\/sub\u003E) as both a hydrogen transfer agent and reaction catalyst, which helps transfer hydrogen gas from the gas-liquid interphase into the bulk solution through a reversible hydrogen extraction. The process then released hydrogen as an active species H* at a platinum-on-carbon nanoparticle surface, which solved the key issue of low solubility of hydrogen in water at low pressure.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;On the platinum, the polyoxometalate acid captures the charge from the hydrogen to form H+, which is soluble in water, but the charges can be reversibly transferred back to H+ to form active H* inside the solution,\u0026rdquo; Deng said. As an apparent result, hydrogen gas is transferred to water phase to form active H*, which can directly react with lignin oil inside the solution.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn the second part of the unusual hydrogen cycle, the polyoxometalate acid sets the stage for removing oxygen from the bio-oil monomers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The super-acid can reduce the activation energy required for removing the oxygen, and at the same time, you have more active hydrogen H* in the solution, which reacts on the molecules of oil,\u0026rdquo; Deng said. \u0026ldquo;In the solution there is a quick reaction with active hydrogen atom H* and lignin oil on the surface of the catalyst. The reversible reaction of hydrogen with polyoxometalate to form H+ and then to hydrogen atom H* on the platinum catalyst surface is a unique reversible cycle.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe platinum particles and polyoxometalate acid can be reused for multiple cycles without reducing efficiency. The researchers also found that the efficiency of hydrogenation and hydrodeoxygenation of lignin oil varied depending on the specific monomers in the oil.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We tested 15 or 20 different molecules that were produced by pyrolysis and found that the conversion efficiency ranged from 50% on the lower end to 99% on the higher end,\u0026rdquo; Deng said. \u0026ldquo;We did not compare the energy input cost, but the conversion efficiency was at least 10 times better than what has been reported under similar low temperature, low hydrogen pressure conditions.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOperating at lower temperatures \u0026mdash; below 100 degrees Celsius \u0026mdash; reduced the problem of char and tar formation on the platinum catalyst. Deng and his colleagues found that they could use the same platinum at least 10 times without deterioration of the catalytic activity.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAmong the challenges ahead are improving the product selectivity by using different metal catalyst systems, and developing new techniques for separation and purification of the different lignin biochemicals in the solution. Platinum is expensive and in high demand for other applications, so finding a lower-cost catalyst could boost the overall practicality of the process \u0026mdash; and perhaps make it more selective.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile helping meet the demand for bio-based oils, the new technique could also benefit the forest products, paper, and bioethanol industries by providing a potential revenue stream for lignin, which is often just burned to produce heat.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The global lignin market size was estimated at $954.5 million in 2019, which is only a very small portion of the lignin that is produced globally. Clearly, the industry wants to find more applications for it by converting the lignin to chemicals or bio-oils,\u0026rdquo; Deng said. \u0026ldquo;There would also be an environmental benefit from using this material in better ways.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBeyond upgrading lignin biofuel, a broad impact of the research in Yulin\u0026#39;s group is developing a technology to significantly increase the solubility of active hydrogen atoms or hydrogen gas in a solution, which can also be used in broader chemical reactions such as ammonia synthesis and general hydrogenation of different substances.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to Deng and first author Wei Liu, the research team also included Wenqin You, Wei Sun, Weisheng Yang, Akshay Korde, and Yutao Gong, all from Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Wei Liu, et al., \u0026ldquo;Ambient-pressure and low-temperature upgrading of lignin bio-oil to hydrocarbons using a hydrogen buffer catalytic system.\u0026rdquo; (\u003Cem\u003ENature Energy\u003C\/em\u003E, 2020).\u0026nbsp; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41560-020-00680-x\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41560-020-00680-x\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new low-temperature, multi-phase process for upgrading lignin bio-oil to hydrocarbons could help expand use of the lignin, which is now largely a waste product left over from the production of cellulose and bioethanol from trees and other woody plants.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A new process for upgrading lignin bio-oil could expand the use of lignin, which is now largely a waste product."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2020-09-09 22:51:32","changed_gmt":"2020-09-09 22:52:34","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2020-09-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2020-09-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"638914":{"id":"638914","type":"image","title":"Trees are a source of bio-oil","body":null,"created":"1599691197","gmt_created":"2020-09-09 22:39:57","changed":"1599691197","gmt_changed":"2020-09-09 22:39:57","alt":"Trees in North Georgia","file":{"fid":"242933","name":"trees and clouds.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/trees%20and%20clouds.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/trees%20and%20clouds.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1150055,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/trees%20and%20clouds.jpg?itok=n4zrkJ-u"}},"638915":{"id":"638915","type":"image","title":"Wood chips used for making biofuels","body":null,"created":"1599691338","gmt_created":"2020-09-09 22:42:18","changed":"1599691338","gmt_changed":"2020-09-09 22:42:18","alt":"Wood chips","file":{"fid":"242934","name":"GettyImages-155602929.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/GettyImages-155602929.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/GettyImages-155602929.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3777248,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/GettyImages-155602929.jpg?itok=s0l25kw9"}}},"media_ids":["638914","638915"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"}],"keywords":[{"id":"185821","name":"bio-fuel"},{"id":"81401","name":"lignin"},{"id":"3023","name":"biomass"},{"id":"1521","name":"fuel"},{"id":"172269","name":"hydrocarbon"},{"id":"2506","name":"catalyst"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"637497":{"#nid":"637497","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Baking and Boiling Botnets Could Drive Energy Market Swings and Damage","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEvil armies of internet-connected EV chargers, ovens, hot-water heaters, air-conditioners, and other high-wattage appliances could be hijacked to slightly manipulate energy demand, potentially driving price swings and creating financial damage to deregulated energy markets, warns a new report scheduled to be presented Aug. 5 at the Black Hat USA 2020 conference.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBy turning the compromised equipment on or off to artificially increase or decrease power demand, botnets made up of these energy-consuming devices might help an unscrupulous energy supplier or retailer (electric utility) alter prices to create a business advantage, or give a nation-state a way to remotely harm the economy of another country by causing financial damage to its electricity market. If done within the bounds of normal power demand variation, such an attack would be difficult to detect, the researchers said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;If an attacker can slightly affect electricity market prices in their favor, it would be like knowing today what\u0026rsquo;s going to happen in tomorrow\u0026rsquo;s stock market,\u0026rdquo; said Tohid Shekari, a graduate research assistant in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E at the Georgia Institute of Technology. \u0026ldquo;If the manipulation stays within a certain range, it would be stealthy and difficult to differentiate from a typical load forecasting error.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBelieved to be the first proposed energy market manipulation cyberattack, the operation would depend on botnets composed of thousands of appliances that could be controlled centrally by attackers who had taken over their Internet of Things (IoT) controllers. Malicious actors have already demonstrated IoT botnet attacks such as Mirai, which used a network of compromised internet-connected cameras and routers to launch attacks on key internet infrastructure.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe attack, dubbed \u0026ldquo;IoT Skimmer,\u0026rdquo; would be made possible by the deregulation of energy markets, which has created a system to efficiently supply electrical power. To meet the demand for electrical energy, utility companies must predict future demand and purchase power from the day-ahead wholesale energy market at competitive prices. If the predictions turn out to be wrong, the utilities may have to pay more or less for the energy they need to meet the demands of their customers by participating in the real-time market, which has more volatile prices in general. Creating erroneous demand data to manipulate forecasts could be profitable to the suppliers selling energy to meet the unexpected demand, or the retailers or utilities buying cheaper energy from the real-time market.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers weren\u0026rsquo;t able to determine whether such an attack might have already taken place because IoT devices \u0026ndash; beyond being insecure \u0026ndash; also lack the kind of monitoring that would be necessary to detect such hijacking. But they used real data sets from two of the largest U.S. energy markets \u0026ndash; New York and California \u0026ndash; to evaluate the feasibility of their proposed attack.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We did a lot of simulation and mathematical analysis to show that this kind of transfer could occur,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/faculty-staff-directory\/raheem-a-beyah\u0022\u003ERaheem Beyah\u003C\/a\u003E, the Motorola Foundation Professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering who is also Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s vice president for Interdisciplinary Research and co-founder of the company Fortiphyd Logic. \u0026ldquo;We also did a feasibility analysis of the supporting areas to show that this would be possible from various perspectives.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers assume that such botnets already exist, and that attackers could simply rent their use on the dark web. More than 20 million smart thermostats already exist in the North American market, and they are connected to at least one high-wattage device \u0026ndash; a heating and air-conditioning system that could be controlled by attackers on an intermittent basis.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;If you consider all of the smart thermostats and internet-connected electric ovens, water heaters, and electric vehicle chargers that are already in use, there are plenty of devices to be compromised,\u0026rdquo; Shekari said. \u0026ldquo;Homeowners would likely never notice if the EV charger turns on when electricity demand is highest, or if the air conditioning cools a little more than they expected when they are not home.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETo counter the potential attack, researchers suggest both detection and prevention steps. Through integrated monitoring of the normal power use of high-wattage IoT-connected devices, unexpected peaks or valleys in power consumption triggered by an attacker could be detected. And access to data on expected energy demand \u0026ndash; which is now made available publicly \u0026ndash; could be restricted to those who actually need it.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe primary factor that makes this attack possible is the detailed online data sharing of electricity market information, which is usually updated every five minutes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This energy demand information is really a data privacy issue, and we need to think long and hard about the balance between transparency and security,\u0026rdquo; Beyah said. \u0026ldquo;There\u0026rsquo;s always a tension there, but limiting the amount of detail could make it more difficult for attackers who want to hide their manipulations to know what the normal variations are.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe potential attack highlights the need for considering cybersecurity threats in technology areas where they had perhaps never been possible before.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This is an interesting intersection between the IoT security world and energy markets,\u0026rdquo; said Beyah. \u0026ldquo;Right now, it seems that there is a large gap between the two worlds. Our point is that there are implications for combining IoT technology and high-wattage devices that can compromise markets in ways we would never have thought of before.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe presentation, \u0026ldquo;IoT Skimmer: Energy Market Manipulation Through High-Wattage IoT Botnets,\u0026rdquo; will be presented on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 2:30 p.m. as part of the Black Hat USA 2020 conference.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEvil armies of internet-connected EV chargers, ovens, hot-water heaters, air-conditioners, and other high-wattage appliances could be hijacked to slightly manipulate energy demand, potentially driving price swings and creating financial damage to deregulated energy markets, warns a new report scheduled to be presented Aug. 5 at the Black Hat USA 2020 conference.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Evil armies of internet-connected appliances could be hijacked to slightly manipulate energy demand, potentially driving price swings."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2020-08-04 14:18:17","changed_gmt":"2020-08-04 14:21:51","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2020-08-04T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2020-08-04T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"637494":{"id":"637494","type":"image","title":"Hijacked oven","body":null,"created":"1596550050","gmt_created":"2020-08-04 14:07:30","changed":"1596550188","gmt_changed":"2020-08-04 14:09:48","alt":"Oven with open door","file":{"fid":"242493","name":"oven.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/oven.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/oven.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":616350,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/oven.jpg?itok=iVMW_jn-"}},"637495":{"id":"637495","type":"image","title":"Electric substation","body":null,"created":"1596550128","gmt_created":"2020-08-04 14:08:48","changed":"1596550169","gmt_changed":"2020-08-04 14:09:29","alt":"Electrical substation","file":{"fid":"242494","name":"substation.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/substation.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/substation.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2060269,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/substation.jpg?itok=BQIdzHLo"}}},"media_ids":["637494","637495"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"185457","name":"botnet"},{"id":"213","name":"energy"},{"id":"185458","name":"energy markets"},{"id":"97401","name":"IoT"},{"id":"68951","name":"Internet of Things"},{"id":"175687","name":"black hat"},{"id":"185459","name":"IoT Skimmer"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"145171","name":"Cybersecurity"},{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39481","name":"National Security"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"637030":{"#nid":"637030","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Membrane Technology Could Cut Emissions and Energy Use in Oil Refining","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENew membrane technology developed by a team of researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Imperial College London, and ExxonMobil could help reduce carbon emissions and energy intensity associated with refining crude oil. Laboratory testing suggests that this polymer membrane technology could replace some conventional heat-based distillation processes in the future.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFractionation of crude oil mixtures using heat-based distillation is a large-scale, energy-intensive process that accounts for nearly 1% of the world\u0026rsquo;s energy use: 1,100 terawatt-hours per year (TWh\/yr), which is equivalent to the total energy consumed by the state of New York in a year. By substituting the low-energy membranes for certain steps in the distillation process, the new technology might one day allow implementation of a hybrid refining system that could help reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption significantly compared to traditional refining processes.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Much in our modern lives comes from oil, so the separation of these molecules makes our modern civilization possible,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/Finn\/M.G.\u0022\u003EM.G. Finn\u003C\/a\u003E, professor and chair of Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s School of \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chemistry.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EChemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E. Finn also holds the James A. Carlos Family Chair for Pediatric Technology. \u0026ldquo;The scale of the separation required to provide the products we use is incredibly large. This membrane technology could make a significant impact on global energy consumption and the resulting emissions of petroleum processing.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EReported in the July 17 issue of the journal \u003Cem\u003EScience\u003C\/em\u003E, the paper is believed to be the first report of a synthetic membrane specifically designed for the separation of crude oil and crude-oil fractions. Additional research and development will be needed to advance this technology to industrial scale.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMembrane technology is already widely used in such applications as seawater desalination, but the complexity of petroleum refining has until now limited the use of membranes. To overcome that challenge, the research team developed a novel spirocyclic polymer that was applied to a robust substrate to create membranes able to separate complex hydrocarbon mixtures through the application of pressure rather than heat.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMembranes separate molecules from mixtures according to differences such as size and shape. When molecules are very close in size, that separation becomes more challenging. Using a well-known process for making bonds between nitrogen and carbon atoms, the polymers were constructed by connecting building blocks having a kinked structure to create disordered materials with built-in void spaces.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe team was able to balance a variety of factors to create the right combination of solubility \u0026ndash; to enable membranes to be formed by simple and scalable processing \u0026ndash; and structural rigidity \u0026ndash; to allow some small molecules to pass through more easily than others. Unexpectedly, the researchers found that the materials needed a small amount of structural flexibility to improve size discrimination, as well as the ability to be slightly \u0026ldquo;sticky\u0026rdquo; toward certain types of molecules that are found abundantly in crude oil.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAfter designing the novel polymers and achieving some success with a synthetic gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel fuel mixture, the team decided to try to separate a crude oil sample and discovered that the new membrane was quite effective at recovering gasoline and jet fuel from the complex mixture.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We were initially trying to fractionate a mixture of molecules that were too similar,\u0026rdquo; said Ben McCool, a senior research associate at ExxonMobil and one of the paper\u0026rsquo;s coauthors. \u0026ldquo;When we took on a more complex feed, crude oil, we got fractionalization that looked like it could have come from a distillation column, indicating the concept\u0026rsquo;s great potential.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers worked collaboratively, with polymers designed and tested at Georgia Tech, then converted to 200-nanometer-thick films, and incorporated into membrane modules at Imperial using a roll-to-roll process. Samples were then tested at all three organizations, providing multi-lab confirmation of the membrane capabilities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We have the foundational experience of bringing organic solvent nanofiltration, a membrane technology becoming widely used in pharmaceuticals and chemicals industries, to market,\u0026rdquo; said Andrew Livingston, professor of chemical engineering at Imperial. \u0026ldquo;We worked extensively with ExxonMobil and Georgia Tech to demonstrate the scalability potential of this technology to the levels required by the petroleum industry.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research team created an innovation pipeline that extends from basic research all the way to technology that can be tested in real-world conditions.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We brought together basic science and chemistry, applied membrane fabrication fundamentals, and engineering analysis of how membranes work,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/people\/ryan-p-lively\u0022\u003ERyan Lively\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor and John H. Woody faculty fellow in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026ldquo;We were able to go from milligram-scale powders all the way to prototype membrane modules in commercial form factors that were challenged with real crude oil \u0026ndash; it was fantastic to see this innovation pipeline in action.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EExxonMobil\u0026rsquo;s relationship with Georgia Tech goes back nearly 15 years and has produced innovations in other separation technologies, including a new carbon-based molecular sieve membrane that could dramatically reduce the energy required to separate a class of hydrocarbon molecules known as alkyl aromatics.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Through collaboration with strong academic institutions like Georgia Tech and Imperial, we are constantly working to develop the lower-emissions energy solutions of the future,\u0026quot; said Vijay Swarup, vice president of research and development at ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to Finn, Livingston, Lively, and McCool, the paper\u0026rsquo;s authors include Kirstie Thompson and Ronita Mathias, Georgia Tech graduate students who are co-first authors; Daeok Kim, Jihoon Kim, Irene Bechis, Andrew Tarzia, and Kim Jelfs of Imperial; and Neel Rangnekar, J.R. Johnson, and Scott Hoy of ExxonMobil.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Kirstie Thompson, et al., \u0026ldquo;N-Aryl Linked Spirocyclic Polymers for Membrane Separations of Complex Hydrocarbon Mixtures\u0026rdquo; (Science 2020).\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.sciencemag.org\/content\/369\/6501\/310\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/science.sciencemag.org\/content\/369\/6501\/310\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact:\u003C\/strong\u003E John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENew membrane technology developed by a team of researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Imperial College London, and ExxonMobil could help reduce carbon emissions and energy intensity associated with refining crude oil. Laboratory testing suggests that this polymer membrane technology could replace some conventional heat-based distillation processes in the future.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"New membrane technology could reduce carbon emissions and energy intensity associated with oil refining."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2020-07-16 18:33:27","changed_gmt":"2020-07-16 18:37:12","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2020-07-16T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2020-07-16T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"637025":{"id":"637025","type":"image","title":"Membrane material could reduce carbon emissions","body":null,"created":"1594923476","gmt_created":"2020-07-16 18:17:56","changed":"1594923476","gmt_changed":"2020-07-16 18:17:56","alt":"Graduate research assistants with membrane","file":{"fid":"242330","name":"membrane-6320.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/membrane-6320.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/membrane-6320.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":479774,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/membrane-6320.jpg?itok=7BhgHtba"}},"637026":{"id":"637026","type":"image","title":"New membrane technology","body":null,"created":"1594923602","gmt_created":"2020-07-16 18:20:02","changed":"1594923602","gmt_changed":"2020-07-16 18:20:02","alt":"Professors with chemicals and membrane module","file":{"fid":"242331","name":"membrane-6221.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/membrane-6221.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/membrane-6221.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":461522,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/membrane-6221.jpg?itok=QSKefqMl"}},"637027":{"id":"637027","type":"image","title":"Polymers used for membrane materials","body":null,"created":"1594923754","gmt_created":"2020-07-16 18:22:34","changed":"1594923754","gmt_changed":"2020-07-16 18:22:34","alt":"Graduate research assistants with chemicals","file":{"fid":"242332","name":"membrane-6290.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/membrane-6290.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/membrane-6290.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":466388,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/membrane-6290.jpg?itok=skaMBIuJ"}},"637029":{"id":"637029","type":"image","title":"Examining membrane materials","body":null,"created":"1594923884","gmt_created":"2020-07-16 18:24:44","changed":"1594923884","gmt_changed":"2020-07-16 18:24:44","alt":"Examining membrane materials","file":{"fid":"242333","name":"membrane-6239.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/membrane-6239.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/membrane-6239.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":480714,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/membrane-6239.jpg?itok=SvCdCXmq"}}},"media_ids":["637025","637026","637027","637029"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"7440","name":"membrane"},{"id":"185312","name":"oil refining"},{"id":"15275","name":"carbon emissions"},{"id":"213","name":"energy"},{"id":"1492","name":"Polymer"},{"id":"185313","name":"fractionation"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"636208":{"#nid":"636208","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Spontaneous Formation of Nanoscale Hollow Structures Could Boost Battery Storage","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAn unexpected property of nanometer-scale antimony crystals \u0026mdash; the spontaneous formation of hollow structures \u0026mdash; could help give the next generation of lithium ion batteries higher energy density without reducing battery lifetime. The reversibly hollowing structures could allow lithium ion batteries to hold more energy and therefore provide more power between charges.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFlow of lithium ions into and out of alloy battery anodes has long been a limiting factor in how much energy batteries could hold using conventional materials. Too much ion flow causes anode materials to swell and then shrink during charge-discharge cycles, causing mechanical degradation that shortens battery life. To address that issue, researchers have previously developed hollow \u0026ldquo;yolk-shell\u0026rdquo; nanoparticles that accommodate the volume change caused by ion flow, but fabricating them has been complex and costly.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ENow, a research team has discovered that particles a thousand times smaller than the width of a human hair spontaneously form hollow structures during the charge-discharge cycle without changing size, allowing more ion flow without damaging the anodes. The research was reported June 1 in the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature Nanotechnology\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Intentionally engineering hollow nanomaterials has been done for a while now, and it is a promising approach for improving the lifetime and stability of batteries with high energy density,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/mtmcdowell\u0022\u003EMatthew McDowell\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Materials Science and Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E at the Georgia Institute of Technology. \u0026ldquo;The problem has been that directly synthesizing these hollow nanostructures at the large scales needed for commercial applications is challenging and expensive. Our discovery could offer an easier, streamlined process that could lead to improved performance in a way that is similar to the intentionally engineered hollow structures.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers made their discovery using a high-resolution electron microscope that allowed them to directly visualize battery reactions as they occur at the nanoscale. \u0026ldquo;This is a tricky type of experiment, but if you are patient and do the experiments right, you can learn really important things about how the materials behave in batteries,\u0026rdquo; McDowell said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe team, which included researchers from ETH Z\u0026uuml;rich and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, also used modeling to create a theoretical framework for understanding why the nanoparticles spontaneously hollow \u0026mdash; instead of shrinking \u0026mdash; during removal of lithium from the battery.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe ability to form and reversibly fill hollow particles during battery cycling occurs only in oxide-coated antimony nanocrystals that are less than approximately 30 nanometers in diameter. The research team found that the behavior arises from a resilient native oxide layer that allows for initial expansion during lithiation \u0026mdash; flow of ions into the anode \u0026mdash; but mechanically prevents shrinkage as antimony forms voids during the removal of ions, a process known as delithiation.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe finding was a bit of a surprise because earlier work on related materials had been performed on larger particles, which expand and shrink instead of forming hollow structures. \u0026ldquo;When we first observed the distinctive hollowing behavior, it was very exciting and we immediately knew this could have important implications for battery performance,\u0026rdquo; McDowell said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAntimony is relatively expensive and not currently used in commercial battery electrodes. But McDowell believes the spontaneous hollowing may also occur in less costly related materials such as tin. Next steps would include testing other materials and mapping a pathway to commercial scale-up.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;It would be interesting to test other materials to see if they transform according to a similar hollowing mechanism,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;This could expand the range of materials available for use in batteries. The small test batteries we fabricated showed promising charge-discharge performance, so we would like to evaluate the materials in larger batteries.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThough they may be costly, the self-hollowing antimony nanocrystals have another interesting property: they could also be used in sodium-ion and potassium-ion batteries, emerging systems for which much more research must be done.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This work advances our understanding of how this type of material evolves inside batteries,\u0026rdquo; McDowell said. \u0026ldquo;This information will be critical for implementing the material or related materials in the next generation of lithium-ion batteries, which will be able to store more energy and be just as durable as the batteries we have today.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to McDowell, the paper\u0026rsquo;s authors include Matthew Boebinger from Georgia Tech; Olesya Yarema, Maksym Yarema, and Vanessa Wood from the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at ETH Z\u0026uuml;rich , and Kinga Unocic and Raymond Unocic from the Center for Nanophase Materials Science at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis work was performed at the Georgia Tech Materials Characterization Facility and the Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, a member of the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure, which is supported by the National Science Foundation (Grant ECCS-1542174). Support also came from the Department of Energy Office of Science Graduate Student Research Program for research performed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. A portion of this research was conducted at the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, which is a DOE Office of Science User Facility. Support was also provided by a Sloan Research Fellowship in Chemistry from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and by the Swiss National Science foundation via an Ambizione Fellowship (no. 161249). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the sponsoring organizations.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Matthew G. Boebinger, et al., \u0026ldquo;Spontaneous and reversible hollowing of alloy anode nanocrystals for stable battery cycling\u0026rdquo; (Nature Nanotechnology, 2020). \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41565-020-0690-9\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41565-020-0690-9\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jtoon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ejtoon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAn unexpected property of nanometer-scale antimony crystals \u0026mdash; the spontaneous formation of hollow structures \u0026mdash; could help give the next generation of lithium ion batteries higher energy density without reducing battery lifetime. The reversibly hollowing structures could allow lithium ion batteries to hold more energy and therefore provide more power between charges.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The spontaneous formation of hollow structures in nanometer-scale antimony crystals could make them useful in lithium-ion batteries."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2020-06-13 18:22:26","changed_gmt":"2020-06-13 18:24:14","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2020-06-13T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2020-06-13T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"636204":{"id":"636204","type":"image","title":"Lithium-ion Batteries","body":null,"created":"1592071584","gmt_created":"2020-06-13 18:06:24","changed":"1592071584","gmt_changed":"2020-06-13 18:06:24","alt":"Lithium-ion batteries","file":{"fid":"242075","name":"Batteriessmall.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Batteriessmall.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Batteriessmall.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1896996,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Batteriessmall.jpg?itok=TDiwNIEt"}},"636206":{"id":"636206","type":"image","title":"Battery testing","body":null,"created":"1592071769","gmt_created":"2020-06-13 18:09:29","changed":"1592071769","gmt_changed":"2020-06-13 18:09:29","alt":"Batteries being tested in lab","file":{"fid":"242076","name":"Cycler_Crop.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Cycler_Crop.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Cycler_Crop.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1987162,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Cycler_Crop.jpg?itok=mRDr6vDe"}},"636207":{"id":"636207","type":"image","title":"Antimony anode nanoparticles","body":null,"created":"1592071939","gmt_created":"2020-06-13 18:12:19","changed":"1592071939","gmt_changed":"2020-06-13 18:12:19","alt":"Electron microscope image of nanoparticles","file":{"fid":"242077","name":"ParticlesImage.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/ParticlesImage.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/ParticlesImage.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2205549,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/ParticlesImage.jpg?itok=7_9ElWLm"}}},"media_ids":["636204","636206","636207"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"}],"keywords":[{"id":"7826","name":"Batteries"},{"id":"8948","name":"lithium-ion"},{"id":"185112","name":"lithium-ion batteries"},{"id":"431","name":"nanoscale"},{"id":"7070","name":"anode"},{"id":"7309","name":"electrode"},{"id":"2054","name":"nanoparticle"},{"id":"44511","name":"energy storage"},{"id":"185113","name":"antimony"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"588498":{"#nid":"588498","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Nanofiber Marks Important Step In Next Generation Battery and Water Electrolysis Development","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EOne of the keys to building electric cars that can travel longer distances and to powering more homes with renewable energy is developing efficient and highly capable energy storage systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMaterials researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have created a nanofiber that could help enable the next generation of rechargeable batteries and increase the efficiency of hydrogen production from water electrolysis.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn a study that was published February 27 in \u003Cem\u003ENature Communications\u003C\/em\u003E and was sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the researchers describe the development of double perovskite nanofiber that can be used as a highly efficient catalyst in ultrafast oxygen evolution reactions \u0026ndash; one of the underlying electrochemical processes in hydrogen-based energy and the newer metal-air batteries.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Metal-air batteries, such as those that could power electric vehicles in the future, are able to store a lot of energy in a much smaller space than current batteries,\u0026rdquo; said Meilin Liu, a Regents Professor in the Georgia Tech School of Materials Science and Engineering. \u0026ldquo;The problem is that the batteries lack a cost-efficient catalyst to improve their efficiency. This new catalyst will improve that process.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPerovskite refers to the crystal structure of the catalyst the researchers used to form the nanofibers.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This unique crystal structure and the composition are vital to enabling better activity and durability for the application,\u0026rdquo; Liu said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDuring the synthetization process, the researchers used a technique called composition tuning \u0026ndash; or \u0026ldquo;co-doping\u0026rdquo; \u0026ndash; to improve the intrinsic activity of the catalyst by approximately 4.7 times. The perovskite oxide fiber made during the electrospinning process was about 20 nanometers in diameter \u0026ndash; which thus far is the thinnest diameter reported for electrospun perovskite oxide nanofibers.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers found that the new substance showed markedly enhanced oxygen evolution reaction capability when compared to existing catalysts. The new nanofiber\u0026rsquo;s mass-normalized catalytic activity improved about 72 times greater than the initial powder catalyst, and 2.5 times greater than iridium oxide, which is considered a state of the art catalyst by current standards.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThat increase in catalytic activity comes in part from the larger surface area achieved with nanofibers, the researchers said. Synthesizing the perovskite structure into a nanofiber also boosted its intrinsic activity, which also improved how efficiently it worked as a catalyst for oxygen evolution reactions (OER).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This work not only represents an advancement in the development of highly efficient and durable electrocatalysts for OER but may also provide insight into the effect of nanostructures on the intrinsic OER activity,\u0026rdquo; the researchers wrote.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBeyond its applicability in the development of rechargeable metal air batteries, the new catalyst could also represent the next step in creating more efficient fuel cell technologies that could aid in the creation of renewable energy systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Solar, wind, geothermal \u0026ndash; those are becoming very inexpensive today. But the trouble is those renewable energies are intermittent in nature,\u0026rdquo; Liu said. \u0026ldquo;When there is no wind, you have no power. But what if we could store the energy from the sun or the wind when there\u0026rsquo;s an excess supply. We can use that extra electricity to produce hydrogen and store that energy for use when we need it.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThat\u0026rsquo;s where the new nanofiber catalysts could make a difference, he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;To store that energy, batteries are still very expensive,\u0026rdquo; Liu said. \u0026ldquo;We need a good catalyst in order for the water electrolysis to be efficient. This catalyst can speed up electrochemical reactions in water splitting or metal air batteries.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Nos. DMR-1410320 and TG-DMR140083. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Bote Zhao, Lei Zhang, Dongxing Zhen, Seonyoung Yoo, Yong Ding, Dongchang Chen, Yu Chen, Qiaobao Zhang, Brian Doyle, Xunhui Xiong and Meilin Liu, \u0026ldquo;A tailored double perovskite nanofiber catalyst enables ultrafast oxygen evolution,\u0026rdquo; (Nature Communications, 2017). \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/ncomms14586\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/ncomms14586\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Materials researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have created a nanofiber that could help enable the next generation of rechargeable batteries and increase the efficiency of hydrogen production from water electrolysis."}],"uid":"31758","created_gmt":"2017-03-09 16:21:52","changed_gmt":"2020-01-07 15:24:48","author":"Josh Brown","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2017-03-09T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2017-03-09T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"588547":{"id":"588547","type":"image","title":"Double perovskite nanofiber catalyst","body":null,"created":"1489096073","gmt_created":"2017-03-09 21:47:53","changed":"1489096073","gmt_changed":"2017-03-09 21:47:53","alt":"","file":{"fid":"224277","name":"Untitled-1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Untitled-1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Untitled-1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":260848,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Untitled-1.jpg?itok=xSUG-oiC"}},"588545":{"id":"588545","type":"image","title":"Meilin Liu","body":null,"created":"1489095511","gmt_created":"2017-03-09 21:38:31","changed":"1489095511","gmt_changed":"2017-03-09 21:38:31","alt":"","file":{"fid":"224276","name":"16C10206-P14-014.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/16C10206-P14-014.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/16C10206-P14-014.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":468979,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/16C10206-P14-014.jpg?itok=unKfGKmI"}}},"media_ids":["588547","588545"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"}],"keywords":[{"id":"6531","name":"catalysts"},{"id":"4317","name":"fuel cells"},{"id":"13460","name":"Meilin Liu"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:john.toon@comm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["john.toon@comm.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"607096":{"#nid":"607096","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Sodium- and Potassium-based Batteries Hold Promise for Cheap Energy Storage","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFrom electric cars that travel hundreds of miles on a single charge to chainsaws as mighty as gas-powered versions, new products hit the market each year that take advantage of recent advances in battery technology.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBut that growth has led to concerns that the world\u0026rsquo;s supply of lithium, the metal at the heart of many of the new rechargeable batteries, may eventually be depleted.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ENow researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have found new evidence suggesting that batteries based on sodium and potassium hold promise as a potential alternative to lithium-based batteries.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;One of the biggest obstacles for sodium- and potassium-ion batteries has been that they tend to decay and degrade faster and hold less energy than alternatives,\u0026rdquo; said Matthew McDowell, an assistant professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and the School of Materials Science and Engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;But we\u0026rsquo;ve found that\u0026rsquo;s not always the case,\u0026rdquo; he added.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor the study, which was published June 19 in the journal \u003Cem\u003EJoule\u003C\/em\u003E and was sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy, the research team looked at how three different ions \u0026ndash; lithium, sodium, and potassium \u0026ndash; reacted with particles of iron sulfide, also called pyrite and fool\u0026rsquo;s gold.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAs batteries charge and discharge, ions are constantly reacting with and penetrating the particles that make up the battery electrode. This reaction process causes large volume changes in the electrode\u0026rsquo;s particles, often breaking them up into small pieces. Because sodium and potassium ions are larger than lithium, it\u0026rsquo;s traditionally been thought that they cause more significant degradation when reacting with particles.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn their experiments, the reactions that occur inside a battery were directly observed inside an electron microscope, with the iron sulfide particles playing the role of a battery electrode. The researchers found that iron sulfide was more stable during reaction with sodium and potassium than with lithium, indicating that such a battery based on sodium or potassium could have a much longer life than expected.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe difference between how the different ions reacted was stark visually. When exposed to lithium, iron sulfide particles appeared to almost explode under the electron microscope. On the contrary, the iron sulfide expanded like a balloon when exposed to the sodium and potassium.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We saw a very robust reaction with no fracture \u0026ndash; something that suggests that this material and other materials like it could be used in these novel batteries with greater stability over time,\u0026rdquo; said Matthew Boebinger, a graduate student at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe study also casts doubt on the notion that large volume changes that occur during the electrochemical reaction are always a precursor to particle fracture, which causes electrode failure leading to battery degradation.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers suggested that one possible reason for the difference in how the different ions reacted with the iron sulfide is that the lithium was more likely to concentrate its reaction along the particle\u0026rsquo;s sharp cube-like edges, whereas the reaction with sodium and potassium was more diffuse along all of the surface of the iron sulfide particle. As a result, the iron sulfide particle when reacting with sodium and potassium developed a more oval shape with rounded edges.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile there\u0026rsquo;s still more work to be done, the new research findings could help scientists design battery systems that use these types of novel materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Lithium batteries are still the most attractive right now because they have the most energy density \u0026ndash; you can pack a lot of energy in that space,\u0026rdquo; McDowell said. \u0026ldquo;Sodium and potassium batteries at this point don\u0026rsquo;t have more density, but they are based on elements a thousand times more abundant in the earth\u0026rsquo;s crust than lithium. So they could be much cheaper in the future, which is important for large scale energy storage \u0026ndash; backup power for homes or the energy grid of the future.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Nos. DMR-1652471, DMR-1410936, CMMI-1554393 and ECCS-1542174, as well as the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-SC0012704. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsors.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION:\u003C\/strong\u003E Matthew G. Boebinger, David Yeh, Michael Xu, B. Casey Miles, Baolin Wang, Marc Papakyriakou, John A. Lewis, Neha P. Kondekar, Francisco Javier Quintero Cortes, Sooyeon Hwang, Xiahan Sang, Dong Su, Raymond R. Unocic, Shuman Xia, Ting Zhu, and Matthew T. McDowell, \u0026ldquo;Avoiding Fracture in a Conversion Battery Material through Reaction with Larger Ions,\u0026rdquo; (Joule, June 2018). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.joule.2018.05.015\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have found new evidence suggesting that batteries based on sodium and potassium hold promise as a potential alternative to lithium-based batteries."}],"uid":"31758","created_gmt":"2018-06-15 17:09:05","changed_gmt":"2020-01-07 15:14:00","author":"Josh Brown","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2018-06-19T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2018-06-19T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"607104":{"id":"607104","type":"image","title":"Matthew Boebinger and Matthew McDowell","body":null,"created":"1529092931","gmt_created":"2018-06-15 20:02:11","changed":"1529092931","gmt_changed":"2018-06-15 20:02:11","alt":"","file":{"fid":"231573","name":"18C10200-P31-005_SM.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/18C10200-P31-005_SM.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/18C10200-P31-005_SM.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":406415,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/18C10200-P31-005_SM.jpg?itok=mQmC0odt"}},"607103":{"id":"607103","type":"image","title":"Matthew Boebinger","body":null,"created":"1529092744","gmt_created":"2018-06-15 19:59:04","changed":"1529092987","gmt_changed":"2018-06-15 20:03:07","alt":"","file":{"fid":"231572","name":"mattbSM.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/mattbSM.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/mattbSM.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":452832,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/mattbSM.jpg?itok=arxN2fN-"}}},"media_ids":["607104","607103"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"}],"keywords":[{"id":"178305","name":"sodium batteries"},{"id":"178306","name":"lithium batteries"},{"id":"178307","name":"lithium shortage"},{"id":"143671","name":"Matthew McDowell"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:john.toon@comm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["john.toon@comm.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"617145":{"#nid":"617145","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Researchers Chart Path to Cheaper Flexible Solar Cells","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThere\u0026rsquo;s a lot to like about perovskite-based solar cells. They are simple and cheap to produce, offer flexibility that could unlock a wide new range of installation methods and places, and in recent years have reached energy efficiencies approaching those of traditional silicon-based cells.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBut figuring out how to produce perovskite-based energy devices that last longer than a couple of months has been a challenge.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ENow researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology, University of California San Diego and Massachusetts Institute of Technology have reported new findings about perovskite solar cells that could lead the way to devices that perform better.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Perovskite solar cells offer a lot of potential advantages because they are extremely lightweight and can be made with flexible plastic substrates,\u0026rdquo; said Juan-Pablo Correa-Baena, an assistant professor in the Georgia Tech School of Materials Science and Engineering. \u0026ldquo;To be able to compete in the marketplace with silicon-based solar cells, however, they need to be more efficient.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn a study that was published February 8 in the journal\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EScience \u003C\/em\u003Eand was sponsored by the U.S Department Energy and the National Science Foundation, the researchers described in greater detail the mechanisms of how adding alkali metal to the traditional perovskites leads to better performance.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Perovskites could really change the game in solar,\u0026rdquo; said David Fenning, a professor of nanoengineering at the University of California San Diego. \u0026ldquo;They have the potential to reduce costs without giving up performance. But there\u0026rsquo;s still a lot to learn fundamentally about these materials.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETo understand perovskite crystals, it\u0026rsquo;s helpful to think of its crystalline structure as a triad. One part of the triad is typically formed from the element lead. The second is typically made up of an organic component such as methylammonium, and the third is often comprised of other halides such as bromine and iodine.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn recent years, researchers have focused on testing different recipes to achieve better efficiencies, such as adding iodine and bromine to the lead component of the structure. Later, they tried substituting cesium and rubidium to the part of the perovskite typically occupied by organic molecules.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We knew from earlier work that adding cesium and rubidium to a mixed bromine and iodine lead perovskite leads to better stability and higher performance,\u0026rdquo; Correa-Baena said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBut little was known about why adding those alkali metals improved performance of the perovskites.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETo understand exactly why that seemed to work, the researchers used high-intensity X-ray mapping to examine the perovskites at the nanoscale.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;By looking at the composition within the perovskite material, we can see how each individual element plays a role in improving the performance of the device,\u0026rdquo; said Yanqi (Grace) Luo, a nanoengineering PhD student at UC San Diego.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThey discovered that when the cesium and rubidium were added to the mixed bromine and iodine lead perovskite, it caused the bromine and iodine to mix together more homogeneously, resulting in up to 2 percent higher conversion efficiency than the materials without these additives.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We found that uniformity in the chemistry and structure is what helps a perovskite solar cell operate at its fullest potential,\u0026rdquo; Fenning said. \u0026ldquo;Any heterogeneity in that backbone is like a weak link in the chain.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EEven so, the researchers also observed that while adding rubidium or cesium caused the bromine and iodine to become more homogenous, the halide metals themselves within their own cation remained fairly clustered, creating inactive \u0026ldquo;dead zones\u0026rdquo; in the solar cell that produce no current.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This was surprising,\u0026rdquo; Fenning said. \u0026ldquo;Having these dead zones would typically kill a solar cell. In other materials, they act like black holes that suck in electrons from other regions and never let them go, so you lose current and voltage.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;But in these perovskites, we saw that the dead zones around rubidium and cesium weren\u0026rsquo;t too detrimental to solar cell performance, though there was some current loss,\u0026rdquo; Fenning said. \u0026ldquo;This shows how robust these materials are but also that there\u0026rsquo;s even more opportunity for improvement.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe findings add to the understanding of how the perovskite-based devices work at the nanoscale and could lay the groundwork for future improvements.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;These materials promise to be very cost effective and high performing, which is pretty much what we need to make sure photovoltaic panels are deployed widely,\u0026rdquo; Correa-Baena said. \u0026ldquo;We want to try to offset issues of climate change, so the idea is to have photovoltaic cells that are as cheap as possible.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy EERE postdoctoral fellowship and grant Nos. DE-SC0001088 and DE-AC02-06CH11357, the California Energy Commission under grant No. EPC-16-050, the Skoltech NGP Program under grant No. 1913\/R, the Hellman Fellowship and the National Science Foundation under grant Nos. CBET-1605495, DMR-1507803, GRFP 1122374, CHE-1338173 and ECCS-1542148. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsoring agencies.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION:\u003C\/strong\u003E Juan-Pablo Correa-Baena, et al., \u0026ldquo;Homogenized halides and alkali cation segregation in alloyed organic-inorganic perovskites,\u0026rdquo; (Science, February 2019). \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1126\/science.aah5065\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1126\/science.aah5065\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology, University of California San Diego and Massachusetts Institute of Technology have reported new findings about perovskite solar cells that could lead the way to devices that perform better."}],"uid":"31758","created_gmt":"2019-02-01 16:02:27","changed_gmt":"2020-01-07 15:08:54","author":"Josh Brown","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2019-02-07T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2019-02-07T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"617147":{"id":"617147","type":"image","title":"Flexible perovskite-based solar cells","body":null,"created":"1549037943","gmt_created":"2019-02-01 16:19:03","changed":"1549037943","gmt_changed":"2019-02-01 16:19:03","alt":"","file":{"fid":"234877","name":"19C10200-P28-004sm.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/19C10200-P28-004sm.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/19C10200-P28-004sm.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":555763,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/19C10200-P28-004sm.jpg?itok=WizEdH9W"}},"617146":{"id":"617146","type":"image","title":"Flexible perovskite-based solar cells","body":null,"created":"1549037775","gmt_created":"2019-02-01 16:16:15","changed":"1549037775","gmt_changed":"2019-02-01 16:16:15","alt":"","file":{"fid":"234876","name":"19C10200-P28-003sm.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/19C10200-P28-003sm.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/19C10200-P28-003sm.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":746122,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/19C10200-P28-003sm.jpg?itok=KPlLMTRk"}},"617151":{"id":"617151","type":"image","title":"Juan-Pablo Correa-Baena","body":null,"created":"1549038646","gmt_created":"2019-02-01 16:30:46","changed":"1549038646","gmt_changed":"2019-02-01 16:30:46","alt":"","file":{"fid":"234881","name":"JPCB Photo-1.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/JPCB%20Photo-1.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/JPCB%20Photo-1.png","mime":"image\/png","size":344155,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/JPCB%20Photo-1.png?itok=aJerBj6F"}}},"media_ids":["617147","617146","617151"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"167411","name":"solar cells"},{"id":"174838","name":"perovskite"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:john.toon@comm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["john.toon@comm.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"625691":{"#nid":"625691","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Selenium Anchors Could Improve Durability of Platinum Fuel Cell Catalysts","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EPlatinum has long been used as a catalyst to enable the oxidation reduction reaction at the center of fuel cell technology. But the metal\u0026rsquo;s high cost is one factor that has hindered fuel cells from competing with cheaper ways of powering automobiles and homes.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ENow researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new platinum-based catalytic system that is far more durable than traditional commercial systems and has a potentially longer lifespan. The new system could, over the long term, reduce the cost of producing fuel cells.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn the study, which was published July 15 in the ACS journal \u003Cem\u003ENano Letters\u003C\/em\u003E, the researchers described a possible new way to solve one of the key causes of degradation of platinum catalysts, sintering, a process in which particles of platinum migrate and clump together, reducing the specific surface area of the platinum and causing the catalytic activity to drop.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETo reduce such sintering, the researchers devised a method to anchor the platinum particles to their carbon support material using bits of the element selenium.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;There are strategies out there to mitigate sintering, such as using platinum particles that are uniform in size to reduce chemical instability among them,\u0026rdquo; said Zhengming Cao, a visiting graduate student at Georgia Tech. \u0026ldquo;This new method using selenium results in a strong metal-support interaction between platinum and the carbon support material and thus remarkably enhanced durability. At the same time, the platinum particles can be used and kept at a small to attain high catalytic activity from the increased specific surface area.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe process starts by loading nanoscale spheres of selenium onto the surface of a commercial carbon support. The selenium is then melted under high temperatures so that it spreads and uniformly covers the surface of the carbon. Then, the selenium is reacted with a salt precursor to platinum to generate particles of platinum smaller than two nanometers in diameter and evenly distributed across the carbon surface.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe covalent interaction between the selenium and platinum provides a strong link to stably anchor the platinum particles to the carbon.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The resulting catalyst system was remarkable both for its high activity as a catalyst as well as its durability,\u0026rdquo; said Younan Xia, professor and Brock Family Chair in the\u0026nbsp;Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u0026nbsp;at Georgia Tech and Emory University.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBecause of the increased specific surface area of the nanoscale platinum, the new catalytic system initially showed catalytic activity three and a half times higher than the pristine value of a state-of-the-art commercial platinum-carbon catalyst. Then, the research team tested the catalytic system using an accelerated durability test. Even after 20,000 cycles of electropotential sweeping, the new system still provided a catalytic activity more than three times that of the commercial system.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers used transmission electron microscopy at different stages of the durability test to examine why catalytic activity remained so high. They found that the selenium anchors were effective in keeping most of the platinum particles in place.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;After 20,000 cycles, most of the particles remained on the carbon support without detachment or aggregation,\u0026rdquo; Cao said. \u0026ldquo;We believe this type of catalytic system holds great potential as a scalable way to increase the durability and activity of platinum catalysts and eventually improve the feasibility of using fuel cells for a wider range of applications.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EPart of the research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy through the electron microscopy work performed at the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences. The work was also supported by the China Scholarship Council through the graduate student fellowship. The content is the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the sponsoring agencies.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: \u0026nbsp;Haoyan Cheng, Zhenming Cao, Zitao Chen, Ming Zhao, Minghao Xie, Zhiheng Lyu, Zhihong Zhu, Miaofang Chi and Younan Xia, \u0026ldquo;Catalytic System Based on Sub-2 nm Pt Particles and Its Extraordinary Activity and Durability for Oxygen Reduction,\u0026rdquo; (Nano Letters, July 2019).\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1021\/acs.nanolett.9b01221\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1021\/acs.nanolett.9b01221\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new platinum-based catalytic system that is far more durable than traditional commercial systems and has a potentially longer lifespan."}],"uid":"31758","created_gmt":"2019-09-05 17:11:52","changed_gmt":"2020-01-07 15:04:11","author":"Josh Brown","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2019-09-05T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2019-09-05T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"625709":{"id":"625709","type":"image","title":"Zhengming Cao","body":null,"created":"1567710568","gmt_created":"2019-09-05 19:09:28","changed":"1567710568","gmt_changed":"2019-09-05 19:09:28","alt":"","file":{"fid":"238213","name":"20C10302_P33_009_sm.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/20C10302_P33_009_sm.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/20C10302_P33_009_sm.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":837515,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/20C10302_P33_009_sm.jpg?itok=3ECIl6wO"}}},"media_ids":["625709"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"179519","name":"fuel cell catalyst"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:john.toon@comm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["john.toon@comm.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"625828":{"#nid":"625828","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Stretchy Plastic Electrolytes Could Enable New Lithium-Ion Battery Design","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe growing popularity of lithium-ion batteries in recent years has put a strain on the world\u0026rsquo;s supply of cobalt and nickel \u0026ndash; two metals integral to current battery designs \u0026ndash; and sent prices surging.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn a bid to develop alternative designs for lithium-based batteries with less reliance on those scarce metals, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a promising new cathode and electrolyte system that replaces expensive metals and traditional liquid electrolyte with lower cost transition metal fluorides and a solid polymer electrolyte.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Electrodes made from transition metal fluorides have long shown stability problems and rapid failure, leading to significant skepticism about their ability to be used in next generation batteries,\u0026rdquo; said Gleb Yushin, a professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;School of Materials Science and Engineering. \u0026ldquo;But we\u0026rsquo;ve shown that when used with a solid polymer electrolyte, the metal fluorides show remarkable stability \u0026ndash; even at higher temperatures \u0026ndash; which could eventually lead to safer, lighter and cheaper lithium-ion batteries.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn a typical lithium-ion battery, energy is released during the transfer of lithium ions between two electrodes \u0026ndash; an anode and a cathode, with a cathode typically comprising lithium and transition metals such as cobalt, nickel and manganese. The ions flow between the electrodes through a liquid electrolyte.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor the study, which was published Sept. 9 in the journal\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ENature Materials\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;and sponsored by the Army Research Office, the research team fabricated a new type of cathode from iron fluoride active material and a solid polymer electrolyte nanocomposite. Iron fluorides have more than double the lithium capacity of traditional cobalt- or nickel-based cathodes. In addition, iron is 300 times cheaper than cobalt and 150 times cheaper than nickel.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETo produce such a cathode, the researchers developed a process to infiltrate a solid polymer electrolyte into the prefabricated iron fluoride electrode. They then hot pressed the entire structure to increase density and reduce any voids.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETwo central features of the polymer-based electrolyte are its ability to flex and accommodate the swelling of the iron fluoride while cycling and its ability to form a very stable and flexible interphase with iron fluoride. Traditionally, that swelling and massive side reactions have been key problems with using iron fluoride in previous battery designs.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Cathodes made from iron fluoride have enormous potential because of their high capacity, low material costs and very broad availability of iron,\u0026rdquo; Yushin said. \u0026ldquo;But the volume changes during cycling as well as parasitic side reactions with liquid electrolytes and other degradation issues have limited their use previously. Using a solid electrolyte with elastic properties solves many of these problems.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers then tested several variations of the new solid-state batteries to analyze their performance over more than 300 cycles of charging and discharging at elevated temperature of 122 degrees Fahrenheit, noting that they outperformed previous designs using metal fluoride even when these were kept cool at room temperatures.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers found that the key to the enhanced battery performance was the solid polymer electrolyte. In previous attempts to use metal fluorides, it was believed that metallic ions migrated to the surface of the cathode and eventually dissolved into the liquid electrolyte, causing a capacity loss, particularly at elevated temperatures. In addition, metal fluorides catalyzed massive decomposition of liquid electrolytes when cells were operating above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. However, at the connection between the solid electrolyte and the cathode, such dissolving doesn\u0026rsquo;t take place and the solid electrolyte remains remarkably stable, preventing such degradations, the researchers wrote.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The polymer electrolyte we used was very common, but many other solid electrolytes and other battery or electrode architectures \u0026ndash; such as core-shell particle morphologies \u0026ndash; should be able to similarly dramatically mitigate or even fully prevent parasitic side reactions and attain stable performance characteristics,\u0026rdquo; said Kostiantyn Turcheniuk, research scientist in Yushin\u0026rsquo;s lab and a co-author of the manuscript.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn the future, the researchers aim to develop new and improved solid electrolytes to enable fast charging and also to combine solid and liquid electrolytes in new designs that are fully compatible with conventional cell manufacturing technologies employed in large battery factories.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis material is based upon work supported by the Army Research Office under Grant No. W911NF-17-1-0053. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsors.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION: \u003C\/strong\u003EQiao Huang, Kostiantyn Turcheniuk, Xiaolei Ren, Alexandre Magasinski, Ah-Young Song, Yiran Xiao, Doyoub Kim, and Gleb Yushin, \u0026ldquo;Cycle Stability of Conversion-Type Iron Fluoride Lithium Battery Cathode at Elevated Temperatures in Polymer Electrolyte Composites,\u0026rdquo; (Nature Materials, Sept. 2019). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41563-019-0472-7\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a promising new cathode and electrolyte system that replaces expensive metals and traditional liquid electrolyte with lower cost transition metal fluorides and a solid polymer electrolyte."}],"uid":"31758","created_gmt":"2019-09-09 15:07:09","changed_gmt":"2020-01-07 15:03:44","author":"Josh Brown","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2019-09-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2019-09-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"625888":{"id":"625888","type":"image","title":"Solid-state battery","body":null,"created":"1568059666","gmt_created":"2019-09-09 20:07:46","changed":"1568059666","gmt_changed":"2019-09-09 20:07:46","alt":"","file":{"fid":"238288","name":"20C10200-P11-001.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/20C10200-P11-001.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/20C10200-P11-001.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1015415,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/20C10200-P11-001.jpg?itok=6bkGqS8R"}},"625889":{"id":"625889","type":"image","title":"Gleb Yushin and Kostiantyn Turcheniuk","body":null,"created":"1568059811","gmt_created":"2019-09-09 20:10:11","changed":"1568059811","gmt_changed":"2019-09-09 20:10:11","alt":"","file":{"fid":"238289","name":"20C10200-P11-007.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/20C10200-P11-007.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/20C10200-P11-007.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":967321,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/20C10200-P11-007.jpg?itok=abXK0gM3"}}},"media_ids":["625888","625889"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:john.toon@comm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["john.toon@comm.gatech.edu "],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"628302":{"#nid":"628302","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Energy Regulation Rollbacks Threaten Progress Against Harmful Ozone","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EPollutants from coal-fired power plants help make ground-level ozone, and a warming world exacerbates that. Recent rollbacks of U.S. energy regulations may speed climate change, keep pollutants coming, and thus slow the fight against harmful ozone, according to\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.oneear.2019.09.006\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ea new study\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECurrently, 30% of the U.S. population lives with ozone levels that exceed government health standards. Though past environmental regulations have vastly helped clean the air and put the U.S. on a positive trajectory to reduce pollutants \u0026mdash; including ozone \u0026mdash; policy rollbacks back could slow the progress and even reverse it, researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EContinuing progress against ozone would pay off in better health and finances: The more ozone in the air, the more cases of respiratory illness and the higher the cost of meeting ozone level targets.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Additional ozone is tough to control technologically. The costs would be very high \u0026mdash; tens of billions of dollars,\u0026rdquo; said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ce.gatech.edu\/people\/faculty\/411\/overview\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ETed Russell, a principal investigator on the study\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026ldquo;In the meantime, more people would die than otherwise would have.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.oneear.2019.09.006\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Epublished their results in\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EOne Earth,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Ea\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ECell Press\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;journal on Friday, October 25, 2019\u003C\/a\u003E. The research was funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and by the National Science Foundation.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe study focuses on ground-level ozone people breathe to the detriment of their health, which should not be confused with the stratospheric ozone that protects us from the sun\u0026rsquo;s harmful radiation.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGoodbye environmental policies\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn the last three years, various energy policies have been loosened, which should result in raised CO\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E\u0026nbsp;emissions and continued emissions of ozone precursors in years to come, the study\u0026rsquo;s authors said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Incentives are being retired like production and investment tax credits, which have been very influential in solar and wind,\u0026rdquo; said Marilyn Brown,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iac.gatech.edu\/people\/faculty\/brown\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ea Regents Professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s School of Public Policy\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and a principal investigator on the study. \u0026ldquo;The Investment Tax Credit gives a 30% tax reduction for investments in solar or wind farms or the purchase of solar rooftop panels by homeowners. The Production Tax Credit for utilities reduces tax liabilities by 23 cents for each kilowatt-hour of electricity generated by solar, wind or other renewable energy sources.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBut one policy move in particular stands to keep more ingredients in the ozone-making cauldron: courts preventing the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/archive.epa.gov\/epa\/cleanpowerplan\/fact-sheet-overview-clean-power-plan.html\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EClean Power Plan (CPP)\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;from going into effect and its replacement with the Trump administration\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/stationary-sources-air-pollution\/affordable-clean-energy-rule\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAffordable Clean Energy\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(ACE) plan.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EACE, which also has not been implemented, would make it easier to continue burning fossil fuels, particularly coal, according to Brown, who was a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nobelprize.org\/prizes\/peace\/2007\/summary\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ewhich received a Nobel Peace Prize in 2007\u003C\/a\u003E. CPP would have phased out those generators, reducing nitrogen oxide gases, or NO\u003Csub\u003EX\u003C\/sub\u003E, key reactants in the production of ozone.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Csup\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003E[Ready for graduate school?\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.gradadmiss.gatech.edu\/apply-now\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EHere\u0026#39;s how to apply to Georgia Tech.\u003C\/a\u003E]\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/sup\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFrom NO\u003Csub\u003EX\u003C\/sub\u003E\u0026nbsp;to noxious\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The major target of the CPP was CO\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E, but it had side effects on the reduction of NO\u003Csub\u003EX\u003C\/sub\u003E\u0026nbsp;because it shifted coal use to natural gas as well as to renewable sources,\u0026rdquo; said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.prism.gatech.edu\/~hshen73\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EHuizhong Shen\u003C\/a\u003E, a postdoctoral researcher in Russell\u0026rsquo;s group and one of the study\u0026rsquo;s first authors.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe study modeled atmospheric chemistry that produces O\u003Csub\u003E3\u003C\/sub\u003E\u0026nbsp;around\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/skepticalscience.com\/rcp.php\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ecommonly predicted trajectories for greenhouse gas emissions\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and climate change paired with anticipated pollutant emissions, particularly of NO\u003Csub\u003EX\u003C\/sub\u003E. The model\u0026rsquo;s output depicted \u0026ldquo;non-attainment\u0026rdquo; scores, which refer to the number of U.S. counties exceeding ozone targets and by how much.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe study modeled against official targets for ozone levels and in addition, against cleaner standards widely held to be attainable and much healthier for people. Models built around rolled-back environmental regulations and increased warming initially showed the current trajectory of progress against ozone levels continuing \u0026mdash; but later reversing. Ozone levels then rose again, putting many more counties in non-attainment by or before 2050.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENature\u0026rsquo;s surprise ingredient\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAlongside human-produced NO\u003Csub\u003EX\u003C\/sub\u003E, nature contributes ozone-making ingredients that aren\u0026rsquo;t harmful per se and often smell great, like the aroma of cut grass or of a pine tree. They are examples of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), of which nature produces hundreds.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EVOCs get into the air easily and react readily with other chemicals. The warmer the air and the sun, the more vegetation produces VOCs that meet with raised levels of NO\u003Csub\u003EX\u003C\/sub\u003E\u0026nbsp;emissions to make ozone. It forms downstream from emissions sources, making it hard to regulate.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;There are no ozone emissions, just precursor emissions,\u0026rdquo; Shen said. \u0026ldquo;So, emission controls for ozone have to mainly target NO\u003Csub\u003EX\u003C\/sub\u003E\u0026nbsp;emissions.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFeedbacks and pile-ons\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EKeeping ozone around as the world warms will be more than just the sum of power plants still emitting NO\u003Csub\u003EX\u003C\/sub\u003E\u0026nbsp;plus boosted VOC emissions.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;If you heat up the air, it also speeds up photochemical reactions involved in ozone production,\u0026rdquo; Shen said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Ozone is a greenhouse gas, so it adds some climate change feedback, too,\u0026rdquo; said Russell, who is\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ce.gatech.edu\/news\/tellepsen-joins-college-engineering-hall-fame-higginbotham-and-mitchell-win-alumni-awards\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EHoward T. Tellepsen\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;Chair and Regents Professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. \u0026ldquo;You can also have increased vegetation emissions of ammonia. Some of this goes on to form particulate matter, which is also harmful to the lungs.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPassing the buck\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen coal-fired power plants emit NO\u003Csub\u003EX\u003C\/sub\u003E, the ozone strikes miles away.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Ozone can occur hundreds of miles away, so if controls are loosened in one state to save industry money there, a state downstream may have to spend even more to try to meet ozone targets. You transfer the problem and the costs,\u0026rdquo; Russell said. \u0026ldquo;Most U.S. cities are already not in attainment, and this will likely make it harder for them to get there.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/rh.gatech.edu\/news\/628309\/us-carbon-and-pollution-emissions-policies-are-air\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAlso READ the companion piece on policy:\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EU.S. Carbon and Pollution Emissions Policies are \u0026lsquo;Up in the Air\u0026rsquo;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe co-authors of the research are: Yilin Chen, Yufei Li, Yongtao Hu, Mehmet Odman, Momei Qin, Abiola Lawal, Gertrude Pavur, and Marilyn Brown of Georgia Tech; Zhihong Chen of Georgia Tech and the Chinese University of Hong Kong; Jhih-Shyang Shih and Dallas Burtraw of Resources for the Future; Lucas Henneman of Harvard University; Shuai Shao and Charles Driscoll of Syracuse University; and Haofei Yu of the University of Central Florida. The research was funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (grant R835880) and the National Science Foundation (grant 1444745). Any findings, conclusions, or recommendations are those of the authors and not necessarily of the funding agencies. Ted Russell served on the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee during the administration of President Barack Obama.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDOI:\u0026nbsp;https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.oneear.2019.09.006\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter \u0026amp;\u0026nbsp;Media Representative\u003C\/strong\u003E: Ben Brumfield (404-272-2780)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EEmail:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia \u0026nbsp;30332-0181 \u0026nbsp;USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe fight against harmful ozone, which\u0026nbsp;attacks\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;respiratory system,\u0026nbsp;would get harder, and progress in the fight\u0026nbsp;would\u0026nbsp;reverse if helpful regulations disappear. With the regulations currently\u0026nbsp;in limbo, a new study strips them away to model the effects on\u0026nbsp;this pollutant.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"This is what could happen if all endangered regulations that help in the fight against harmful ozone go away."}],"uid":"31759","created_gmt":"2019-10-29 17:10:30","changed_gmt":"2019-11-20 15:09:59","author":"Ben Brumfield","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2019-10-29T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2019-10-29T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"628279":{"id":"628279","type":"image","title":"Coal-fired power plant by day","body":null,"created":"1572367188","gmt_created":"2019-10-29 16:39:48","changed":"1572367188","gmt_changed":"2019-10-29 16:39:48","alt":"","file":{"fid":"239265","name":"Dave_Johnson_coal-fired_power_plant,_central_Wyoming.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Dave_Johnson_coal-fired_power_plant%2C_central_Wyoming.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Dave_Johnson_coal-fired_power_plant%2C_central_Wyoming.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":169457,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Dave_Johnson_coal-fired_power_plant%2C_central_Wyoming.jpg?itok=H7TdZtru"}},"628280":{"id":"628280","type":"image","title":"Coal-fired power plant by night","body":null,"created":"1572367555","gmt_created":"2019-10-29 16:45:55","changed":"1572367555","gmt_changed":"2019-10-29 16:45:55","alt":"","file":{"fid":"239266","name":"Jeffrey_EC_at_night.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Jeffrey_EC_at_night.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Jeffrey_EC_at_night.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":185223,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Jeffrey_EC_at_night.jpg?itok=MBLNs6Vh"}}},"media_ids":["628279","628280"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2866","name":"ozone"},{"id":"182871","name":"Ozone Levels"},{"id":"182872","name":"ozone attainment"},{"id":"182873","name":"Attainment"},{"id":"2999","name":"NOx"},{"id":"182874","name":"Noxious"},{"id":"182875","name":"nox2"},{"id":"182876","name":"Nox4"},{"id":"182877","name":"nitrogen oxides"},{"id":"182878","name":"Nitrogen Oxide"},{"id":"182879","name":"NO2"},{"id":"4198","name":"coal"},{"id":"182880","name":"Coal fired power plants"},{"id":"182881","name":"Coal Fired"},{"id":"182882","name":"coal combustion byproduct"},{"id":"169200","name":"clean power plan"},{"id":"182883","name":"Clean Power Plan Rollback"},{"id":"182884","name":"Clean power"},{"id":"182885","name":"Affordable Clean Energy"},{"id":"174079","name":"Trump administration"},{"id":"182886","name":"Executive Order"},{"id":"15284","name":"Obama Administration"},{"id":"8355","name":"clean air act"},{"id":"182887","name":"CAFE standards"},{"id":"182888","name":"Corporate Average Fuel Economy"},{"id":"4107","name":"regulations"},{"id":"15275","name":"carbon emissions"},{"id":"7508","name":"carbon dioxide"},{"id":"182889","name":"carbon dioxide (CO2)"},{"id":"182890","name":"Carbon Dioxide Atmosphere"},{"id":"182891","name":"Carbon gas"},{"id":"182892","name":"carbon aerosols"},{"id":"182893","name":"carbon dioxide effects"},{"id":"791","name":"Global Warming"},{"id":"182531","name":"Global Warming And The Environment"},{"id":"182536","name":"Global Warming Concerns"},{"id":"182535","name":"Global Warming Research"},{"id":"182534","name":"Global Warming Climate Change"},{"id":"831","name":"climate change"},{"id":"182894","name":"climate change and human health"},{"id":"182895","name":"climate change agreement"},{"id":"182896","name":"Policy \u0026 Politics"},{"id":"50991","name":"Policy and Ethics"},{"id":"182897","name":"policy challenges"},{"id":"745","name":"air quality"},{"id":"182898","name":"air quality alert"},{"id":"182899","name":"Air Quality and Health"},{"id":"182900","name":"air quality forecast"},{"id":"47281","name":"forecast"},{"id":"182901","name":"Ozone Exposure"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"628700":{"#nid":"628700","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Novel Solar Cells Arrive at International Space Station for Testing","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFive different types of solar cells fabricated by research teams at the Georgia Institute of Technology have arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) to be tested for their power conversion rate and ability to operate in the harsh space environment as part of the MISSE-12 mission. One type of cell, made of low-cost organic materials, has not been extensively tested in space before.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETextured carbon nanotube-based photovoltaic cells designed to capture light from any angle will be evaluated for their ability to efficiently produce power regardless of their orientation toward the sun. Other cells made from perovskite materials and a low-cost copper-zinc-tin-sulfide (CZTS) material \u0026ndash; along with a control group of traditional silicon-based cells \u0026ndash; will be among the 20 photovoltaic (PV) devices placed on the Materials International Space Station Experiment Flight Facility on the exterior of the ISS for a six-month evaluation. For two of the cells, the launch marked their second trip into space.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The research questions are the same for all the photovoltaic cells: Can these photo-absorbers be used effectively in space?\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/people\/jud-ready\u0022\u003EJud Ready\u003C\/a\u003E, principal research engineer in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.gtri.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Research Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (GTRI), associate director of Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s Center for Space Technology and Research, and deputy director of Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s Institute for Materials. \u0026ldquo;With this test, we will gain insights into the degradation mechanisms of these materials and be able to compare their power production under varying conditions.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOrganic solar cells developed in the laboratory of Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/faculty-staff-directory\/bernard-j-kippelen\u0022\u003EBernard Kippelen\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech are processed at low temperatures using solution-based processes over large areas to produce cells with an absorber that can be about 200 times thinner than the width of a human hair.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;With a very low weight and power conversion efficiency values of up to 16%, organic solar cells could yield power values in the hundreds of thousands of watts per kilogram of active material, which is very attractive for space applications,\u0026rdquo; said Kippelen, the Joseph M. Pettit Professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026ldquo;However, the effects of continuous exposure of these devices in a space environment have not been thoroughly explored. Our interest is in investigating the robustness of the interfaces formed in these devices in a space environment, as well as to improve our understanding of the mechanisms of degradation for organic solar cells in space.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETraditional flat solar cells are most efficient when the sunlight is directly overhead. Because the direction of the solar flux varies with the orbit, large space vehicles like the ISS use mechanical pointing mechanisms to keep the cells properly aimed. Those complex mechanisms create maintenance issues, however, and are too heavy for use on very small spacecraft such as CubeSats.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETo overcome the pointing problem, Ready\u0026rsquo;s team developed 3D textured solar cells that can efficiently capture sunlight arriving at different angles. The cells use \u0026ldquo;towers\u0026rdquo; made from carbon nanotubes and covered with PV material to trap light that would bounce off standard cells when they are not angled toward the sun.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;With our light-trapping structure, we are agnostic to the sun angle,\u0026rdquo; said Ready. \u0026ldquo;Our cells actually work better at glancing angles. On CubeSats, that will allow efficient capture regardless of the orientation of the sun.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPerovskite cells produced in the laboratory of \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/people\/zhiqun-lin\u0022\u003EZhiqun Lin\u003C\/a\u003E, professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Materials Science and Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, will also be tested. These materials have known failure mechanisms caused by moisture and oxygen absorption. \u0026ldquo;These two failure mechanisms won\u0026rsquo;t be present on the outside of the International Space Station, so this test will allow us to see the performance of these materials without those issues. We should be able to determine whether these known issues might be masking other degradation causes,\u0026rdquo; Ready said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECZTS materials are potentially next-generation solar cells made up of low-cost, Earth-abundant materials: copper, zinc, tin and sulfur. The materials have a high absorption coefficient and may be resistant to radiation \u0026ndash; useful for space applications \u0026ndash; and offer an attractive tradeoff between cost and performance, Ready said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESilicon-based solar cells produced by the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ucep.ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EUniversity Center of Excellence in Photovoltaic Research and Education\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech will provide a way to compare the performance of the other cells. The laboratory, headed by Regents Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/faculty-staff-directory\/ajeet-rohatgi\u0022\u003EAjeet Rohatgi\u003C\/a\u003E from the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, provided boron-doped p-type cells with a phosphorus-doped n+ emitter and aluminum-doped p+ back surface field.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;These silicon photo-absorber cells will serve as controls to compare the performance of other photo-absorber materials in space,\u0026rdquo; said Rohatgi.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe 20 PV cells will briefly join three other cells fabricated by Georgia Tech researchers that are already on the ISS. Those three, and two on the newest mission, were part of a 2016 experiment that was unable to record data, though it did provide information about the effects of the space environment on the solar cells.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech photovoltaic cells were launched to the ISS on Nov. 2 aboard the S.S. Alan Bean, a Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft from NASA\u0026rsquo;s Wallops Island Facility, as part of a routine resupply mission. For their testing, the cells were integrated into a test package by Alpha Space Test \u0026amp; Research Alliance of Houston.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to those already mentioned, the project also included Canek Fuentes-Hernandez, Matthew Rager, Hunter Chan, Christopher Tran, Christopher Blancher, Zhitao Kang and Conner Awald and Brian Rounsaville, all from Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFive different types of solar cells fabricated by research teams at the Georgia Institute of Technology have arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) to be tested for their power conversion rate and ability to operate in the harsh space environment as part of the MISSE-12 mission. One type of cell, made of low-cost organic materials, has not been extensively tested in space before.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Five different types of solar cells fabricated by Georgia Tech researchers have arrived at the International Space Station to be tested."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2019-11-07 02:04:42","changed_gmt":"2019-11-11 22:07:51","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2019-11-06T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2019-11-06T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"628695":{"id":"628695","type":"image","title":"Launch of spacecraft carrying PV cells","body":null,"created":"1573091403","gmt_created":"2019-11-07 01:50:03","changed":"1573091403","gmt_changed":"2019-11-07 01:50:03","alt":"Launch of spacecraft carrying solar cells","file":{"fid":"239434","name":"launch3.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/launch3.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/launch3.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":112102,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/launch3.jpg?itok=6sGkKr8S"}},"628698":{"id":"628698","type":"image","title":"Researcher Jud Ready with solar cells","body":null,"created":"1573091793","gmt_created":"2019-11-07 01:56:33","changed":"1573091793","gmt_changed":"2019-11-07 01:56:33","alt":"Researcher Jud Ready with solar cells","file":{"fid":"239437","name":"iss-solar-110.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/iss-solar-110.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/iss-solar-110.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":600428,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/iss-solar-110.jpg?itok=yr6mRZjG"}},"628696":{"id":"628696","type":"image","title":"Silicon solar cell fabricated at Georgia Tech","body":null,"created":"1573091555","gmt_created":"2019-11-07 01:52:35","changed":"1573091555","gmt_changed":"2019-11-07 01:52:35","alt":"Silicon solar cell held in a hand","file":{"fid":"239435","name":"iss-solar-101.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/iss-solar-101.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/iss-solar-101.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":369845,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/iss-solar-101.jpg?itok=GMkHPaNB"}},"628697":{"id":"628697","type":"image","title":"Organic photovoltaic devices","body":null,"created":"1573091672","gmt_created":"2019-11-07 01:54:32","changed":"1573091672","gmt_changed":"2019-11-07 01:54:32","alt":"Organic photovoltaic device in a hand","file":{"fid":"239436","name":"organic-pv.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/organic-pv.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/organic-pv.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1361225,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/organic-pv.jpg?itok=U22CTJni"}},"628699":{"id":"628699","type":"image","title":"Selection of solar cells","body":null,"created":"1573091912","gmt_created":"2019-11-07 01:58:32","changed":"1573091912","gmt_changed":"2019-11-07 01:58:32","alt":"Group of photovoltaic cells","file":{"fid":"239438","name":"iss-solar-116.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/iss-solar-116.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/iss-solar-116.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":362306,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/iss-solar-116.jpg?itok=POUsigGP"}}},"media_ids":["628695","628698","628696","628697","628699"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"77201","name":"PV"},{"id":"1073","name":"photovoltaic"},{"id":"167411","name":"solar cells"},{"id":"2681","name":"iss"},{"id":"2798","name":"International Space Station"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"628640":{"#nid":"628640","#data":{"type":"news","title":"National Labs, Georgia Tech, Collaborate on AI Research ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Institute of Technology, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/sandia.gov\u0022\u003ESandia National Laboratories\u003C\/a\u003E, and the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/pnnl.gov\u0022\u003EPacific Northwest National Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E are jointly launching a new research center to solve some of the most challenging problems in artificial intelligence (AI) today, thanks to $5.5 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAI enables computer systems to automatically learn from experience without being explicitly programmed. Such technology can perform tasks that formerly only a human could: see, identify patterns, make decisions, and act.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe new co-design center, known as the Center for ARtificial Intelligence-focused Architectures and Algorithms (ARIAA), funded by DoE\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/science\/office-science\u0022\u003EOffice of Science\u003C\/a\u003E, will promote collaboration between scientists at the three organizations as they develop core technologies important for the application of AI to DoE mission priorities, such as cybersecurity, electric grid resilience, graph analytics, and scientific simulations.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPNNL Senior Research Scientist Roberto Gioiosa will be the center\u0026rsquo;s director and will lead the overall vision, strategy, and research direction. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/faculty-staff-directory\/tushar-krishna\u0022\u003ETushar Krishna\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (ECE), and Siva Rajamanickam, a computer scientist at Sandia, will serve as deputy directors.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EEach institution brings to the collaboration a unique strength: PNNL has expertise in power grid simulation, chemistry, and cybersecurity and has research experience in computer architecture and programming models, as well as computing resources such as systems for testing emerging architectures. Sandia has expertise in software simulation of computer systems, machine learning algorithms, graph analytics, and sparse linear algebra, and will provide access to computer facilities and testbed systems to support early access to emerging computing architectures for code development and testing. Georgia Tech has expertise in modeling and developing custom accelerators for machine learning and sparse linear algebra and will develop and provide access to novel hardware prototypes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;New projects like the center were made possible by the strategic collaboration between Sandia and Georgia Tech for the past few years,\u0026quot; said Sandia\u0026rsquo;s Rajamanickam.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESpecial-purpose hardware can enable AI tasks to run faster and use less energy than on conventional computing devices such as CPUs and GPUs. ARIAA is centered around a concept known as \u0026ldquo;co-design,\u0026rdquo; which refers to the need for researchers to weigh and balance the capabilities of hardware and software \u0026ndash; and corral the vastly different types of architectures and algorithms possible to best solve the problems at hand.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EKrishna\u0026rsquo;s lab will lead the effort on architecting and evaluating reconfigurable hardware accelerators that can adapt to the rapidly evolving needs of AI applications. In particular, running sparse computations efficiently will be a key focus. Sparse computations are critical to several computational areas of interest to the DoE because they greatly reduce the number of computations on problems with large amounts of data. One way of thinking about sparsity is that there might be millions or even billions of users on a social media site, but a user cares about updates only from a few hundred friends.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EKrishna, the ON Semiconductor Junior Professor in ECE, works on custom hardware accelerators for AI. In 2015, he co-developed the Eyeriss Deep Learning ASIC (in collaboration with MIT), which was one of the earliest prototypes demonstrating real-time inference on a state-of-the-art deep neural network then known as AlexNet. More recently his lab has been working on an analytical microarchitectural design-space exploration tool for AI accelerators known as MAESTRO (developed in collaboration with NVIDIA) and a reconfigurable AI accelerator platform known as MAERI. Both of these will be leveraged to perform co-design as part of the ARIAA center.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Georgia Tech provides a great environment to carry out research in hardware-software co-design due to a rich collaborative environment across ECE and the College of Computing, and vibrant research centers such as Machine Learning at Georgia Tech (ML@GT) and the Center for Research into Novel Computing Hierarchies (CRNCH) that bring together researchers with experience in algorithms, compilers, architecture, circuits, and novel devices, fostering collaboration and innovation,\u0026rdquo; said Krishna.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E- Adapted from an article by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Institute of Technology, Sandia National Laboratories, and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are jointly launching a new research center to solve some of the most challenging problems in artificial intelligence (AI) today, thanks to $5.5 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech is part of a new research center created to solve some of the most challenging issues in AI."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2019-11-06 02:01:53","changed_gmt":"2019-11-06 02:04:02","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2019-11-05T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2019-11-05T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"628639":{"id":"628639","type":"image","title":"Assistant Professor Tushar Krishna","body":null,"created":"1573005071","gmt_created":"2019-11-06 01:51:11","changed":"1573005071","gmt_changed":"2019-11-06 01:51:11","alt":"Assistant Professor Tushar Krishna","file":{"fid":"239419","name":"codesign-005.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/codesign-005.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/codesign-005.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":488782,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/codesign-005.jpg?itok=6J_kOLpr"}}},"media_ids":["628639","628639"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2835","name":"ai"},{"id":"2556","name":"artificial intelligence"},{"id":"178471","name":"co-design"},{"id":"213","name":"energy"},{"id":"663","name":"Department of Energy"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39481","name":"National Security"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"623756":{"#nid":"623756","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Reinvented Toilets Could Provide Safe Sanitation for 2.5 Billion People","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThere\u0026rsquo;s a shiny black espresso machine prominently displayed in \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/yee\u0022\u003EShannon Yee\u0026rsquo;s \u003C\/a\u003Eoffice in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile Yee is indeed a coffee drinker, there is a more important reason for the machine\u0026rsquo;s presence: Its compact and efficient design may hold the key to meeting the needs of the approximately 2.5 billion people worldwide who now lack improved sanitation. An associate professor specializing in energy technologies, Yee is leading a $13.5 million effort funded by the Bill \u0026amp; Melinda Gates Foundation to reinvent the toilet \u0026mdash; technology that hasn\u0026rsquo;t changed much in more than a century.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHigh pressure, heat, and control of liquids are essential to making a good cup of espresso. They are also critical for a 21st-century toilet able to reduce human waste to clean water and benign solids, operating with no plumbing or sewerage connections \u0026ndash; and an amount of electricity that could potentially be provided by a single solar panel.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EShifting Away from Treatment Plants\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EExisting toilets still rely on a key innovation patented in 1775: the S-trap, which holds water in the toilet bowl to prevent sewer gases from entering buildings containing flush toilets. It\u0026rsquo;s not that the system doesn\u0026rsquo;t work well, but the world\u0026rsquo;s poorest cannot afford the sewage treatment infrastructure necessitated by existing toilets.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The Reinvent The Toilet Challenge (RTTC) wanted to create a momentous global shift away from sewerage systems,\u0026rdquo; said Yee. \u0026ldquo;It can no longer be about running pipes to a central treatment plant.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECentralizing the Engineering Efforts\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch to reinvent the toilet was launched by the Gates Foundation eight years ago and those efforts have made significant progress toward this goal. But gaps remain, and the broader team will have 42 months to bridge those gaps to produce a minimum of six reinvented toilet prototypes ready for a commercial manufacturer.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe new initiative is nicknamed Generation 2 Reinvented Toilet (G2RT). It will build on the exceptional innovations developed during the original RTTC program. The goal will now be to bring the dispersed efforts together to focus on demonstrating prototypes of a single user reinvented toilet (SURT) that\u0026nbsp;the world\u0026rsquo;s poorest regions can afford.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We will have to hit a certain reduction in pathogenic markers like E. coli bacteria, and we will also have to control, treat, and handle the nitrates and phosphates associated with waste,\u0026rdquo; Yee explained. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s a pretty aggressive goal and those metrics will be hard to hit at a cost point of $450. And each SURT will have to operate for less than 15 cents per day.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe G2RT project has formed three engineering teams, two of them headed by researchers from the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.gtri.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Research Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (GTRI) \u0026ndash; Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s applied research group \u0026ndash; and one from Helbling Technik, the Swiss engineering company that designed Yee\u0026rsquo;s espresso machine. The GTRI teams will be led by Principal Research Scientist Kevin Caravati and Senior Research Scientist Ilan Stern, both of whom have been involved in creating new products. The Helbling team is being led by Christian Seiler, who holds the title of Head Of Development Process Technologies at the company.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe engineering teams are joined by researchers from other institutions, including:\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003ECranfield University, led by Professors Ewan McAdam and Leon Williams\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EDuke University, led by Professor Brian Stoner and Research Scientist Brian Hawkins\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EUniversity of Kwazulu Natal in South Africa, led by Professor Chris Buckley\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EUniversity of Applied Sciences in Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW), led by Professor Frederic Vogel\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EScion, a New Zealand company, led by Environmental Engineer Daniel Gapes\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAt Georgia Tech, GTRI Research Engineer Paula G\u0026oacute;mez and microbiologist Stephanie Richter, along with Ph.D. students Bettina Thomas and Amanda Lai and undergraduate student Magdalena Ravello, will develop concepts for features that will serve women, children, seniors, and those with special needs.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research teams will be reviewing all that has been developed so far and asking existing researchers to discuss concepts that may have been discarded along the way. Centralizing the engineering should help accelerate progress toward the G2RT finish line.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We want to take the best concepts that have been developed and try to integrate them,\u0026rdquo; Yee said. \u0026ldquo;We will look at the problem holistically and try to deliver a series of prototypes tailored for various culturally acceptable use cases.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EControlling Cost, Creating Value\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECost targets will require some engineering compromises, of course. Instead of using mechanical solenoids common in the developed world, for instance, the SURT will use simpler technology \u0026ndash; perhaps a camshaft to control actuation. In addition to being inexpensive and easy to deploy, the SURT will have to be simple to maintain and repair.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor homeowners around the world, having an indoor toilet provides perceived value well beyond the cost. \u0026ldquo;How much are you willing to pay to have a toilet in your house versus the alternative? Once they have clean water and electricity, people start looking at sanitation,\u0026rdquo; Yee observed.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThat perceived value provides the basis for what could be a very large market. And that doesn\u0026rsquo;t include the value of preventing disease, improving dignity, and offering better safety.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EInitially, the new toilets will likely be purchased and installed by non-governmental organizations and governments to demonstrate the potential. Then it will be up to homeowners and others to see the value and make the investment.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThere are multiple engineering alternatives for what can happen to human waste inside the reinvented toilet. Suffice to say that heat and pressure will be required, and that the result will be water and a dry, odor-free sanitized solid that can be placed into municipal landfills, buried or even burned.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Laws of Thermodynamics\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EYee\u0026rsquo;s interest in the project stems from the thermodynamic issues involved. At Georgia Tech, he has pursued new methods of converting heat into useful energy and developing new cooling technologies. Success of the toilet project will depend on working within the limits of the first and second laws of thermodynamics \u0026ndash; using the energy in solid waste, supplemented by a minimal amount of electricity, in the most efficient manner.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This is very much a thermodynamics and heat transfer problem,\u0026rdquo; said Yee. \u0026ldquo;It comes down to the flow of energy and how we can heat things locally to accomplish what we need with the toilet. I would say we are working at the intersection of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and chemistry.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe strategy will require keeping solids separate from liquids, a practice that conventional sanitation systems abandoned long ago. Existing sewerage systems combine solids and liquids for transport to central treatment plants, where they must be separated \u0026ndash; consuming large amounts of both water and energy in plants that are costly to build and operate.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;A lot of our systems today are based on having large volumes of water to transport the dilute waste streams,\u0026rdquo; Yee said. \u0026ldquo;But when you treat human waste, it\u0026rsquo;s a lot easier to treat a high solid concentration and a high liquid concentration separately.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOriginally, the reinvented toilets were supposed to work without electricity. \u0026ldquo;However, in the last decade, we have seen a dramatic decline in the cost of distributed energy from solar and other sources,\u0026rdquo; Yee said. \u0026ldquo;When you look at how rural electrification efforts are going, this electricity input seems reasonable.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERecruiting Existing Manufacturers\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe project will recruit and work with existing manufacturers \u0026ndash; companies that can afford to invest $100 million in developing the product for manufacturing \u0026ndash; to take over once prototypes have been built. The actual products will depend on cultural norms for each market, but will use common processing technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s potentially a very large market, but the entry point will be difficult,\u0026rdquo; Yee admits. \u0026ldquo;We want to work with large companies that are aligned with the Gates Foundation\u0026rsquo;s goals of global access and societal good, and help these companies access the $10 billion-per-year market with our technologies.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBut fielding reinvented toilets is only part of the battle. They will have to be maintained to keep them working. While that may seem like a major challenge in parts of the world without home repair centers nearby, it could actually provide a new source of employment, Yee noted.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Some maintenance is required, but that\u0026rsquo;s not necessarily a bad thing,\u0026rdquo; he explained. \u0026ldquo;You can imagine having a service technician who visits periodically to change a filter.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOpportunities in a Grand Challenge\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile entrepreneurship still attracts students to universities, Yee is seeing a shift toward the excitement of tackling grand challenges like this one. \u0026ldquo;The climate is changing at universities and students seem to be focused on the big problems of the world,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;We are getting into this at just the right time.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile the main technological challenges for G2RT may require professional engineering to reduce risk for manufacturing, components of the challenge will also be open to student design projects. For instance, integrating odor control technologies and potentially including health monitoring may be projects for students to take on.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;It is quite an honor that the Gates Foundation believes we can tackle this grand challenge,\u0026rdquo; Yee said. \u0026ldquo;We are very fortunate to have the infrastructure and past investments that will allow us to do this.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELessons for the Developed World\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile the Gates Foundation and the G2RT effort are focused on parts of the globe without improved sanitation, the reinvented toilets may ultimately find applications in large cities like Atlanta, Seattle, San Francisco, or Washington where sewerage systems may be in need of replacement.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;It is going to be far too costly to replace all of that infrastructure at the end of its lifetime,\u0026rdquo; Yee said. \u0026ldquo;Cities in the developed world may ultimately want to move in this direction, too.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis publication is based on research funded by the Bill \u0026amp; Melinda Gates Foundation. The findings and conclusions contained within are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect positions or policies of the Bill \u0026amp; Melinda Gates Foundation.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers are leading a $13.5 million effort, funded by the Bill \u0026amp; Melinda Gates Foundation, to reinvent the toilet. The project has implications for the 2.5 billion people worldwide who lack improved sanitation.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers are leading a $13.5 million effort, funded by the Bill \u0026 Melinda Gates Foundation, to reinvent the toilet."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2019-07-29 14:41:48","changed_gmt":"2019-10-14 20:29:51","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2019-07-29T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2019-07-29T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"623748":{"id":"623748","type":"image","title":"Georgia Tech is helping reinvent the toilet","body":null,"created":"1564409968","gmt_created":"2019-07-29 14:19:28","changed":"1564409968","gmt_changed":"2019-07-29 14:19:28","alt":"Doll house toilet","file":{"fid":"237566","name":"reinventing1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/reinventing1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/reinventing1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":167317,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/reinventing1.jpg?itok=8C7y_381"}},"627581":{"id":"627581","type":"image","title":"GTRI researchers use an auger test cell ","body":null,"created":"1571084927","gmt_created":"2019-10-14 20:28:47","changed":"1571084927","gmt_changed":"2019-10-14 20:28:47","alt":"auger test cell in GTRI laboratory","file":{"fid":"238947","name":"Auger_Test_Cell_Prototype-103.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Auger_Test_Cell_Prototype-103_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Auger_Test_Cell_Prototype-103_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":634449,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Auger_Test_Cell_Prototype-103_0.jpg?itok=5LUoflmE"}},"623749":{"id":"623749","type":"image","title":"Research team reinventing the toilet","body":null,"created":"1564410134","gmt_created":"2019-07-29 14:22:14","changed":"1564410134","gmt_changed":"2019-07-29 14:22:14","alt":"Georgia Tech reinventing the toilet research team","file":{"fid":"237568","name":"reinventing2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/reinventing2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/reinventing2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":656595,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/reinventing2.jpg?itok=-d55YfQ9"}},"623751":{"id":"623751","type":"image","title":"Concepts for reinventing the toilet","body":null,"created":"1564410355","gmt_created":"2019-07-29 14:25:55","changed":"1564410355","gmt_changed":"2019-07-29 14:25:55","alt":"","file":{"fid":"237570","name":"reinventing-5.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/reinventing-5.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/reinventing-5.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":290453,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/reinventing-5.jpg?itok=gUPYFdeM"}},"623750":{"id":"623750","type":"image","title":"Research team reinventing the toilet-2","body":null,"created":"1564410251","gmt_created":"2019-07-29 14:24:11","changed":"1564410251","gmt_changed":"2019-07-29 14:24:11","alt":"reinventing, reinventing toilet, sanitation, Gates Foundation","file":{"fid":"237569","name":"reinventing4.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/reinventing4.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/reinventing4.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1004325,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/reinventing4.jpg?itok=moQ93aSj"}}},"media_ids":["623748","627581","623749","623751","623750"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"169391","name":"sanitation"},{"id":"181825","name":"toilet"},{"id":"181823","name":"reinventing toilet"},{"id":"87341","name":"thermodynamics"},{"id":"33051","name":"Bill \u0026 Melinda Gates Foundation"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"626994":{"#nid":"626994","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Hybrid Breakers Could Make Direct Current Practical in High Power Applications","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EDirect current (DC) powers flashlights, smartphones and electric cars, but major power users depend on alternating current (AC), which cycles on and off 60 times per second. Among the reasons: AC is simple to turn off when there\u0026rsquo;s a problem \u0026mdash; known as a fault \u0026mdash; such as a tree falling on a power line.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBut DC has inherent advantages over its alternating cousin, among them higher efficiency and the ability to carry more power over longer distances. That could be increasingly important as wind farms in rural areas produce power needed in population centers. And future electric aircraft and ships are likely to be powered by high-power-density DC systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAlternating current can be shut down when the power level hits zero during a cycle \u0026mdash; the zero-crossing point of a sine wave \u0026mdash; which is the basis for breakers that protect modern power systems everywhere from substations to home installations. Without these alternating cycles, however, direct current has no opportune time to turn off the power.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ENew technology funded by a $3.3 million award from ARPA-E\u0026rsquo;s BREAKERS program could help solve that problem using innovations in power electronics, piezoelectric actuators, and new insulation materials to make high-power DC circuit breakers feasible. Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology and Florida State University (FSU) expect to enable breaker switching speeds ten times faster than existing equipment and commercialize the technology through a consortium of industry partners.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The transition from AC to DC, which is already happening, will open up a new paradigm for efficiently and controllably managing power in future electrical systems and military platforms,\u0026rdquo; said Michael \u0026quot;Mischa\u0026quot; Steurer, a research faculty member at Florida State University\u0026rsquo;s Center for Advanced Power Systems. \u0026ldquo;This will be enabled by the amazing developments that have happened over the past two decades in power electronics.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe hybrid circuit breaker under development by the research team will use stacks of very large transistors to switch off the DC when necessary. Semiconductors are less efficient at conducting current than conventional mechanical switches, so under ordinary conditions, the current will flow through mechanical switches. But when the power must be turned off, current will be briefly routed through the power electronics until the mechanical breakers can be opened.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We are proposing a hybrid DC circuit breaker in which the current will have two paths,\u0026rdquo; explained \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/faculty-staff-directory\/lukas-graber\u0022\u003ELukas Graber\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech. \u0026ldquo;One path will be through the semiconductors, which can interrupt the current when needed. The second path will be through mechanical switches, which will provide a much less resistive path that will be more efficient for normal operations.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn common consumer electronics applications, transistors are too small to see and handle just a few volts. The transistors that will be used in DC switching are much larger \u0026mdash; a square centimeter \u0026mdash; and dozens or hundreds of them would be combined in serial or parallel to provide enough capacity for switching thousands of volts. After the current has been moved to the solid-state transistor pathway, piezoelectric actuators will quickly separate the contacts in the mechanical switches before current rises too high in the transistors. Once separated, the current through the transistors can be switched off.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We need to be extremely fast,\u0026rdquo; Graber said. \u0026ldquo;We have to separate the contacts within 250 microseconds and to completely break the current within 500 microseconds \u0026mdash; just half a millisecond. For that reason, we cannot use spring-loaded or hydraulic actuators common to AC breakers. Devices that rely on the piezoelectric effect can do that for us.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech and FSU researchers have developed intellectual property for components of the proposed DC breakers, and will work together to combine the technologies. The project is known as Efficient DC Interrupter with Surge Protection (EDISON).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We will combine the strengths of significantly different technologies \u0026mdash; solid state and mechanical \u0026mdash; into a system that functions better overall than its individual components,\u0026rdquo; said Steurer. \u0026ldquo;The pieces of the system have to work together seamlessly within half a millisecond to achieve our goal.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers \u0026mdash; including Associate Professor Maryam Saeedifard, VentureLab Principal Jonathan Goldman, and Postdoctoral Fellow Chanyeop Park at Georgia Tech and Professor Fang Peng, Research Faculty Karl Schoder, and Assistant Professor Yuan Li at FSU \u0026mdash; expect to build a prototype that will be tested at FSU\u0026rsquo;s five-megawatt test facility within three years. The development and testing will be done in collaboration with a team of industrial partners who will ultimately transition the DC breakers to commercial use.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDirect current could be particularly useful as more renewable energy comes online. Photovoltaics in the west may still be generating power after the sun sets in the east. Wind turbines may be producing power in the midsection of the country while clouds cover other parts of the country. Transmitting power from one location to another could therefore become more important.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;There are large distances to be bridged with renewables,\u0026rdquo; Graber said. \u0026ldquo;When we rethink what the next grid is going to be like, DC may play a larger role.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor those who know the history of electrical power, the work opens a new chapter of a story that goes back almost a century and a half to two of the most celebrated inventors of all time.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe relative merits of DC versus AC provided the basis for the \u0026ldquo;War of Current\u0026rdquo; between inventors Thomas Edison and Nickolas Tesla in the 1880s. Edison, a proponent of DC, ultimately lost out to Tesla\u0026rsquo;s AC. But had Edison been able to use modern power electronics, the story might have turned out differently.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Edison was right, but at the time he was wrong,\u0026rdquo; Graber said. \u0026ldquo;DC is coming back strong, and we will be a part of making it practical.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFunding for the work is from ARPA-E\u0026rsquo;s Building Reliable Electronics to Achieve Kilovolt Effective Ratings Safely (BREAKERS) program. The project was among eight funded to support the development of medium-voltage devices for grid, industry and transportation applications.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EDirect current (DC) powers flashlights, smartphones and electric cars, but major power users depend on alternating current (AC), which cycles on and off 60 times per second. Among the reasons: AC is simple to turn off when there\u0026rsquo;s a problem \u0026mdash; known as a fault \u0026mdash; such as a tree falling on a power line.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Direct current (DC) has advantages over alternating current, and a new circuit breaker under development could make DC more practical."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2019-10-01 23:52:51","changed_gmt":"2019-10-01 23:54:26","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2019-10-01T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2019-10-01T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"626991":{"id":"626991","type":"image","title":"Plasma potential surrounding electrical materials","body":null,"created":"1569973124","gmt_created":"2019-10-01 23:38:44","changed":"1569973124","gmt_changed":"2019-10-01 23:38:44","alt":"Studying the plasma potential around materials","file":{"fid":"238728","name":"dc-current-001.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/dc-current-001.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/dc-current-001.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":394653,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/dc-current-001.jpg?itok=Zsz87_pM"}},"626992":{"id":"626992","type":"image","title":"Plasma potential surrounding electrical materials - 2","body":null,"created":"1569973256","gmt_created":"2019-10-01 23:40:56","changed":"1569973256","gmt_changed":"2019-10-01 23:40:56","alt":"Studying plasma potential surrounding electrical material","file":{"fid":"238729","name":"dc-current-004.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/dc-current-004.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/dc-current-004.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":619796,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/dc-current-004.jpg?itok=FaEBJEqN"}},"626993":{"id":"626993","type":"image","title":"Material being evaluated in low-pressure plasma","body":null,"created":"1569973402","gmt_created":"2019-10-01 23:43:22","changed":"1569973402","gmt_changed":"2019-10-01 23:43:22","alt":"Material under evaluation in low-pressure plasma","file":{"fid":"238730","name":"dc-current-006.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/dc-current-006.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/dc-current-006.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":185674,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/dc-current-006.jpg?itok=hEDNAiA1"}}},"media_ids":["626991","626992","626993"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"}],"keywords":[{"id":"182517","name":"direct current"},{"id":"182521","name":"circuit breaker"},{"id":"182522","name":"hybrid circuit breaker"},{"id":"182523","name":"high-power"},{"id":"57041","name":"ARPA-E"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"624034":{"#nid":"624034","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Antineutrino Detection Could Help Remotely Monitor Nuclear Reactors","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETechnology to measure the flow of subatomic particles known as antineutrinos from nuclear reactors could allow continuous remote monitoring designed to detect fueling changes that might indicate the diversion of nuclear materials. The monitoring could be done from outside the reactor vessel, and the technology may be sensitive enough to detect substitution of a single fuel assembly.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe technique, which could be used with existing pressurized water reactors as well as future designs expected to require less frequent refueling, could supplement other monitoring techniques, including the presence of human inspectors. The potential utility of the above-ground antineutrino monitoring technique for current and future reactors was confirmed through extensive simulations done by researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Antineutrino detectors offer a solution for continuous, real-time verification of what is going on within a nuclear reactor without actually having to be in the reactor core,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/erickson\u0022\u003EAnna Erickson\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026ldquo;You cannot shield antineutrinos, so if the state running a reactor decides to use it for nefarious purposes, they can\u0026rsquo;t prevent us from seeing that there was a change in reactor operations.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research, reported August 6 in the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature Communications\u003C\/em\u003E, was partially supported by a grant from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The research evaluated two types of reactors, and antineutrino detection technology based on a PROSPECT detector currently deployed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory\u0026rsquo;s High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAntineutrinos are elementary subatomic particles with an infinitesimally small mass and no electrical charge. They are capable of passing through shielding around a nuclear reactor core, where they are produced as part of the nuclear fission process. The flux of antineutrinos produced in a nuclear reactor depends on the type of fission materials and the power level at which the reactor is operated.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Traditional nuclear reactors slowly build up plutonium 239 in their cores as a consequence of uranium 238 absorption of neutrons, shifting the fission reaction from uranium 235 to plutonium 239 during the fuel cycle. We can see that in the signature of antineutrino emission changes over time,\u0026rdquo; Erickson said. \u0026ldquo;If the fuel is changed by a rogue nation attempting to divert plutonium for weapons by replacing fuel assemblies, we should be able to see that with a detector capable of measuring even small changes in the signatures.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe antineutrino signature of the fuel can be as unique as a retinal scan, and how the signature changes over time can be predicted using simulations, she said. \u0026ldquo;We could then verify that what we see with the antineutrino detector matches what we would expect to see.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn the research, Erickson and recent Ph.D. graduates Christopher Stewart and Abdalla Abou-Jaoude used high-fidelity computer simulations to assess the capabilities of near-field antineutrino detectors that would be located near \u0026ndash; but not inside \u0026ndash; reactor containment vessels. Among the challenges is distinguishing between particles generated by fission and those from natural background.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We would measure the energy, position and timing to determine whether a detection was an antineutrino from the reactor or something else,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;Antineutrinos are difficult to detect and we cannot do that directly. These particles have a very small chance of interacting with a hydrogen nucleus, so we rely on those protons to convert the antineutrinos into positrons and neutrons.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ENuclear reactors now used for power generation must be refueled on a regular basis, and that operation provides an opportunity for human inspection, but future generations of nuclear reactors may operate for as long as 30 years without refueling. The simulation showed that sodium-cooled reactors could also be monitored using antineutrino detectors, though their signatures will be different from those of the current generation of pressurized water reactors.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAmong the challenges ahead is reducing the size of the antineutrino detectors to make them portable enough to fit into a vehicle that could be driven past a nuclear reactor. Researchers also want to improve the directionality of the detectors to keep them focused on emissions from the reactor core to boost their ability to detect even small changes.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe detection principle is similar in concept to that of retinal scans used for identity verification. In retinal scans, an infrared beam traverses a person\u0026rsquo;s retina and the blood vessels, which are distinguishable by their higher light absorption relative to other tissue. This mapping information is then extracted and compared to a retinal scan taken earlier and stored in a database. If the two match, the person\u0026rsquo;s identity can be verified.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESimilarly, a nuclear reactor continuously emits antineutrinos that vary in flux and spectrum with the particular fuel isotopes undergoing fission. Some antineutrinos interact in a nearby detector via inverse beta decay. The signal measured by that detector is compared to a reference copy stored in a database for the relevant reactor, initial fuel and burnup; a signal that sufficiently matches the reference copy would indicate that the core inventory has not been covertly altered. However, if the antineutrino flux of a perturbed reactor is sufficiently different from what would be expected, that could indicate that a diversion has taken place.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe emission rates of antineutrino particles at different energies vary with operating lifetime as reactors shift from burning uranium to plutonium. The signal from a pressurized water reactor consists of a repeated 18-month operating cycle with a three-month refueling interval, while signal from an ultra-long cycle fast reactor (UCFR) would represent continuous operation, excluding maintenance interruptions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPreventing the proliferation of special nuclear materials suitable for weapons is a long-term concern of researchers from many different agencies and organizations, Erickson said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;It goes all the way from mining of nuclear material to disposition of nuclear material, and at every step of that process, we have to be concerned about who\u0026rsquo;s handling it and whether it might get into the wrong hands,\u0026rdquo; she explained. \u0026ldquo;The picture is more complicated because we don\u0026rsquo;t want to prevent the use of nuclear materials for power generation because nuclear is a big contributor to non-carbon energy.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe paper shows the feasibility of the technique and should encourage the continued development of detector technologies, Erickson said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;One of the highlights of the research is a detailed analysis of assembly-level diversion that is critical to our understanding of the limitations on antineutrino detectors and the potential implications for policy that could be implemented,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;I think the paper will encourage people to look into future systems in more detail.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECITATION: Christopher Stewart, Abdalla Abou-Jaoude and Anna Erickson, \u0026ldquo;Employing antineutrino detectors to safeguard future nuclear reactors from diversions,\u0026rdquo; (\u003Cem\u003ENature Communications\u003C\/em\u003E, 2019). \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-019-11434-z\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-019-11434-z\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETechnology to measure the flow of subatomic particles known as antineutrinos from nuclear reactors could allow continuous remote monitoring designed to detect fueling changes that might indicate the diversion of nuclear materials. The monitoring could be done from outside the reactor vessel, and the technology may be sensitive enough to detect substitution of a single fuel assembly.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Measuring the flow of subatomic particles known as antineutrinos from nuclear reactors could allow continuous remote monitoring designed to detect fueling changes."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2019-08-06 13:08:34","changed_gmt":"2019-08-06 13:13:15","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2019-08-06T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2019-08-06T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"624028":{"id":"624028","type":"image","title":"Nuclear reactor operating principles","body":null,"created":"1565095968","gmt_created":"2019-08-06 12:52:48","changed":"1565095968","gmt_changed":"2019-08-06 12:52:48","alt":"Schematic for nuclear reactor operation","file":{"fid":"237670","name":"nuclear-security-figure.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/nuclear-security-figure.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/nuclear-security-figure.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1276040,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/nuclear-security-figure.jpg?itok=4mzmlBuj"}},"624032":{"id":"624032","type":"image","title":"Researcher Anna Erickson","body":null,"created":"1565096375","gmt_created":"2019-08-06 12:59:35","changed":"1565096375","gmt_changed":"2019-08-06 12:59:35","alt":"Associate Professor Anna Erickson","file":{"fid":"237674","name":"antineutrino-005.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/antineutrino-005.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/antineutrino-005.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":359574,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/antineutrino-005.jpg?itok=GUpKGVRy"}},"624031":{"id":"624031","type":"image","title":"Antineutrino spectrum development","body":null,"created":"1565096249","gmt_created":"2019-08-06 12:57:29","changed":"1565096249","gmt_changed":"2019-08-06 12:57:29","alt":"Antinuetrino spectrum from two different reactor types","file":{"fid":"237673","name":"antineutrino-figure2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/antineutrino-figure2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/antineutrino-figure2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":227391,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/antineutrino-figure2.jpg?itok=BpSvafiE"}},"624030":{"id":"624030","type":"image","title":"Nuclear reactor operating and detection","body":null,"created":"1565096103","gmt_created":"2019-08-06 12:55:03","changed":"1565096103","gmt_changed":"2019-08-06 12:55:03","alt":"Explanation for how antineutrinos would be measured","file":{"fid":"237671","name":"antineutrino-figure1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/antineutrino-figure1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/antineutrino-figure1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":164415,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/antineutrino-figure1.jpg?itok=Elbe_-tv"}}},"media_ids":["624028","624032","624031","624030"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"}],"keywords":[{"id":"181908","name":"antineutrino"},{"id":"14067","name":"nuclear reactor"},{"id":"4253","name":"reactor"},{"id":"181910","name":"nuclear fuel"},{"id":"998","name":"nonproliferation"},{"id":"102921","name":"monitoring"},{"id":"180430","name":"Anna Erickson"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39481","name":"National Security"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"623064":{"#nid":"623064","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Rising Tundra Temperatures Create Worrying Changes in Microbial Communities","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ERising temperatures in the tundra of the Earth\u0026rsquo;s northern latitudes could affect microbial communities in ways likely to increase their production of greenhouse gases methane and carbon dioxide, a new study of experimentally warmed Alaskan soil suggests.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAbout half of the world\u0026rsquo;s total underground carbon is stored in the soils of these frigid, northern latitudes. That is more than twice the amount of carbon currently found in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, but until now most of it has been locked up in the very cold soil. The new study, which relied on metagenomics to analyze changes in the microbial communities being experimentally warmed, could heighten concerns about how the release of this carbon may exacerbate climate change.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We saw that microbial communities respond quite rapidly \u0026ndash; within four or five years \u0026ndash; to even modest levels of warming,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ce.gatech.edu\/people\/Faculty\/711\/overview\u0022\u003EKostas T. Konstantinidis\u003C\/a\u003E, the paper\u0026rsquo;s corresponding author and a professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.cee.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Civil and Environmental Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.biosci.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he also is a researcher in the Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience. \u0026ldquo;Microbial species and their genes involved in carbon dioxide and methane release increased their abundance in response to the warming treatment. We were surprised to see such a response to even mild warming.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe new study was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation, and reported July 8 in the early edition of the journal \u003Cem\u003EProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.\u003C\/em\u003E Researchers from the University of Oklahoma, Michigan State University and Northern Arizona University collaborated with Georgia Tech on the study.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe study provides quantitative information about how rapidly microbial communities responded to the warming at critical depths, and highlights the dominant microbial metabolisms and groups of organisms that are responding to warming in the tundra. The work underscores the importance of accurately representing the role of soil microbes in climate models.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research began in September 2008 at a moist, acidic tundra area in the interior of Alaska near Denali National Park. Six experimental blocks were created, and in each block, two snow fences were constructed about five meters apart in the winter to control snow cover. Thicker snow cover in the winter served as an insulator, creating slightly elevated temperatures \u0026ndash; about 1.1 degrees Celsius (2 degrees Fahrenheit) in the experimental plots.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOther than the temperature difference, the soil conditions were similar in the experimental and control plots. Soil cores were taken from the experimental and control plots at two different depths at two different times: 1.5 years after the experiment began, and 4.5 years after the start. Microbial DNA was extracted from the cores and sequenced using the Genomics Core at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Our analysis of the resulting data showed which species were there, in what abundances, which species responded to warming and by how much \u0026ndash; and what functions they possessed related to carbon use and release,\u0026rdquo; said Eric R. Johnston, now a postdoctoral researcher at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, who conducted the study\u0026rsquo;s analysis as a Georgia Tech Ph.D. student.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECores from the experimental and control plots were compared to assess the effects of the warming. Cumulative ecosystem respiration was also sampled during the month following removal of the cores.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The response we observed differed markedly between the two soil depths (15 to 25 centimeters and 45 to 55 centimeters) that were sampled for this study,\u0026rdquo; said Johnston. \u0026ldquo;Specifically, at the upper boundary of the initial permafrost boundary layer \u0026ndash; 45 to 55 centimeters below the surface \u0026ndash; the relative abundance of genes involved in methane production (methanogenesis) increased with warming, while genes involved in organic carbon respiration \u0026mdash; the release of carbon dioxide \u0026mdash; became more abundant at shallower depths.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMeasurement of the community respiration showed increases in the rate of carbon dioxide and methane release in the plots that were warmed. \u0026ldquo;Similar measurements have also shown that these gases are being released at a greater rate throughout the entire region in recent years as a result of climate warming,\u0026rdquo; Johnston added.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe two soil depths correspond to an active layer near the surface that freezes during the winter but thaws during warmer months, exposing the carbon. The deeper measurements examined soil just above the permafrost that thaws for only a brief time each year. These variations create fundamental differences in the biology and chemistry at the two depths.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We expected to observe warming responses that differed between the two sampling depths,\u0026rdquo; Johnston said. \u0026ldquo;Ongoing thaw of permafrost soil is being observed on the global scale, so we were particularly interested in evaluating microbiological responses to thawing permafrost.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research highlights the importance of microbial communities in contributing atmospheric methane and carbon dioxide to climate change, Konstantinidis said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Because of the very large amount of carbon in these systems, as well as the rapid and clear response to warming found in this experiment and other studies, it is becoming increasingly clear that soil microbes \u0026ndash; particularly those in the northern latitudes \u0026ndash; and their activities need to be represented in climate models,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;Our work provides markers \u0026ndash; species and genes \u0026ndash; that can be used in this direction.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to those already mentioned, the paper\u0026rsquo;s authors included Janet K. Hatt from Georgia Tech, Zhili He and Liyou Wu from the University of Oklahoma, Xue Guo from Tsinghua University, Yiqi Luo and Edward A. G. Schuur from Northern Arizona University, James M. Tiedje from Michigan State University, and Jizhong Zhou from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis research was supported by U.S. Department of Energy award DE-SC0004601 and by the National Science Foundation awards 1356288 and 1759831. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsoring organizations.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Eric R. Johnston, et al., \u0026ldquo;\u003Cem\u003EResponses of tundra soil microbial communities to half a decade of experimental warming at two critical depths\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026quot; (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2019)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ERising temperatures in the tundra of the Earth\u0026rsquo;s northern latitudes could affect microbial communities in ways likely to increase their production of greenhouse gases methane and carbon dioxide, a new study of experimentally warmed Alaskan soil suggests.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Rising temperatures could affect the microbial communities in northern latitude tundra."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2019-07-08 20:19:00","changed_gmt":"2019-07-21 21:27:19","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2019-07-08T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2019-07-08T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"623061":{"id":"623061","type":"image","title":"Tundra test plot","body":null,"created":"1562616260","gmt_created":"2019-07-08 20:04:20","changed":"1562616260","gmt_changed":"2019-07-08 20:04:20","alt":"Test plot in Alaska tundra","file":{"fid":"237274","name":"Tundra-test-plot.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Tundra-test-plot.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Tundra-test-plot.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":673309,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Tundra-test-plot.jpg?itok=8lp8ECBT"}},"623062":{"id":"623062","type":"image","title":"Interior of Alaska","body":null,"created":"1562616365","gmt_created":"2019-07-08 20:06:05","changed":"1562616365","gmt_changed":"2019-07-08 20:06:05","alt":"Landscape of Alaska tundra","file":{"fid":"237275","name":"interior alaska.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/interior%20alaska.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/interior%20alaska.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":920622,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/interior%20alaska.jpg?itok=3imfFBFV"}},"623063":{"id":"623063","type":"image","title":"Flux chamber","body":null,"created":"1562616493","gmt_created":"2019-07-08 20:08:13","changed":"1562616493","gmt_changed":"2019-07-08 20:08:13","alt":"Sampling of emissions from test plot","file":{"fid":"237276","name":"flux chamber.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/flux%20chamber.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/flux%20chamber.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2054388,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/flux%20chamber.jpg?itok=Uuz37XLr"}}},"media_ids":["623061","623062","623063"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"}],"keywords":[{"id":"126571","name":"go-PetitInstitute"},{"id":"51241","name":"microbial"},{"id":"831","name":"climate change"},{"id":"181669","name":"tundra"},{"id":"181671","name":"Alaksa"},{"id":"181672","name":"northern latitudes"},{"id":"12800","name":"methane"},{"id":"610","name":"carbon"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"622944":{"#nid":"622944","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Tiny Supersonic Jet Injector Accelerates Nanoscale Additive Manufacturing","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBy energizing precursor molecules using a tiny, high-energy supersonic jet of inert gas, researchers have dramatically accelerated the fabrication of nanometer scale structures. The rapid additive manufacturing technique also allows them to produce structures with high aspect ratios. Now, a theory developed to describe the technique could lead to new applications for additive nanomanufacturing and new nanoscale materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBased on focused electron beam deposition, the technique allows structures to be fabricated from gas-phase precursors at rates approaching what could be expected in the liquid phase \u0026ndash; all without raising the temperature of substrates. That could lead to manufacturing of the nanometer-scale structures at rates that could make them practical for use in magnetic memory, high-frequency antennas, quantum communication devices, spintronics and atomic-scale resonators.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We are controlling matter on the atomic scale to bring about new modes of additive manufacturing,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/fedorov\u0022\u003EAndrei Fedorov\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E at the Georgia Institute of Technology. \u0026ldquo;This new science could bring about additive manufacturing applications that might otherwise be impossible. The resulting new technology will open up new dimensions for additive manufacturing at the atomic scale.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe work grew out of frustration with trying to create small structures using the electron beams, which can be just a few nanometers in diameter. The research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy\u0026rsquo;s Office of Science, and was reported May 28 in the journal \u003Cem\u003EPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;When we went to the lab to use nanofabrication with focused electron beams, which are the size of a few nanometers, we could not grow structures that were just a few nanometers. They grew to be 50 or 100 nanometers,\u0026rdquo; Fedorov explained. \u0026ldquo;And it also took a long time to produce the structures, which meant that, without improvements, we\u0026rsquo;d never be able to produce them at high volume.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFedorov and collaborators Matthew Henry and Songkil Kim realized the reactions producing the structures were slow, and tied to the thermodynamic state of the substrate on which they are being grown. They decided to add some energy to the process to speed things up \u0026ndash; as much as a hundred times faster.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe result was the invention of a micro-capillary injector just a few micrometers in diameter that could introduce tiny jets of gaseous molecules into the deposition chamber to activate the precursors for the nanometer-scale structures. Partly because the jet is entering a vacuum chamber, the gas accelerates to supersonic speeds. Energy from the supersonic jet excites the precursor molecules that are adsorbed to the substrate.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This energetic thermal state allows the electrons from the beam to much more easily break chemical bonds, and as a result, structures grow much faster,\u0026rdquo; Fedorov said. \u0026ldquo;All of this amplification, both the molecule transport and the rate of reaction, are exponential, meaning a small change can lead to a dramatic increase in outcome.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThat much has been observed experimentally, but to understand how to control the process and expand its applications, the researchers wanted to create a theory for what they were seeing. They used nano-scale thermometric techniques to measure the temperature of the adsorbed atoms \u0026ndash; also known as adatoms \u0026ndash; subjected to the jet, and used that information to help understand the basic physics at work.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Once we have a model, it essentially becomes a design tool,\u0026rdquo; Fedorov said. \u0026ldquo;With this understanding and the capabilities we have demonstrated, we can expand them to other fields such as directed self-assembly, epitaxial growth and other areas. This could enable a whole host of new capabilities to use this kind of direct-write nanofabrication.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDevelopment of the model and understanding of the first-principles physics behind it could also allow other researchers to find new applications.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;With this, you can have almost the same order of magnitude growth rate as you\u0026rsquo;d have with liquid phase precursors, but still have access to the richness of possible precursors, the ability to manipulate alloying, and all the experience that has been developed over the years with gas phase deposition,\u0026rdquo; Fedorov said. \u0026ldquo;This technology will allow us to do things at a scale that is meaningful from a practical standpoint and cost-effective.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe ability to rapidly produce small, three-dimensional structures could open up a range of new applications.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;If you can adapt additive direct-write techniques, this could bring a lot of unique capabilities for magnetic memory, superconducting materials, quantum devices, 3D electronic circuitry, and many more things,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;These structures are currently very hard to make using conventional methods.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBeyond using the jets to accelerate deposition of precursor materials already on the substrate, the researchers have also created hybrid jets that contain both high-energy inert gas and precursor gases, which allow not only dramatic acceleration of nanostructure growth but also precisely control the material composition during growth. In future work, the researchers plan to use these hybrid approaches to enable formation of nanostructures with phase and topology that cannot be achieved by any existing nanofabrication techniques.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences (BES), under Award #DE-SC0010729.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Matthew R. Henry, Songkil Kim and Andrei G. Fedorov, \u0026ldquo;Non-equilibrium adatom thermal state enables rapid additive nanomanufacturing.\u0026rdquo; (Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2019) \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1039\/c9cp01478k\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1039\/c9cp01478k\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBy energizing precursor molecules using a tiny, high-energy supersonic jet of inert gas, researchers have dramatically accelerated the fabrication of nanometer scale structures. The rapid additive manufacturing technique also allows them to produce structures with high aspect ratios. Now, a theory developed to describe the technique could lead to new applications for additive nanomanufacturing and new nanoscale materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"By energizing precursor molecules, researchers have dramatically accelerated the fabrication of nanometer scale structures."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2019-07-02 17:14:40","changed_gmt":"2019-07-02 17:15:58","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2019-07-02T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2019-07-02T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"622941":{"id":"622941","type":"image","title":"Density of supersonic gas jet","body":null,"created":"1562087034","gmt_created":"2019-07-02 17:03:54","changed":"1562087034","gmt_changed":"2019-07-02 17:03:54","alt":"Image shows the density of the gas jet","file":{"fid":"237232","name":"Density.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Density.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Density.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1447857,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Density.png?itok=If68k6Qj"}},"622943":{"id":"622943","type":"image","title":"RTD image","body":null,"created":"1562087153","gmt_created":"2019-07-02 17:05:53","changed":"1562087153","gmt_changed":"2019-07-02 17:05:53","alt":"resistive thermal device image","file":{"fid":"237233","name":"RTD Colorized.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/RTD%20Colorized.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/RTD%20Colorized.png","mime":"image\/png","size":5252531,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/RTD%20Colorized.png?itok=Ng1Uu68P"}}},"media_ids":["622941","622943"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"}],"keywords":[{"id":"7690","name":"nanomanufacturing"},{"id":"57171","name":"additive manufacturing"},{"id":"431","name":"nanoscale"},{"id":"1692","name":"materials"},{"id":"2781","name":"Andrei Fedorov"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"622617":{"#nid":"622617","#data":{"type":"news","title":"NSF Invests $4 Million in Big Data for Southern United States","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EPrecision medicine and understanding health disparities, innovation to power competitive manufacturing, technology for smarter communities, and addressing coastal hazards such as hurricanes are among the challenges facing the Southern United States. A $4 million award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) will help apply data science and engineering to address those challenges.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe funding will continue support for the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/southbigdatahub.org\/\u0022\u003ESouth Big Data Innovation Hub\u003C\/a\u003E, an organization that helps 16 Southern States and the District of Columbia identify and utilize data science and engineering to address critical societal needs. One of four NSF-supported regional data hubs in the U.S., the South Big Data Hub is managed by the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026quot;The Big Data Hubs provide a connective tissue for the data science ecosystem across sectors and domains,\u0026rdquo; said Renata Rawlings-Goss, the Hub\u0026rsquo;s executive director. \u0026ldquo;I am deeply pleased by NSF\u0026#39;s recommitment to the growth of the South Hub and our community. Over the last three years, we have made great strides within our priority areas and are looking to broaden that reach in the next four years.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe NSF-supported data hubs play four key roles: (1) Accelerating public-private partnerships that break down barriers between industry, academia and government, (2) Growing R\u0026amp;D communities that connect data scientists with domain scientists and practitioners, (3) Facilitating data sharing and shared cyber infrastructure and services, and (4) Building data science capacity for education and workforce development.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;There is a global shortage of data science and analytics talent that is threatening the future of innovation,\u0026rdquo; added Rawlings-Goss \u0026ldquo;By working across sectors, the South Hub joins in creating solutions to increase the capacity of universities and industry to work on pressing problems for our region and for the world.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPriorities for the hubs are determined regionally to bring together collaborators that include academics, community leaders, local and state government executives, regional businesses, national laboratories and others, explained Srinivas Aluru, principal investigator for the Hub, which was launched in 2015 and won the 2019 Georgia Tech Outstanding Achievement in Research Development Award.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We want to collaborate to help solve regional problems using the resources of the Hub,\u0026rdquo; explained Aluru, who is also co-executive director of the Institute for Data Engineering and Science at Georgia Tech. \u0026ldquo;We are addressing truly regional issues that affect more than one state and more than one set of collaborators. These are challenges that can only be addressed by bringing these groups together.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe south region is pursuing five major big data priorities:\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHealth and Disparities\u003C\/strong\u003E: High impact applications of data science in precision medicine, health analytics, and health disparities. \u0026ldquo;If you look at the health outcomes, they differ by ethnic groups. Trying to understand and address these health disparities is one of our big data challenges,\u0026rdquo; Aluru said.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESmart Cities and Communities\u003C\/strong\u003E: Collection and integration of data on infrastructure, sensors, and behavior to design efficient use of resources and services, and to achieve a higher quality, affordable lifestyle, as well as concrete applications of analytics and machine learning to improve the nation\u0026rsquo;s energy production and smart grid.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAdvanced Materials and Manufacturing:\u003C\/strong\u003E Access to data infrastructure for creating new materials for advanced manufacturing in every state. \u0026ldquo;Manufacturing is very important to the Southeast, and we plan to workwith the state manufacturing extension partnerships in different states, trying to inject big data techniques into materials science and manufacturing to shorten the deployment cycle,\u0026rdquo; Aluru added.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnvironment and Coastal Hazards\u003C\/strong\u003E: Prevention and enhanced response to natural and human-induced environmental hazards. Southern states are disproportionately affected by hurricanes on the both the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Understanding these threats and how best to protect people and property is critical.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESocial Cybersecurity\u003C\/strong\u003E: Best practices across sectors to forecast cyber-mediated changes in human behavior to ensure private, secure and ethical data sharing, reporting and use. \u0026ldquo;In modern times the virtual world is a force in and of itself; we want to support transparency in how it can change interactions and social outcomes,\u0026rdquo; said Rawlings-Goss.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe new NSF award includes seed funding designed to evaluate the feasibility of new big data projects. Part of a hub-and-spoke system, the seed money should help create new spokes to address specific data issues identified by collaborators.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Developing innovative, effective solutions to grand challenges requires linking scientists and engineers with local communities,\u0026rdquo; said Jim Kurose, Assistant Director for Computer and Information Science and Engineering at the NSF. \u0026ldquo;The Big Data Hubs provide the glue to achieve those links, bringing together teams of data science researchers with cities, municipalities and anchor institutions.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EUltimately, the goal is to harness the synergy of the collaborators to address issues that require the use of data science and engineering techniques.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;By catalyzing partnerships that integrate academic researchers into the fabric of communities across the U.S., we can accelerate and deepen the impact of basic research on a range of societal issues, from water management to efficient transportation systems,\u0026rdquo; said Beth Plale, one of the NSF program directors managing the Big Data Hubs awards.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe South Big Data Hub was funded through the National Science Foundation\u0026rsquo;s Big Data Science \u0026amp; Engineering Program, Awards 1550305 and 1550291. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact:\u003C\/strong\u003E John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EPrecision medicine and understanding health disparities, innovation to power competitive manufacturing, technology for smarter communities, and addressing coastal hazards such as hurricanes are among the challenges facing the Southern United States. A $4 million award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) will help apply data science and engineering to address those challenges.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A $4 million NSF award will help apply data science and engineering to challenges of the southern U.S."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2019-06-19 19:13:37","changed_gmt":"2019-06-19 19:18:36","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2019-06-19T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2019-06-19T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"622615":{"id":"622615","type":"image","title":"Studying Coastal Hazards","body":null,"created":"1560970937","gmt_created":"2019-06-19 19:02:17","changed":"1560970937","gmt_changed":"2019-06-19 19:02:17","alt":"Savannah-Chatham County waterways","file":{"fid":"237133","name":"savannah-map-highlighted-waterways.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/savannah-map-highlighted-waterways.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/savannah-map-highlighted-waterways.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3571285,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/savannah-map-highlighted-waterways.jpg?itok=cPxwxpjA"}},"622616":{"id":"622616","type":"image","title":"Manufacturing and Materials","body":null,"created":"1560971148","gmt_created":"2019-06-19 19:05:48","changed":"1560971148","gmt_changed":"2019-06-19 19:05:48","alt":"Perovskite solar cell material","file":{"fid":"237134","name":"perovskite.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/perovskite.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/perovskite.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":746122,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/perovskite.jpg?itok=3j8HRvGF"}}},"media_ids":["622615","622616"],"groups":[{"id":"545781","name":"Institute for Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"}],"keywords":[{"id":"181547","name":"South Big Data Innovation Hub"},{"id":"15092","name":"big data"},{"id":"341","name":"innovation"},{"id":"181549","name":"regional data"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"620351":{"#nid":"620351","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Discovery Advances the Field of Color-Changing Materials","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA serendipitous discovery by a graduate student has led to materials that quickly change color from completely clear to a range of vibrant hues \u0026mdash; and back again. The work could have applications in everything from skyscraper windows that control the amount of light and heat coming in and out of a building, to switchable camouflage and visors for military applications, and even color-changing cosmetics and clothing. It also helps fill a knowledge gap in a key area of materials science and chemistry.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA paper on the research was published in a recent issue of the \u003Cem\u003EJournal of the American Chemical Society\u003C\/em\u003E (JACS).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EElectrochromic materials change color upon the application of a small electrical potential or voltage. For the last 20 years \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/Reynolds\/John\u0022\u003EJohn R. Reynolds\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology, has been studying and developing electrochromic materials that can switch from a wide range of vibrant colors to clear.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBut these materials, known as cathodically coloring polymers, have a drawback. Their transmissive, or clear, state is not completely clear. Rather, in this state the material has a light blue tint. \u0026ldquo;That\u0026rsquo;s fine for many applications \u0026mdash; including rear-view mirrors that cut the glare from oncoming cars by turning dark \u0026mdash; but not for all potential uses,\u0026rdquo; said Reynolds, who has joint appointments in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Materials Science and Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor example, the Air Force is working toward visors for its pilots that would automatically switch from dark to clear when a plane flies from bright sunlight into clouds. \u0026ldquo;And when they say clear, they want it crystal clear, not a light blue,\u0026rdquo; Reynolds said. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;d like to get rid of that tint.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EToward a Solution\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThere is another family of electrochromic materials that can change color when exposed to an oxidizing voltage. These materials, known as anodically coloring electrochromes (ACEs), are colorless materials that turn colored upon oxidation. But there has been a knowledge gap in the science behind the colored oxidized states, known as radical cations. Researchers have not understood the absorption mechanism of these cations, and so the colors could not be controllably tuned.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIntroducing Dylan T. Christiansen, a graduate student in the Reynolds group. While tinkering with some ACE molecules, he experimented with a new approach to controlling color in radical cations. Specifically, he created four different ACE molecules by making tiny changes to the ACEs\u0026rsquo; molecular structures that have little effect on the neutral, clear state, but significantly change the absorption of the colored or radical cation state.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe results were spectacular. \u0026ldquo;I expected some color differences between the four molecules, but thought they\u0026rsquo;d be very minor,\u0026rdquo; Christiansen said. Instead, upon the application of an oxidizing voltage, the four molecules produced four very different colors: two vibrant greens, a yellow, and a red. And unlike their cathodic counterparts, they are crystal clear in the neutral state, with no tint. Finally, just like mixing inks, the researchers found that a blend of the molecules that switch to green and red made a mixture that is clear and switches to an opaque black. Suddenly those Air Force visors that switch from crystal clear to black looked more attainable.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The beauty of this is it\u0026rsquo;s so simple. These minor chemical changes \u0026mdash; literally the difference of a few atoms \u0026mdash; have such a huge impact on color,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ung.edu\/chemistry-biochemistry\/faculty-staff-bio\/aimee-tomlinson.php\u0022\u003EAim\u0026eacute;e L. Tomlinson\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/ung.edu\u0022\u003EUniversity of North Georgia\u003C\/a\u003E and the third author of the paper with Reynolds and Christiansen.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat\u0026rsquo;s Going On?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHow could such tiny changes have such an effect? That\u0026rsquo;s where Tomlinson, a computational chemist, comes in.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor the last five years she has been analyzing Reynolds\u0026rsquo; electrochromic materials with computational models that provide insights into what\u0026rsquo;s happening at the sub-molecular level. Using those models, coupled with Christiansen\u0026rsquo;s data for the new ACE molecules, she was able to show how the small chemical changes that were made can drastically alter the electronic structure of the molecules\u0026rsquo; radical cation states, and ultimately control the color.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe work continues to generate insights into new ACE molecules thanks to continuous feedback between Tomlinson\u0026rsquo;s models and the experimental data. The models help guide efforts in the lab to create new ACE molecules, while the experimental data from those molecules makes the models ever stronger.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETomlinson notes that because the work is also helping to illuminate how radical cations work \u0026mdash; they are still not well understood \u0026mdash; it could help others manipulate them for future use in fields beyond electrochromism.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EReynolds commented on the serendipitous nature of the initial discovery. \u0026ldquo;I think what makes science really interesting is that [sometimes] you see something you really did not expect, you pursue it, and you end up with something that is better than you expected when you started.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis work was funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Tomlinson also acknowledges the support of her university, while Reynolds acknowledges support for his electrochromic polymer research program from NXN Licensing. Any opinions or conclusions are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the sponsoring organizations.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Dylan T. Christiansen, Aim\u0026eacute;e L. Tomlinson, and John R. Reynolds, \u0026ldquo;New Design Paradigm for Color Control in Anodically Coloring Electrochromic Molecules\u0026rdquo;(Journal of the American Chemical Society, February 22, 2019). \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubsdc3.acs.org\/doi\/10.1021\/jacs.9b01507\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/pubsdc3.acs.org\/doi\/10.1021\/jacs.9b01507\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: Elizabeth Thomson\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":" Research allows switch from crystal clear to opaque"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA serendipitous discovery by a graduate student has led to materials that quickly change color from completely clear to a range of vibrant hues \u0026mdash; and back again. The work could have applications in everything from skyscraper windows that control the amount of light and heat coming in and out of a building, to switchable camouflage and visors for military applications, and even color-changing cosmetics and clothing. It also helps fill a knowledge gap in a key area of materials science and chemistry.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A serendipitous discovery by a graduate student has led to materials that quickly change color from completely clear to a range of vibrant hues \u2014 and back again. "}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2019-04-11 23:50:24","changed_gmt":"2019-04-15 15:36:16","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2019-04-11T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2019-04-11T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"620348":{"id":"620348","type":"image","title":"Studying electrochromic properties","body":null,"created":"1555025917","gmt_created":"2019-04-11 23:38:37","changed":"1555025917","gmt_changed":"2019-04-11 23:38:37","alt":"Studying electrochromic properties of materials","file":{"fid":"236209","name":"19C10400-P36-022.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/19C10400-P36-022.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/19C10400-P36-022.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":476304,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/19C10400-P36-022.jpg?itok=VQ-rQWf9"}},"620349":{"id":"620349","type":"image","title":"Electrochemical cell to study materials","body":null,"created":"1555026066","gmt_created":"2019-04-11 23:41:06","changed":"1555026066","gmt_changed":"2019-04-11 23:41:06","alt":"Using an electrochemical cell","file":{"fid":"236210","name":"19C10400-P36-025.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/19C10400-P36-025.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/19C10400-P36-025.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":419971,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/19C10400-P36-025.jpg?itok=e5iI-SD-"}},"620350":{"id":"620350","type":"image","title":"ACE molecules in different states","body":null,"created":"1555026234","gmt_created":"2019-04-11 23:43:54","changed":"1555026234","gmt_changed":"2019-04-11 23:43:54","alt":"Examples of electrochromic materials","file":{"fid":"236211","name":"electrochromic-blend.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/electrochromic-blend.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/electrochromic-blend.png","mime":"image\/png","size":379801,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/electrochromic-blend.png?itok=Z_L_bMpB"}}},"media_ids":["620348","620349","620350"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"217141","name":"Georgia Tech Materials Institute"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"181016","name":"electrochromic"},{"id":"475","name":"color"},{"id":"1692","name":"materials"},{"id":"181017","name":"electrochromes"},{"id":"4993","name":"john reynolds"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"618506":{"#nid":"618506","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Signals from Distant Lightning Could Help Secure Electric Substations","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESide channel signals and bolts of lightning from distant storms could one day help prevent hackers from sabotaging electric power substations and other critical infrastructure, a new study suggests.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBy analyzing electromagnetic signals emitted by substation components using an independent monitoring system, security personnel could tell if switches and transformers were being tampered with in remote equipment. Background lightning signals from thousands of miles away would authenticate those signals, preventing malicious actors from injecting fake monitoring information into the system.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research, done by engineers at the Georgia Institute of Technology, has been tested at substations with two different electric utilities, and by extensive modeling and simulation. Known as radio frequency-based distributed intrusion detection system (RFDIDS), the technique was described February 26 at the 2019 Network and Distributed System Security Symposium (NDSS) in San Diego.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We should be able to remotely detect any attack that is modifying the magnetic field around substation components,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/faculty-staff-directory\/raheem-a-beyah\u0022\u003ERaheem Beyah\u003C\/a\u003E, Motorola Foundation Professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and co-founder of Fortiphyd Logic, Inc. \u0026ldquo;We are using a physical phenomenon to determine whether a certain action at a substation has occurred or not.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOpening substation breakers to cause a blackout is one potential power grid attack, and in December 2015, that technique was used to shut off power to 230,000 persons in the Ukraine. Attackers opened breakers in 30 substations and hacked into monitoring systems to convince power grid operators that the grid was operating normally. Topping that off, they also attacked call centers to prevent customers from telling operators what was happening.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The electric power grid is difficult to secure because it is so massive,\u0026rdquo; Beyah said. \u0026ldquo;It provides an electrical connection from a generating station to the appliances in your home. Because of this electrical connection, there are many places where a hacker could potentially insert an attack. That\u0026rsquo;s why we need an independent way to know what\u0026rsquo;s happening on grid systems.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThat independent approach would use an antenna located in or near a substation to detect the unique radio-frequency \u0026ldquo;side channel\u0026rdquo; signatures produced by the equipment. The monitoring would be independent of systems now used to monitor and control the grid.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Without trusting anything at all on the grid, we can use an RF receiver to determine if an impulse occurred in the shape of an \u0026lsquo;open\u0026rsquo; operation,\u0026rdquo; Beyah said. \u0026ldquo;The system operates at 60 Hertz, and there are few other systems that operate there, so we can be sure of what we\u0026rsquo;re monitoring.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHowever, hackers might be able to figure out how to insert fake signals to hide their attacks. That\u0026rsquo;s where the lightning emissions known as \u0026ldquo;sferics\u0026rdquo; come in.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;When a lightning flash hits the ground, it forms an electrical path miles tall, potentially carrying hundreds of thousands of amps of current, so that makes for a really powerful antenna radiating energy,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/faculty-staff-directory\/morris-b-cohen\u0022\u003EMorris Cohen\u003C\/a\u003E, an associate professor in the Georgia Tech School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Each flash creates signals in the very low frequency (VLF) band, which can reflect from the upper atmosphere to travel long distances.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Signals from lightning can zigzag back and forth and make it all the way around the world,\u0026rdquo; Cohen noted. \u0026ldquo;Lightning from South America, for example, is easily detectable in Atlanta. We\u0026rsquo;ve even seen lightning echo multiple times around the world.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESecurity staff remotely monitoring substations would be able compare the lightning behind the 60 Hz substation signals to lightning data from other sources, such as one of the 70,000 or so other substations in the United States or a global lightning database. That would authenticate the information. Since lightning occurs more than three million times every day on average, there is plenty of opportunity to authenticate, he noted.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Even if you could synthesize the RF receiver\u0026rsquo;s data feed digitally, generating something realistic would be difficult because the shape of the pulse from lightning detected by our receivers varies as a function of the distance from the lightning, the time of day, latitude and more,\u0026rdquo; Cohen said. \u0026ldquo;It would take a lot of real-time computation and knowledge of sophisticated physics to synthesize the lightning signals.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWorking with two different electric utilities, the researchers \u0026ndash; including graduate research assistant Tohid Shekari \u0026ndash; analyzed the RF signals produced when breakers were turned off for substation maintenance. They also used computer simulations to study a potential attack against the systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The signal from a lightning stroke is very distinct \u0026ndash; it is short, around a millisecond, and covers a huge frequency range,\u0026rdquo; Cohen added. \u0026ldquo;The only other process on Earth that is known to generate something similar is a nuclear explosion. The emissions from the power grid are very different and none of it looks like a pulse from lightning, so it is easy enough to separate the signals.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers have filed a provisional patent on RFDIDS, and hope to further refine the security strategy, which independent of equipment manufacturer. Beyah believes there could be applications beyond the power industry for remote monitoring of other RF-emitting devices. The system could tell transit operators if a train were present, for example.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The power grid is our most critical piece of infrastructure,\u0026rdquo; Beyah notes. \u0026ldquo;Nothing else matters if you don\u0026rsquo;t have electrical power.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to those already mentioned, the research team also included recent master\u0026rsquo;s degree graduate Christian Bayens and assistant professor Lukas Graber, both from Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Tohid Shekari, et al., \u0026ldquo;RFDIDS: Radio Frequency-based Distributed Intrusion Detection System for the Power Grid,\u0026rdquo; (2019 Network and Distributed System Security Symposium).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESide channel signals and bolts of lightning from distant storms could one day help prevent hackers from sabotaging electric power substations and other critical infrastructure, a new study suggests.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A new technique could one day help prevent hackers from sabotaging electric power substations and other critical infrastructure."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2019-02-27 01:26:57","changed_gmt":"2019-02-27 01:28:24","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2019-02-26T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2019-02-26T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"618504":{"id":"618504","type":"image","title":"Securing electric substations","body":null,"created":"1551230063","gmt_created":"2019-02-27 01:14:23","changed":"1551230075","gmt_changed":"2019-02-27 01:14:35","alt":"Substation security researchers","file":{"fid":"235426","name":"substation-security_002.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/substation-security_002.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/substation-security_002.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":937107,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/substation-security_002.jpg?itok=ghLx04nm"}},"618505":{"id":"618505","type":"image","title":"Securing electric substations - 2","body":null,"created":"1551230190","gmt_created":"2019-02-27 01:16:30","changed":"1551230190","gmt_changed":"2019-02-27 01:16:30","alt":"Substation security researchers","file":{"fid":"235427","name":"substation-security_003.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/substation-security_003.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/substation-security_003.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":739707,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/substation-security_003.jpg?itok=15lcYR5E"}}},"media_ids":["618504","618505"],"groups":[{"id":"430601","name":"Institute for Information Security and Privacy"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"167055","name":"security"},{"id":"180664","name":"electric grid"},{"id":"180441","name":"substation"},{"id":"1396","name":"lightning"},{"id":"172","name":"infrastructure"},{"id":"67741","name":"Raheem Beyah"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"145171","name":"Cybersecurity"},{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39481","name":"National Security"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"617455":{"#nid":"617455","#data":{"type":"news","title":"$25 Million Award Will Support Nuclear Nonproliferation R\u0026D, Education","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA consortium of 12 universities and 10 national laboratories led by the Georgia Institute of Technology has been awarded $25 million from the U.S. Department of Energy\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/nnsa\/national-nuclear-security-administration\u0022\u003ENational Nuclear Security Administration\u003C\/a\u003E (NNSA) to develop new technologies and educational programs to support the agency\u0026rsquo;s nuclear science, security and nonproliferation goals.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe award will provide $5 million per year across a five-year period to link basic research at universities with the capabilities of national laboratories through the Consortium for Enabling Technologies and Innovation (ETI). The effort will focus on three core disciplines: computer and engineering science research through machine learning and high performance computing, advanced manufacturing and nuclear detection technologies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We will be developing new enabling technologies to address not only the current challenges, but also those we might anticipate in the future,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/erickson\u0022\u003EAnna Erickson\u003C\/a\u003E, the consortium\u0026rsquo;s principal investigator and an associate professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EWoodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026ldquo;Beyond these technologies, we will create the next cohort of students and researchers able to join the national laboratories to implement cutting-edge technologies to help the NNSA achieve its goals.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAmong the potential research topics are understanding how advanced manufacturing might produce nuclear reactor components and fuel assemblies, machine learning to predict and uncover new phenomena affecting proliferation, and novel instrumentation to leverage cutting-edge capabilities in microelectronics, solid state technologies and other areas to detect radioactive materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Machine learning and additive manufacturing are being actively used and pursued by leading private organizations, but they are not well utilized in our field today,\u0026rdquo; she explained. \u0026ldquo;We need to get away from conventional thinking and cultivate new technologies that take advantage of developments outside traditional nuclear engineering.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe NNSA and the national laboratories are responsible for the nation\u0026rsquo;s nuclear stockpile, and also for preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and materials worldwide. That challenge is growing as new technologies \u0026ndash; including additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing \u0026ndash; makes possible manufacturing that in the past could only be done in a limited number of facilities.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We need to look at securing the technologies of the future,\u0026rdquo; Erickson said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe technologies of the future will require people to use them. The ETI Consortium will be developing new coursework and pathways to national laboratory internships designed to attract the best students and give them a broad education that goes beyond traditional nuclear engineering. The courses will be taught by the participating universities, and potentially also through online platforms.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We want to educate students who have a good understanding of new technologies in general,\u0026rdquo; Erickson said. \u0026ldquo;We will encourage them to challenge the world and see the world differently. Over the next five years, our goals are to create something that will have a lasting effect on this industry.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe consortium\u0026rsquo;s education goal is to transfer more than 40 graduate students and 20 undergraduate students to the national laboratories over the next five years. As part of that strategy, it will provide approximately 70 internships, and establish eight faculty-student laboratory visit fellowships.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EConsistent with the vision of broadening the technology base, only a quarter of the faculty involved in the ETI Consortium will be traditional nuclear engineers. \u0026ldquo;People will come from all kinds of disciplines, from materials science to chemistry, advanced manufacturing and computer science. We are taking people with very diverse backgrounds and asking them to work together to create a new vision.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to Georgia Tech, the consortium will include the University of Wisconsin and The Ohio State University as leads of thrust areas, as well as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Michigan, University of Hawaii, Colorado School of Mines, Texas A\u0026amp;M University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Washington State University, Duke University and University of Texas at Austin.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe national laboratory partners will include Brookhaven National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;These grants will foster development of concepts and technologies that keep the United States at the forefront of nuclear monitoring and verification capabilities and allow us to nurture tomorrow\u0026rsquo;s nonproliferation experts,\u0026rdquo; said Brent K. Park, NNSA\u0026rsquo;s Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAt Georgia Tech, the effort will also include Steven Biegalski, professor in the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and chair of the Nuclear and Radiological Engineering and Medical Physics Program; Tim Lieuwen, executive director of the Strategic Energy Institute and a professor in the School of Aerospace Engineering; Amit Jariwala, senior academic professional in the School of Mechanical Engineering; Bernard Kippelen, the Joseph M. Pettit Professor and director of the Center for Organic Photonics and Electronics, and Chris Summers, professor emeritus and director of the Phosphor Technology Center of Excellence.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESuccess with the five-year ETI Consortium could help change the way students see the field of nuclear engineering and how the U.S. population views nuclear power and other components of the industry.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We want people to think about nuclear engineering in a different light,\u0026rdquo; said Erickson. \u0026ldquo;Nuclear engineering has been very specific to a narrow discipline, but we are trying to show the community that we are much more. We want to create the next-generation thinker, and there is nothing traditional about this effort.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe NNSA also announced the Consortium for Monitoring, Technology \u0026amp; Verification, a partnership of 14 universities led by the University of Michigan that is also funded for $25 million over five years. That organization seeks to improve U.S. capabilities to monitor the nuclear fuel cycle. \u0026ldquo;Its nonproliferation focus will be nuclear and particle physics, signals and source terms, and the physics of monitoring nuclear materials,\u0026rdquo; the NNSA announcement said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA consortium of 12 universities and 10 national laboratories led by the Georgia Institute of Technology has been awarded $25 million from the U.S. Department of Energy\u0026rsquo;s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to develop new technologies and educational programs to support the agency\u0026rsquo;s nuclear science, security and nonproliferation goals.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A new consortium has been awarded $25 million to develop new technologies and educational program to support nuclear nonproliferation."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2019-02-06 20:59:33","changed_gmt":"2019-02-06 21:45:03","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2019-02-06T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2019-02-06T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"617452":{"id":"617452","type":"image","title":"Anna Erickson with subcritical graphite pile","body":null,"created":"1549486301","gmt_created":"2019-02-06 20:51:41","changed":"1549486301","gmt_changed":"2019-02-06 20:51:41","alt":"Anna Erickson with subcritical graphite pile","file":{"fid":"235023","name":"nonproliferation-005.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/nonproliferation-005.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/nonproliferation-005.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":359088,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/nonproliferation-005.jpg?itok=dZWDC2DW"}},"617453":{"id":"617453","type":"image","title":"Anna Erickson with prototype radiation detector","body":null,"created":"1549486414","gmt_created":"2019-02-06 20:53:34","changed":"1549486414","gmt_changed":"2019-02-06 20:53:34","alt":"Anna Erickson with prototype radiation detector","file":{"fid":"235024","name":"nonproliferation-008.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/nonproliferation-008.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/nonproliferation-008.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":455529,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/nonproliferation-008.jpg?itok=FYMXYFwk"}}},"media_ids":["617452","617453"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"544","name":"Nuclear"},{"id":"12376","name":"Nuclear Engineering"},{"id":"180430","name":"Anna Erickson"},{"id":"998","name":"nonproliferation"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"616388":{"#nid":"616388","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Brilliant Glow of Paint-On Semiconductors Comes from Ornate Quantum Physics","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ELED lights and monitors, and quality solar panels were born of a revolution in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/chemistry\/optoelectronics\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Esemiconductors\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;that efficiently convert energy to light or vice versa. Now, next-generation semiconducting materials are on the horizon, and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41563-018-0262-7\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ein a new study\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E, researchers have uncovered eccentric physics behind their potential to transform lighting technology and photovoltaics yet again.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EComparing the quantum properties of these emerging so-called hybrid semiconductors with those of their established predecessors is about like comparing the Bolshoi Ballet to jumping jacks. Twirling troupes of quantum particles undulate through the emerging materials, creating, with ease, highly desirable optoelectronic (light-electronic) properties, according to a team of physical chemists led by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/Silva%20\/Carlos\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eresearchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThese same properties are impractical to achieve in established semiconductors.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe particles moving through these new materials also engage the material itself in the quantum action, akin to dancers enticing the floor to dance with them. The researchers were able to measure patterns in the material caused by the dancing and relate them to the emerging material\u0026rsquo;s quantum properties and to energy introduced into the material.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThese insights could help engineers work productively with the new class of semiconductors.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUnusually flexible semiconductors\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe emerging material\u0026rsquo;s ability to house diverse, eccentric quantum particle movements, analogous to the dancers, is directly related to its unusual flexibility on a molecular level, analogous to the dancefloor that joins in the dances. By contrast, established semiconductors have rigid, straight-laced molecular structures that leave the dancing to quantum particles.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe class of hybrid semiconductors the researchers examined is called\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?biw=1532\u0026amp;bih=783\u0026amp;tbm=isch\u0026amp;sa=1\u0026amp;ei=9sI4XI-_LYGIggf-qbSACA\u0026amp;q=halide+organic-inorganic+perovskite+carlos+silva\u0026amp;oq=halide+organic-inorganic+perovskite+carlos+silva\u0026amp;gs_l=img.3...20279.21300..21580...0.0..0.52.338.7......1....1..gws-wiz-img.Yz18-ph1WLk#imgrc=r3vU05y-A4rlnM:\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ehalide organic-inorganic perovskite\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(HOIP), which will be explained in more detail at bottom along with the \u0026ldquo;hybrid\u0026rdquo; semiconductor designation, which combines a crystal lattice -- common in semiconductors -- with a layer of innovatively flexing material.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBeyond their promise of unique radiance and energy-efficiency, HOIPs are easy to produce and apply.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPaint them on\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;One compelling advantage is that HOIPs are made using low temperatures and processed in solution,\u0026rdquo; said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/Silva%20\/Carlos\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECarlos Silva, a professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s School of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026ldquo;It takes much less energy to make them, and you can make big batches.\u0026rdquo; Silva co-led the study alongside\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iit.it\/index.php\/people\/srinivasa-srimath\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAjay Ram Srimath Kandada\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;from Georgia Tech and the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIt takes high temperatures to make most semiconductors in small quantities, and they are rigid to apply to surfaces, but HOIPs could be painted on to make LEDs, lasers or even window glass that could glow in any color from aquamarine to fuchsia. Lighting with HOIPs may require very little energy, and solar panel makers could boost photovoltaics\u0026rsquo; efficiency and slash production costs.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe team led by Georgia Tech included researchers from the Universit\u0026eacute; de Mons in Belgium and the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia. The results were published\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41563-018-0262-7\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eon January 14, 2019, in the journal\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ENature Materials\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E. The work was funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, EU Horizon 2020, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Fond Qu\u0026eacute;b\u0026eacute;cois pour la Recherche, and the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch6\u003E[Thinking about grad school?\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.gradadmiss.gatech.edu\/apply-now\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EHere\u0026#39;s how to apply to Georgia Tech.\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/h6\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EQuantum jumping jacks\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESemiconductors in optoelectronic devices can either convert light into electricity or electricity into light. The researchers concentrated on processes connected to the latter: light emission.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe trick to getting a material to emit light is, broadly speaking, to apply energy to electrons in the material, so that they take a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/en.wiktionary.org\/wiki\/quantum_leap\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Equantum leap\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;up from their orbits around atoms then emit that energy as light when they hop back down to the orbits they had vacated. Established semiconductors can\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/trap-solid-state-physics\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Etrap\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;electrons in areas of the material that strictly limit the electrons\u0026rsquo; range of motion then apply energy to those areas to make electrons do quantum leaps in unison to emit useful light when they hop back down in unison.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;These are\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.rp-photonics.com\/quantum_wells.html\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Equantum wells\u003C\/a\u003E, two-dimensional parts of the material that confine these quantum properties to create these particular light emission properties,\u0026rdquo; Silva said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EImaginary particle excitement\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThere is a potentially more attractive way to produce the light, and it is a core strength of the new hybrid semiconductors.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAn electron has a negative charge, and an orbit it vacates after having been excited by energy is a positive charge called an\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/whatis.techtarget.com\/definition\/hole\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eelectron hole\u003C\/a\u003E. The electron and the hole can gyrate around each other forming a kind of imaginary particle, or\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Quasiparticle\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Equasiparticle\u003C\/a\u003E, called an\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/exciton\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eexciton\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The positive-negative attraction in an exciton is called\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.euronuclear.org\/info\/encyclopedia\/bindingenergy.htm\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ebinding energy\u003C\/a\u003E, and it\u0026rsquo;s a very high-energy phenomenon, which makes it great for light emitting,\u0026rdquo; Silva said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen the electron and the hole reunite, that releases the binding energy to make light. But usually, excitons are very hard to maintain in a semiconductor.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The excitonic properties in conventional semiconductors are only stable at extremely cold temperatures,\u0026rdquo; Silva said. \u0026ldquo;But in HOIPs the excitonic properties are very stable at room temperature.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOrnate quasiparticle twirling\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EExcitons get freed up from their atoms and move around the material. In addition, excitons in an HOIP can whirl around other excitons, forming quasiparticles called biexcitons. And there\u0026rsquo;s more.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EExcitons also spin around atoms in the material lattice. Much the way an electron and an electron hole create an exciton, this twirl of the exciton around an atomic nucleus gives rise to yet another quasiparticle called a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/polaron\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Epolaron\u003C\/a\u003E. All that action can result in excitons transitioning to polarons back. One can even speak of some excitons taking on a \u0026ldquo;polaronic\u0026rdquo; nuance.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECompounding all those dynamics is the fact that HOIPs are full of positively and negatively charged ions. The ornateness of these quantum dances has an overarching effect on the material itself.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWave patterns resonate\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe uncommon participation of atoms of the material in these dances with electrons, excitons, biexcitons and polarons creates repetitive nanoscale indentations in the material that are observable as wave patterns and that shift and flux with the amount of energy added to the material.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;In a ground state, these wave patterns would look a certain way, but with added energy, the excitons do things differently. That changes the wave patterns, and that\u0026rsquo;s what we measure,\u0026rdquo; Silva said. \u0026ldquo;The key observation in the study is that the wave pattern varies with different types of excitons (exciton, biexciton, polaronic\/less polaronic).\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe indentations also grip the excitons, slowing their mobility through the material, and all these ornate dynamics may affect the quality of light emission.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERubber band sandwich\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe material, a halide organic-inorganic perovskite, is a sandwich of two inorganic crystal lattice layers with some organic material in between them \u0026ndash; making HOIPs an organic-inorganic hybrid material. The quantum action happens in the crystal lattices.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe organic layer in between is like a sheet of rubber bands that makes the crystal lattices into a wobbly but stable dancefloor. Also, HOIPs are put together with many\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=nwu_Dpizmsk\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Enon-covalent bonds\u003C\/a\u003E, making the material soft.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIndividual units of the crystal take a form called perovskite, which is a very even diamond shape, with a metal in the center and halogens such as chlorine or iodine at the points, thus \u0026ldquo;halide.\u0026rdquo; For this study, the researchers used a 2D prototype with the formula (PEA)\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003EPbI\u003Csub\u003E4\u003C\/sub\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso READ: \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.rh.gatech.edu\/news\/599811\/perking-and-crimping-bristles-polyelectrolyte-brushes\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EPerking up and Crimping the \u0026#39;Bristles\u0026#39; of Polyelectrolyte Brushes\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe study was co-authored by F\u0026eacute;lix Thouin (co-first author), David A. Valverde-Ch\u0026aacute;vez (co-first author), and Ilaria Bargigia, all of Georgia Tech; Claudio Quarti and David Beljonne of the Universit\u0026eacute; de Mons in Belgium; Daniele Cortecchia and Annamaria Petrozza of the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia. The research was funded by\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003EEU Horizon 2020 (project 705874); the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003Eof Canada; Fond Qu\u0026eacute;b\u0026eacute;cois pour la Recherche: Nature et Technologies; the National Science Foundation (grant 1838276); Interuniversity Attraction Pole program of the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (PAI 6\/27) and the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique de Belgique (FNRS-F.R.S.). Beljonne is an F.R.S. director. Any findings, opinions, and conclusions are those of the authors and not necessarily of the funding agencies.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new wave of semiconductors that can be painted on is on the horizon. It bears the promise of revolutionizing lighting all over again and of transforming solar energy. Ornate quantum particle action, revealed here, that drives the new material\u0026#39;s properties defies the workings of established semiconductors.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A new revolution in semiconductors could transform lighting and solar energy, and this is what their crazy physics look like."}],"uid":"31759","created_gmt":"2019-01-14 23:00:05","changed_gmt":"2019-01-15 15:10:17","author":"Ben Brumfield","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2019-01-14T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2019-01-14T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"616386":{"id":"616386","type":"image","title":"Visible laser to study semiconductor properties close up","body":null,"created":"1547505628","gmt_created":"2019-01-14 22:40:28","changed":"1547505628","gmt_changed":"2019-01-14 22:40:28","alt":"","file":{"fid":"234613","name":"Vis.Laser2_.Silva_.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Vis.Laser2_.Silva_.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Vis.Laser2_.Silva_.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5136618,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Vis.Laser2_.Silva_.jpg?itok=FUHYxhUt"}},"616385":{"id":"616385","type":"image","title":"Carlos Silva and Felix Thouin in Silva\u0027s lab at Georgia Tech","body":null,"created":"1547505511","gmt_created":"2019-01-14 22:38:31","changed":"1547505511","gmt_changed":"2019-01-14 22:38:31","alt":"","file":{"fid":"234612","name":"Silva.Thouin.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Silva.Thouin.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Silva.Thouin.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4061246,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Silva.Thouin.jpg?itok=GtS0ihGU"}},"616383":{"id":"616383","type":"image","title":"Visible laser to study semiconductor properties","body":null,"created":"1547504773","gmt_created":"2019-01-14 22:26:13","changed":"1547504773","gmt_changed":"2019-01-14 22:26:13","alt":"","file":{"fid":"234611","name":"Vis.laser_.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Vis.laser_.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Vis.laser_.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":6580524,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Vis.laser_.jpg?itok=D7f_-Ld0"}},"616387":{"id":"616387","type":"image","title":"HOIP, halide organic-inorganic perovskite","body":null,"created":"1547505771","gmt_created":"2019-01-14 22:42:51","changed":"1547505771","gmt_changed":"2019-01-14 22:42:51","alt":"","file":{"fid":"234614","name":"HOIP.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/HOIP.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/HOIP.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":242952,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/HOIP.jpg?itok=Kjw9s0f7"}},"616398":{"id":"616398","type":"image","title":"David Valverde-Ch\u00e1vez and Felix Thouin","body":null,"created":"1547564899","gmt_created":"2019-01-15 15:08:19","changed":"1547564899","gmt_changed":"2019-01-15 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materials"},{"id":"180176","name":"photovoltaic panels"},{"id":"180177","name":"photovoltaic power"},{"id":"180178","name":"Photovoltaic Technology"},{"id":"953","name":"photovoltaics"},{"id":"180179","name":"hybrid semiconductor"},{"id":"180180","name":"quantum particle"},{"id":"9671","name":"Quantum Mechanics"},{"id":"180181","name":"Quantum properties"},{"id":"180182","name":"halide perovskite"},{"id":"180183","name":"halide organic-inorganic perovskite"},{"id":"177427","name":"HOIP"},{"id":"177428","name":"metal-halide"},{"id":"177429","name":"lead iodide"},{"id":"177430","name":"PbI4"},{"id":"1815","name":"optoelectronics"},{"id":"177431","name":"semiconductor for optoelectronics"},{"id":"174838","name":"perovskite"},{"id":"177432","name":"hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite"},{"id":"177433","name":"exciton"},{"id":"177434","name":"biexciton"},{"id":"4260","name":"laser"},{"id":"167182","name":"solar"},{"id":"177435","name":"photoelectric"},{"id":"167355","name":"silicon"},{"id":"180184","name":"Graphene Electronics an"},{"id":"180185","name":"Optoelectronic"},{"id":"180186","name":"optoelectronic device"},{"id":"180187","name":"Electron Affinity"},{"id":"180188","name":"excitonics"},{"id":"180189","name":"polaron"},{"id":"180190","name":"Quantum wells"},{"id":"180191","name":"electron hole"},{"id":"180192","name":"quasiparticles"},{"id":"180193","name":"binding energy"},{"id":"180194","name":"non-covalent"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia relations assistance\u003C\/strong\u003E: Ben Brumfield\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 660-1408\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu?subject=Clownfish%20anemone%20story\u0022\u003Eben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;Ben Brumfield\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"615720":{"#nid":"615720","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Chemical Separations Researcher Named to National Academy of Inventors","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe National Academy of Inventors (NAI) has included \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/people\/william-j-koros\u0022\u003EWilliam J. Koros\u003C\/a\u003E among 148 academic inventors elected as NAI Fellows in 2018. Koros, who develops energy-efficient separations technology, is the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.gra.org\u0022\u003EGeorgia Research Alliance\u003C\/a\u003E Eminent Scholar in Membranes and holds the Roberto C. Goizueta Chair for Excellence in Chemical Engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EElection to NAI Fellow status recognizes academic inventors who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESeparation processes, such as those used in the chemical processing industry, consume almost 15 percent of world energy, making them a focus for research efforts aimed at reducing energy consumption. Koros\u0026rsquo; research has applications across many areas of industry.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Dr. Koros has shown the way to expand energy-efficient separations across the large-scale separation process spectrum, with the potential to achieve a full order-of-magnitude reduction in energy intensity compared to conventional processes,\u0026rdquo; the NAI nomination said. \u0026ldquo;High-efficiency hollow-fiber membrane and sorbent modules, suitable for feeds of a billion standard cubic feet per day, are enabling aspects of his work. Defect-free hollow fibers with ultrathin skins and hybrid membranes and sorbents combining metal organic frameworks enable new opportunities that were only dreams four decades before his leadership showed the way.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBeyond his own research, Koros has helped educate 89 Ph.D., 26 M.S. and 32 post-doctoral researchers, many of whom are now working in positions where they can bring about adoption of the new separations technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;His discoveries on scalable manufacturing of asymmetric carbon molecular sieve hollow fibers open the door to a whole new generation of large scale energy-efficient separation processes,\u0026rdquo; the nomination added. \u0026ldquo;With more than 400 refereed publications and more than 34 issued U.S. patents, Dr. Koros has introduced energy-efficient gas-separation technology to the chemical processing industries, with a focus on fundamental scientific principles enabled by practical technology.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWith the election of the 2018 class, there are now over 1,000 NAI Fellows, representing more than 250 research universities and government and non-profit research institutes. The 2018 Fellows are named inventors on nearly 4,000 issued U.S. patents, bringing the collective number of patents held by all NAI Fellows to more than 35,000 issued U.S. patents.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;I am very proud to welcome another class of outstanding NAI Fellows, whose collective achievements have helped shape the future and who each day work to improve our world,\u0026rdquo; said Paul R. Sanberg, President of the NAI. \u0026ldquo;Each of these new NAI Fellows embodies the Academy\u0026rsquo;s mission through their dedication, creativity and inventive spirit. I look forward to working collaboratively with the new NAI Fellows in growing a global culture of innovation.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout the National Academy of Inventors\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nThe NAI is a member organization comprising U.S. and international universities, governmental and non-profit research institutes. The NAI recognizes inventors with patents issued from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to enhance the visibility of academic technology and innovation and to translate the inventions of its members to benefit society. The NAI publishes the multidisciplinary journal, Technology \u0026amp; Innovation. \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.academyofinventors.org\u0022\u003Ewww.academyofinventors.org\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (jtoon@gatech.edu) (404-894-6986).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe National Academy of Inventors (NAI) has included School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Professor William J. Koros among 148 academic inventors elected as NAI Fellows in 2018.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Separations researcher William J. Koros has been named a fellow in the National Academy of Inventors."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2018-12-21 01:11:50","changed_gmt":"2018-12-21 01:12:53","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2018-12-20T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2018-12-20T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"615718":{"id":"615718","type":"image","title":"Researcher Bill Koros in the classroom","body":null,"created":"1545354141","gmt_created":"2018-12-21 01:02:21","changed":"1545354141","gmt_changed":"2018-12-21 01:02:21","alt":"Professor Bill Koros in the classroom","file":{"fid":"234403","name":"koros-class2-final.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/koros-class2-final.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/koros-class2-final.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":985522,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/koros-class2-final.jpg?itok=tas04NqS"}},"615719":{"id":"615719","type":"image","title":"Researcher Bill Koros in the laboratory","body":null,"created":"1545354300","gmt_created":"2018-12-21 01:05:00","changed":"1545354300","gmt_changed":"2018-12-21 01:05:00","alt":"Researcher Bill Koros in the lab","file":{"fid":"234404","name":"koros-lab-final.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/koros-lab-final.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/koros-lab-final.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1040188,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/koros-lab-final.jpg?itok=R7K9y2Bo"}}},"media_ids":["615718","615719"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"170184","name":"separations"},{"id":"180021","name":"separations technology"},{"id":"7440","name":"membrane"},{"id":"560","name":"chemical engineering"},{"id":"9422","name":"william koros"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"613465":{"#nid":"613465","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Pilot Project Will Use Campus Wastewater to Grow Vegetables","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEven if you do your best to eat local, chances are most of the fruits and vegetables you consume come from far away -- especially if you live in a big city. Water and land for growing crops are hard to come by in urban areas. Finding more sustainable methods for growing produce in urban areas would have enormous benefits. A pilot project by Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/nanotech-sustainability.ce.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EYongsheng Chen,\u003C\/a\u003E a professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ce.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Civil and Environmental Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, aims to use wastewater from the campus to do just that.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The overarching goal is trying to figure out a way to use wastewater nutrients to grow produce in urban areas so we can decentralize vegetable production,\u0026rdquo; Chen said. A grant provides $5 million over five years from the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u0026rsquo;s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to create and operate a hydroponic growing system using domestic wastewater extracted from the Georgia Tech campus sewer system. It is the largest USDA award Georgia Tech has received.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Currently we treat wastewater by taking all the nutrients from it,\u0026rdquo; said Chen. \u0026ldquo;Then we have to use an energy-intensive process to synthesize and add fertilizer to the food production process.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe proposed anaerobic membrane biological treatment process will transfer organic contaminants into biogas and remove pathogens such as E. coli to ensure food safety, but the nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, for example) will remain. By using a smart membrane or nanomaterials to extract trace contaminants like endocrine disruptors, heavy metals and pharmaceuticals, the nutrients that are left can be pumped through a vertical hydroponic system to grow produce without adding fertilizer. The project will monitor water and produce quality and measure contamination from chemicals and microbes continuously.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe overall goal, said Chen, is to show that using the nutrients and water resources from domestic wastewater (DWW) in an urban controlled environment agriculture system (CEAs) is socially, environmentally and financially sustainable and can easily be replicated in other cities. The project will closely track nutrient requirements, energy needed to produce, handle and transport the fruits and vegetables, and water needs to determine what resources are needed to support this kind of CEA system (DWW-CEAs).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EEcological network analysis for DWW-CEA coupling will track material and energy flows across components that produce, consume and recycle food. Using a geodesign approach, Chen\u0026rsquo;s team will then compare data from traditional agriculture and DWW-CEAs to see how the system performs and how it could be designed to perform better in terms of water, energy and nutrient needs.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Our model will have options to calculate energy consumption for the system, water consumption, water balance and nutrient balance,\u0026rdquo; said Chen. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;ll conduct a life-cycle analysis and techno-economic analysis to evaluate whether this type of system will be commercially feasible or profitable in different locations, not just Atlanta.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EChen will use machine learning in the controlled growing environment to seek a \u0026ldquo;recipe\u0026rdquo; for each plant type: the ideal amount of nutrients, growing temperature and humidity needed for lettuce, for example, so that each head of greens will taste the same. The project also provides an opportunity to test a number of other technologies, such as using solar power for cooling or biogas extracted from the wastewater and discarded food to power a micro chiller.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOf course, showing that such a DWW-CEA system is feasible and profitable is one hurdle \u0026ndash; another is getting consumers on board with the way the produce is produced. \u0026ldquo;If we are going to decentralize this system, what are the implications for policy related issues?\u0026rdquo; Chen asked. \u0026ldquo;Will people buy products produced by wastewater?\u0026rdquo; The project will involve working with a number of collaborators at Georgia Tech and in Atlanta, including Kaye Husbands Fealing, professor and chair of the School of Public Policy at Georgia Tech, and the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of Sustainability.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We want to change the current wastewater treatment practice, step back a little bit and think outside the box,\u0026rdquo; Chen said. \u0026ldquo;This could have a big impact locally, regionally or even nationally and internationally.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis research is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u0026rsquo;s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Water for Food Production Systems (Grant 2018-68011-28371).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia \u0026nbsp;30332-0181 \u0026nbsp;USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;John Toon\u0026nbsp;(404-894-6986) (john.toon@comm.gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: Kenna Simmons\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers were awarded a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create a hydroponic system that uses wastewater from the campus to grow fruits and vegetables. If successful, it could be a sustainable way to grow produce in urban areas.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"$5 million grant funds project to test sustainable hydroponic farming in urban areas."}],"uid":"34897","created_gmt":"2018-10-30 13:40:50","changed_gmt":"2018-12-10 21:36:19","author":"Kenna Simmons","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2018-10-30T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2018-10-30T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"613477":{"id":"613477","type":"image","title":"Wastewater Grant Researchers","body":null,"created":"1540911287","gmt_created":"2018-10-30 14:54:47","changed":"1540997509","gmt_changed":"2018-10-31 14:51:49","alt":"Three Georgia Tech researchers talking behind a table loaded with lettuce and vegetables.","file":{"fid":"233550","name":"Wastewater _Grant_Researchers_Tomato.300dpi.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Wastewater%20_Grant_Researchers_Tomato.300dpi.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Wastewater%20_Grant_Researchers_Tomato.300dpi.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":216065,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Wastewater%20_Grant_Researchers_Tomato.300dpi.jpg?itok=UwfBti3c"}},"613464":{"id":"613464","type":"image","title":"Wastewater Grant Vegetables","body":null,"created":"1540906730","gmt_created":"2018-10-30 13:38:50","changed":"1540906730","gmt_changed":"2018-10-30 13:38:50","alt":"Image of lettuce, yellow squash, eggplant and red bell pepper","file":{"fid":"233547","name":"Wastewater_Grant_Colorful_Veggies.horiz_.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Wastewater_Grant_Colorful_Veggies.horiz_.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Wastewater_Grant_Colorful_Veggies.horiz_.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":148295,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Wastewater_Grant_Colorful_Veggies.horiz_.jpg?itok=AHDEk4Mf"}},"613478":{"id":"613478","type":"image","title":"Wastewater Grant Lettuce","body":null,"created":"1540911427","gmt_created":"2018-10-30 14:57:07","changed":"1540911427","gmt_changed":"2018-10-30 14:57:07","alt":"Image of green lettuce leaves","file":{"fid":"233552","name":"Wastewater_Grant_Lettuce.horiz_.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Wastewater_Grant_Lettuce.horiz_.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Wastewater_Grant_Lettuce.horiz_.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":142900,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Wastewater_Grant_Lettuce.horiz_.jpg?itok=TgMY3pjw"}},"613479":{"id":"613479","type":"image","title":"Wastewater Grant Researchers Skyline","body":null,"created":"1540911707","gmt_created":"2018-10-30 15:01:47","changed":"1540997527","gmt_changed":"2018-10-31 14:52:07","alt":"Three Georgia Tech researchers in front of the Atlanta skyline.","file":{"fid":"233553","name":"Wastewater_Grant_Researchers_Skyline.horiz_.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Wastewater_Grant_Researchers_Skyline.horiz_.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Wastewater_Grant_Researchers_Skyline.horiz_.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":163700,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Wastewater_Grant_Researchers_Skyline.horiz_.jpg?itok=5bQb3ftX"}}},"media_ids":["613477","613464","613478","613479"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"179966","name":"hydroponics"},{"id":"174353","name":"wastewater"},{"id":"179967","name":"locally grown"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"},{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E404-894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["john.toon@comm.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"614647":{"#nid":"614647","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Solving a 75-Year-Old Mystery Might Provide a New Source of Farm Fertilizer","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe solution to a 75-year-old materials mystery might one day allow farmers in developing nations to produce their own fertilizer on demand, using sunlight and nitrogen from the air.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThanks to a specialized X-ray source at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.lbl.gov\/\u0022\u003ELawrence Berkeley National Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have confirmed the existence of a long-hypothesized interaction between nitrogen and titanium dioxide (TiO\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E) \u0026ndash; a common photoactive material also known as titania \u0026ndash; in the presence of light. The catalytic reaction is believed to use carbon atoms found as contaminants on the titania.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIf the nitrogen-fixing reaction can be scaled up, it might one day help power clean farm-scale fertilizer production that could reduce dependence on capital-intensive centralized production facilities and costly distribution systems that drive up costs for farmers in isolated areas of the world. Most of the world\u0026rsquo;s fertilizer is now made using ammonia produced by the Haber-Bosch process, which requires large amounts of natural gas.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;In the United States, we have an excellent production and distribution system for fertilizer. However, many countries are not able to afford to build Haber-Bosch plants, and may not even have adequate transportation infrastructure to import fertilizers. For these regions, photocatalytic nitrogen fixation might be useful for on-demand fertilizer production,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/hatzell\u0022\u003EMarta Hatzell\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EWoodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026ldquo;Ultimately, this might be a low-cost process that could make fertilizer-based nutrients available to a broader array of farmers.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHatzell and collaborator \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/people\/andrew-j-medford\u0022\u003EAndrew Medford\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, are working with scientists at the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) to study the potential impacts of the reaction process. The research was reported October 29 in the \u003Cem\u003EJournal of the American Chemical Society\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research began more than two years ago when Hatzell and Medford began collaborating on a materials mystery that originated with a 1941 paper published by Seshacharyulu Dhar, an Indian soil scientist who reported observing an increase in ammonia emitted from compost subjected to light. Dhar suggested that a photocatalytic reaction with minerals in the compost could be responsible for the ammonia.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESince that paper, other researchers have reported nitrogen fixation on titania and ammonia production, but the results have not been consistently confirmed experimentally.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMedford, a theoretician, worked with graduate research assistant Benjamin Comer to model the chemical pathways that would be needed to fix nitrogen on titania to potentially create ammonia using additional reactions. The calculations suggested the proposed process was highly unlikely on pure titania, and the researchers failed to win a grant they had proposed to use to study the mysterious process. However, they were awarded experimental time on the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/als.lbl.gov\/\u0022\u003EAdvanced Light Source\u003C\/a\u003E at the U.S. Department of Energy\u0026rsquo;s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, which allowed them to finally test a key component of the hypothesis.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESpecialized equipment at the lab allowed Hatzell and graduate student Yu-Hsuan Liu to use X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to examine the surface of titania as nitrogen, water and oxygen interacted with the surfaces under near-ambient pressure in the dark and in the light. At first, the researchers saw no photochemical nitrogen fixation, but as the experiments continued, they observed a unique interaction between nitrogen and titania when light was directed at the minerals surface.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhat accounted for the initial lack of results? Hatzell and Medford believe that surface contamination with carbon \u0026ndash; likely from a hydrocarbon \u0026ndash; is a necessary part of the catalytic process for nitrogen reduction on the titania. \u0026ldquo;Prior to testing, the samples are cleaned to remove nearly all the trace carbon from the surface, however during experiments carbon from various sources (gases and the vacuum chamber) can introduce trace amount of carbon back onto the sample,\u0026rdquo; Hatzell explained. \u0026ldquo;What we observed was that reduced nitrogen species only were detected if there was a degree of carbon on the sample.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe hydrocarbon contamination hypothesis would explain why earlier research had provided inconsistent results. Carbon is always present at trace levels on titania, but getting the right amount and type may be key to making the hypothesized reaction work.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We think this explains the puzzling results that had been reported in the literature, and we hope it gives insights into how to engineer new catalysts using this 75-year-old mystery,\u0026rdquo; Medford said. \u0026ldquo;Often the best catalysts are materials that are very pristine and made in a clean room. Here you have just the opposite \u0026ndash; this reaction actually needs the impurities, which could be beneficial for sustainable applications in farming.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers hope to experimentally confirm the role of carbon with upcoming tests at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), which will allow them to directly probe the carbon during the photocatalytic nitrogen fixation process. They also hope to learn more about the catalytic mechanism so that they can better control the reaction to improve efficiency, which is currently less than one percent.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research reported in the journal did not measure ammonia, but Hatzell and her students have since detected it in lab scale tests. Because the ammonia is currently produced at such low levels, the researchers had to take precautions to avoid ammonia-based contamination. \u0026ldquo;Even tape used on equipment can create small quantities of ammonia that can affect the measurements,\u0026rdquo; Medford added.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThough the amounts of ammonia produced by the reaction are currently low, Hatzell and Medford believe that with process improvements, the advantages of on-site fertilizer production under benign conditions could overcome that limitation.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;While this may sound ridiculous from a practical perspective at first, if you actually look at the needs of the problem and the fact that sunlight and nitrogen from the air are free, on a cost basis it starts to look more interesting,\u0026rdquo; Medford said. \u0026ldquo;If you could operate a small-scale ammonia production facility with enough capacity for one farm, you have immediately made a difference.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHatzell credits cutting-edge surface science with finally providing an explanation to the mystery.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Since earlier investigators looked at this, there have been significant advances made in the area of measurement and surface science,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;Most surface science measurements require the use of ultra-high vacuum conditions which do not mimic the catalytic environment you aim to investigate. The near ambient pressure XPS at Lawrence Berkeley National lab, allowed us to take a step closer to observing this reaction in its native environment.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research was supported by startup funds from Georgia Tech to Hatzell and Medford, and by Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s Serve-Learn-Sustain initiative. The effort also received a boost from Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s Technological Innovation: Generating Economic Results (TI:GER\u0026reg;) program, which supported research into potential stakeholders for scale-up of the process.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to those already mentioned, the research included Marm B. Dixit and Kelsey B. Hatzell from Vanderbilt University and Yifan Ye and Ethan J. Crumlin from Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis research used resources of the Advanced Light Source, which is a DOE Office of Science User Facility under contract number DE-AC02-05CH11231.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Benjamin M. Comer, et al., \u0026ldquo;The Role of Adventitious Carbon in Photo-catalytic Nitrogen Fixation by Titania,\u0026rdquo; (Journal of American Chemical Society, 2018). \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1021\/jacs.8b08464\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1021\/jacs.8b08464\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe solution to a 75-year-old materials mystery might one day allow farmers in developing nations to produce their own fertilizer on demand, using sunlight and nitrogen from the air.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Solving a 75-year-old mystery could provide a new way to produce farm fertilizer."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2018-11-27 15:44:34","changed_gmt":"2018-11-27 16:11:03","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2018-11-27T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2018-11-27T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"614638":{"id":"614638","type":"image","title":"Titanium dioxide sample","body":null,"created":"1543332136","gmt_created":"2018-11-27 15:22:16","changed":"1543332136","gmt_changed":"2018-11-27 15:22:16","alt":"Sample of titanium dioxide","file":{"fid":"233999","name":"photocatalytic-006.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/photocatalytic-006.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/photocatalytic-006.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":222093,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/photocatalytic-006.jpg?itok=7IY7w35a"}},"614641":{"id":"614641","type":"image","title":"Studying titania sample","body":null,"created":"1543332288","gmt_created":"2018-11-27 15:24:48","changed":"1543332288","gmt_changed":"2018-11-27 15:24:48","alt":"Studying titania sample","file":{"fid":"234002","name":"photocatalytic-003.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/photocatalytic-003.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/photocatalytic-003.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":578277,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/photocatalytic-003.jpg?itok=qoBb3-do"}},"614643":{"id":"614643","type":"image","title":"Studying titania sample2","body":null,"created":"1543332557","gmt_created":"2018-11-27 15:29:17","changed":"1543332557","gmt_changed":"2018-11-27 15:29:17","alt":"Studying titania 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catalysis","file":{"fid":"234006","name":"photocatalytic-001.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/photocatalytic-001.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/photocatalytic-001.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":710775,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/photocatalytic-001.jpg?itok=KT7tM6UX"}}},"media_ids":["614638","614641","614643","614644"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"}],"keywords":[{"id":"179791","name":"titania"},{"id":"170267","name":"titanium dioxide"},{"id":"10946","name":"fertilizer"},{"id":"167182","name":"solar"},{"id":"2507","name":"catalysis"},{"id":"96881","name":"farm"},{"id":"170556","name":"nitrogen"},{"id":"179793","name":"Andrew Medford"},{"id":"179792","name":"Marta Hatzell"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"613410":{"#nid":"613410","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Finally, a Robust Fuel Cell that Runs on Methane at Practical Temperatures","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFuel cells have not been particularly known for their practicality and affordability, but that may have just changed. There\u0026rsquo;s a new cell that runs on cheap fuel at temperatures comparable to automobile engines and which slashes materials costs.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThough the cell is in the lab, it has high potential to someday electrically power homes and perhaps cars, say the researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology who led its development. In a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41560-018-0262-5\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Enew study in the journal\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003ENature Energy\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003Ethe researchers detailed how they reimagined the entire fuel cell with the help of a newly invented fuel catalyst.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe catalyst has dispensed with high-priced hydrogen fuel by making its own out of cheap, readily available methane. And improvements throughout the cell cooled the seething operating temperatures that are customary in methane fuel cells dramatically, a striking engineering accomplishment.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMethane fuel cells usually require temperatures of 750 to 1,000 degrees Celsius to run. This new one needs only about 500, which is even a notch cooler than automobile combustion engines, which run at around 600 degrees Celsius.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThat lower temperature could trigger cascading cost savings in the ancillary technology needed to operate a fuel cell, potentially pushing the new cell to commercial viability. The researchers feel confident that engineers can design electric power units around this fuel cell with reasonable effort, something that has eluded previous methane fuel cells.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026lsquo;Sensation in our world\u0026rsquo;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Our cell could make for a straightforward, robust overall system that uses cheap stainless steel to make\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1996-1073\/7\/7\/4601\u0022\u003Einterconnectors\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026rdquo; said Meilin Liu, who led the study and is a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/people\/meilin-liu\u0022\u003ERegents\u0026nbsp;Professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s School of Materials Science and Engineering.\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;Interconnectors are parts that help bring together many fuel cells into a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bioage.typepad.com\/.a\/6a00d8341c4fbe53ef01b7c760a5ae970b-popup\u0022\u003Estack\u003C\/a\u003E, or functional unit.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Above 750 degrees Celsius, no metal would withstand the temperature without oxidation, so you\u0026rsquo;d have a lot of trouble getting materials, and they would be extremely expensive and fragile, and contaminate the cell,\u0026rdquo; Liu said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Lowering the temperature to 500 degrees Celsius is a sensation in our world. Very few people have even tried it,\u0026rdquo; said Ben deGlee, a graduate research assistant in Liu\u0026rsquo;s lab and one of the first authors of the study. \u0026ldquo;When you get that low, it makes the job of the engineer designing the stack and connected technologies much easier.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe new cell also eliminates the need for a major ancillary device called a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Steam_reforming\u0022\u003Esteam reformer\u003C\/a\u003E, which is normally required to convert methane and water into hydrogen fuel.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ELiu, deGlee, co-first author Yu Chen, who is a postdoctoral researcher in Liu\u0026rsquo;s lab, and co-first author Yu Tang of the University of Kansas,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41560-018-0262-5\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Epublished the results\u003C\/strong\u003E of their research on October 29, 2018\u003C\/a\u003E. Their work was funded by the Office of Basic Energy Sciences and the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), both in the U.S. Department of Energy. It was also funded by the National Science Foundation\u0026rsquo;s Division of Chemistry.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026lsquo;Distributed generation\u0026rsquo;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research was based on a type of fuel cell with high potential for commercial viability, the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Solid_oxide_fuel_cell\u0022\u003Esolid oxide fuel cell (SOFC)\u003C\/a\u003E. SOFCs are known for their versatility in fuels they can use.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIf it goes to market, though the new cell might not power automobiles for a while, it could land sooner in basements as part of a more decentralized, cleaner, cheaper electrical power grid. The\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fueleconomy.gov\/feg\/fcv_PEM.shtml\u0022\u003Efuel cell stack\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;itself would be about the size of a shoebox, plus ancillary technology to make it run.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The hope is you could install this device like a tankless water heater. It would run off of natural gas to power your house,\u0026rdquo; Liu said. \u0026ldquo;That would save society and industry the enormous cost of new power plants and large electrical grid expansions.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;It would make homes and businesses more power independent,\u0026rdquo; Liu said. \u0026ldquo;That kind of system would be called distributed generation, and our sponsors want to develop that.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHomemade hydrogen\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHydrogen is the best fuel for powering fuel cells, but its cost is exorbitant. The researchers figured out how to convert methane to hydrogen in the fuel cell itself via the new catalyst, which is made with cerium, nickel and ruthenium and has the chemical formula Ce\u003Csub\u003E0.9\u003C\/sub\u003ENi\u003Csub\u003E0.05\u003C\/sub\u003ERu\u003Csub\u003E0.05\u003C\/sub\u003EO\u003Csub\u003E2,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/sub\u003Eabbreviated CNR.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen methane and water molecules come into contact with the catalyst and heat, nickel chemically cleaves the methane molecule. Ruthenium does the same with water. The resulting parts come back together as that very desirable hydrogen (H\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E) and carbon monoxide (CO), which the researchers surprisingly put to good use.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;CO causes performance problems in most fuel cells, but here, we\u0026rsquo;re using it as a fuel,\u0026rdquo; Chen said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMaking electricity\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EH\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E\u0026nbsp;and CO continue on to further catalyst layers that make up the anode, the part of the fuel cell that yanks off electrons, making the carbon monoxide and hydrogen positively charged ions. The electrons travel via a wire -\u0026nbsp;creating the electricity flow -\u0026nbsp;toward the cathode.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThere, oxygen, which is very electron-hungry, sucks up the electrons, closing the electrical circuit and becoming O\u003Csup\u003E2-\u003C\/sup\u003E\u0026nbsp;ions. Ionized hydrogen and oxygen meet and exit the system as water condensation; the carbon monoxide and oxygen ions meet to become pure carbon dioxide, which could be captured.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor the energy produced, fuel cell technology creates far, far less carbon dioxide than combustion engines.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn some fuel cells, the water in the initial reactions must be introduced from the outside. In this new fuel cell, it\u0026rsquo;s replenished in the last reaction phase, which forms water that cycles back to react with the methane.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECatalysts converge\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe new catalyst, CNR, manufactured by research collaborators at the University of Kansas, is the outer layer of the anode side of the cell and doubles as a protectant against decay, extending the life of the cell. CNR has strong cohort catalysts in inner layers and on the other side of the cell, the cathode.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOn the cathode end, oxygen\u0026rsquo;s reaction and movement through the system are usually notoriously slow, but Liu\u0026rsquo;s lab has recently sped it up to raise the electricity output by using what\u0026rsquo;s called nanofiber cathodes, which Liu\u0026rsquo;s lab developed in a prior study. (\u003Cem\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/ncomms14586\u0022\u003EA tailored double perovskite nanofiber catalyst enables ultrafast oxygen evolution\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E.)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The structures of these various catalysts, as well as the nanofiber cathodes, all together allowed us to drop the operating temperature,\u0026rdquo; Chen said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELike this article?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.rh.gatech.edu\/subscribe\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESubscribe to our email newsletter\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAlso read:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.rh.gatech.edu\/news\/603738\/turbocharging-fuel-cells-multifunctional-catalyst\u0022\u003ETurbocharging Fuel Cells with a Multifunctional Catalyst \u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;following people coauthored the research: B\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eote\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;Zhao,\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EL\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eei\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;Zhang,\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ES\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eeonyoung\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003EYoo,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003EKai Pei, Jun Hyuk Kim\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003EYong Ding of Georgia Tech; Yuechang Wei and Franklin\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003EF\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eeng\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;Tao of the University of Kansas, and Z\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eiyun\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;Wang and P\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;Hu of The Queen\u0026rsquo;s University of Belfast. The research was funded by the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003EU.S. Department of Energy under the following agencies and programs: Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) REBELS program (award DE-AR0000502), and\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESECA Core Technology Program (award DE-FE0031201)\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, the Catalysis program of the Office of Basic Energy Sciences (grant DE- SC0014561). It was also funded by the Division of Chemistry of the National Science Foundation (award 1462121). Any results, conclusions, and opinions are those of the authors and not necessarily of the funding agencies.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDOI:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E10.1038\/s41560-018-0262-5\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter \u0026amp;\u0026nbsp;Media Representative\u003C\/strong\u003E: Ben Brumfield (404-660-1408), ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia \u0026nbsp;30332-0181 \u0026nbsp;USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEither exorbitantly expensive fuel or insanely hot temperatures have made fuel cells a boutique proposition, but now there\u0026#39;s one that runs on cheap methane and at much lower temperatures. 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Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"613665":{"#nid":"613665","#data":{"type":"news","title":"NASA Pushes Exploration of Oceans in Our Solar System in Georgia Tech-Led Alliance","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003ENASA Astrobiology Program awards $7 million to Georgia Tech-led Oceans Across Space and Time alliance to intensify the search for life in our solar system\u0026rsquo;s present and past oceans\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ENASA has navigated our solar system with spacecraft and landers, but still, our celestial neighbors remain vast frontiers, particularly in the search for life. Now, an alliance of researchers will accelerate the quest to find it.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/astrobiology.nasa.gov\/news\/nasas-astrobiology-program-evolving-to-meet-the-future\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENASA Astrobiology Program has announced\u003C\/a\u003E the establishment of the Network for Life Detection,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nfold.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENFoLD\u003C\/a\u003E, which connects researchers to pursue the detection of life and clues thereof on our neighboring planets and their moons. NFoLD includes an oceanic research alliance led by the Georgia Institute of Technology.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIt is called \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/oast.eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EOceans Across Space and Time,\u0026nbsp;OAST\u003C\/a\u003E, and has received a $7 million NASA Astrobiology grant with the long-range goal of extracting secrets from present and past oceans on Mars, Jupiter\u0026rsquo;s icy moon Europa, and Saturn\u0026rsquo;s moon Enceladus. But OAST will also ramp up the study of the conditions that spawned first life in Earth\u0026rsquo;s oceans.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;With OAST,\u0026nbsp;we finally hit the perfect mix of people, science questions, and supporting activities to really go after some of the most important unknowns in astrobiology,\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;said Britney Schmidt,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/schmidt.eas.gatech.edu\/current-project-oast\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EOAST\u0026rsquo;s principal investigator\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and an\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.eas.gatech.edu\/people\/schmidt-dr-britney\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eassistant professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ENFoLD is one of five new Research Coordination Networks that the NASA Astrobiology Program has announced. The other RCNs pull together research communities that include the study of early Earth and its chemistry, evolution, distant habitable worlds, and exoplanet systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EYellow submarine on Europa\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOceans Across Space and Time could one day help NASA put a submarine on a rocket to Europa to look for life in the ocean beneath its ice crust. Or OAST could join NFoLD colleagues to help NASA explore parched Martian landscapes that once were oceans.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBut the path to our space neighbors leads through studying Earth. Field and lab experiments on our planet will divulge more knowledge about chemical and biological evolutionary strategies so that researchers can develop instruments and methodology that reliably detect signs of life on other planets and moons.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026quot;We don\u0026#39;t yet have a slam-dunk measurement that we could make on another planet to definitively say \u0026lsquo;this is life,\u0026rsquo;\u0026rdquo; said Schmidt, who coordinates OAST and led the application efforts to establish it.\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;OAST\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;main goal is to take a suite of technologies into the field on Earth to make measurements side-by-side while returning samples to the lab to understand.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThen, when that is very finely honed, send it aloft.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECrucial target practice\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOne of NFoLD\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;goals is to participate in future astrobiology space missions from the start so that they can successfully identify target spots on other planets or moons where signs of life could actually be detected if present.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026quot;A major challenge for life detection is where on a given planet or moon to look for life,\u0026rdquo; said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scripps.ucsd.edu\/research\/centers-labs-programs\/bowman-lab\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EJeff Bowman, deputy principal investigator of OAST and an assistant professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;at UC San Diego. \u0026ldquo;The density of life on our own planet extends across several orders of magnitude. Look for life in the wrong place and Earth could appear lifeless.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOAST\u0026rsquo;s team has the expertise to bridge earthly data and celestial goals.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMany of its\u0026nbsp;18\u0026nbsp;co-investigators and their teams have already explored biogeochemistry in our own planet\u0026rsquo;s eons-old rock record, in the atmosphere, the oceans, and the icecaps with an eye to extrapolating the data to other worlds.\u0026nbsp;Other OAST researchers have helped design Mars probes or build robotic submarines intended to one day dive into Europa\u0026rsquo;s subsurface ocean to detect life or at least a hint of it.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;OAST researchers have expertise in detecting and characterizing life in a variety of harsh environments like the Antarctic, the deepest ocean trenches, and lakes with extreme chemistry and salinity,\u0026rdquo; Bowman said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;We will leverage this expertise to understand how life may be distributed in different ocean environmental extremes around the solar system.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDiverse member institutions\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOAST includes investigators from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego; the University of Kansas;\u0026nbsp;Louisiana State University; the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Stanford University; the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science; the University of Texas; Colgate University; the University of California, the University of Central Florida;\u0026nbsp;the University of Auckland; York University; the University of Otago, and the New Zealand National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;I\u0026#39;m particularly proud of the high number of women and pre-tenure scientists we\u0026#39;ve engaged through our project,\u0026rdquo; said Schmidt. Five leaders in OAST are women, and 12 researchers are early career or pre-tenure. The project will also support graduate and undergraduate students as well as postdoctoral researchers through the NASA Postdoctoral Program.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELike this article?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.rh.gatech.edu\/subscribe\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESubscribe to our email newsletter\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso READ:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.rh.gatech.edu\/news\/610192\/laughing-gas-may-have-helped-warm-early-earth-and-given-breath-life\u0022\u003ELaughing Gas May Have Helped Warm Early Earth and Given Breath to Life\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia relations assistance\u003C\/strong\u003E: Ben Brumfield (404) 660-1408, ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;Ben Brumfield\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEnvision a yellow submarine on a rocket to Europa as a future highpoint of a research project led by Georgia Tech to search for life in our solar system\u0026#39;s oceans.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Envision a yellow submarine on a rocket to Europa as a future highpoint of a research project led by Georgia Tech to search for life in our solar system\u0027s oceans."}],"uid":"31759","created_gmt":"2018-11-01 18:50:28","changed_gmt":"2018-11-19 14:49:20","author":"Ben 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The new fuel cell, which provides twice as much power as conventional biofuel cells, could be paired with batteries or supercapacitors to provide a hybrid power source for the medical devices.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Korea University used gold nanoparticles assembled on the cotton to create high-conductivity electrodes that helped improve the fuel cell\u0026rsquo;s efficiency. That allowed them to address one of the major challenges limiting the performance of biofuel cells \u0026ndash; connecting the enzyme used to oxidize glucose with an electrode.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA layer-by-layer assembly technique used to fabricate the gold electrodes \u0026ndash; which provide both the electrocatalytic cathode and the conductive substrate for the anode \u0026ndash; helped boost the power capacity to as much as 3.7 milliwatts per square centimeter. Results of the research were reported October 26 in the journal Nature Communications.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We could use this device as a continuous power source for converting chemical energy from glucose in the body to electrical energy,\u0026rdquo; said Seung Woo Lee, an assistant professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. \u0026ldquo;The layer-by-layer deposition technique precisely controls deposition of both the gold nanoparticle and enzyme, dramatically increasing the power density of this fuel cell.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFabrication of the electrodes begins with porous cotton fiber composed of multiple hydrophilic microfibrils \u0026ndash; cellulose fibers containing hydroxyl groups. Gold nanoparticles about eight nanometers in diameter are then assembled onto the fibers using organic linker materials.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETo create the anode for oxidizing the glucose, the researchers apply glucose oxidase enzyme in layers alternating with an amine-functionalized small molecule known as TREN. The cathode, where the oxygen reduction reaction takes place, used the gold-covered electrodes, which have electrocatalytic capabilities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We precisely control the loading of the enzyme,\u0026rdquo; Lee said. \u0026ldquo;We produce a very thin layer so that the charge transport between the conductive substrate and the enzyme is improved. We have made a very close connection between the materials so the transport of electrons is easier.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe porosity of the cotton allowed an increase in the number of gold layers compared to a nylon fiber. \u0026ldquo;Cotton has many pores that can support activity in electrochemical devices,\u0026rdquo; explained Yongmin Ko, a visiting faculty member and one of the paper\u0026rsquo;s co-authors. \u0026ldquo;The cotton fiber is hydrophilic, meaning the electrolyte easily wets the surface.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBeyond improving the conductivity of the electrodes, the cotton fiber could improve the biocompatibility of the device, which is designed to operate at low temperature to allow use inside the body.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EImplantable biofuel cells suffer from degradation over time, and the new cell developed by the U.S. and Korean team offers improved long-term stability. \u0026ldquo;We have a record high power performance, and the lifetime should be improved for biomedical applications such as pacemakers,\u0026rdquo; Lee said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPacemakers and other implantable devices are now powered by batteries that last years, but may still require replacement in a procedure that requires surgery. The biofuel cell could provide a continuous charge for those batteries, potentially extending the time that devices may operate without battery replacement, Lee added.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition, the biofuel cell could be used to power devices intended for temporary use. Such devices might be implanted to provide timed release of a drug, but would biodegrade over time without requiring surgical removal. For these applications, no battery would be included, and the limited power required could be provided by the biofuel cell.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFuture goals of the research include demonstrating operation of the biofuel cell with an energy storage device, and development of a functional implantable power source. \u0026ldquo;We want to develop other biological applications for this,\u0026rdquo; said Lee. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;d like to go farther with other applications including batteries and high-performance storage.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to those already named, the research team included Cheong Hoon Kwon, Dongyeeb Shin, Minseong Kwon and Jinhan Cho of Korea University, Jinho Park of Georgia Tech and Wan Ki Bae of SKKU Advanced Institute of Nano Technology at Sungkyunkwan University.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis work was supported by a National Research Foundation (NRF) grant funded by the Korean Ministry of Science, ICT \u0026amp; Future Planning (MSIP) (2018R1A2A1A05019452; 2016M3A7B4910619) and the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (NRF2017R1A6A3A04003192).\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Cheong Hoon Kwon, et al., \u0026ldquo;High-power hybrid biofuel cells using layer-by-layer assembled glucose oxidase-coated metallic cotton,\u0026rdquo; (Nature Communications 9, 2018) http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/ 10.1038\/s41467-018-06994-5\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Assistance\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA glucose-powered biofuel cell that uses electrodes made from cotton fiber could someday help power implantable medical devices such as pacemakers and sensors. The new fuel cell, which provides twice as much power as conventional biofuel cells, could be paired with batteries or supercapacitors to provide a hybrid power source for the medical devices.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A glucose-powered biofuel cell that uses electrodes made from cotton fiber could someday help power implantable medical devices. "}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2018-11-16 18:42:13","changed_gmt":"2018-11-16 19:25:21","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2018-11-16T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2018-11-16T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"614352":{"id":"614352","type":"image","title":"Cotton for fuel cells","body":null,"created":"1542392949","gmt_created":"2018-11-16 18:29:09","changed":"1542396986","gmt_changed":"2018-11-16 19:36:26","alt":"Cotton growing in a field","file":{"fid":"233889","name":"cotton-boll.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/cotton-boll.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/cotton-boll.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":822889,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/cotton-boll.jpg?itok=970WdqPY"}},"614353":{"id":"614353","type":"image","title":"SEM image of electrodes","body":null,"created":"1542393070","gmt_created":"2018-11-16 18:31:10","changed":"1542396971","gmt_changed":"2018-11-16 19:36:11","alt":"Microscope images of fuel cell electrodes","file":{"fid":"233890","name":"electrode-sem.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/electrode-sem.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/electrode-sem.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":217880,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/electrode-sem.jpg?itok=P2rITTM4"}},"614354":{"id":"614354","type":"image","title":"Gold electrodes made from cotton","body":null,"created":"1542393185","gmt_created":"2018-11-16 18:33:05","changed":"1542396942","gmt_changed":"2018-11-16 19:35:42","alt":"Image of gold electrodes","file":{"fid":"233891","name":"gold electrodes.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/gold%20electrodes.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/gold%20electrodes.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":218118,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/gold%20electrodes.jpg?itok=nSy6GtRX"}}},"media_ids":["614352","614353","614354"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"}],"keywords":[{"id":"179737","name":"biofuel cell"},{"id":"2044","name":"Fuel Cell"},{"id":"179738","name":"glucose"},{"id":"179739","name":"cotton fiber"},{"id":"175833","name":"layer-by-layer"},{"id":"7309","name":"electrode"},{"id":"2054","name":"nanoparticle"},{"id":"179740","name":"power source"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"613174":{"#nid":"613174","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Material, Manufacturing Use Sun\u0027s Heat for Cheaper Renewable Electricity ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESolar power accounts for less than two percent of U.S. electricity, but could make up more than that if the cost of electricity generation and energy storage for use on cloudy days and at nighttime were cheaper.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA Purdue University-led team that included researchers from Georgia Tech have developed a new material and manufacturing process that would make one way to use solar power \u0026ndash; as heat energy \u0026ndash; more efficient in generating electricity.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe innovation is an important step for putting solar heat-to-electricity generation in direct cost competition with fossil fuels, which generate more than 60 percent of electricity in the U.S.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Storing solar energy as heat can already be cheaper than storing energy via batteries, so the next step is reducing the cost of generating electricity from the sun\u0026#39;s heat with the added benefit of zero greenhouse gas emissions,\u0026rdquo; said Kenneth Sandhage, Purdue\u0026rsquo;s Reilly Professor of Materials Engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research, which was done at Purdue in collaboration with the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, published in the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature\u003C\/em\u003E on October 18.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESolar power doesn\u0026#39;t only generate electricity via panels in farms or on rooftops. Another option is concentrated power plants that run on heat energy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EConcentrated solar power plants convert solar energy into electricity by using mirrors or lenses to concentrate a lot of light onto a small area, which generates heat that is transferred to a molten salt. Heat from the molten salt is then transferred to a \u0026quot;working\u0026quot; fluid, supercritical carbon dioxide, that expands and works to spin a turbine for generating electricity.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETo make solar-powered electricity cheaper, the turbine engine would need to generate even more electricity for the same amount of heat, which means the engine needs to run hotter.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe problem is that heat exchangers, which transfer heat from the hot molten salt to the working fluid, are currently made of stainless steel or nickel-based alloys that get too soft at the desired higher temperatures and at the elevated pressure of supercritical carbon dioxide.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EInspired by the materials his group had previously combined to make composite materials that can handle high heat and pressure for applications like solid-fuel rocket nozzles, Sandhage worked with Asegun Henry \u0026ndash; formerly at Georgia Tech, but now at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology \u0026ndash; to conceive of a similar composite for more robust heat exchangers.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETwo materials showed promise together as a composite: The ceramic zirconium carbide, and the metal tungsten.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPurdue researchers created plates of the ceramic-metal composite. The plates host customizable channels for tailoring the exchange of heat, based on simulations of the channels conducted at Georgia Tech by \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/ranjan\u0022\u003EDevesh Ranjan\u0026#39;s\u003C\/a\u003E team.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We simulated the printed circuit heat exchanger, which contains channels that are straight and parallel with semi-circular cross sections two millimeters in diameter,\u0026rdquo; said Ranjan, associate professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026ldquo;The thickness of each plate in the printed circuit heat exchanger stack and the spacing between the channels were then determined from the maximum allowed stresses for each type of material, with a factor of safety added.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMechanical tests by Edgar Lara-Curzio\u0026rsquo;s team at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and corrosion tests by Mark Anderson\u0026rsquo;s team at Wisconsin-Madison helped show that this new composite material could be tailored to successfully withstand the higher temperature, high-pressure supercritical carbon dioxide needed for generating electricity more efficiently than today\u0026rsquo;s heat exchangers.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAn economic analysis by Georgia Tech and Purdue researchers also showed that the scaled-up manufacturing of these heat exchangers could be conducted at comparable or lower cost than for stainless steel or nickel alloy-based ones.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Ultimately, with continued development, this technology would allow for large-scale penetration of renewable solar energy into the electricity grid,\u0026rdquo; Sandhage said. \u0026ldquo;This would mean dramatic reductions in man-made carbon dioxide emissions from electricity production.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA patent application has been filed for this advancement. The work is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, which has also recently awarded additional funding for further development and scaling up the technology.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThis story was provided by Purdue University.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia 30332-0181\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contacts\u003C\/strong\u003E: Purdue (Kayla Wiles, 765-494-2432, wiles5@purdue.edu); Georgia Tech (John Toon, 404-894-6986, (jtoon@gatech.edu)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: Kayla Wiles, Purdue University\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESolar power accounts for less than two percent of U.S. electricity, but could make up more than that if the cost of electricity generation and energy storage for use on cloudy days and at nighttime were cheaper.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A new heat exchanger technology could boost the use of solar power."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2018-10-24 02:03:10","changed_gmt":"2018-10-24 02:04:01","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2018-10-23T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2018-10-23T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"613171":{"id":"613171","type":"image","title":"High Temperature Heat Exchanger","body":null,"created":"1540346030","gmt_created":"2018-10-24 01:53:50","changed":"1540346030","gmt_changed":"2018-10-24 01:53:50","alt":"heat exchanger illustration","file":{"fid":"233432","name":"heat-exchanger-image.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/heat-exchanger-image.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/heat-exchanger-image.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":241794,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/heat-exchanger-image.jpg?itok=GpdrP60I"}},"613173":{"id":"613173","type":"image","title":"Heat Exchanger for Solar Power","body":null,"created":"1540346114","gmt_created":"2018-10-24 01:55:14","changed":"1540346114","gmt_changed":"2018-10-24 01:55:14","alt":"Heat exchanger for solar power","file":{"fid":"233433","name":"heat-exchanger-image.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/heat-exchanger-image_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/heat-exchanger-image_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":241794,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/heat-exchanger-image_0.jpg?itok=XZIJApP-"}}},"media_ids":["613171","613173"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"}],"keywords":[{"id":"179477","name":"heat exchanger"},{"id":"213","name":"energy"},{"id":"167364","name":"solar power"},{"id":"4174","name":"renewable"},{"id":"436","name":"electricity"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"610581":{"#nid":"610581","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Boron Nitride Separation Process Could Facilitate Higher Efficiency Solar Cells","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA team of semiconductor researchers based in France has used a boron nitride separation layer to grow indium gallium nitride (InGaN) solar cells that were then lifted off their original sapphire substrate and placed onto a glass substrate.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBy combining the InGaN cells with photovoltaic (PV) cells made from materials such as silicon or gallium arsenide, the new lift-off technique could facilitate fabrication of higher efficiency hybrid PV devices able to capture a broader spectrum of light. Such hybrid structures could theoretically boost solar cell efficiency as high as 30 percent for an InGaN\/Si tandem device.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe technique is the third major application for the hexagonal boron nitride lift-off technique, which was developed by a team of researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology, the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), and Institut Lafayette in Metz, France. Earlier applications targeted sensors and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;By putting these structures together with photovoltaic cells made of silicon or a III-V material, we can cover the visible spectrum with the silicon and utilize the blue and UV light with indium gallium nitride to gather light more efficiently,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/faculty-staff-directory\/abdallah-ougazzaden\u0022\u003EAbdallah Ougazzaden\u003C\/a\u003E, director of \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/lorraine.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Lorraine\u003C\/a\u003E in Metz, France and a professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (ECE). \u0026ldquo;The boron nitride layer doesn\u0026rsquo;t impact the quality of the indium gallium nitride grown on it, and we were able to lift off the InGaN solar cells without cracking them.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research was published August 15 in the journal \u003Cem\u003EACS Photonics\u003C\/em\u003E. It was supported by the French National Research Agency under the GANEX Laboratory of Excellence project and the French PIA project \u0026ldquo;Lorraine Universit\u0026eacute; d\u0026rsquo;Excellence.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe technique could lead to production of solar cells with improved efficiency and lower cost for a broad range of terrestrial and space applications. \u0026ldquo;This demonstration of transferred InGaN-based solar cells on foreign substrates while increasing performance represents a major advance toward lightweight, low cost, and high efficiency photovoltaic applications,\u0026rdquo; the researchers wrote in their paper.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Using this technique, we can process InGaN solar cells and put a dielectric layer on the bottom that will collect only the short wavelengths,\u0026rdquo; Ougazzaden explained. \u0026ldquo;The longer wavelengths can pass through it into the bottom cell. By using this approach we can optimize each surface separately.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers began the process by growing monolayers of boron nitride on two-inch sapphire wafers using an MOVPE process at approximately 1,300 degrees Celsius. The boron nitride surface coating is only a few nanometers thick, and produces crystalline structures that have strong planar surface connections, but weak vertical connections.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe InGaN attaches to the boron nitride with weak van der Waals forces, allowing the solar cells to be grown across the wafer and removed without damage. So far, the cells have been removed from the sapphire manually, but Ougazzaden believes the transfer process could be automated to drive down the cost of the hybrid cells. \u0026ldquo;We can certainly do this on a large scale,\u0026rdquo; he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe InGaN structures are then placed onto the glass substrate with a backside reflector and enhanced performance is obtained. Beyond demonstrating placement atop an existing PV structure, the researchers hope to increase the amount of indium in their lift-off devices to boost light absorption and increase the number of quantum wells from five to 40 or 50.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We have now demonstrated all the building blocks, but now we need to grow a real structure with more quantum wells,\u0026rdquo; Ougazzaden said. \u0026ldquo;We are just at the beginning of this new technology application, but it is very exciting.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to Ougazzaden, the research team includes Georgia Tech Ph.D. students Taha Ayari, Matthew Jordan, Xin Li and Saiful Alam; Chris Bishop and Simon Gautier from Institut Lafayette; Suresh Sundaram, a researcher at Georgia Tech Lorraine; Walid El Huni and Yacine Halfaya from CNRS; Paul Voss, an associate professor in the Georgia Tech School of ECE; and Jean Paul Salvestrini, a professor at Georgia Tech Lorraine and adjunct professor in the Georgia Tech School of ECE.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Taha Ayari, et al., \u0026ldquo;Heterogeneous Integration of Thin-Film InGaN-Based Solar Cells on Foreign Substrates with Enhanced Performance,\u0026rdquo; (ACS Photonics 2018) \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/abs\/10.1021\/acsphotonics.8b00663\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/abs\/10.1021\/acsphotonics.8b00663\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA team of semiconductor researchers based in France has used a boron nitride separation layer to grow indium gallium nitride (InGaN) solar cells that were then lifted off their original sapphire substrate and placed onto a glass substrate.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A boron nitride separation layer is the basis for a new technique for producing photovoltaic cells."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2018-08-30 12:00:58","changed_gmt":"2018-08-30 12:08:30","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2018-08-30T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2018-08-30T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"610579":{"id":"610579","type":"image","title":"Photovoltaic panels at Georgia Tech","body":null,"created":"1535629885","gmt_created":"2018-08-30 11:51:25","changed":"1535630838","gmt_changed":"2018-08-30 12:07:18","alt":"Photovoltaic panels","file":{"fid":"232490","name":"pv_9650.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/pv_9650.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/pv_9650.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":682756,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/pv_9650.jpg?itok=Y_I8J6dO"}},"610580":{"id":"610580","type":"image","title":"Measuring photovoltaic performance","body":null,"created":"1535630040","gmt_created":"2018-08-30 11:54:00","changed":"1535630040","gmt_changed":"2018-08-30 11:54:00","alt":"Measuring photovoltaic performance","file":{"fid":"232491","name":"pv-cell-testing.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/pv-cell-testing.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/pv-cell-testing.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":677801,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/pv-cell-testing.jpg?itok=O8jpdg8X"}}},"media_ids":["610579","610580"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"1073","name":"photovoltaic"},{"id":"169729","name":"solar cell"},{"id":"178890","name":"lift-off"},{"id":"176224","name":"boron nitride"},{"id":"178891","name":"hybrid cell"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"607685":{"#nid":"607685","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech receives $1.6 million for nuclear energy projects","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Department of Energy (DOE) recently awarded the Georgia Institute of Technology $1.6 million in two grants for testing materials used in producing nuclear energy.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDOE is awarding $47 million through its Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) to support 63 university-led nuclear energy research and development projects in 29 states. NEUP seeks to maintain U.S. leadership in nuclear research across the country by providing top science and engineering faculty and their students opportunities to develop innovative technologies and solutions for civil nuclear capabilities.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Because nuclear energy is such a vital part of our nation\u0026rsquo;s energy portfolio, these investments are necessary to ensuring that future generations of Americans will continue to benefit from safe, clean, reliable, and resilient nuclear energy,\u0026rdquo; said Ed McGinnis, DOE\u0026rsquo;s principal deputy assistant secretary for nuclear energy. \u0026ldquo;Our commitment to providing researchers with access to the fundamental infrastructure and capabilities needed to develop advanced nuclear technologies is critical.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe awards are dispersed under three DOE nuclear energy programs: the Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP), the Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) program, and the Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) program.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s projects are funded by the NEUP. The first is for corrosion testing of new alloys and accompanying on-line reduction oxidation measurements in the flow loops of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) eutectic alkaline metal fluoride salt mixture, specifically the molten salts lithium fluoride, sodium fluoride, and potassium fluoride (also called FLiNaK) as well as lithium fluoride and beryllium fluoride (or FLiBe.)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The structural alloys in fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactors (FHR) will be exposed to molten fluoride salt mixtures at high temperatures, which can be very corrosive depending on the alloy composition and the presence of impurities in the molten salt. It is very important to test the candidate alloys under potential FHR conditions and understand the corrosion mechanisms in order to select the right alloys to use in building the structure of a reactor,\u0026rdquo; said Preet M. Singh, principal\u0026nbsp;investigator on the project from Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s School of Materials Science and Engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn the second project, a modeling and simulation tool will be developed to perform highly accurate and efficient transient calculations in the FHRs.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Accurate and efficient modeling and simulation tools are needed to support design optimization, analysis, licensing, and eventual deployment of any reactor,\u0026rdquo; said Farzad Rahnema, the project\u0026rsquo;s principal investigator and Georgia Power Company Distinguished Professor of Nuclear Engineering in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. \u0026ldquo;The current tools are inadequate for modeling advanced reactors such as the FHRs because of their complex geometry and high heterogeneity. The capability to perform transient calculations with high fidelity is an important component of licensing first-of-a-kind reactors, where experimental data are lacking or scarce.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe DOE awards are for three years.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ELearn more at the DOE\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/articles\/department-energy-invests-64-million-advanced-nuclear-technology\u0022\u003EOffice of Nuclear Energy website\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Department of Energy recently awarded the Georgia Tech\u0026nbsp;$1.6 million in two grants for testing materials used in producing nuclear energy.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Two new grants for materials testing from DoE total $1.6 million"}],"uid":"28797","created_gmt":"2018-07-12 13:48:34","changed_gmt":"2018-07-12 14:37:09","author":"Lance Wallace","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2018-07-12T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2018-07-12T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"607683":{"id":"607683","type":"image","title":"Farzad Rahnema","body":null,"created":"1531402726","gmt_created":"2018-07-12 13:38:46","changed":"1531405497","gmt_changed":"2018-07-12 14:24:57","alt":"","file":{"fid":"231808","name":"rahnema.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/rahnema_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/rahnema_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":22921,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/rahnema_0.jpg?itok=hxhUi8DL"}},"607682":{"id":"607682","type":"image","title":"Department of Energy","body":null,"created":"1531402437","gmt_created":"2018-07-12 13:33:57","changed":"1531406270","gmt_changed":"2018-07-12 14:37:50","alt":"","file":{"fid":"231809","name":"DOE logo.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/DOE%20logo_0.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/DOE%20logo_0.png","mime":"image\/png","size":98754,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/DOE%20logo_0.png?itok=2Nn1S4GN"}},"607684":{"id":"607684","type":"image","title":"Preet Singh","body":null,"created":"1531402848","gmt_created":"2018-07-12 13:40:48","changed":"1531405461","gmt_changed":"2018-07-12 14:24:21","alt":"","file":{"fid":"231807","name":"singh.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/singh_0.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/singh_0.png","mime":"image\/png","size":50173,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/singh_0.png?itok=oImX7jp-"}}},"media_ids":["607683","607682","607684"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/articles\/department-energy-invests-64-million-advanced-nuclear-technology","title":"Office of Nuclear Energy News"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"108731","name":"School of Mechanical Engineering"},{"id":"1238","name":"School of Materials Science and Engineering"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"663","name":"Department of Energy"},{"id":"3441","name":"DOE"},{"id":"127281","name":"preet singh"},{"id":"34491","name":"Farzad Rahnema"},{"id":"544","name":"Nuclear"},{"id":"1692","name":"materials"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003Elance.wallace@comm.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["lance.wallace@comm.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"606884":{"#nid":"606884","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Making the Oxygen We Breathe, a Photosynthesis Mechanism Exposed","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EArguably, the greatest fueler of life on our planet is photosynthesis, but understanding its labyrinthine chemistry, powered by sunlight, is challenging. Researchers recently illuminated some new steps inside the molecular factory that makes the oxygen we breathe.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nThough chlorophyll is the best-known part, for the vivid green it colors nature, many compounds work together in photosynthesis. And Georgia Tech chemists devised clever experiments to inspect a small metal catalyst and an amino acid intimately involved in the release of O\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E from water\u0026nbsp;in what\u0026#39;s known as photosystem II (PSII).\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nPSII is a complex protein structure found in plants and algae. It has a counterpart called\u0026nbsp;photosystem I, an equally complex light-powered producer of oxygen and biomaterials.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPhotosynthesis Q \u0026amp; A\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESome questions and answers below will help elucidate the researchers\u0026rsquo; findings about\u0026nbsp;O\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E production inside PSII.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Photosynthesis in plants and algae can be compared to an artificial solar cell,\u0026rdquo; said principal investigator \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chemistry.gatech.edu\/faculty\/barry\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBridgette Barry\u003C\/a\u003E, who is a \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eprofessor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s School of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026ldquo;But, in photosynthesis, light energy fuels the production of food (carbohydrates) instead of charging a battery. O\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E is released from water as a byproduct.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBarry, first author Zhanjun Guo, and researcher Jiayuan He \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.pnas.org\/content\/early\/2018\/05\/10\/1800758115\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Epublished their research on May 11, 2018, in the journal \u003Cem\u003EProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. Their work was funded by the National Science Foundation.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow does photosynthesis II release oxygen from water?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMany details are still unknown, but here are some basic workings that were already well-established going into this new study.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPS II is a biochemical complex made mostly of large amino acid corkscrew cylinders and some smaller such cylinders strung together with amino acid strands. The reaction cycle that extracts the O\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E from H\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003EO occurs at a\u0026nbsp;tiny spot, which the study focused on.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor scale, if PSII were a fairly tall, very wide building, the spot might be the size of a large door in about the lower center of the building, and the metal cluster would be located there. Intertwined in the proteins would be sprawling molecules that include beta-carotene and chlorophyll, a great natural photoelectric semiconductor.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Photons from sunlight bombard photosystem II and displace electrons in the chlorophyll,\u0026rdquo; Barry said. \u0026ldquo;That creates moving negative charges.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat is the metal catalyst?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe metal catalyst acts like a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.khanacademy.org\/science\/physics\/circuits-topic\/circuits-with-capacitors\/v\/capacitors-and-capacitance\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ecapacitor\u003C\/a\u003E, building up charge that it uses to expedite four chemical reactions that release the O\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E by removing four electrons, one-by-one, from two water molecules. In the process, water also spins off four H+ ions, i.e. protons, from two H\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003EO molecules.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAn additional highly reactive compound near the metal cluster acts as a \u0026quot;switch\u0026quot; to drive the electron movement in each step of the reaction cycle. It\u0026#39;s a common amino acid called tyrosine, a little building block on that mammoth protein building.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat does the \u0026lsquo;switch\u0026rsquo; do?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis is where the new study\u0026rsquo;s insights come in to describe details of what\u0026#39;s going on between the tyrosine and the cluster.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe light reactions remove one electron from tyrosine, making it what\u0026rsquo;s called an unstable \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Radical_(chemistry)\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eradical\u003C\/a\u003E, and the radical version of tyrosine strongly attracts a new electron.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIt very quickly gets that new electron from the metal cluster. As PSII absorbs photons, the taking of an electron from tyrosine and its radical\u0026rsquo;s grabbing of a new one from the cluster repeats rapidly, making the tyrosine a kind of flickering switch.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The tyrosine radical drives the cycle around, and what they (Guo and He) did in the lab was to develop a way of seeing the radical reaction in the presence of the metal cluster,\u0026rdquo; Barry said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGuo and He also found that the calcium atom in the cluster has key interactions with tyrosine.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow did they observe that single chemical component in a living system?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFiguring out how to make the reactions observable was painstaking. The researchers isolated some PSII from spinach, and they slowed it way down by cooling it in the dark.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThen they gave it a burst of red light to prepare one step in the reaction cycle, then a green flash to take the electron from tyrosine. Then the electrons slowly returned to the tyrosine.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers observed the processes via \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/study.com\/academy\/lesson\/vibrational-spectroscopy-definition-types.html\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Evibrational spectroscopy\u003C\/a\u003E, which revealed qualities of tyrosine\u0026rsquo;s chemical bonds. The researchers also examined the calcium and discovered a special interaction between it and tyrosine.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;A new thing we saw was that the calcium ion made the tyrosine twist a certain way,\u0026rdquo; Barry said. \u0026ldquo;It turns out that the tyrosine may be a very flexible switch.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers also swapped out calcium for other metals and found that the calcium fulfills this role quite optimally.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESo, why is understanding photosynthesis important?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Oxygen photosynthesis really is the great fueler life on our planet,\u0026rdquo; Barry said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAbout two billion years ago, the photosynthesis that generates O\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E exploded, and as breathable oxygen filled Earth\u0026rsquo;s oceans and atmosphere, life began evolving into the complex variety we have today. There are also pragmatic reasons for studying photosynthesis.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;You could work with it to make crops more productive,\u0026rdquo; Barry said. \u0026ldquo;We may have to repair and adapt the photosynthesis process someday, too.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EEnvironmental stresses could possibly weaken photosynthesis in the future, calling for biochemical tweaks. Also, natural photosynthesis is an exceptionally good model for photoelectric semiconductors like those used in emerging energy systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003ELike this article?\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.rh.gatech.edu\/subscribe\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGet our email newsletter here.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe research was funded by the National Science Foundation (grant MCB-14-11734). Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect views of the National Science Foundation.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: Ben Brumfield (404-660-1408) (ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: Ben Brumfield\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EOxygen photosynthesis has to be the greatest giver of life on Earth, and researchers have cracked yet another part of its complex but efficient chemistry. The more we know about it, the better we may be able to tweak photosynthesis, if it comes under environmental duress. It\u0026#39;s also a great teacher of how to harvest\u0026nbsp;sheer unlimited energy from the sun.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Life on Earth as we know it never would have existed without oxygen photosynthesis, and researchers have cracked a new part of its code."}],"uid":"31759","created_gmt":"2018-06-11 16:05:57","changed_gmt":"2018-06-27 13:43:57","author":"Ben Brumfield","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2018-06-11T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2018-06-11T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"606869":{"id":"606869","type":"image","title":"Photosystem II artwork","body":null,"created":"1528729369","gmt_created":"2018-06-11 15:02:49","changed":"1528729406","gmt_changed":"2018-06-11 15:03:26","alt":"","file":{"fid":"231473","name":"Sun.leaves.chem_.big_.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Sun.leaves.chem_.big_.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Sun.leaves.chem_.big_.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1684238,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Sun.leaves.chem_.big_.jpg?itok=mTwFqSqR"}},"606873":{"id":"606873","type":"image","title":"Global oxygen photosynthesis","body":null,"created":"1528730577","gmt_created":"2018-06-11 15:22:57","changed":"1528730577","gmt_changed":"2018-06-11 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Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"607024":{"#nid":"607024","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Faculty Win Research Awards to Advance Concentrated Solar Power","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology researchers are part of a new U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) initiative to develop the next generation of concentrated solar power (CSP), a technology that uses heat from the sun to turn power-generating turbines. CSP is an alternative to the better known photovoltaic technology, which produces electricity directly from sunlight.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESix Georgia Tech researchers will receive a portion of a $72 million DOE investment that will ultimately lead to construction and demonstration of an operating Generation 3 CSP facility. The Georgia Tech researchers will collect information on the thermophysical properties of molten salts used in concentrated solar facilities and study particle flows and heat transfer that may be part of thermal storage applications.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Concentrated solar power is another option that allows us to generate electricity from sunlight,\u0026rdquo; said Shannon Yee, assistant professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and one of the award recipients. \u0026ldquo;Concentrated solar allows storage of the sun\u0026rsquo;s heat, so we can generate electricity even when the sun isn\u0026rsquo;t shining \u0026ndash; at night, for example.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EConcentrated solar facilities use mirrors to concentrate sunlight that is then captured by solar receivers installed at the top of towers. Some existing installations use the heat to generate steam, which then drives a turbine to produce electric power. Engineers want to operate the facilities at higher temperatures \u0026ndash; 700 degrees Celsius or above \u0026ndash; to more effectively use the concentrated sunlight from fields of mirrors (i.e., heliostat fields) that deliver more concentrated sunlight to solar receivers than the widely used parabolic troughs.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We have to move to higher and higher temperatures, which means we have to use materials that are more and more exotic,\u0026rdquo; said Yee, whose research team will receive a total of about $2 million during the five-year program. \u0026ldquo;We really don\u0026rsquo;t have the information we need about the thermophysical properties of these materials. Our goal will be to learn more about these materials, and to disseminate that information to the organizations that will be designing the new facility.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAn alternative to using molten salts is to use solid particle flows as a thermal energy carrier and storage medium to transfer thermal energy from the receiver to a working fluid to produce electricity. Understanding these materials will be the work of Associate Professors Peter Loutzenhiser and Devesh Ranjan, and Professor Zhuomin Zhang, all faculty members in the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We will be working together to characterize flow and model the heat transfer for different particles under different conditions as they are applied to CSP applications,\u0026rdquo; said Loutzenhiser, whose team will receive $1.4 million from the DOE over three years. \u0026ldquo;The end goal will be supporting the use of particles as solar energy storage and carrier media to provide on-demand electricity derived from supercritical CO\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E and\/or Air Brayton cycles. Solid particles are advantageous because they have high energy densities and can operate to higher temperatures without much degradation compared to molten salts.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ERanjan compared the particle flow to that of volcanic lava. \u0026ldquo;The particles can absorb a lot of heat and allow us to move the thermal energy,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;We will be looking at these particle flows in detail.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe work will include both theoretical and applied aspects, Loutzenhiser noted. \u0026ldquo;We will examine fundamental behavior of the particle flows and heat transfer for different solar particle heating receiver configurations. This work will then be used to support the design and development of real technologies at scale-up that are being pursued by other Generation 3 researchers within the scope of the program. The project will culminate in a suite of experiments that will use our high-flux solar simulator to closely mimic the conditions that the particle flows would experience under sunlight in an actual solar receiver.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to Yee, Loutzenhiser, Ranjan and Zhang, the overall DOE project will also include Said Abdel-Khalik and Sheldon Jeter, also mechanical engineering professors, who will support the development of the demonstration CSP facility proposed by Sandia National Laboratories. The proposed Sandia design will use particle heating technology. The team led by Abdel-Khalik and Jeter has been developing particle heating CSP technology in collaboration with Sandia and others for several years.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EUltimately one test facility will be built by a team to be chosen from among Sandia or competitors Brayton Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Those three organizations received preliminary awards from the DOE.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe new DOE funding will extend previous research on high-temperature components, develop them into integrated assemblies, and test these components and systems through a wide range of operational conditions, the agency said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIf successful, the DOE expects that this will result in reducing the cost of a CSP system by approximately $0.02 per kilowatt-hour, which is 40 percent of the way to the 2030 cost goals of $0.05 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for baseload CSP plants.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;DOE has led the world in CSP research,\u0026rdquo; said Daniel Simmons, principal deputy assistant secretary for the DOE\u0026rsquo;s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. \u0026ldquo;These projects will help facilitate the next wave of new technologies and continue the effort to maintain American leadership in this space.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThrough the Generation 3 CSP program, three teams will compete to build an integrated system that can efficiently receive solar heat and deliver it to a working fluid at a temperature greater than 700 degrees Celsius, while incorporating thermal energy storage, the agency said in its news release.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOver the first two-year period, those teams will work to de-risk various aspects of diversified CSP technology pathways, prepare a detailed design for a test facility, and be subjected to a rigorous review process to select a single awardee to construct their proposed facility. If selected, they will receive an additional $25 million over the subsequent three years to build a test facility that allows diverse teams of researchers, laboratories, developers and manufacturers to remove key technological risks for the next generation CSP technology, the DOE said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology researchers are part of a new U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) initiative to develop the next generation of concentrated solar power (CSP), a technology that uses heat from the sun to turn power-generating turbines. CSP is an alternative to the better known photovoltaic technology, which produces electricity directly from sunlight.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech has won a portion of a new Department of Energy initiative on concentrated solar power."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2018-06-13 16:44:55","changed_gmt":"2018-06-13 16:50:07","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2018-06-13T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2018-06-13T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"607020":{"id":"607020","type":"image","title":"Concentrated solar team","body":null,"created":"1528907840","gmt_created":"2018-06-13 16:37:20","changed":"1528907840","gmt_changed":"2018-06-13 16:37:20","alt":"Researchers working on new concentrated solar projects","file":{"fid":"231538","name":"concentrated-solar345.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/concentrated-solar345.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/concentrated-solar345.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1372385,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/concentrated-solar345.jpg?itok=Kiz0R6KJ"}},"607023":{"id":"607023","type":"image","title":"High-flux solar simulator research","body":null,"created":"1528907960","gmt_created":"2018-06-13 16:39:20","changed":"1528907960","gmt_changed":"2018-06-13 16:39:20","alt":"Researchers with high-flux solar simulator","file":{"fid":"231540","name":"concentrated-solar361.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/concentrated-solar361.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/concentrated-solar361.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1211463,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/concentrated-solar361.jpg?itok=Fx3pRCNQ"}}},"media_ids":["607020","607023"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"168825","name":"CSP"},{"id":"178291","name":"concentrated solar power"},{"id":"167182","name":"solar"},{"id":"213","name":"energy"},{"id":"178292","name":"thermophysical"},{"id":"3441","name":"DOE"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"606987":{"#nid":"606987","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Lifting Communities with Smart Technology","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhile the four Georgia communities represent different parts of the state, their leaders expressed a similar goal: improve the quality of life for residents.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe cities of Albany and Chamblee and the counties of Chatham and Gwinnett will soon embark on year-long projects to address housing blight, traffic and transportation woes and sea level rise along Georgia\u0026rsquo;s coast. These projects are supported through the Georgia Smart Communities Challenge, a Georgia Tech-led initiative that brings together industry and public agencies to support large and small neighborhoods in their efforts to implement cutting-edge smart technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech President G.P. \u0026ldquo;Bud\u0026rdquo; Peterson and other state leaders traveled to Albany Tuesday to \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.news.gatech.edu\/2018\/06\/11\/four-communities-selected-inaugural-georgia-smart-communities-challenge\u0022\u003Eannounce the four winners\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Georgia Tech is very proud to have played a role in this program, which we believe will improve the quality of life in the participating communities and also provide models for other communities throughout our state to consider as they strive to make life better for their citizens,\u0026rdquo; Peterson said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe program provides seed funding and access to technical assistance, expert advice and a network of peers. A Georgia Tech researcher will advise and conduct research in support of each group\u0026rsquo;s goals.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe teams will each receive $50,000 in grants and $25,000 from Georgia Tech in research support. The selected communities each raised an additional $50,000.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Power is the lead sponsor of the program, with additional financial support from the Atlanta Regional Commission.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn Albany, the city and its collaborators will establish an efficient inventory of key community housing and associated infrastructure conditions. City leaders said this housing resiliency project will provide them with the data to make sure resources are being spent and allocated in ways that will result in the biggest positive impact.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This program allows us to be part of work that is on the cutting edge and will prepare our community for the future,\u0026rdquo; Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard said. \u0026ldquo;It means so much for the community to know we have Georgia Tech behind us and that this is a project we should be doing.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Gwinnett County project will evaluate traffic management technologies for improved vehicle mobility throughout the region. The technology will improve safety and connectivity. For this project to succeed, the county needs to make sure it\u0026rsquo;s investing in the right hardware and technology, said Vince Edwards, project coordinator with the Gwinnett County Department of Transportation.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This an opportunity for us to work with the premier research institution in the state and have access to world-class talent,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;We know working with Georgia Tech and the other partners will help us make sure we are successful.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Smart organizers expect the strategies developed by the selected communities will serve as models that could be implemented elsewhere across the state.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe program is just one part of the work Georgia Tech is doing in this area. The Institute has partnered with the city of Atlanta since 2015 to design, implement and study Smart City initiatives.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;For us, Georgia Smart represents a great opportunity to branch out to other parts of our state,\u0026rdquo; Peterson said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWork on the projects will begin in September and continue through September 2019.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech will conduct site visits to the four communities and hold workshops, conference calls and other activities to support the projects, said Debra Lam, managing director of \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/smartcities.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESmart Cities and Inclusive Innovation\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Creating and implementing smart communities is hard work and it\u0026rsquo;s difficult,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;But we know we\u0026rsquo;re on the right path when we are purposely empowering local communities themselves with data and technology.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAdditional Georgia Smart partners include: Association County Commissioners of Georgia, Georgia Centers for Innovation, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Georgia Municipal Association, Global City Challenges, Metro Atlanta Chamber and Technology Association of Georgia.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Georgia Smart Communities Challenge helps small and large cities improve quality of life."}],"field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Smart Communities Challenge helps small and large cities improve quality of life."}],"uid":"27918","created_gmt":"2018-06-12 21:50:44","changed_gmt":"2018-06-12 21:50:44","author":"Laura Diamond","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2018-06-12T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2018-06-12T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"606867":{"id":"606867","type":"image","title":"Georgia Smart Communities Challenge Winners Map","body":null,"created":"1528725524","gmt_created":"2018-06-11 13:58:44","changed":"1528803986","gmt_changed":"2018-06-12 11:46:26","alt":"","file":{"fid":"231472","name":"Georgia-Smart-Challenge-map-01.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Georgia-Smart-Challenge-map-01.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Georgia-Smart-Challenge-map-01.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1937103,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Georgia-Smart-Challenge-map-01.png?itok=OqTspXPo"}}},"media_ids":["606867"],"related_links":[{"url":"http:\/\/smartcities.gatech.edu\/georgia-smart","title":"Georgia Smart Communities Challenge"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"132","name":"Institute Leadership"},{"id":"137","name":"Architecture"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"167987","name":"smart cities"},{"id":"176970","name":"Georgia Smart Communities Challenge"},{"id":"166890","name":"sustainability"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"},{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"},{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor media inquiries about Georgia Smart,\u0026nbsp;contact Laura Diamond,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:laura.diamond@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Elaura.diamond@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor all other inquiries, email\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:scii@ipat.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Escii@ipat.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["laura.diamond@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"606895":{"#nid":"606895","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Four Communities Selected for Inaugural Georgia Smart Communities Challenge","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFour Georgia communities developed and will implement smart design solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing the state. The projects, which tackle housing, traffic congestion, sea level rise and shared autonomous vehicles, are supported through the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.smartcities.ipat.gatech.edu\/georgia-smart\u0022\u003EGeorgia Smart Communities Challenge\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis new Georgia Tech-led initiative brings together industry and public agencies to help local governments implement smart development. The strategies developed by the selected communities will serve as models that could be implemented elsewhere across Georgia.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe program provides seed funding and access to technical assistance, expert advice and a network of peers. A Georgia Tech researcher will advise and conduct research in support of each group\u0026rsquo;s goals.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe winning proposals are:\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlbany Housing Data Initiative\u003C\/strong\u003E. Led by the city of Albany the project will evaluate an automated housing registry. The system will allow for improved neighborhood infrastructure and revitalization and encourage a safe and sustainable housing inventory for the city. Assigned Georgia Tech researcher: Omar Isaac Asensio, assistant professor in the School of Public Policy.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EShared Autonomous Vehicle Study\u003C\/strong\u003E. Led by the city of Chamblee the project will study improvements in mobility through the use of autonomous vehicles that travel from MARTA stations into the community. This will reduce road congestion and increase pedestrian and traveler safety. Assigned Georgia Tech researcher: Ellen Dunham-Jones, professor in the School of Architecture.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESmart Sea Level Tools for Emergency Planning and Response\u003C\/strong\u003E. Led by Chatham County, this project will develop and test a pilot sensor network for measuring sea level flood risk during natural disasters and storms. The network will improve flood warnings, emergency response action plans and predictions for future flood events. Assigned Georgia Tech researcher: Kim Cobb, Georgia Power Chair and professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EConnected Vehicle Technology Master Plan\u003C\/strong\u003E. Led by Gwinnett County, this project will evaluate traffic management technologies for improved vehicle mobility throughout the region. The technology will improve safety and connectivity. Assigned Georgia Tech researcher: Angshuman Guin, senior research engineer in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Georgia Tech is excited at the opportunity to collaborate with four of Georgia\u0026rsquo;s dynamic communities in this inaugural Georgia Smart Communities Challenge,\u0026rdquo; President G.P. \u0026ldquo;Bud\u0026rdquo; Peterson said. \u0026ldquo;The enthusiasm for this new program has been gratifying, and we look forward to seeing how Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s research expertise and the communities\u0026rsquo; vision of smart development mesh together to improve the lives of their citizens. These groundbreaking projects have the potential to become models for other communities around our state.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Smart supports communities of all sizes, including smaller towns, which may not have been as prominent in smart development because of a lack of resources. Seventeen communities applied for the program.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile each selected team is led by a local government, the work will be a collaboration between different government agencies and nonprofits.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe teams will each receive $50,000 in grants and $25,000 from Georgia Tech in researcher support. The selected communities each raised an additional $50,000.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Power is the lead sponsor of the program, with additional financial support from the Atlanta Regional Commission.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;At Georgia Power, we\u0026rsquo;re committed to investments in smart technologies and collaborative partnerships that improve service to our customers, as well as the quality of life in local communities,\u0026rdquo; said Latanza Adjel, vice president for sales at Georgia Power, who leads the company\u0026rsquo;s efforts in energy efficiency and other areas. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re proud to have worked with some of the most innovative public leaders in the state as part of this project, and congratulate the winners of the Smart Communities Challenge for exploring and embracing new technologies that can benefit thousands of our Georgia neighbors.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDoug Hooker, executive director of the Atlanta Regional Commission, noted the diversity and quality of the applications for the program. The winners emphasized a highly collaborative approach that includes working across multiple jurisdictions and agencies, he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAdditional partners include: Association County Commissioners of Georgia, Georgia Centers for Innovation, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Georgia Municipal Association, Global City Teams Challenge, Metro Atlanta Chamber and Technology Association of Georgia.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech and some of the Georgia Smart partners will celebrate the winners during a special event in Albany Tuesday morning.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWork on the projects will begin in September and continue through September 2019.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The four selected communities show cities of all sizes can work on smart development and that these projects are strongest when done through collaboration,\u0026rdquo; said Debra Lam, managing director of \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/smartcities.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESmart Cities and Inclusive Innovation at Georgia Tech\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026ldquo;Other cities will not be excluded from the broad Georgia Smart community as we remain committed to supporting smart development across the state and beyond.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Albany, Chamblee, Chatham County and Gwinnett County will implement smart development through a Georgia Tech-led program."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAlbany, Chamblee, Chatham County and Gwinnett County will implement smart development the Georgia Smart Communities Challenge, a Georgia Tech-led initiative that brings together industry and public agencies to support local governments.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Albany, Chamblee, Chatham County and Gwinnett County will implement smart development through a Georgia Tech-led program."}],"uid":"27918","created_gmt":"2018-06-11 17:46:15","changed_gmt":"2018-06-12 17:23:10","author":"Laura Diamond","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2018-06-12T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2018-06-12T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"606867":{"id":"606867","type":"image","title":"Georgia Smart Communities Challenge Winners Map","body":null,"created":"1528725524","gmt_created":"2018-06-11 13:58:44","changed":"1528803986","gmt_changed":"2018-06-12 11:46:26","alt":"","file":{"fid":"231472","name":"Georgia-Smart-Challenge-map-01.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Georgia-Smart-Challenge-map-01.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Georgia-Smart-Challenge-map-01.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1937103,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Georgia-Smart-Challenge-map-01.png?itok=OqTspXPo"}}},"media_ids":["606867"],"related_links":[{"url":"http:\/\/smartcities.gatech.edu\/georgia-smart","title":"Georgia Smart Communities Challenge"},{"url":"http:\/\/smartcities.gatech.edu","title":"Smart Cities and Inclusive Innovation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"},{"id":"137","name":"Architecture"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"}],"keywords":[{"id":"167987","name":"smart cities"},{"id":"166890","name":"sustainability"},{"id":"1690","name":"rural economic development"},{"id":"170779","name":"smart tech"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"},{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"},{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor media inquiries about Georgia Smart,\u0026nbsp;contact Laura Diamond,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:laura.diamond@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Elaura.diamond@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor all other inquiries, email\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:scii@ipat.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Escii@ipat.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["laura.diamond@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"603890":{"#nid":"603890","#data":{"type":"news","title":"A Future Colorfully Lit by the Mystifying Physics of Paint-On Semiconductors","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E[Yes, HOIP quantum properties look extremely robust, and their physics are mystifying]\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESome novel materials that sound too good to be true turn out to be true and good. An emergent class of semiconductors, which could affordably light up our future with nuanced colors emanating from lasers, lamps, and even window glass, could be the latest example.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThese materials are very radiant, easy to process from solution, and energy-efficient. The nagging question of whether hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOIPs) could really work just received a very affirmative answer \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/journals.aps.org\/prmaterials\/abstract\/10.1103\/PhysRevMaterials.2.034001\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ein a new international study\u003C\/a\u003E led by physical chemists at the Georgia Institute of Technology.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWith significant effort, researchers succeeded in testing an existing HOIP and observed a \u0026ldquo;richness\u0026rdquo; of semiconducting physics created by what could be described as electrons dancing on chemical underpinnings that wobble like a funhouse floor in an earthquake. That bucks conventional wisdom because established \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/whatis.techtarget.com\/definition\/semiconductor\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Esemiconductors\u003C\/a\u003E rely upon rigidly stable chemical foundations, that is to say, quieter molecular frameworks, to produce the desired quantum properties.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We don\u0026rsquo;t know yet how it works to have these stable quantum properties in this intense molecular motion,\u0026rdquo; said first author Felix Thouin, a graduate research assistant at Georgia Tech. \u0026ldquo;It defies physics models we have to try to explain it. It\u0026rsquo;s like we need some new physics.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EQuantum properties surprise\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETheir gyrating jumbles have made HOIPs challenging to examine, but the team of researchers from a total of five research institutes in four countries succeeded in measuring a prototypical HOIP and found its quantum properties on par with those of established, molecularly rigid semiconductors, many of which are \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.rh.gatech.edu\/news\/591366\/high-temperature-step-step-process-makes-graphene-ethene\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Egraphene\u003C\/a\u003E-based.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The properties were at least as good as in those materials and may be even better,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/Silva%20\/Carlos\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECarlos Silva, a professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s School of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E. Not all semiconductors also absorb and emit light well, but HOIPs do, making them \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/subjects\/optoelectronic-devices-and-components\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eoptoelectronic\u003C\/a\u003E and thus potentially useful in lasers, LEDs, other lighting applications, and also in photovoltaics.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe lack of molecular-level rigidity in HOIPs also plays into them being more flexibly produced and applied.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESilva co-led the study with physicist \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iit.it\/index.php\/people\/srinivasa-srimath\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAjay Ram Srimath Kandada\u003C\/a\u003E. Their team published the results of their study on two-dimensional HOIPs on March 8, 2018, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/journals.aps.org\/prmaterials\/abstract\/10.1103\/PhysRevMaterials.2.034001\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ein the journal \u003Cem\u003EPhysical Review Materials\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. Their research was funded by EU Horizon 2020, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Fond Qu\u0026eacute;b\u0026eacute;cois pour la Recherche, the Research Council of Canada, and the National Research Foundation of Singapore.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe \u0026lsquo;solution solution\u0026rsquo;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECommonly, semiconducting properties arise from static crystalline lattices of neatly interconnected atoms. In silicon, for example, which is used in most commercial solar cells, they are interconnected silicon atoms. The same principle applies to graphene-like semiconductors.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;These lattices are structurally not very complex,\u0026rdquo; Silva said. \u0026ldquo;They\u0026rsquo;re only one atom thin, and they have strict two-dimensional properties, so they\u0026rsquo;re much more rigid.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;You forcefully limit these systems to two dimensions,\u0026rdquo; said Srimath Kandada, who is a \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/research\/mariecurieactions\/actions\/individual-fellowships_en\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMarie Curie International Fellow\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech and the Italian Institute of Technology. \u0026ldquo;The atoms are arranged in infinitely expansive, flat sheets, and then these very interesting and desirable optoelectronic properties emerge.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThese proven materials impress. So, why pursue HOIPs, except to explore their baffling physics? Because they may be more practical in important ways.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;One of the compelling advantages is that they\u0026rsquo;re all made using low-temperature processing from solutions,\u0026rdquo; Silva said. \u0026ldquo;It takes much less energy to make them.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBy contrast, graphene-based materials are produced at high temperatures in small amounts that can be tedious to work with. \u0026ldquo;With this stuff (HOIPs), you can make big batches in solution and coat a whole window with it if you want to,\u0026rdquo; Silva said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFunhouse in an earthquake\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor all an HOIP\u0026rsquo;s wobbling, it\u0026rsquo;s also a very ordered lattice with its own kind of rigidity, though less limiting than in the customary two-dimensional materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s not just a single layer,\u0026rdquo; Srimath Kandada said. \u0026ldquo;There is a very specific perovskite-like geometry.\u0026rdquo; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Perovskite_(structure)\u0022\u003EPerovskite\u003C\/a\u003E refers to the shape of an HOIPs crystal lattice, which is a layered scaffolding.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The lattice self-assembles,\u0026rdquo; Srimath Kandada said, \u0026ldquo;and it does so in a three-dimensional stack made of layers of two-dimensional sheets. But HOIPs still preserve those desirable 2D quantum properties.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThose sheets are held together by interspersed layers of another molecular structure that is a bit like a sheet of rubber bands. That makes the scaffolding wiggle like a funhouse floor.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;At room temperature, the molecules wiggle all over the place. That disrupts the lattice, which is where the electrons live. It\u0026rsquo;s really intense,\u0026rdquo; Silva said. \u0026ldquo;But surprisingly, the quantum properties are still really stable.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHaving quantum properties work at room temperature without requiring ultra-cooling is important for practical use as a semiconductor.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGoing back to what HOIP stands for -- hybrid organic-inorganic \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Perovskite_(structure)\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eperovskites\u003C\/a\u003E \u0026ndash; this is how the experimental material fit into the HOIP chemical class: It was a hybrid of inorganic layers of a lead iodide (the rigid part) separated by organic layers (the rubber band-like parts) of phenylethylammonium (chemical formula (PEA)\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003EPbI\u003Csub\u003E4\u003C\/sub\u003E).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe lead in this prototypical material could be swapped out for a metal safer for humans to handle before the development of an applicable material.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EElectron choreography\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHOIPs are great semiconductors because their electrons do an acrobatic square dance.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EUsually, electrons live in an orbit around the nucleus of an atom or are shared by atoms in a chemical bond. But HOIP chemical lattices, like all semiconductors, are configured to share electrons more broadly.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EEnergy levels in a system can free the electrons to run around and participate in things like the flow of electricity and heat. The orbits, which are then empty, are called electron holes, and they want the electrons back.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The hole is thought of as a positive charge, and of course, the electron has a negative charge,\u0026rdquo; Silva said. \u0026ldquo;So, hole and electron attract each other.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe electrons and holes race around each other like dance partners pairing up to what physicists call an \u0026ldquo;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Exciton\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eexciton\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026rdquo; Excitons act and look a lot like particles themselves, though they\u0026rsquo;re not really particles.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHopping biexciton light\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn semiconductors, millions of excitons are correlated, or choreographed, with each other, which makes for desirable properties, when an energy source like electricity or laser light is applied. Additionally, excitons can pair up to form biexcitons, boosting the semiconductor\u0026rsquo;s energetic properties.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;In this material, we found that the biexciton binding energies were high,\u0026rdquo; Silva said. \u0026ldquo;That\u0026rsquo;s why we want to put this into lasers because the energy you input ends up to 80 or 90 percent as biexcitons.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBiexcitons bump up energetically to absorb input energy. Then they contract energetically and pump out light. That would work not only in lasers but also in LEDs or other surfaces using the optoelectronic material.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;You can adjust the chemistry (of HOIPs) to control the width between biexciton states, and that controls the wavelength of the light given off,\u0026rdquo; Silva said. \u0026ldquo;And the adjustment can be very fine to give you any wavelength of light.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThat translates into any color of light the heart desires.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ELike this article?\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.rh.gatech.edu\/subscribe\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGet our email newsletter here.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.rh.gatech.edu\/news\/603738\/turbocharging-fuel-cells-multifunctional-catalyst\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EALSO read this materials article:\u0026nbsp;Turbocharging Fuel Cells with a Multifunctional NanoCatalyst\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECoauthors of this paper were Stefanie Neutzner and Annamaria Petrozza from the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT); Daniele Cortecchia from IIT and Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore; Cesare Soci from the Centre for Disruptive Photonic Technologies, Singapore; Teddy Salim and Yeng Ming Lam from NTU; and Vlad Dragomir and Richard Leonelli from the University of Montreal. The research was funded \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eby:\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003E The EU Horizon 2020\u0026rsquo;s Curie Fellowship (project 705874); the EU 2020 Research and Innovation Program (Grant #643238 SYNCHRONICS); the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and Fond Qu\u0026eacute;b\u0026eacute;cois pour la Recherche: Nature et Technologies; the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada; and the National Research Foundation of Singapore (NRF-CRP14-2014-03). Any findings and opinions are those of the authors and not necessarily of the funding agencies.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIt defies conventional wisdom about semiconductors. It\u0026#39;s baffling that it even works. It eludes physics models that try to explain it. This newly tested class of light-emitting semiconductors is so easy to produce from solution that it could be painted onto surfaces to light up our future in myriad colors shining from affordable lasers, LEDs, and even window glass.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Bucking conventional wisdom about semiconductors, a new class of light-emitting materials is flexible, easily produced from solution, and could be painted onto a surface."}],"uid":"31759","created_gmt":"2018-03-16 16:45:18","changed_gmt":"2018-04-02 16:58:18","author":"Ben Brumfield","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2018-03-19T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2018-03-19T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"603886":{"id":"603886","type":"image","title":"Laser light in the visible range processed for materials measurements","body":null,"created":"1521216947","gmt_created":"2018-03-16 16:15:47","changed":"1521216947","gmt_changed":"2018-03-16 16:15:47","alt":"","file":{"fid":"230168","name":"Silva.laser_.detail.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Silva.laser_.detail.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Silva.laser_.detail.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":501149,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Silva.laser_.detail.jpg?itok=tBHQZoLv"}},"603883":{"id":"603883","type":"image","title":"Felix Thouin in Carlos Silva lab with visible-range laser","body":null,"created":"1521215315","gmt_created":"2018-03-16 15:48:35","changed":"1521215315","gmt_changed":"2018-03-16 15:48:35","alt":"","file":{"fid":"230165","name":"Thouin.opt_.laser_.SM_.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Thouin.opt_.laser_.SM_.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Thouin.opt_.laser_.SM_.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3668208,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Thouin.opt_.laser_.SM_.jpg?itok=OAchjSos"}},"603879":{"id":"603879","type":"image","title":"Optoelectronic material HOIP illustration","body":null,"created":"1521214309","gmt_created":"2018-03-16 15:31:49","changed":"1521214309","gmt_changed":"2018-03-16 15:31:49","alt":"","file":{"fid":"230161","name":"PbI4.PEA_.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/PbI4.PEA_.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/PbI4.PEA_.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":14421,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/PbI4.PEA_.jpg?itok=Aqda8xP5"}},"603885":{"id":"603885","type":"image","title":"Laser in the visible range to test materials properties","body":null,"created":"1521216859","gmt_created":"2018-03-16 16:14:19","changed":"1521216859","gmt_changed":"2018-03-16 16:14:19","alt":"","file":{"fid":"230167","name":"Silva.lab_.laser_.detail.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Silva.lab_.laser_.detail.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Silva.lab_.laser_.detail.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":536926,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Silva.lab_.laser_.detail.jpg?itok=1rY4LZMI"}},"603880":{"id":"603880","type":"image","title":"Felix Thouin in Carlos Silva lab","body":null,"created":"1521214956","gmt_created":"2018-03-16 15:42:36","changed":"1521215000","gmt_changed":"2018-03-16 15:43:20","alt":"","file":{"fid":"230162","name":"Thouin.main_.laser_.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Thouin.main_.laser_.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Thouin.main_.laser_.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":629629,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Thouin.main_.laser_.jpg?itok=Qb6VCdmz"}}},"media_ids":["603886","603883","603879","603885","603880"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"}],"keywords":[{"id":"177427","name":"HOIP"},{"id":"177428","name":"metal-halide"},{"id":"177429","name":"lead iodide"},{"id":"177430","name":"PbI4"},{"id":"167609","name":"semiconductor"},{"id":"1815","name":"optoelectronics"},{"id":"177431","name":"semiconductor for optoelectronics"},{"id":"174838","name":"perovskite"},{"id":"177432","name":"hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite"},{"id":"177433","name":"exciton"},{"id":"177434","name":"biexciton"},{"id":"4260","name":"laser"},{"id":"167182","name":"solar"},{"id":"177435","name":"photoelectric"},{"id":"1073","name":"photovoltaic"},{"id":"167355","name":"silicon"},{"id":"58031","name":"Graphene Electronics and Photonics"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter \u0026amp;\u0026nbsp;Media Representative\u003C\/strong\u003E: Ben Brumfield (404-660-1408)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia \u0026nbsp;30332-0181 \u0026nbsp;USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"603738":{"#nid":"603738","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Turbocharging Fuel Cells with a Multifunctional Catalyst","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EPowering clean, efficient cars is just one way fuel cell technology could accelerate humanity into a sustainable energy future, but unfortunately, the technology has been a bit sluggish. Now, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.joule.2018.02.008\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eengineers may be able to essentially turbocharge fuel cells\u003C\/a\u003E with a new catalyst.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe sluggishness comes from a chemical bottleneck, the rate of processing oxygen, a key ingredient that helps fuel cells, which are related to batteries, produce electricity. The new catalyst, a nanotechnology material developed by engineers at the Georgia Institute of Technology, markedly speeds up oxygen processing and is \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.joule.2018.02.008\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ethe subject of a new study\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPartly to accommodate oxygen\u0026rsquo;s limitations, fuel cells usually require pure hydrogen fuel, which reacts with the oxygen taken in from the air, but the costs of producing the hydrogen have been prohibitive. The new catalyst is a potential game-changer.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;It can easily convert chemical fuel into electricity with high efficiency,\u0026rdquo; said Meilin Liu, who led the study and is a \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/people\/meilin-liu\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ERegents\u0026rsquo; Professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s School of Material Science and Engineering.\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;It can let you use readily available fuels like methane or natural gas or just use hydrogen fuel much more efficiently,\u0026rdquo; Liu said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECatalyst 8 times as fast\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe catalyst achieves the efficiency by rushing oxygen through a fuel cell\u0026rsquo;s system. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s more than eight times as fast as state-of-the-art materials doing the same thing now,\u0026rdquo; said Yu Chen, a postdoctoral research associate in Liu\u0026rsquo;s lab and the study\u0026rsquo;s first author.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThere are a few types of fuel cells, but the researchers worked to improve solid oxide fuel cells, which are found in some prototypical fuel cell cars. The research insights could also aid in honing \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.explainthatstuff.com\/how-supercapacitors-work.html\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Esupercapacitors\u003C\/a\u003E and technology paired with solar panels, thus advancing sustainable energy beyond the new catalyst\u0026rsquo;s immediate potential to improve upon fuel cells.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ELiu and Chen published their study\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.joule.2018.02.008\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ein the March issue of the journal \u003Cem\u003EJoule\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. Their research was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and by the Guangdong Innovative and Entrepreneurial Research Program. The fuel cell work from Liu\u0026rsquo;s lab has already attracted significant energy industry and automotive industry interest.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENaturally sluggish oxygen\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThough they work differently from fuel cells and are much less efficient and clean, combustion engines make a useful metaphor to aid in understanding how fuel cells and the new catalyst work.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn a combustion engine, fuel from a tank and oxygen from the air come together to react in an explosion, producing energy that turns a crankshaft. Adding a turbocharger speeds the process up by mixing fuel and oxygen together more quickly and rushing them to combustion.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECurrently, in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.hydrogen.energy.gov\/pdfs\/doe_fuelcell_factsheet.pdf\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Efuel cells, hydrogen fuel from a tank and oxygen\u003C\/a\u003E from the air also drive a process that produces energy, in this case, electricity. The two ingredients do come together in a reaction, but one very different from combustion, and much cleaner.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOne end of the fuel cell, the anode, removes electrons from the hydrogen atoms in what\u0026rsquo;s called \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=lQ6FBA1HM3s\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eoxidation\u003C\/a\u003E and sends the electrons through an external circuit as electric current to the cathode on the other side. There, oxygen, which is notoriously electron hungry, sucks the electrons up in what\u0026rsquo;s called \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=lQ6FBA1HM3s\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ereduction\u003C\/a\u003E, and that keeps the electricity flowing.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe hydrogen, now positively charged, and the oxygen, now negatively charged, meet up to form water, which is the fuel cell\u0026rsquo;s exhaust.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn that reaction chain, oxygen is the slow link in two ways: Oxygen\u0026rsquo;s reduction takes longer than hydrogen\u0026rsquo;s oxidation, and the reduced oxygen moves more slowly through the system to meet with hydrogen. Analogous to the turbocharger, the new catalyst pushes the oxygen forward.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOxygen rush nanotech\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe catalyst is applied as a sheer coating only about two dozen nanometers thick and is comprised of two connected nanotechnology solutions that break both oxygen bottlenecks.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFirst, nanoparticles highly attractive to oxygen grab the O\u003Csub\u003E2 \u003C\/sub\u003Emolecule and let inflowing electrons quickly jump onto it, easily reducing it and tearing it into two separate oxygen ions (each one an O\u003Csup\u003E2-\u003C\/sup\u003E). Then a series of chemical gaps called \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/post\/what_is_the_true_definition_of_Oxygen_vacancy_in_magnetic_nanoparticles\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eoxygen vacancies\u003C\/a\u003E that are built into the nanoparticles\u0026rsquo; structures suck up the oxygen ions like chains of vacuum cleaners passing the ions hand to hand to the second phase of the catalyst.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe second phase is a coating that is full of oxygen vacancies that can pass the O\u003Csup\u003E2-\u003C\/sup\u003E even more rapidly toward its final destination.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The oxygen goes down quickly through the channels and enters the fuel cell, where it meets with the ionized hydrogen or another electron donor like methane or natural gas.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe ions meet to make water, which exits the fuel cell. In the case of methane fuel, pure CO\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E is also emitted, which can be \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.nationalgeographic.com\/news\/energy\/2011\/08\/110811-turning-carbon-emissions-into-fuel\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ecaptured and recycled back into fuel\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInteresting rare metals\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn the first stage, there are two different flavors of nanoparticle at work. Both have cobalt, but one contains barium and the other praseodymium, a rare-earth metal that can be pricey in high quantities.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chemicool.com\/elements\/praseodymium.html\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EPraseodymium\u003C\/a\u003E is in such very small amounts that it doesn\u0026rsquo;t impact costs,\u0026rdquo; Liu said. \u0026ldquo;And the catalyst saves lots of money on fuel and on other things.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHigh operating temperatures in existing fuel cells require expensive protective casings and cooling materials. The researchers believe the catalyst could help lower the temperatures by reducing electrical resistance inherent in current fuel cell chemistry. That could, in turn, reduce overall material costs.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProtective cathode coating\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe second stage of the catalyst is a lattice that contains praseodymium and barium, as well as calcium and cobalt (PBCC). In addition to its catalytic function, the PBCC coating protects the cathode from degradation that can limit the lifetime of fuel cells and similar devices.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe underlying original cathode material, which contains the metals lanthanum, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chemicool.com\/elements\/strontium.html\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Estrontium\u003C\/a\u003E, cobalt, and iron (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lanthanum_strontium_cobalt_ferrite\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ELSCF\u003C\/a\u003E), has become an industry standard but comes with a caveat.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s very conductive, very good, but the problem is that strontium undergoes a diminishment called \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.corrosionpedia.com\/definition\/1017\/segregation-materials\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Esegregation\u003C\/a\u003E in the material,\u0026rdquo; Liu said. \u0026ldquo;One component of our catalyst, PBCC, acts as a coating and keeps the LSCF a lot more stable.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ELSCF manufacturing is already well-established, and adding the catalyst coating to production could be likely reasonably achieved. Liu also is considering replacing the LSCF cathode completely with the new catalyst material, and his lab is developing a yet another catalyst to boost fuel oxidation reactions at the fuel cell\u0026rsquo;s anode.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ELike this article?\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.rh.gatech.edu\/subscribe\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGet our email newsletter here.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.rh.gatech.edu\/news\/587954\/triboelectric-nanogenerators-boost-mass-spectrometry-performance\u0022\u003EAlso \u003C\/a\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.rh.gatech.edu\/news\/587954\/triboelectric-nanogenerators-boost-mass-spectrometry-performance\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EREAD:\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.rh.gatech.edu\/news\/587954\/triboelectric-nanogenerators-boost-mass-spectrometry-performance\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E Nanogenerators boost mass spectrometry.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECoauthors of the study were: Seonyoung Yoo, Yong Ding, Ruiqiang Yan, Kai Pei, Chong Qu, Lei Zhang, Ikwhang Cha, Bote Zhao, Ben deGlee, and Ryan Murphy of Georgia Tech; YongMan Choi from the SABIC Technology Center in Saudi Arabia; Yanxiang Zhang from the Harbin Institute of Technology in China; Huijun Chen, Yan Chen, Chenghao Yang and Jiang Liu from the South China University of Technology. The research was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy SECA Core Technology Program (grants FC FE0026106 and DE-FE0031201) and the Guangdong Innovative and Entrepreneurial Research Team Program (grant 2014ZT05N200). Any opinions or findings are those of the authors and not necessarily of the funding agencies.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EZero-emissions cars zipping into a sustainable energy future are just one dream powered by fuel cells. But\u0026nbsp;cell technology has been a little sluggish and\u0026nbsp;fuel prohibitively pricey. This new catalyst could offer a game changer. And there are more developments to come.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Zero-emission cars and recyclable fuel are dreams powered by fuel cells, and this new catalyst brings the dream a little closer."}],"uid":"31759","created_gmt":"2018-03-13 20:31:36","changed_gmt":"2018-03-14 16:33:19","author":"Ben Brumfield","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2018-03-14T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2018-03-14T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"603760":{"id":"603760","type":"image","title":"Nissan fuel cell vehicle","body":null,"created":"1521037756","gmt_created":"2018-03-14 14:29:16","changed":"1521037756","gmt_changed":"2018-03-14 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14:42:31","alt":"","file":{"fid":"230117","name":"Meilin.Liu_.portrait.SM_.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Meilin.Liu_.portrait.SM_.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Meilin.Liu_.portrait.SM_.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2703440,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Meilin.Liu_.portrait.SM_.jpg?itok=_UpyLSvP"}},"603762":{"id":"603762","type":"image","title":"Fuel cell simple diagram from Smithsonian edu","body":null,"created":"1521038106","gmt_created":"2018-03-14 14:35:06","changed":"1521038106","gmt_changed":"2018-03-14 14:35:06","alt":"","file":{"fid":"230116","name":"Smithson.fuel 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(1).jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Nissan_e_Bio_Fuel_Cell_Prototype_Vehicle_014%20%281%29.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Nissan_e_Bio_Fuel_Cell_Prototype_Vehicle_014%20%281%29.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":972024,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Nissan_e_Bio_Fuel_Cell_Prototype_Vehicle_014%20%281%29.jpg?itok=MAhsq-Uw"}}},"media_ids":["603760","603750","603756","603754","603758","603763","603762","603761"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2506","name":"catalyst"},{"id":"177382","name":"oxygen vacancy"},{"id":"177383","name":"o2-"},{"id":"170502","name":"O2"},{"id":"1703","name":"co2 capture"},{"id":"2044","name":"Fuel Cell"},{"id":"177384","name":"hydrogen fuel cell"},{"id":"171091","name":"solid oxide fuel cell"},{"id":"177385","name":"carbon recycling"},{"id":"177386","name":"co2 recycling"},{"id":"177387","name":"oxygen reduction"},{"id":"177388","name":"oxygen transport"},{"id":"177389","name":"praseodymium"},{"id":"177390","name":"lanthanides"},{"id":"177391","name":"strontium"},{"id":"177392","name":"cobalt"},{"id":"177393","name":"lanthanum"},{"id":"177394","name":"hydrogen oxidation"},{"id":"177395","name":"PBCC"},{"id":"177396","name":"LSCF"},{"id":"177397","name":"barium"},{"id":"175831","name":"supercapacitor"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter \u0026amp;\u0026nbsp;Media Representative\u003C\/strong\u003E: Ben Brumfield (404-660-1408)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia \u0026nbsp;30332-0181 \u0026nbsp;USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"602809":{"#nid":"602809","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Supporting Smart Communities Across Georgia","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new program will help local governments across Georgia plan and implement smart development.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is leading the effort that brings together industry and public agencies to support communities in their efforts to implement cutting-edge technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/smartcities.gatech.edu\/georgia-smart\u0022\u003EGeorgia Smart Communities Challenge\u003C\/a\u003E is open to\u0026nbsp;large cities and\u0026nbsp;smaller towns, which have not been as prominent in smart development because of a lack of access to resources.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe program, also called \u0026ldquo;Georgia Smart,\u0026quot;\u0026nbsp;will provide seed funding and access to technical assistance, expert advice and a network of peers. A Georgia Tech researcher will advise each team and conduct research in support of their needs and goals.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;ve spent the past year in workshops and dialogue with local governments across Georgia to better understand their challenges and priorities,\u0026rdquo; said Debra Lam, managing director, Smart Cities and Inclusive Innovation at Georgia Tech. \u0026ldquo;From these communications, we developed a program that is sensitive to the local context while fast-tracking smart communities. We aim to create more models for smart development that can be shared and applied across the state and beyond.\u0026rdquo; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Smart is seeking proposals in the areas of smart mobility and smart resilience. Applications are due May 1.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ELocal Georgia governments of any size --\u0026nbsp;cities, counties or consolidated city-county governments --\u0026nbsp;will lead selected teams. Each of the four winning teams will receive direct grant funding of up to $50,000, in addition to a required local match.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Power is the lead sponsor of the program, with additional financial support from the Atlanta Regional Commission.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAdditional partners include: Association County Commissioners of Georgia, Georgia Centers for Innovation, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Georgia Municipal Association, Metro Atlanta Chamber and Technology Association of Georgia.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Creating a better-connected Georgia requires research and collaboration from many stakeholders across every layer of the public and private sector,\u0026rdquo; said Christine Primmer, strategic manager of the Georgia Power Smart Cities initiative. \u0026ldquo;We are proud to be a leading partner in the Georgia Smart Communities Challenge as one component of our larger commitment to improving every community we serve while also building the future of energy with a more reliable and adaptive power grid.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESmart community opportunities can help local governments and the entire region address multiple issues including mobility and economic development, said Doug Hooker, executive director, Atlanta Regional Commission.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Community initiatives can be more successful through collaborative, people-focused approaches, and those qualities are what make the Georgia Smart Communities Challenge an important effort for the region,\u0026rdquo; Hooker said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA series of \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/smartcities.ipat.gatech.edu\/timeline\u0022\u003Eworkshops and webinars\u003C\/a\u003E will take place in March and April, including an April 9 event on campus, to assist communities with the application process. Each team is required to send at least one representative to at least one of these events.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor more information about the Georgia Smart Communities Challenge, click\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/smartcities.gatech.edu\/georgia-smart\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech leads a multi-agency initiative to help local governments adopt cutting-edge smart technologies. Applications for the Georgia Smart Communities Challenge are due May 1.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech leads a multi-agency initiative to help local governments adopt cutting-edge smart technologies.  "}],"uid":"27918","created_gmt":"2018-02-23 13:58:58","changed_gmt":"2018-02-23 15:05:55","author":"Laura Diamond","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2018-02-23T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2018-02-23T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"512011":{"id":"512011","type":"image","title":"GA Tech Tower","body":null,"created":"1458923712","gmt_created":"2016-03-25 16:35:12","changed":"1475895275","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:54:35","alt":"GA Tech Tower","file":{"fid":"204997","name":"techtower_2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/techtower_2_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/techtower_2_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2516795,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/techtower_2_0.jpg?itok=DxRg67A2"}},"597134":{"id":"597134","type":"image","title":"Smart Cities Initiative","body":null,"created":"1507573652","gmt_created":"2017-10-09 18:27:32","changed":"1507573652","gmt_changed":"2017-10-09 18:27:32","alt":"Banner for new Smart Cities Website","file":{"fid":"227585","name":"smart.cities.web_.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/smart.cities.web_.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/smart.cities.web_.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":428958,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/smart.cities.web_.jpg?itok=Rt4yBjp4"}}},"media_ids":["512011","512011","597134"],"related_links":[{"url":"http:\/\/smartcities.gatech.edu\/georgia-smart","title":"Georgia Smart Communities Challenge"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"167987","name":"smart cities"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"},{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"},{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor media inquiries about Georgia Smart,\u0026nbsp;contact Laura Diamond, \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:laura.diamond@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Elaura.diamond@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor all other inquiries, email \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:scii@ipat.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Escii@ipat.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["laura.diamond@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"601449":{"#nid":"601449","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Researchers Boost Efficiency and Stability of Optical Rectennas","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe research team that announced the first optical rectenna in 2015 is now reporting a two-fold efficiency improvement in the devices \u0026mdash; and a switch to air-stable diode materials. The improvements could allow the rectennas \u0026ndash; which convert electromagnetic fields at optical frequencies directly to electrical current \u0026ndash; to operate low-power devices such as temperature sensors.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EUltimately, the researchers believe their device design \u0026ndash; a combination of a carbon nanotube antenna and diode rectifier \u0026ndash; could compete with conventional photovoltaic technologies for producing electricity from sunlight and other sources. The same technology used in the rectennas could also directly convert thermal energy to electricity.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This work takes a significant leap forward in both fundamental understanding and practical efficiency for the optical rectenna device,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/cola\u0022\u003EBaratunde Cola\u003C\/a\u003E, an associate professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E at the Georgia Institute of Technology. \u0026ldquo;It opens up this technology to many more researchers who can join forces with us to advance the optical rectenna technology to help power a range of applications, including space flight.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research was reported January 26 in the journal \u003Cem\u003EAdvanced Electronic Materials\u003C\/em\u003E. The work has been supported by the U.S. Army Research Office under the Young Investigator Program, and by the National Science Foundation.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOptical rectennas operate by coupling the light\u0026rsquo;s electromagnetic field to an antenna, in this case an array of multiwall carbon nanotubes whose ends have been opened. The electromagnetic field creates an oscillation in the antenna, producing an alternating flow of electrons. When the electron flow reaches a peak at one end of the antenna, the diode closes, trapping the electrons, then re-opens to capture the next oscillation, creating a current flow.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe switching must occur at terahertz frequencies to match the light. The junction between the antenna and diode must provide minimal resistance to electrons flowing through it while open, yet prevent leakage while closed.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The name of the game is maximizing the number of electrons that get excited in the carbon nanotube, and then having a switch that is fast enough to capture them at their peak,\u0026rdquo; Cola explained. \u0026ldquo;The faster you switch, the more electrons you can catch on one side of the oscillation.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETo provide a low work function \u0026ndash; ease of electron flow \u0026ndash; the researchers initially used calcium as the metal in their oxide insulator - metal diode junction. But calcium breaks down rapidly in air, meaning the device had to be encapsulated during operation \u0026ndash; and fabricated in a glovebox. That made the optical rectenna both impractical for most applications and difficult to fabricate.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESo Cola, NSF Graduate Research Fellow Erik Anderson and Research Engineer Thomas Bougher replaced the calcium with aluminum and tried a variety of oxide materials on the carbon nanotubes before settling on a bilayer material composed of alumina (Al2O3) and hafnium dioxide (HfO2). The combination coating for the carbon nanotube junction, created through an atomic deposition process, provides the quantum mechanical electron tunneling properties required by engineering the oxide electronic properties instead of the metals, which allows air stable metals with higher work functions than calcium to be used.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ERectennas fabricated with the new combination have remained functional for as long as a year. Other metal oxides could also be used, Cola said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers also engineered the slope of the hill down which the electrons fall in the tunneling process. That also helped increase the efficiency, and allows the use of a variety of oxide materials. The new design also increased the asymmetry of the diodes, which boosted efficiency.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;By working with the oxide electron affinity, we were able to increase the asymmetry by more than ten-fold, making this diode design more attractive,\u0026rdquo; said Cola. \u0026ldquo;That\u0026rsquo;s really where we got the efficiency gain in this new version of the device.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOptical rectennas could theoretically compete with photovoltaic materials for converting sunlight into electricity. PV materials operate using a different principle, in which photons knock electrons from the atoms of certain materials. The electrons are collected into electrical current.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn September 2015 in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, Cola and Bougher reported the first optical rectenna \u0026ndash; a device that had been proposed theoretically for more than 40 years, but never demonstrated.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe early version reported in the journal produced power at microvolt levels. The rectenna now produces power in the millivolt range and conversion efficiency has gone from 10\u003Csup\u003E-5\u003C\/sup\u003E\u0026nbsp;to 10\u003Csup\u003E-3\u003C\/sup\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026ndash; still very low, but a significant gain.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Though there still is room for significant improvement, this puts the voltage in the range where you could see optical rectennas operating low-power sensors,\u0026rdquo; Cola said. \u0026ldquo;There are a lot of device geometry steps you could take to do something useful with the optical rectenna today in voltage-driven devices that don\u0026rsquo;t require significant current.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECola believes the rectennas could be useful for powering internet of things devices, especially if they can be used to produce electricity from scavenged thermal energy. For converting heat to electricity, the principle is the same as for light \u0026ndash; capturing oscillations in a field with the broadband carbon nanotube antenna.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;People have been excited about thermoelectric generators, but there are many limitations on getting a system that works effectively,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;We believe that the rectenna technology will be the best approach for harvesting heat economically.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn future work, the research team hopes to optimize the antenna operation, and improve their theoretical understanding of how the rectenna works, allowing further optimization. One day, Cola hopes the devices will help accelerate space travel, producing power for electric thrusters that will boost spacecraft.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Our end game is to see carbon nanotube optical rectennas working on Mars and in the spacecraft that takes us to Mars,\u0026rdquo; he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis work was supported by the Army Research Office under the Young Investigator Program agreement W911NF-13-1-0491 and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship program under grant DGE-1650044. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsoring organizations.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Erik C. Anderson, Thomas L. Bougher and Bartatunde A. Cola, \u0026ldquo;High Performance Multiwall Carbon Nanotube\u0026ndash;Insulator\u0026ndash;Metal Tunnel Diode Arrays for Optical Rectification, (Advanced Electronic Materials, 2018). \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1002\/aelm.201700446\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1002\/aelm.201700446\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contacts\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu) or Josh Brown (404-385-0500) (josh.brown@comm.gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe research team that announced the first optical rectenna in 2015 is now reporting a two-fold efficiency improvement in the devices \u0026mdash; and a switch to air-stable diode materials. The improvements could allow the rectennas \u0026ndash; which convert electromagnetic fields at optical frequencies directly to electrical current \u0026ndash; to operate low-power devices such as temperature sensors.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers have boosted the efficiency and stability of the optical rectenna design they developed."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2018-01-26 20:40:56","changed_gmt":"2018-01-26 20:43:28","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2018-01-26T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2018-01-26T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"601446":{"id":"601446","type":"image","title":"Testing optical rectenna","body":null,"created":"1516998306","gmt_created":"2018-01-26 20:25:06","changed":"1516998306","gmt_changed":"2018-01-26 20:25:06","alt":"Testing an optical rectenna","file":{"fid":"229216","name":"optical-rectenna-9.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/optical-rectenna-9.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/optical-rectenna-9.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":342376,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/optical-rectenna-9.jpg?itok=E9w9qanS"}},"601447":{"id":"601447","type":"image","title":"Testing optical rectenna2","body":null,"created":"1516998423","gmt_created":"2018-01-26 20:27:03","changed":"1516998423","gmt_changed":"2018-01-26 20:27:03","alt":"Testing an optical rectenna","file":{"fid":"229217","name":"optical-rectenna-11.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/optical-rectenna-11.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/optical-rectenna-11.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":291799,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/optical-rectenna-11.jpg?itok=R10kPhM1"}},"601448":{"id":"601448","type":"image","title":"Optical rectenna researchers","body":null,"created":"1516998562","gmt_created":"2018-01-26 20:29:22","changed":"1516998562","gmt_changed":"2018-01-26 20:29:22","alt":"Baratunde Cola and Erik Anderson","file":{"fid":"229218","name":"optical-rectenna-13.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/optical-rectenna-13.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/optical-rectenna-13.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":581473,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/optical-rectenna-13.jpg?itok=n-s7La-q"}}},"media_ids":["601446","601447","601448"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"}],"keywords":[{"id":"142841","name":"rectenna"},{"id":"142851","name":"optical rectenna"},{"id":"213","name":"energy"},{"id":"7294","name":"diode"},{"id":"2616","name":"antenna"},{"id":"5116","name":"carbon nanotube"},{"id":"107","name":"Nanotechnology"},{"id":"8875","name":"Baratunde Cola"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"599931":{"#nid":"599931","#data":{"type":"news","title":"One in Five Materials Chemistry Papers May be Wrong, Study Suggests","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECan companies rely on the results of one or two scientific studies to design a new industrial process or launch a new product? In at least one area of materials chemistry, the answer may be yes \u0026mdash; but only 80 percent of the time.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe replicability of results from scientific studies has become a major source of concern in the research community, particularly in the social sciences and biomedical sciences. But many researchers in the fields of engineering and the hard sciences haven\u0026rsquo;t felt the same level of concern for independent validation of their results.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA new study that compared the results reported in thousands of papers published about the properties of metal organic framework (MOF) materials \u0026ndash; which are prominent candidates for carbon dioxide adsorption and other separations \u0026ndash; suggests the replicability problem should be a concern for materials researchers, too.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOne in five studies of MOF materials examined by researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology were judged to be \u0026ldquo;outliers,\u0026rdquo; with results far beyond the error bars normally used to evaluate study results. The thousands of research papers yielded just nine MOF compounds for which four or more independent studies allowed appropriate comparison of results.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;At a fundamental level, I think people in materials chemistry feel that things are reproducible and that they can count on the results of a single study,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/people\/david-s-sholl\u0022\u003EDavid Sholl\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor and John F. Brock III School Chair in the Georgia Tech \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026ldquo;But what we found is that if you pull out any experiment at random, there\u0026rsquo;s a one in five chance that the results are completely wrong \u0026ndash; not just slightly off, but not even close.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhether the results can be more broadly applied to other areas of materials science awaits additional studies, Sholl said. The results of the study, which was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, were published November 28 in the ACS journal \u003Cem\u003EChemistry of Materials.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESholl chose MOFs because they\u0026rsquo;re an area of interest to his lab \u0026ndash; he develops models for the materials \u0026ndash; and because the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) had already assembled a database summarizing the properties of MOFs. Co-authors Jongwoo Park and Joshua Howe used meta-analysis techniques to compare the results of single-component adsorption isotherm testing \u0026ndash; how much CO\u003Csup\u003E2\u003C\/sup\u003E can be removed at room temperature.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThat measurement is straightforward and there are commercial instruments available for doing the tests. \u0026ldquo;People in the community would consider this to be an almost foolproof experiment,\u0026rdquo; said Sholl, who is also a Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Energy Sustainability.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers considered the results definitive when they had four or more studies of a given MOF at comparable conditions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe implications for errors in materials science may be less than in other research fields. But companies could use the results of a just one or two studies to choose a material that appear to be more efficient, and in other cases, researchers unable to replicate an experiment may simply move on to another material.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The net result is non-optimal use of resources at the very least,\u0026rdquo; Sholl said. \u0026ldquo;And any report using one experiment to conclude a material is 15 or 20 percent better than another material should be viewed with great skepticism, as we cannot be very precise on these measurements in most cases.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhy the variability in results? Some MOFs can be finicky, quickly absorbing moisture that affect adsorption, for instance. The one-in-five \u0026ldquo;outliers\u0026rdquo; may be a result of materials contamination.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;One of the materials we studied is relatively simple to make, but it\u0026rsquo;s unstable in an ambient atmosphere,\u0026rdquo; Sholl explained. \u0026ldquo;Exactly what you do between making it in the lab and testing it will affect the properties you measure. That could account for some of what we saw, and if a material is that sensitive, we know it\u0026rsquo;s going to be a problem in practical use.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOther factors that may prevent replication include details that were inadvertently left out of a methods description \u0026ndash; or that the original scientists didn\u0026rsquo;t realize were relevant. That could be as simple as the precise atmosphere in which the material is maintained, or the materials used in the apparatus producing the MOFs.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESholl hopes the paper will lead to more replication of experiments so scientists and engineers can know if their results really are significant.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;As a result of this, I think my group will look at all reported data in a more nuanced way, not necessarily suspecting it is wrong, but thinking about how reliable that data might be,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;Instead of thinking about data as a number, we need to always think about it as a number plus a range.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESholl suggests that more reporting of second, third or fourth efforts to replicate an experiment would help raise the confidence of data on MOF materials properties. The scientific publishing system doesn\u0026rsquo;t currently provide much incentive for reporting validation, though Sholl hopes that will change.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHe also feels the issue needs to be discussed within all parts of the scientific community, though he admits that can lead to \u0026ldquo;uncomfortable\u0026rdquo; conversations.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We have presented this study a few times at conferences, and people can get pretty defensive about it,\u0026rdquo; Sholl said. \u0026ldquo;Everybody in the field knows everybody else, so it\u0026rsquo;s always easier to just not bring up this issue.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAnd, of course, Sholl would like to see others replicate the work he and his research team did. \u0026ldquo;It will be interesting to see if this one-in-five number holds up for other types of experiments and materials,\u0026rdquo; he added. \u0026ldquo;There are other certainly other areas of materials chemistry where this kind of comparison could be done.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy through grant DE-FE0026433 and by the Center for Understanding and Control of Acid Gas-Induced Evolution of Materials for Energy (UNCAGE-ME), an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences under Award #DE-SC0012577. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of sponsors.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Jongwoo Park, Joshua D. Howe, and David S. Sholl, \u0026ldquo;How Reproducible Are Isotherm Measurements in Metal-Organic Frameworks?,\u0026rdquo; (Chemistry of Materials, 2017). \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/10.1021\/acs.chemmater.7b04287\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/10.1021\/acs.chemmater.7b04287\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECan companies rely on the results of one or two scientific studies to design a new industrial process or launch a new product? In at least one area of materials chemistry, the answer may be yes \u0026mdash; but only 80 percent of the time.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A new study assesses scientific papers in materials chemistry."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2017-12-14 19:22:23","changed_gmt":"2017-12-14 19:23:35","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2017-12-14T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2017-12-14T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"599928":{"id":"599928","type":"image","title":"Study suggests one in five materials chemistry papers may be wrong","body":null,"created":"1513278809","gmt_created":"2017-12-14 19:13:29","changed":"1513278809","gmt_changed":"2017-12-14 19:13:29","alt":"Diagram of MOF materials","file":{"fid":"228716","name":"mofs_7290.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/mofs_7290.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/mofs_7290.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3322865,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/mofs_7290.jpg?itok=6qNLKXU0"}},"599929":{"id":"599929","type":"image","title":"Study suggests one in five materials chemistry papers may be wrong2","body":null,"created":"1513278882","gmt_created":"2017-12-14 19:14:42","changed":"1513278882","gmt_changed":"2017-12-14 19:14:42","alt":"Diagram of MOF materials","file":{"fid":"228717","name":"mofs_7297.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/mofs_7297.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/mofs_7297.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3344567,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/mofs_7297.jpg?itok=3EWFLOXT"}}},"media_ids":["599928","599929"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"}],"keywords":[{"id":"176532","name":"MOF"},{"id":"176534","name":"metal organic framework"},{"id":"176535","name":"study replication"},{"id":"38811","name":"David Sholl"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"599890":{"#nid":"599890","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Piezoelectric Tiles Light the Way for Kennedy Space Center Visitors","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENew technology that could be used in self-powered smart cities of the future will soon be demonstrated at the NASA Kennedy Space Center\u0026rsquo;s Visitor Complex at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Ilan Stern, a senior research scientist with the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.gtri.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Research Institute\u003C\/a\u003E, and colleagues, are collaborating on a $2 million project supported by NASA contractor Delaware North Corporation to build a 40,000-square-foot lighted outdoor footpath demonstrating applications of piezoelectricity for renewable energy.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA small electrical charge is generated when a piezoelectric material is compressed, flexed, or vibrated. Harnessing this technology at the visitor complex, the researchers are using a thin, ceramic disk of lead zirconate titanate, which has the strongest piezoelectric response of any known material. \u0026ldquo;Just as a sponge squeezes out water,\u0026rdquo; said Stern, \u0026ldquo;the piezo element under pressure squeezes out electricity that can be harvested and stored.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor this unique project, the researchers designed floor cavities of very thin, ultra-high- performance concrete. To fit into each cavity, the Georgia Tech engineers designed a novel system of custom electronics: circuit boards, six mini solar panels, a battery, LEDs, a Bluetooth transmitter, a Wi-Fi transmitter, micro controllers, and the piezoelectric element\u0026mdash;all of which are covered by a loadbearing glass tile top.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe tiles operate on three power sources: piezoelectricity, solar panels, and a small rechargeable lithium battery for energy storage and use at night. The self-powered system, when triggered by a human footstep, produces a wireless signal that informs visitors about NASA space missions, piezoelectric technology as well as the STEM cooperation between NASA and Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;No one has made anything like this\u0026mdash;an outdoor tile system using a piezoelectric element to trigger customized and off-the-shelf electronics and coupling them for human interactions,\u0026rdquo; said Stern. \u0026ldquo;When you step on the load-bearing glass tile, it compresses the piezoelectric element, creating an electrical charge that lights up the cavity\u0026rsquo;s 125 LEDs.\u0026rdquo; In the entire footpath, about one thousand glass tiles light up in various colors. Each glass tile is a pixel in the pathway\u0026rsquo;s mosaic imagery of Earth, Mars, the moon, and the International Space Station.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The piezoelectric element also powers a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth signal to visitors\u0026rsquo; smartphones, which can play audio, providing information about their geolocation and for potential wayfinding,\u0026rdquo; said Stern. \u0026ldquo;The audio provides information such as how much energy is being generated throughout the park during the day.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAlthough a small amount of energy is produced per piezo element, per step, the aggregation of such systems in heavily trafficked areas can produce a significant amount of electricity to be stored for local onsite powering of street signs, lights, and other facilities. \u0026ldquo;The piezo element has a very long lifetime, but these are modular systems that could be easily updated over time,\u0026rdquo; he said. The glass lid can be removed so the piezo element and electronics system can be updated with newer technologies.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMany of the site\u0026rsquo;s engineering applications are based on fundamental research by the lab of Alper Erturk, an associate professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. Erturk, Stern, and their graduate students, for instance, have utilized a method of vibrating a piezo element\u0026rsquo;s edge, called plucking, allowing for the coupling of the piezoelectric material\u0026rsquo;s inherently high resonant frequency, to the low frequency of human scale motion. This has various applications intended for biomechanical energy harvesting.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn future smart cities applications, lattices of pressure-sensitive sensors underneath roadways could produce wireless, real-time signals distributing information about roadway conditions, temperature, or traffic. Roadway sensors and autonomous vehicles could share information, and vehicles could communicate with each other through the roadway\u0026rsquo;s wireless system. Indoor flooring systems powered by piezoelectricity could provide safety monitoring and sensing capabilities without being plugged into to the grid.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We need a more flexible use of the electric grid,\u0026rdquo; Stern said. \u0026ldquo;Our goal is to develop more self-powered, self-generating systems with added storage that will give us more choices in energy usage and minimize waste. As much as possible, we should convert wasted mechanical energy\u0026mdash;human and vehicle movement\u0026mdash;into usable energy generation and storage.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Assistance\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Tibbetts\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENew technology that could be used in self-powered smart cities of the future will soon be demonstrated at the NASA Kennedy Space Center\u0026rsquo;s Visitor Complex at Cape Canaveral, Florida.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A lighted footpath powered partially by piezoelectric tiles will soon be operational at the Kennedy Space Center."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2017-12-13 21:56:40","changed_gmt":"2017-12-13 21:57:46","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2017-12-13T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2017-12-13T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"599886":{"id":"599886","type":"image","title":"Placing piezoelectric tiles","body":null,"created":"1513201409","gmt_created":"2017-12-13 21:43:29","changed":"1513201409","gmt_changed":"2017-12-13 21:43:29","alt":"Ilan Stern and piezoelectric tiles","file":{"fid":"228697","name":"piezoelectric-103.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/piezoelectric-103.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/piezoelectric-103.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1336946,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/piezoelectric-103.jpg?itok=uRUNqpn4"}},"599887":{"id":"599887","type":"image","title":"Creating a lighted footpath","body":null,"created":"1513201538","gmt_created":"2017-12-13 21:45:38","changed":"1513201538","gmt_changed":"2017-12-13 21:45:38","alt":"Ilan Stern and piezoelectric tiles","file":{"fid":"228698","name":"piezoelectric-104.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/piezoelectric-104.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/piezoelectric-104.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":734204,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/piezoelectric-104.jpg?itok=9jGZMDho"}},"599888":{"id":"599888","type":"image","title":"Electronic components for piezoelectric tiles","body":null,"created":"1513201689","gmt_created":"2017-12-13 21:48:09","changed":"1513201689","gmt_changed":"2017-12-13 21:48:09","alt":"Electronic components for piezoelectric tiles","file":{"fid":"228699","name":"piezoelectric-118.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/piezoelectric-118.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/piezoelectric-118.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":490997,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/piezoelectric-118.jpg?itok=vQqnJeYg"}},"599889":{"id":"599889","type":"image","title":"Artist concept of lighted footpath","body":null,"created":"1513201908","gmt_created":"2017-12-13 21:51:48","changed":"1513201908","gmt_changed":"2017-12-13 21:51:48","alt":"Artist concept of lighted footpath","file":{"fid":"228700","name":"Earth-sm.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Earth-sm.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Earth-sm.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1156618,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Earth-sm.jpg?itok=YrG0L7Lf"}}},"media_ids":["599886","599887","599888","599889"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"137","name":"Architecture"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"7699","name":"piezoelectric"},{"id":"3163","name":"renewable energy"},{"id":"213","name":"energy"},{"id":"169401","name":"self-powered"},{"id":"408","name":"NASA"},{"id":"14016","name":"Kennedy Space Center"},{"id":"416","name":"GTRI"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"599531":{"#nid":"599531","#data":{"type":"news","title":"AAAS Honors Cola, Fox and Weitz as Fellows","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has named three researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology as fellows for 2017 for their contributions to the advancement of science.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBaratunde Cola, Mary Frank Fox, and Joshua Weitz, who are members of AAAS, were elected by their peers to receive the honor and join hundreds of their contemporaries who became fellows this year. \u0026ldquo;This year 396 members have been awarded this honor by AAAS because of their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications,\u0026rdquo; the AAAS wrote in its announcement of this year\u0026rsquo;s fellows.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAll three Georgia Tech fellows saw the AAAS Fellowship as encouragement to continue serving science and humanity.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe three have excelled in research in the following fields, according to AAAS: Cola in nanoscale engineering, Fox in the participation and performance of women and men in science, and Weitz in virus dynamics in populations and in ecosystems. Here are summaries of the researchers\u0026rsquo; achievements and interests.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/cola\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBaratunda Cola\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E may be best known for engineering the first-ever optical rectenna. A rectenna, or rectifying antenna, turns electromagnetic waves into direct current electricity, and Cola\u0026rsquo;s invention was the first known to work with sunlight instead of radio waves, making it an innovation in efficient solar energy generation.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECola, who is an associate professor in The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech, is currently focused on the transfer of heat, and the conversion of energy in nanostructures, particularly those based on carbon nanotubes. He holds three carbon nanotube related patents and is interested in making his innovations producible on a large scale for practical use.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;I was honored that AAAS chose to recognize my contributions to science over the years,\u0026rdquo; Cola said. \u0026ldquo;The fellowship gives a bigger platform to my work so it can reach more people and be useful to them.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECola\u0026rsquo;s vision transcends arbitrary confines of a research field. \u0026ldquo;I think of myself less as being a mechanical engineer and more as a person concerned with the advancement and well-being of people, and I appreciate the power of science to positively affect lives through practical applications.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn April, Cola \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.rh.gatech.edu\/news\/590379\/georgia-tech-researcher-honored-alan-t-waterman-award\u0022\u003Ereceived the highest honor awarded by the National Science Foundation to up-and-coming scientists and engineers\u003C\/a\u003E. Like the AAAS Fellowship, the Alan T. Waterman award also recognized Cola\u0026rsquo;s achievements in transforming light and heat into electricity on the nanoscale, and it added $1 million in funding to his research.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECola also serves as CEO of Carbice Corporation, a Georgia Tech spinoff company that has developed a heat-conducting tape that helps prevent electronic devices from overheating.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iac.gatech.edu\/people\/faculty\/fox\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMary Frank Fox\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E is known for her research on women and men in scientific organizations and occupations. She is nationally recognized as a leader on issues of diversity, equity, and equity in science, and her work has had a significant influence on science and technology policy.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFox, who is an \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.advance.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EADVANCE Professor\u003C\/a\u003E at the School of Public Policy in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, is particularly interested in how social and organizational settings, in which scientists are educated and work, influence their performance. She holds multiple board of director positions in societies connected to science and technology policy.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m deeply honored by the AAAS award,\u0026rdquo; Fox said. \u0026ldquo;I value that it recognizes my years of research on women and men in sciences and the policy implications for equity.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFox sees the award as recognition that her work advances science and is aligned with AAAS\u0026rsquo;s commitments. \u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m one of the founders of this area of science, and I value this award recognizing this research that advances science,\u0026rdquo; Fox said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/ecotheory.biology.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJoshua Weitz\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E uses models to predict the effects of viruses on populations and on ecosystems, but his work encompasses many complex biological systems. His group combines methods from physics, math, computational biology, and bioinformatics to develop in-depth analytical models of biological dynamics to understand experimental and environmental data.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn the field of virology, he applies this approach to the molecular workings of viruses, their spread through a population and their evolution into new strains. His work is theoretical, but he uses his detailed computational methods to collaborate with experimentalists. Weitz is a professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s School of Biological Sciences, Courtesy Professor of Physics and the Director of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Quantitative Biosciences.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;When AAAS first informed me, I was honored and humbled.\u0026nbsp; And I was proud of my group and its collective effort in the last 10 years at Georgia Tech to study viral ecology,\u0026rdquo; Weitz said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The mission of the AAAS is ever more important in these times, and being a fellow gives us a greater responsibility to communicate our research beyond the scientific community, to let the public know how it serves society\u0026rsquo;s betterment by improving public health and environmental health.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe American Association for the Advancement of Science lays claim to the distinction of being \u0026ldquo;the world\u0026rsquo;s largest general scientific society.\u0026rdquo; AAAS was founded in 1848 and publishes the journal \u003Cem\u003EScience\u003C\/em\u003E as well as many other prestigious research periodicals. The AAAS Fellowship began in 1874.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Three Georgia Tech researchers honored as AAAS Fellows for 2017 for their contributions to the advancement of science."}],"uid":"31759","created_gmt":"2017-12-04 23:08:37","changed_gmt":"2017-12-04 23:24:48","author":"Ben Brumfield","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2017-12-04T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2017-12-04T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"599529":{"id":"599529","type":"image","title":"Mary Frank Fox AAAS Fellow 2017","body":null,"created":"1512428091","gmt_created":"2017-12-04 22:54:51","changed":"1512428091","gmt_changed":"2017-12-04 22:54:51","alt":"","file":{"fid":"228566","name":"MaryFrankFox.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/MaryFrankFox.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/MaryFrankFox.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":576361,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/MaryFrankFox.jpg?itok=p6Ex56AY"}},"599528":{"id":"599528","type":"image","title":"Joshua Weitz AAAS Fellow","body":null,"created":"1512427820","gmt_created":"2017-12-04 22:50:20","changed":"1512427820","gmt_changed":"2017-12-04 22:50:20","alt":"","file":{"fid":"228565","name":"Weitz.bboard.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Weitz.bboard.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Weitz.bboard.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":241085,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Weitz.bboard.jpg?itok=45GUazon"}},"599530":{"id":"599530","type":"image","title":"Baratunde Cola AAAS Fellow 2017","body":null,"created":"1512428369","gmt_created":"2017-12-04 22:59:29","changed":"1512428369","gmt_changed":"2017-12-04 22:59:29","alt":"","file":{"fid":"228567","name":"cola.lab_.noglasses.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/cola.lab_.noglasses.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/cola.lab_.noglasses.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1096193,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/cola.lab_.noglasses.jpeg?itok=Dj1oiAkz"}}},"media_ids":["599529","599528","599530"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"}],"keywords":[{"id":"11701","name":"AAAS Fellows"},{"id":"167053","name":"sociology"},{"id":"713","name":"Gender"},{"id":"176413","name":"virus in populations"},{"id":"140461","name":"Computational Biology"},{"id":"176412","name":"virus ecology"},{"id":"5209","name":"carbon nanotubes"},{"id":"142851","name":"optical rectenna"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"},{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter and Media Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: Ben Brumfield (404-660-1408)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia \u0026nbsp;30332-0181 \u0026nbsp;USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"597696":{"#nid":"597696","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Wriggling Microtubules Help Explain Coupling of \u201cActive\u201d Defects and Curvature","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EImagine a tiny donut-shaped droplet, covered with wriggling worms. The worms are packed so tightly together that they must locally line up with respect to each other. In this situation, we would say the worms form a nematic liquid crystal, an ordered phase similar to the materials used in many flat panel displays.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHowever, the nematic phase formed by the worms is filled with tiny regions where the local alignment is lost \u0026ndash; defects in the otherwise aligned material. In addition, because the worms are constantly moving and changing their configuration, this nematic phase is active and far from equilibrium.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn research reported October 23 in the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature Physics\u003C\/em\u003E, scientists from the Georgia Institute of Technology and Leiden University in The Netherlands have described the results of a combined theoretical and experimental examination of such an active nematic on the surface of donut-shaped \u0026ndash; toroidal \u0026ndash; droplets. However, the researchers didn\u0026rsquo;t use actual worms, but an active nematic composed of flexible filaments covered with microscopic engines that are constantly converting energy into motion.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis particular active material, originally developed at Brandeis University, borrows elements of cellular machinery, with bundles of rod-like microtubules forming the filaments, kinesin motor proteins acting as the engines, and ATP as the fuel. When this activity is combined with defects, the defects come to life, moving around like swimming microorganisms to explore space \u0026ndash; in this case, exploring the surface of the toroidal droplets.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBy studying toroidal droplets covered by this active nematic, the researchers confirmed a longstanding theoretical prediction about liquid crystals at equilibrium, first discussed by Bowick, Nelson and Travesset [Phys.Rev. E 69, 041102 (2004)] that nematic defects on the curved surface of such droplets will be sensitive to the local curvature. However, since the active nematic used in this work is far from equilibrium, the researchers also found how the internal activity changed and enriched the expectations.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;There have been predictions that say defects are very sensitive to the space they inhabit, specifically to the curvature of the space,\u0026rdquo; said Perry Ellis, a graduate student in the Georgia Tech \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.physics.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E and the paper\u0026rsquo;s first author. \u0026ldquo;The torus is a great place to investigate this because the outside of the torus, the part that looks locally like a sphere, has positive curvature while the inner part of a torus, the part that looks like a saddle, has negative curvature.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The quantity that characterizes a defect is what we call its topological charge or winding number,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.physics.gatech.edu\/user\/alberto-fernandez-nieves\u0022\u003EAlberto Fernandez-Nieves\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s School of Physics and another of the paper\u0026rsquo;s co-authors. \u0026ldquo;It expresses how the alignment direction of the nematic liquid crystal changes as we go around the defect. This topological charge is quantized, meaning that it can only take values from a discrete set that are multiples of one-half. \u0026ldquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn these experiments, each defect has a topological charge of +1\/2 or -1\/2. To determine the charge and location of every defect, Ellis observed the toroidal droplets over time using a confocal microscope and then analyzed the resulting video using techniques borrowed from computer vision. The researchers found that even with the molecular motors driving the system out of equilibrium, the defects were still able to sense the curvature, with the +1\/2 defects migrating towards the region of positive curvature and the -1\/2 defects migrating towards the region of negative curvature.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn this new work, the scientists took a step forward in understanding how to control and guide defects in an ordered material.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We have learned that we can control and guide partially ordered active matter using the curvature of the underlying substrate,\u0026rdquo; said Fernandez-Nieves. \u0026ldquo;This work opens opportunities to study how the defects in these materials arrange on surfaces that do not have constant curvature. This opens the door for controlling active matter using curvature.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAn unexpected finding of the study was that the constant motion of the defects causes the average topological charge to become continuous, no longer taking only values that are multiples of one-half.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;In the active limit of our experiments, we found that the topological charge becomes a continuous variable that can now take on any value,\u0026rdquo; said Fernandez-Nieves. \u0026ldquo;This is reminiscent of what happens to many quantum systems at high temperature, where the quantum, discrete nature of the accessible states and associated variables is lost. Instead of being characterized by quantized properties, the system becomes characterized by continuum properties.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EEllis\u0026rsquo; observations of the droplets compared well with those of numerical simulations done by Assistant Professor Luca Giomi and postdoctoral researcher Daniel Pearce at the Instituut-Lorentz for Theoretical Physics at the Universiteit Leiden in The Netherlands.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Our theoretical model helped us decipher the experimental results and fully understand the physical mechanism governing defect motion,\u0026rdquo; said Pearce, \u0026ldquo;but also allowed us to go beyond the current experimental evidence.\u0026rdquo; Added Giomi: \u0026ldquo;Activity changes the nature of the interaction between defects and curvature. In weakly active systems, defects are attracted by regions of like-sign Gaussian curvature. But in strongly active systems, this effect becomes less relevant and defects behave as persistent random-walkers confined in a closed and inhomogeneous space\u0026rdquo;.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThere are many examples of active systems driven by internal activity, including swimming microorganisms, bird flocks, robot swarms and traffic flows. \u0026ldquo;Active materials are everywhere, so our results aren\u0026rsquo;t limited to just this system on a torus,\u0026rdquo; Ellis added. \u0026ldquo;You could see the same behavior in any active system with defects.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research sets the stage for future work in active fluids. \u0026ldquo;Our results introduce a new framework to explore the mechanical properties of active fluids and suggest that partially ordered active matter can be guided and controlled via gradients in the intrinsic geometry of the underlying substrate,\u0026rdquo; the authors wrote in a summary of their paper.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis research was supported by the National Science Foundation under award 1609841 and the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsoring agencies.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Perry W. Ellis, Daniel J. G. Pearce, Ya-Wen Chang, Guillermo Goldsztein, Luca Giomi, and Alberto Fernandez-Nieves, \u0026ldquo;Curvature-induced Defect Unbinding and Dynamics in Active Nematic Toroids,\u0026rdquo; (Nature Physics, 2017). \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/nphys4276\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/nphys4276\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EImagine a tiny donut-shaped droplet, covered with wriggling worms. The worms are packed so tightly together that they locally line up, forming a nematic liquid crystal similar to those found in flat panel displays. In the journal Nature Physics, scientists are reporting on an examination of such an active nematic \u0026ndash; but with flexible filaments and microscopic engines rather than worms.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Scientists have examined an active nematic built with components borrowed from living cells."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2017-10-22 23:40:38","changed_gmt":"2017-10-23 16:27:26","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2017-10-23T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2017-10-23T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"597694":{"id":"597694","type":"image","title":"Toroidal structures","body":null,"created":"1508714980","gmt_created":"2017-10-22 23:29:40","changed":"1508714980","gmt_changed":"2017-10-22 23:29:40","alt":"Toroidal structure observed with confocal microscope","file":{"fid":"227843","name":"toroid1_2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/toroid1_2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/toroid1_2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":108719,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/toroid1_2.jpg?itok=qi2qzwNG"}},"597695":{"id":"597695","type":"image","title":"Toroidal structure2","body":null,"created":"1508715085","gmt_created":"2017-10-22 23:31:25","changed":"1508715085","gmt_changed":"2017-10-22 23:31:25","alt":"Toroidal structure observed with confocal microscope","file":{"fid":"227844","name":"toroid2_3.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/toroid2_3.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/toroid2_3.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":99892,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/toroid2_3.jpg?itok=UIAf3fgF"}}},"media_ids":["597694","597695"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"}],"keywords":[{"id":"169780","name":"microtubules"},{"id":"176011","name":"kinesin"},{"id":"176009","name":"toroid"},{"id":"176012","name":"toroidal surfaces"},{"id":"176013","name":"active nematic"},{"id":"66681","name":"Alberto Fernandez-Nieves"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E404-894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"597181":{"#nid":"597181","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Ceramic Pump Moves Molten Metal at a Record 1,400 Degrees Celsius","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA ceramic-based mechanical pump able to operate at record temperatures of more than 1,400 degrees Celsius (1,673 Kelvin) can transfer high temperature liquids such as molten tin, enabling a new generation of energy conversion and storage systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe new pump could facilitate high efficiency, low-cost thermal storage, providing a new way to store renewable energy generated by wind and solar power, and facilitate an improved process for generating hydrogen directly from fuels such as methane \u0026ndash; without producing carbon dioxide. Use of ceramic components, normally considered too brittle for mechanical systems, was made possible by precision machining \u0026ndash; and seals made from another high-temperature material: graphite.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research was supported by the Advanced Research Projects Agency \u0026ndash; Energy (ARPA-E) and reported in the October 12 issue of the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature\u003C\/em\u003E. The pump was developed by researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology with collaborators from Purdue University and Stanford University.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Until now, we\u0026rsquo;ve had a ceiling for the highest temperatures at which we could move heat and store it, so this demonstration really enables energy advances, especially in renewables,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/henry-a\u0022\u003EAsegun Henry\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EWoodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026ldquo;The hotter we can operate, the more efficiently we can store and utilize thermal energy. This work will provide a step change in the infrastructure because now we can use some of the highest temperature materials to transfer heat. These materials are also the hardest materials on Earth.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThermal energy, fundamental to power generation and many industrial processes, is most valuable at high temperatures because entropy \u0026ndash; which makes thermal energy unavailable for conversion \u0026ndash; declines at higher temperatures. Liquid metals such as molten tin and molten silicon could be useful in thermal storage and transfer, but until now, engineers didn\u0026rsquo;t have pumps and pipes that could withstand such extreme temperatures.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The hotter you can operate, the more you can convert thermal energy to mechanical energy or electrical energy,\u0026rdquo; Henry explained. \u0026ldquo;But when containment materials like metals get hot, they become soft and that limits the whole infrastructure.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECeramic materials can withstand the heat, but they are brittle \u0026ndash; and many researchers felt they couldn\u0026rsquo;t be used in mechanical applications like pumps. But Henry and graduate student Caleb Amy \u0026ndash; the paper\u0026rsquo;s first author \u0026ndash; decided to challenge that assumption by trying to make a ceramic pump. \u0026ldquo;We weren\u0026rsquo;t certain that it wouldn\u0026rsquo;t work, and for the first four times, it didn\u0026rsquo;t,\u0026rdquo; Henry said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers used an external gear pump, which uses rotating gear teeth to suck in the liquid tin and push it out of an outlet. That technology differs from centrifugal and other pump technologies, but Henry chose it for its simplicity and ability to operate at relatively low speeds. The gears were custom-manufactured by a commercial supplier and modified in Henry\u0026rsquo;s lab in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.energy.gatech.edu\/venue\/carbon-neutral-energy-solutions-laboratory\u0022\u003ECarbon Neutral Energy Solutions\u003C\/a\u003E (CNES) Laboratory\u0026nbsp;at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;What is new in the past few decades is our ability to fabricate different ceramic materials into large chunks of material that can be machined,\u0026rdquo; Henry explained. \u0026ldquo;The material is still brittle and you have to be careful with the engineering, but we\u0026rsquo;ve now shown that it can work.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAddressing another challenge, the researchers used another high-temperature material \u0026ndash; graphite \u0026ndash; to form the seals in the pump, piping and joints. Seals are normally made from flexible polymers, but they cannot withstand high temperatures. Henry and Amy used the special properties of graphite \u0026ndash; flexibility and strength \u0026ndash; to make the seals. The pump operates in a nitrogen environment to prevent oxidation at the extreme temperatures.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe pump operated for 72 hours continuously at a few hundred revolutions per minute at an average temperature of 1,473 Kelvin \u0026ndash; with brief operation up to 1,773 Kelvin in other experimental runs. Because the researchers used a relatively soft ceramic known as Shapal for ease of machining, the pump sustained wear. But Henry says other ceramics with greater hardness will overcome that issue, and the team is already working on a new pump made with silicon carbide.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAmong the most interesting applications for the high-temperature pump would be low-cost grid storage for surplus energy produced by renewables \u0026ndash; one of the greatest challenges to the penetration of renewables on the grid. Electricity produced by solar or wind sources could be used to heat molten silicon, creating thermal storage that could be used when needed to produce electricity.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;It appears likely that storing energy in the form of heat could be cheaper than any other form of energy storage that exists,\u0026rdquo; Henry said. \u0026ldquo;This would allow us to create a new type of battery. You would put electricity in when you have an excess, and get electricity back out when you need it.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech researchers are also looking at their molten metal pump as part of a system to produce hydrogen from methane without generating carbon dioxide. Because liquid tin doesn\u0026rsquo;t react with hydrocarbons, bubbling methane into liquid tin would crack the molecule to produce hydrogen and solid carbon \u0026ndash; without generating carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe pump could also be used to allow higher temperature operation in concentrated solar power applications, where molten salts are now used. The combination of liquid tin and ceramics would have an advantage in being able to operate at higher temperatures without corrosion, enabling higher efficiency and lower cost.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe ceramic pump uses gears just 36 millimeters in diameter, but Henry says scaling it up for industrial processing wouldn\u0026rsquo;t require dramatically larger components. For example, by increasing the pump dimensions by only four or five times and operating the pump near its maximum rated speed, the total heat that could be transferred would increase by a factor of a thousand, from 10 kW to 100 MW, which would be consistent with utility-scale power plants.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor storage, molten silicon \u0026ndash; with still higher temperatures \u0026ndash; may be more useful because of its lower cost. The pump could operate at much higher temperatures than those demonstrated so far, even past 2,000 degrees Celsius, Henry said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis research was supported by the Advanced Research Projects Agency \u0026ndash; Energy (ARPA-E) under award DE-AR0000339. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding agency.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Caleb Amy, et al., \u0026ldquo;Pumping Liquid Metal at High Temperatures Up To 1,673 K,\u0026rdquo; Nature, 2017. \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/nature24054\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/nature24054\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA ceramic-based mechanical pump able to operate at record temperatures of more than 1,400 degrees Celsius (1,673 Kelvin) can transfer high temperature liquids such as molten tin, enabling a new generation of energy conversion and storage systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Ceramic-based mechanical pump operates at record temperature to move liquid tin."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2017-10-11 00:30:52","changed_gmt":"2017-10-11 17:25:34","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2017-10-11T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2017-10-11T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"597175":{"id":"597175","type":"image","title":"Ceramic gear for pump","body":null,"created":"1507680691","gmt_created":"2017-10-11 00:11:31","changed":"1507680691","gmt_changed":"2017-10-11 00:11:31","alt":"Ceramic gear designed for high-temperature pump","file":{"fid":"227607","name":"ceramic-pump9839.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/ceramic-pump9839.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/ceramic-pump9839.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":334200,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/ceramic-pump9839.jpg?itok=hIO7HJ0m"}},"597177":{"id":"597177","type":"image","title":"Molten tin reflections","body":null,"created":"1507680821","gmt_created":"2017-10-11 00:13:41","changed":"1507680821","gmt_changed":"2017-10-11 00:13:41","alt":"molten tin reflections","file":{"fid":"227608","name":"ceramic-pump0273.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/ceramic-pump0273.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/ceramic-pump0273.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":362520,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/ceramic-pump0273.jpg?itok=DQ7j49VD"}},"597178":{"id":"597178","type":"image","title":"Meshing ceramic gears","body":null,"created":"1507680950","gmt_created":"2017-10-11 00:15:50","changed":"1507680950","gmt_changed":"2017-10-11 00:15:50","alt":"Meshing ceramic gears","file":{"fid":"227609","name":"ceramic-pump9853.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/ceramic-pump9853.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/ceramic-pump9853.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":403421,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/ceramic-pump9853.jpg?itok=3qRo2zqy"}},"597179":{"id":"597179","type":"image","title":"Pouring molten tin","body":null,"created":"1507681108","gmt_created":"2017-10-11 00:18:28","changed":"1507681108","gmt_changed":"2017-10-11 00:18:28","alt":"Pouring molten tin","file":{"fid":"227610","name":"ceramic-pump9923.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/ceramic-pump9923.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/ceramic-pump9923.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":572541,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/ceramic-pump9923.jpg?itok=4EJJHKu0"}},"597180":{"id":"597180","type":"image","title":"Measuring liquid tin temperature","body":null,"created":"1507681229","gmt_created":"2017-10-11 00:20:29","changed":"1507681229","gmt_changed":"2017-10-11 00:20:29","alt":"Measuring liquid tin temperature","file":{"fid":"227611","name":"ceramic-pump9865.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/ceramic-pump9865.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/ceramic-pump9865.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":535705,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/ceramic-pump9865.jpg?itok=txHykU-e"}}},"media_ids":["597175","597177","597178","597179","597180"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"213","name":"energy"},{"id":"3163","name":"renewable energy"},{"id":"7071","name":"ceramic"},{"id":"175866","name":"ceramic pump"},{"id":"175868","name":"molten tin"},{"id":"51571","name":"Asegun Henry"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"597089":{"#nid":"597089","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Novel Circuit Design Boosts Wearable Thermoelectric Generators","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EUsing flexible conducting polymers and novel circuitry patterns printed on paper, researchers have demonstrated proof-of-concept wearable thermoelectric generators that can harvest energy from body heat to power simple biosensors for measuring heart rate, respiration or other factors.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBecause of their symmetrical fractal wiring patterns, the devices can be cut to the size needed to provide the voltage and power requirements for specific applications. The modular generators could be inkjet printed on flexible substrates, including fabric, and manufactured using inexpensive roll-to-roll techniques.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The attraction of thermoelectric generators is that there is heat all around us,\u0026rdquo; said Akanksha Menon, a Ph.D. student in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EWoodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E at the Georgia Institute of Technology. \u0026ldquo;If we can harness a little bit of that heat and turn it into electricity inexpensively, there is great value. We are working on how to produce electricity with heat from the body.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research, supported by PepsiCo, Inc. and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, was reported online in the \u003Cem\u003EJournal of Applied Physics\u003C\/em\u003E on September 28th.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThermoelectric generators, which convert thermal energy directly into electricity, have been available for decades, but standard designs use inflexible inorganic materials that are too toxic for use in wearable devices. Power output depends on the temperature differential that can be created between two sides of the generators, which makes depending on body heat challenging. Getting enough thermal energy from a small contact area on the skin increases the challenge, and internal resistance in the device ultimately limits the power output.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETo overcome that, Menon and collaborators in the laboratory of Assistant Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/yee\u0022\u003EShannon Yee\u003C\/a\u003E designed a device with thousands of dots composed of alternating p-type and n-type polymers in a closely-packed layout. Their pattern converts more heat per unit area due to large packing densities enabled by inkjet printers. By placing the polymer dots closer together, the interconnect length decreases, which in turn lowers the total resistance and results in a higher power output from the device.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Instead of connecting the polymer dots with a traditional serpentine wiring pattern, we are using wiring patterns based on space filling curves, such as the Hilbert pattern \u0026ndash; a continuous space-filling curve,\u0026rdquo; said Kiarash Gordiz, a co-author who worked on the project while he was a Ph.D. student at Georgia Tech. \u0026ldquo;The advantage here is that Hilbert patterns allow for surface conformation and self-localization, which provides a more uniform temperature across the device.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe new circuit design also has another benefit: its fractally symmetric design allows the modules to be cut along boundaries between symmetric areas to provide exactly the voltage and power needed for a specific application. That eliminates the need for power converters that add complexity and take power away from the system.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This is valuable in the context of wearables, where you want as few components as possible,\u0026rdquo; said Menon. \u0026ldquo;We think this could be a really interesting way to expand the use of thermoelectrics for wearable devices.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESo far, the devices have been printed on ordinary paper, but the researchers have begun exploring the use of fabrics. Both paper and fabric are flexible, but the fabric could be easily integrated into clothing.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We want to integrate our device into the commercial textiles that people wear every day,\u0026rdquo; said Menon. \u0026ldquo;People would feel comfortable wearing these fabrics, but they would be able to power something with just the heat from their bodies.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWith the novel design, the researchers expect to get enough electricity to power small sensors, in the range of microwatts to milliwatts. That would be enough for simple heart rate sensors, but not more complex devices like fitness trackers or smartphones. The generators might also be useful to supplement batteries, allowing devices to operate for longer periods of time.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAmong the challenges ahead are protecting the generators from moisture and determining just how close they should be to the skin to transfer thermal energy \u0026ndash; while remaining comfortable for wearers.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers use commercially-available p-type materials, and are working with chemists at Georgia Tech to develop better n-type polymers for future generations of devices that can operate with small temperature differentials at room temperatures. Body heat produces differentials as small as five degrees, compared to a hundred degrees for generators used as part of piping and steam lines.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;One future benefit of this class of polymer material is the potential for a low-cost and abundant thermoelectric material that would have an inherently low thermal conductivity,\u0026rdquo; said Yee, who directs the lab as part of the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. \u0026ldquo;The organic electronics community has made tremendous advances in understanding electronic and optical properties of polymer-based materials. We are building upon that knowledge to understand thermal and thermoelectric transport in these polymers to enable new device functionality.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAmong the other prospects for the materials being developed are localized cooling devices that reverse the process, using electricity to move thermal energy from one side of a device to another. Cooling just parts of the body could provide the perception of comfort without the cost of large-space air conditioning, Yee said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis research was supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) under Award No. FA9550-15-1-0145 and by PepsiCo, Inc. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsors.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Kiarash Gordiz, Akanksha K. Menon, Shannon K. Yee, \u0026ldquo;Interconnect Patterns for Printed Organic Thermoelectric Devices with Large Fill Factors, (Journal of Applied Physics, 2017). \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1063\/1.4989589\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1063\/1.4989589\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181\u0026nbsp; USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EUsing flexible conducting polymers and novel circuitry patterns printed on paper, researchers have demonstrated proof-of-concept wearable thermoelectric generators that can harvest energy from body heat to power simple biosensors for measuring heart rate, respiration or other factors.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers have demonstrated proof-of-concept wearable thermoelectric generators that can harvest energy from body heat."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2017-10-08 15:54:09","changed_gmt":"2017-10-09 13:19:47","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2017-10-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2017-10-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"597085":{"id":"597085","type":"image","title":"Testing thermoelectric film","body":null,"created":"1507477077","gmt_created":"2017-10-08 15:37:57","changed":"1507477077","gmt_changed":"2017-10-08 15:37:57","alt":"Testing thermoelectric polymer film","file":{"fid":"227563","name":"thermoelectric-7844.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/thermoelectric-7844.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/thermoelectric-7844.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":618488,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/thermoelectric-7844.jpg?itok=VKOBAQyI"}},"597086":{"id":"597086","type":"image","title":"Testing thermoelectric film 2","body":null,"created":"1507477200","gmt_created":"2017-10-08 15:40:00","changed":"1507477200","gmt_changed":"2017-10-08 15:40:00","alt":"Testing thermoelectric polymer film","file":{"fid":"227564","name":"thermoelectric-7854.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/thermoelectric-7854.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/thermoelectric-7854.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":478873,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/thermoelectric-7854.jpg?itok=YTCLR69C"}},"597087":{"id":"597087","type":"image","title":"Thermoelectric circuitry pattern","body":null,"created":"1507477341","gmt_created":"2017-10-08 15:42:21","changed":"1507477341","gmt_changed":"2017-10-08 15:42:21","alt":"Thermoelectric circuitry pattern","file":{"fid":"227565","name":"thermoelectric7867.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/thermoelectric7867.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/thermoelectric7867.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":282742,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/thermoelectric7867.jpg?itok=0u66kbCP"}},"597088":{"id":"597088","type":"image","title":"Dot pattern for thermoelectric circuitry","body":null,"created":"1507477463","gmt_created":"2017-10-08 15:44:23","changed":"1507477463","gmt_changed":"2017-10-08 15:44:23","alt":"Dot pattern for thermoelectric generator","file":{"fid":"227566","name":"thermoelectric-dots.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/thermoelectric-dots.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/thermoelectric-dots.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1055552,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/thermoelectric-dots.png?itok=LVGLb5xP"}}},"media_ids":["597085","597086","597087","597088"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"129581","name":"thermoelectric"},{"id":"175837","name":"thermoelectric generator"},{"id":"2753","name":"wearable"},{"id":"175838","name":"conducting polymer"},{"id":"213","name":"energy"},{"id":"167894","name":"shannon yee"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"597073":{"#nid":"597073","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Paper-Based Supercapacitor Uses Metal Nanoparticles to Boost Energy Density","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EUsing a simple layer-by-layer coating technique, researchers from the U.S. and Korea have developed a paper-based flexible supercapacitor that could be used to help power wearable devices. The device uses metallic nanoparticles to coat cellulose fibers in the paper, creating supercapacitor electrodes with high energy and power densities \u0026ndash; and the best performance so far in a textile-based supercapacitor.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBy implanting conductive and charge storage materials in the paper, the technique creates large surface areas that function as current collectors and nanoparticle reservoirs for the electrodes. Testing shows that devices fabricated with the technique can be folded thousands of times without affecting conductivity.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This type of flexible energy storage device could provide unique opportunities for connectivity among wearable and internet of things devices,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/lee_seungwoo\u0022\u003ESeung Woo Lee\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EWoodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E at the Georgia Institute of Technology. \u0026ldquo;We could support an evolution of the most advanced portable electronics. We also have an opportunity to combine this supercapacitor with energy-harvesting devices that could power biomedical sensors, consumer and military electronics, and similar applications.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research, done with collaborators at Korea University, was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea and reported September 14 in the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature Communications\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EEnergy storage devices are generally judged on three properties: their energy density, power density and cycling stability. Supercapacitors often have high power density, but low energy density \u0026ndash; the amount of energy that can be stored \u0026ndash; compared to batteries, which often have the opposite attributes. In developing their new technique, Lee and collaborator Jinhan Cho from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Korea University set out to boost energy density of the supercapacitors while maintaining their high power output.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThey began by dipping paper samples into a beaker of solution containing an amine surfactant material designed to bind the gold nanoparticles to the paper. Next they dipped the paper into a solution containing gold nanoparticles. Because the fibers are porous, the surfactants and nanoparticles enter the fibers and become strongly attached, creating a conformal coating on each fiber.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBy repeating the dipping steps, the researchers created a conductive paper on which they added alternating layers of metal oxide energy storage materials such as manganese oxide. The ligand-mediated layer-by-layer approach helped minimize the contact resistance between neighboring metal and\/or metal oxide nanoparticles. Using the simple process done at room temperatures, the layers can be built up to provide the desired electrical properties.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s basically a very simple process,\u0026rdquo; Lee said. \u0026ldquo;The layer-by-layer process, which we did in alternating beakers, provides a good conformal coating on the cellulose fibers. We can fold the resulting metallized paper and otherwise flex it without damage to the conductivity.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThough the research involved small samples of paper, the solution-based technique could likely be scaled up using larger tanks or even a spray-on technique. \u0026ldquo;There should be no limitation on the size of the samples that we could produce,\u0026rdquo; Lee said. \u0026ldquo;We just need to establish the optimal layer thickness that provides good conductivity while minimizing the use of the nanoparticles to optimize the tradeoff between cost and performance.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers demonstrated that their self-assembly technique improves several aspects of the paper supercapacitor, including its areal performance, an important factor for measuring flexible energy-storage electrodes. The maximum power and energy density of the metallic paper-based supercapacitors are estimated to be 15.1 mW\/cm2 and 267.3 uW\/cm2, respectively, substantially outperforming conventional paper or textile supercapacitors.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe next steps will include testing the technique on flexible fabrics, and developing flexible batteries that could work with the supercapacitors. The researchers used gold nanoparticles because they are easy to work with, but plan to test less expensive metals such as silver and copper to reduce the cost.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDuring his Ph.D. work, Lee developed the layer-by-layer self-assembly process for energy storage using different materials. With his Korean collaborators, he saw a new opportunity to apply that to flexible and wearable devices with nanoparticles.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We have nanoscale control over the coating applied to the paper,\u0026rdquo; he added. \u0026ldquo;If we increase the number of layers, the performance continues to increase. And it\u0026rsquo;s all based on ordinary paper.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to those already mentioned, the research team included Yongmin Ko and Minseong Kwon from Korea University, Wan Ki Bae from the Photoelectronic Hybrids Research Center at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, and Byeongyong Lee from Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis work was supported by National Research Foundation (NRF) grants funded by the Korean government (NRF-2015R1A2A1A01004354 and NRF-2016M3A7B4910619).\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Yongmin Ko, Minseong Kwon, Wan Ki Bae, Byeongyong Lee, Seung Woo Lee \u0026amp; Jinhan Cho, \u0026ldquo;Flexible supercapacitor electrodes based on real metal-like cellulose papers,\u0026rdquo; (Nature Communications, 2017) \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-017-00550-3\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-017-00550-3\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\u0026nbsp; 30332-0181 USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EUsing a simple layer-by-layer coating technique, researchers from the U.S. and Korea have developed a paper-based flexible supercapacitor that could be used to help power wearable devices. The device uses metallic nanoparticles to coat cellulose fibers in the paper, creating supercapacitor electrodes with high energy and power densities \u0026ndash; and the best performance so far in a textile-based supercapacitor.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers have developed a paper-based flexible supercapacitor that could be used to help power wearable devices. "}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2017-10-06 18:49:51","changed_gmt":"2017-10-06 18:53:20","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2017-10-06T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2017-10-06T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"597071":{"id":"597071","type":"image","title":"Paper metallized with gold nanoparticles","body":null,"created":"1507315219","gmt_created":"2017-10-06 18:40:19","changed":"1507315219","gmt_changed":"2017-10-06 18:40:19","alt":"Paper metallized with gold nanoparticles","file":{"fid":"227559","name":"supercapacitor-paper.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/supercapacitor-paper.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/supercapacitor-paper.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":380551,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/supercapacitor-paper.jpg?itok=-a5sj5dk"}},"597072":{"id":"597072","type":"image","title":"Metallized paper retains its properties","body":null,"created":"1507315352","gmt_created":"2017-10-06 18:42:32","changed":"1507315352","gmt_changed":"2017-10-06 18:42:32","alt":"Crumpled paper remains conductive","file":{"fid":"227560","name":"paper-testing.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/paper-testing.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/paper-testing.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":476939,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/paper-testing.jpg?itok=mdZmeQjD"}}},"media_ids":["597071","597072"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"}],"keywords":[{"id":"175831","name":"supercapacitor"},{"id":"2106","name":"Paper"},{"id":"213","name":"energy"},{"id":"175832","name":"energy density"},{"id":"175833","name":"layer-by-layer"},{"id":"2054","name":"nanoparticle"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"595238":{"#nid":"595238","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Supporting Students\u2019 Entrepreneurial Spirit","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe students believed their ideas could solve problems that people and businesses face every day. The question was how to transform their ideas into startups.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe answer is \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/startupsummer.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EStartup Launch\u003C\/a\u003E, a two-semester program to help teams of students form startups based on their ideas, inventions and prototypes. The program is part of \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/create-x.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECREATE-X\u003C\/a\u003E, a Georgia Tech initiative to enhance and support entrepreneurship programs for undergraduate students\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe 27 teams participating in this year\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/demoday.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EStartup Launch will demonstrate\u003C\/a\u003E their products and services Wednesday starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Fox Theatre.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECREATE-X has helped launch nearly 70 startups since 2014. Graduates have completed prestigious nationally recognized accelerators and incubators and have been recognized among the country\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.news.gatech.edu\/2017\/01\/13\/georgia-tech-lands-seven-yellow-jackets-2017-forbes-30-under-30\u0022\u003Etop entrepreneurs under the age of 30\u003C\/a\u003E. These companies employ dozens of Georgians and hire Georgia Tech students as interns.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHere\u0026rsquo;s a look at four CREATE-X alumni.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFIXD\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen John Gattuso arrived at Georgia Tech his post-graduation goal was to work for a car manufacturer in Detroit. Instead he co-founded \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fixdapp.com\/\u0022\u003EFIXD\u003C\/a\u003E, a startup that allows drivers to better understand and maintain their vehicles.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFIXD was part of the 2014 inaugural class of Startup Summer, which later became Startup Launch. Today the company has 23 employees and has sold more than 200,000 units this year.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;It has been a wild ride,\u0026rdquo; said Gattuso, who graduated in 2015 with a degree in mechanical engineering. \u0026ldquo;I think when I was a freshman, my wildest dream was to pass Calc II.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe company\u0026rsquo;s other founders are Frederick Grimm, an industrial engineering major who graduated in 2014, and Julian Knight, who graduated in 2015 with a degree in electrical engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBesides CREATE-X, the company went through VentureLab, the Institute\u0026rsquo;s technology commercialization incubator. FIXD is now part of Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s Advanced Technology Development Center (\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/atdc.org\/\u0022\u003EATDC\u003C\/a\u003E), which is the state\u0026rsquo;s technology incubator.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe company\u0026rsquo;s distribution allows it to work with parts retailers and car dealerships to help drivers get needed parts and services.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFIXD includes a sensor that is plugged into a car\u0026rsquo;s diagnostic port. It relays problems to an app via Bluetooth. It provides a simple definition of what is wrong, explains the severity of the issue and warns of the consequences of driving without repairs. The device will also keep track of the vehicle\u0026rsquo;s diagnostics and let owners know when their car is due for maintenance.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGattuso said the company is still using the lessons it learned from CREATE-X. They are hoping to launch a new product and completing the customer discovery process.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFireHUD\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EZack Braun and Tyler Sisk weren\u0026rsquo;t looking to launch a startup when they signed up for CREATE-X. The two friends just wanted to develop their idea to help keep firefighters safe.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThey signed up for Idea 2 Prototype, which is part of CREATE-X. The for-credit class provides students with up to $1,500 and mentorship to transform their idea into a working prototype.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThey developed \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.firehud.co\/\u0022\u003EFireHUD\u003C\/a\u003E, a real-time wearable system and heads up display that provides biometric and environmental data to firefighters on the job and officials on site. The device measure heart rate, body temperature and external temperatures that can help predict fatigue and prevent injuries.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe class led them to 2016\u0026rsquo;s Startup Summer. They\u0026rsquo;ll graduate in December and are currently running the company out of Sisk\u0026rsquo;s basement.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBraun, a computer engineering major, and Sisk, an electrical engineering major, brought on board Chris Ward, who earned an MBA from Georgia Tech. They are finalizing a first production run of 30 units and will conduct pilot tests at four metro Atlanta fire departments.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBefore launching the startup, Braun and Sisk entered the 2016 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/inventureprize.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EInVenture Prize\u003C\/a\u003E, Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s annual innovation competition for undergraduate students. \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.news.gatech.edu\/2016\/03\/17\/firehud-wins-2016-inventure-prize\u0022\u003EFireHUD won first place\u003C\/a\u003E and $20,000.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThat exposure has led other Georgia Tech students to ask them if it\u0026rsquo;s worth signing up for CREATE-X over other classes, clubs or internships.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We tell them that it is because the chance to bring their ideas into the world and truly leave their mark is an incredible opportunity,\u0026rdquo; Braun said. \u0026ldquo;Anyone can do CREATE-X -- all they need is an idea.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETEQ Charging\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDorrier Coleman and Isaac Wittenstein solved a main source of frustration for drivers of electric vehicles. Their startup, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.teqcharging.com\/\u0022\u003ETEQ Charging\u003C\/a\u003E, makes charging easier by allowing multiple drivers to plug their cars into a charging queue.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe company connects electric vehicle charging stations to the cloud at low cost. This allows for affordability and profitability for property owners and guarantees availability of charging stations for drivers. Seven hotels in Florida and Georgia are piloting the product.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EColeman, a computer engineering major who graduated in 2015, and Wittenstein, a mechanical engineering major who graduated in August, completed Startup Summer in 2015.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;CREATE-X introduced us to the world of startups and a new path that wasn\u0026rsquo;t on our radar at Georgia Tech,\u0026rdquo; Wittenstein said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe company\u0026rsquo;s name is short for The Electric Queue and pays tribute to Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EToday the company is part of ATDC and has three full-time employees and three Georgia Tech interns.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EColeman and Wittenstein also completed the Techstars IoT (Internet of Things) Accelerator in New York City.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWittenstein said there are a few lessons from CREATE-X the company still follows.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Never be afraid to ask others for help,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;Always be open to advice and input from others, but know that you ultimately have to make the final decision. And continually listen to your customers and what their needs are.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGimme Vending \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGimme Vending has come a long way since 2014\u0026rsquo;s Startup Summer program.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn just three years, the company has become a funded startup with 10 employees. More than 10,000 vending machines use the company\u0026rsquo;s products and thousands more are in the process of coming online, said Cory Hewett, CEO and one of the company\u0026rsquo;s founders.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.gimmevending.co\u0022\u003EGimme Vending\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;builds hardware and software mobility tools that allows companies to easily monitor the status of their cash and inventory in real-time. The company\u0026rsquo;s technology replaces cumbersome handheld devices and allows for better unattended retail management.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHewett, an electrical engineering major, left Georgia Tech in 2014 to focus on the company full-time. Evan Jarecki, the company\u0026rsquo;s chief technology officer, graduated in 2014 with a degree in electrical engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ELarger vending companies have noticed Gimme and formed partnerships to work with the young startup.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn March, Gimme partnered with Cantaloupe Systems, the vending industry\u0026rsquo;s premier provider of cloud-based mobile technologies. And in April the company announced an alliance agreement with USA Technologies, a payment technology provider of cashless and mobile transactions in self-serve retail.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHewett said one key lesson from CREATE-X still resonates with the company today.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;GOOTB \u0026ndash; \u0026lsquo;get out of the building\u0026rsquo; \u0026ndash; and talk to real people to find out their pains before you start building anything,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s trendy to say \u0026lsquo;customer discovery\u0026rsquo; but that really means getting outside of your normal area, your normal social group, to challenge your understanding of the problem and learn what real people really think.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech has helped launch nearly 70 student startups since 2014 through CREATE-X programs. These companies employ dozens of Georgians and hire Georgia Tech students as interns.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech has helped launch nearly 70 student startups since 2014 through CREATE-X programs. "}],"uid":"27918","created_gmt":"2017-08-29 18:42:49","changed_gmt":"2017-08-30 14:11:13","author":"Laura Diamond","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2017-08-29T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2017-08-29T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"537831":{"id":"537831","type":"image","title":"Tech Square","body":null,"created":"1464282000","gmt_created":"2016-05-26 17:00:00","changed":"1520359284","gmt_changed":"2018-03-06 18:01:24","alt":"","file":{"fid":"88897","name":"technology-square.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/technology-square.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/technology-square.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1995590,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/technology-square.jpeg?itok=hGpGQfth"}},"584003":{"id":"584003","type":"image","title":"CREATE-X logo - updated","body":null,"created":"1479405515","gmt_created":"2016-11-17 17:58:35","changed":"1504035420","gmt_changed":"2017-08-29 19:37:00","alt":"CREATE-X Entrepreneurial Confidence","file":{"fid":"222640","name":"CreateX-solid-1line-black+124-tag.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/CreateX-solid-1line-black%2B124-tag.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/CreateX-solid-1line-black%2B124-tag.png","mime":"image\/png","size":20375,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/CreateX-solid-1line-black%2B124-tag.png?itok=YnWmw_hr"}},"595212":{"id":"595212","type":"image","title":"FIXD","body":null,"created":"1504021962","gmt_created":"2017-08-29 15:52:42","changed":"1504021962","gmt_changed":"2017-08-29 15:52:42","alt":"","file":{"fid":"226835","name":"Consumer_11_10_16-01.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Consumer_11_10_16-01.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Consumer_11_10_16-01.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1383773,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Consumer_11_10_16-01.png?itok=MN5oHRM1"}},"595214":{"id":"595214","type":"image","title":"FireHUD","body":null,"created":"1504022133","gmt_created":"2017-08-29 15:55:33","changed":"1504022133","gmt_changed":"2017-08-29 15:55:33","alt":"","file":{"fid":"226836","name":"pic2.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/pic2.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/pic2.png","mime":"image\/png","size":128115,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/pic2.png?itok=3NbIX9Gm"}},"595215":{"id":"595215","type":"image","title":"TEQ Charging installation","body":null,"created":"1504022362","gmt_created":"2017-08-29 15:59:22","changed":"1504022362","gmt_changed":"2017-08-29 15:59:22","alt":"","file":{"fid":"226837","name":"Screen Shot 2017-04-17 at 11.22.03 AM.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-17%20at%2011.22.03%20AM.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-17%20at%2011.22.03%20AM.png","mime":"image\/png","size":5582059,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-17%20at%2011.22.03%20AM.png?itok=5Bsxk4c2"}},"595211":{"id":"595211","type":"image","title":"Gimme Vending - Cory Hewett","body":null,"created":"1504021801","gmt_created":"2017-08-29 15:50:01","changed":"1504021801","gmt_changed":"2017-08-29 15:50:01","alt":"","file":{"fid":"226834","name":"CoryHewett.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/CoryHewett.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/CoryHewett.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":411130,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/CoryHewett.jpg?itok=YUkAK8w-"}}},"media_ids":["537831","584003","595212","595214","595215","595211"],"related_links":[{"url":"http:\/\/create-x.gatech.edu","title":"CREATE-X"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"137161","name":"CREATE-X"},{"id":"169753","name":"student startups"},{"id":"89111","name":"entrepeneurship"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"},{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ELaura Diamond\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nMedia Relations\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n404-894-6016\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E@LauraRDiamond\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["laura.diamond@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"593622":{"#nid":"593622","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Interdisciplinary Approaches to Urban Challenges are Creating Smart Cities","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECities have been around for thousands of years, so urbanization is hardly a new phenomenon \u0026mdash; but it\u0026rsquo;s happening now at an unprecedented pace.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn 1950 about 30 percent of the world\u0026rsquo;s population lived in cities, a number that shot up to nearly 55 percent by 2016 and is expected to hit 60 percent by 2030, according to United Nations statistics. This dramatic growth brings challenges on a variety of fronts, transforming \u0026ldquo;smart cities\u0026rdquo; from a catchy phrase into a critical endeavor.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech has been intensifying its smart cities initiative, including membership in the national MetroLab Network and the launch of a new faculty council with members from more than a dozen university units.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Smart cities is a highly complex area, encompassing everything from resiliency and environmental sustainability to wellness and quality of life,\u0026rdquo; said Elizabeth Mynatt, executive director of Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s Institute for People and Technology (IPaT) and distinguished professor in the College of Computing, who is co-chairing the new council. \u0026ldquo;Although Georgia Tech has been working in this area for some time, we\u0026rsquo;re organizing research so we can be more holistic and have combined impact.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Instead of discrete projects, we\u0026rsquo;re moving into a programmatic approach,\u0026rdquo; agreed Jennifer Clark, associate professor of public policy and director of Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s Center for Urban Innovation. \u0026ldquo;Smart cities research touches on everything from computing and engineering to the social sciences. It\u0026rsquo;s a different way of thinking about technology \u0026mdash; not just in the private sector but also the public sector \u0026mdash; so we make cities more efficient and economically competitive places.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAuthor of an upcoming book on smart cities, Clark notes that metro areas generated nearly 91 percent of the U.S. gross national product in 2015. \u0026ldquo;Technology and economic growth are interlinked,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;Just like a world-class airport, you need a world-class IT infrastructure, and it has to be deployed in such a way that people can access it for their own economic activities, whether it\u0026rsquo;s large or small companies. We need a technological infrastructure that will work for the 21st-century economy and the centuries beyond.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EComplete article in \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.rh.gatech.edu\/features\/smart-cities\u0022\u003EResearch Horizons magazine\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECities have been around for thousands of years, so urbanization is hardly a new phenomenon \u0026mdash; but it\u0026rsquo;s happening now at an unprecedented pace.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Innovative approaches combining engineering, technology and the social sciences are boosting the urban IQ."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2017-07-20 19:13:25","changed_gmt":"2017-07-20 19:23:46","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2017-07-20T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2017-07-20T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"593620":{"id":"593620","type":"image","title":"Bright Lights, Big Technology","body":null,"created":"1500577311","gmt_created":"2017-07-20 19:01:51","changed":"1500577311","gmt_changed":"2017-07-20 19:01:51","alt":"Atlanta skyline photo","file":{"fid":"226287","name":"atlanta-skyline.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/atlanta-skyline.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/atlanta-skyline.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2452558,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/atlanta-skyline.jpg?itok=kGejUzh9"}},"593623":{"id":"593623","type":"image","title":"Bright Lights, Big Technology2","body":null,"created":"1500578588","gmt_created":"2017-07-20 19:23:08","changed":"1500578588","gmt_changed":"2017-07-20 19:23:08","alt":"","file":{"fid":"226289","name":"atlanta-skyline.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/atlanta-skyline_1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/atlanta-skyline_1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2452558,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/atlanta-skyline_1.jpg?itok=LQADgOte"}}},"media_ids":["593620","593623"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"167987","name":"smart cities"},{"id":"1695","name":"Urban"},{"id":"807","name":"environment"},{"id":"169638","name":"sensing"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39481","name":"National Security"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"584985":{"#nid":"584985","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Climate Change: Potentially Good News on Methane and Peat Carbon","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EScientists studying large, ancient carbon deposits in northern peat bogs to see if climate change might push them to emit methane, have discovered that they might not. The surprising result of a new study may be an early indicator that there is one less potentially large source of a powerful greenhouse gas in Earth\u0026rsquo;s future.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers\u0026rsquo; findings are early results from a long-range experiment and will need to stand the test of time and further study.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EScientists from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.fsu.edu\/news\/science-technology\/2016\/12\/13\/study-warming-global-temperatures-may-not-affect-carbon-stored-deep-northern-peatlands\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EFlorida State University\u003C\/a\u003E, the University of Oregon, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the USDA Forest Service Northwest Station published a paper with the findings on Tuesday, December 13, 2016, in \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/ncomms13723\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ethe journal\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ENature Communications\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENightmarish hypothesis\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAs global warming progresses, a hypothesis has held that methane may rise into the atmosphere from ancient layers of dead peat in cold, northern bogs to make climate change even worse.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThese underground carbon stores have built up for some 10,000 years, and hold about 30 percent of Earth\u0026rsquo;s total 1,500 billion tons of organic soil carbon. That total is as much carbon as is currently in Earth\u0026rsquo;s atmosphere.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EScientists have feared climate change may lead microbes to digest the carbon stores and belch out carbon dioxide, and also methane, a particularly potent greenhouse gas that traps about 45 times as much heat as carbon dioxide. That would significantly exacerbate global warming.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBut these latest results appear to allay those fears, should the findings hold up over time.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EEcological conditions in boreal peat bogs have helped create these underground carbon stores by allowing peat moss, or \u003Cem\u003ESphagnum\u003C\/em\u003E, and other plants to absorb more greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere than the rest of the bog ecosystem emits. But that could change, if rising temperatures boost greenhouse gas emissions, and the bogs could switch from sinks to sources or lesser sinks.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/georgiatech\/sets\/72157672534383346\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMORE PHOTOS: Press handouts, all rights free for reporting on this project.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETo get a picture of possible greenhouse gas consequences, the U.S. Department of Energy is \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.rh.gatech.edu\/features\/shaking-sleeping-bog-monster\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Emethodically heating parts of a bog in northern Minnesota for a 10-year period\u003C\/a\u003E to mimic various climate change scenarios. The experiment is called the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/tes.science.energy.gov\/research\/spruce.shtml\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESPRUCE\u003C\/a\u003E project, which stands for Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Climate and Environmental Change.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFindings from the experiment should not be confused with those from studies of thawing permafrost, which contains soil carbon with different potentials for producing methane.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPleasant surprise\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAfter about the first year of heating bog plots, methane emissions did rise significantly, but they came from the thinner layer of peat at the bog\u0026rsquo;s surface. They did not come streaming out of the massive layers of deep peat soil carbon as had been hypothesized.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThat came as a pleasant surprise to the scientists, including Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s Joel Kostka, a microbiologist studying the activity of microbes in the carbon cycle at SPRUCE.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;If the release of greenhouse gasses is not enhanced by temperature of the deep peat, that\u0026rsquo;s great news,\u0026rdquo; Kostka said, \u0026ldquo;because that means that if all other things remain as they are, that the deep peat carbon remains in the soil.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETo mimic what was observed in the field, University of Oregon researchers tested deep peat under anaerobic conditions in the lab, and it tenaciously hung on to its solid carbon.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EQuiet microbes\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EKostka, a professor at Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/biosci.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, and postdoctoral assistant Max Kolton also heated samples to check for corresponding activity by microbes called methanogens that are known to produce methane under anaerobic conditions. The results will be submitted for future publication, but they add interesting depth to the current published results.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We took ancient peat out from different depths, incubated it in the lab, and at one to two meters\u0026rsquo; depth, we saw very few changes in microbial activity and little methane coming out,\u0026rdquo; Kostka said. That concurred with the profiling of methanogen DNA in samples taken on site at SPRUCE in the deep peat, results that were published in the current paper.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBut what makes the solid carbon in deep peat in boreal wetlands apparently so stable? Kostka and SPRUCE colleagues are researching to find out.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Is it mainly because it\u0026rsquo;s wet, and therefore there\u0026rsquo;s not much oxygen in the soil? Is it because it\u0026rsquo;s acidic?\u0026rdquo; Kostka asked. \u0026ldquo;Is it because it\u0026rsquo;s cold? Or is it, in large part, because of organic matter recalcitrance, meaning the type of carbon that is produced by the peat moss actually poisons microbial activity? Right now our hypothesis is it\u0026rsquo;s the last one.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA potentially nasty caveat\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EEven with that good news, a rise in methane coming from top layers of peat could someday be harmful to Earth\u0026rsquo;s climate, if it\u0026rsquo;s more than a passing phenomenon. \u0026ldquo;That could contribute to climate change because methane has such a high warming potential,\u0026rdquo; Kostka said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ELab experiments confirmed the rise in surface layer peat methane emissions observed at SPRUCE.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;In the lab, our colleagues at the University of Oregon measured more methane at higher temperatures from the surface peat,\u0026rdquo; Kostka said. In the field, Kostka and Kolton also found a high number of genetic fragments associated with methane-producing enzymes in that upper layer of peat, corroborating methanogen microbes as the source of the methane.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u0026rsquo;s too early to tell if those emissions will continue and what net effect they will have. Scientists working at SPRUCE will glean more insights into warming\u0026rsquo;s possible generation of methane and also CO\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E in northern bogs, as the 10-year experiment progresses.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESPRUCE\u0026rsquo;s findings will be factored into computational climate simulations to increase their scope.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.rh.gatech.edu\/features\/shaking-sleeping-bog-monster\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EREAD: Comprehensive background article on SPRUCE including Kostka\u0026rsquo;s work on the project\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAuthors of the research paper included: R.M. Wilson and J.P. Chanton from Florida State University; A.M. Hopple, L. Pfeifer-Meister and S.D. Bridgham from the University of Oregon; M.M. Tfaily from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; S.D. Sebestyen and R. Kolka from the USDA Forest Service; C.W. Schadt, L.A. Kluber, N.A. Griffiths and P.J. Hanson from Oak Ridge National Laboratory; C. Medvedeff and J.K. Keller from Schimd College of Science and Technology; and T.P. Guilderson from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The research was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (contracts DE-AC05-00OR22725, DE-SC0012088, DE-SC0008092, DE-SC0012088). \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAny opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsoring agencies\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Science synopsis: Warming triggers no significant additional methane from anaerobic deep peat (catotelm), in northern peat bog and in lab experiments"}],"field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Soil carbon stored in peat bogs may not convert to greenhouse gasses in the face of global warming."}],"uid":"31759","created_gmt":"2016-12-13 16:09:24","changed_gmt":"2017-07-13 15:16:05","author":"Ben Brumfield","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-12-13T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2016-12-13T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"584959":{"id":"584959","type":"image","title":"SPRUCE climate change experiment enclosure exterior","body":null,"created":"1481641420","gmt_created":"2016-12-13 15:03:40","changed":"1481641420","gmt_changed":"2016-12-13 15:03:40","alt":"","file":{"fid":"223030","name":"enclosure.ext_.beauty.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/enclosure.ext_.beauty.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/enclosure.ext_.beauty.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":7792326,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/enclosure.ext_.beauty.jpg?itok=3mF82ULd"}},"584960":{"id":"584960","type":"image","title":"Professor Joel Kostka and postdoctoral assistant Max Kolton at SPRUCE","body":null,"created":"1481641745","gmt_created":"2016-12-13 15:09:05","changed":"1481641745","gmt_changed":"2016-12-13 15:09:05","alt":"","file":{"fid":"223031","name":"Kostka.Kolton.beauty.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Kostka.Kolton.beauty.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Kostka.Kolton.beauty.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4557203,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Kostka.Kolton.beauty.jpg?itok=HXKDdQaH"}},"584972":{"id":"584972","type":"image","title":"Peat moss floor of a boreal bog in Minnesota","body":null,"created":"1481643511","gmt_created":"2016-12-13 15:38:31","changed":"1481643578","gmt_changed":"2016-12-13 15:39:38","alt":"","file":{"fid":"223032","name":"hummocks.small_.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/hummocks.small_.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/hummocks.small_.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4337826,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/hummocks.small_.jpg?itok=slVvzuJo"}},"584979":{"id":"584979","type":"image","title":"Tubes leading to ground water at SPRUCE","body":null,"created":"1481644697","gmt_created":"2016-12-13 15:58:17","changed":"1481644697","gmt_changed":"2016-12-13 15:58:17","alt":"","file":{"fid":"223033","name":"water.samp_.small_.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/water.samp_.small_.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/water.samp_.small_.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4073012,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/water.samp_.small_.jpg?itok=4j6XSHCU"}},"318081":{"id":"318081","type":"image","title":"Spruce and Peatland Response Under Climatic and Environmental Change (SPRUCE)","body":null,"created":"1449244974","gmt_created":"2015-12-04 16:02:54","changed":"1475895027","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:50:27","alt":"Spruce and Peatland Response Under Climatic and Environmental Change (SPRUCE)","file":{"fid":"199994","name":"kostka.news_.2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/kostka.news_.2_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/kostka.news_.2_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":69236,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/kostka.news_.2_0.jpg?itok=DBSmdufr"}}},"media_ids":["584959","584960","584972","584979","318081"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1316","name":"Green Buzz"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"}],"keywords":[{"id":"831","name":"climate change"},{"id":"791","name":"Global Warming"},{"id":"12800","name":"methane"},{"id":"7508","name":"carbon dioxide"},{"id":"7454","name":"CO2"},{"id":"172965","name":"CH4"},{"id":"172956","name":"boreal peatland"},{"id":"172957","name":"peat"},{"id":"172963","name":"peat bog"},{"id":"172961","name":"soil carbon"},{"id":"20131","name":"Joel Kostka"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"565931":{"#nid":"565931","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Turning Ideas into Successful Startups","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EInstead of interning at established companies this summer, a group of Georgia Tech students launched their own startups.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe 20 teams who participated in \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/startupsummer.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EStartup Summer\u003C\/a\u003E will demonstrate their products and services Tuesday starting at 4:30pm in the Egyptian Ballroom of the Fox Theatre.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EStartup Summer is one of three main programs under the umbrella of CREATE-X, a Georgia Tech initiative to enhance and support entrepreneurship programs for undergraduate students. It is just one way the Institute is preparing the nation\u0026rsquo;s next entrepreneurs.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis is the third cohort of teams to go through the 12-week Startup Summer program. If the past is any indication, many of the teams will continue to succeed long after the program ends.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThree program graduates \u0026ndash; FIXD, Gimme Vending and TEQ Charging \u0026ndash; were among 10 emerging companies selected to participate in The Bridge:Atlanta, a startup commercialization program established by Coca-Cola to foster connections and create mentorships between entrepreneurs and established corporations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOthers Startup Summer graduates joined Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/atdc.org\u0022\u003EAdvanced Technology Development Center\u003C\/a\u003E, a statewide technology incubator.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHere\u0026rsquo;s a look at five past Startup Summer teams:\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKeeping Cars \u0026lsquo;FIXD\u0026rsquo;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDrivers tense up when the check engine light come on. They wonder if the car is OK to drive or if it will be expensive to fix.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/fixdapp.com\u0022\u003EFIXD\u003C\/a\u003E helps drivers quickly understand what\u0026rsquo;s wrong with their cars.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe FIXD sensor is plugged into a car\u0026rsquo;s diagnostics port, located just underneath the steering wheel. It relays problems to an app via Bluetooth. It provides a simple definition of what is wrong, explains the severity of the issue and warns of the consequences of driving without repairs. The device will also keep track of the vehicle\u0026rsquo;s diagnostics and let owners know when their car is due for maintenance.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe company was part of the inaugural Startup Summer class in 2014. Since then they\u0026rsquo;ve completed a successful Kickstarter campaign and are selling\u0026nbsp;the FIXD sensor through their website and on\u0026nbsp;Amazon.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe startup isn\u0026rsquo;t just targeting individual drivers. John Gattuso, the company\u0026rsquo;s CEO and a graduate of\u0026nbsp;the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, said\u0026nbsp;the device also benefits dealership service departments and auto repair shops.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor example,\u0026nbsp;FIXD enables dealership service departments to monitor customers\u0026#39; vehicles through a dashboard.\u0026nbsp;The dealership\u0026#39;s dashboard allows for the service departments to communicate with customers via the FIXD app on their smartphones.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ERepair shops can give it to their customers so they can can easily schedule repairs and maintenance.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFIXD is currently working with\u0026nbsp;Kuhn Volkswagen of Marietta, Georgia, and RPM Automotive, a repair shop in Jacksonville, Florida, with 10 stores.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Startup Summer helped us lay an amazing foundation for FIXD and gave us the confidence to pursue our startup full-time,\u0026rdquo; said Gattuso, who graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. \u0026ldquo;Even though we have graduated from Tech, we still rely\u0026nbsp;heavily\u0026nbsp;on the mentors and advisors that we met during our time in Startup Summer.\u0026quot;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERevolutionizing Vending Machines\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECory Hewett knew from experience the problems vending machine companies face.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBy the time he graduated high school, Hewett had owned and managed more than 25 gumball and vending machines.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIt was during his time at Georgia Tech that Hewett co-founded a solution to allow vending machine operators to track what is happening in the field in real-time.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.gimmevending.co\u0022\u003EGimme Vending\u003C\/a\u003E developed a hardware and software solution that allows companies to replace their handhelds and easily monitor the status of their cash and inventory.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe devices work with the existing vending management software. The Gimme Key is installed into each vending machine\u0026rsquo;s DEX board and left there. It installs in seconds, with no tools or pairing. Data is communicated wirelessly from the key to the Gimme Drive app via Bluetooth. The data instantaneously uploads from the app to the Gimme Vending cloud and can be immediately accessible to executives. This provides operators faster service and fewer returns, and streamlines inventory.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHewett, who studied electrical engineering, was also part of the first group of teams to go through Startup Summer.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESince then the startup has won $50,000 at the Technology Association of Georgia\u0026#39;s Business Launch Competition and received $450,000 in seed funding.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn April the company won the Automatic Merchandiser 2016 Readers\u0026#39; Choice New Product of the Year Award.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAlso in April, the company received its first invention patent -- for its method of wirelessly communicating data from vending machines even when there is no network connection.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Gimme has made a significant impact on the vending industry in a short period of time, and is staged to further disrupt the industry in a positive way,\u0026rdquo; Hewett said. \u0026ldquo;We provide our customers with the data they need to operate more efficiently and profitably.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELet Them Eat Bugs\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAs students at Georgia Tech, cousins Sean Warner and Patrick Pittaluga transformed the laundry room inside their apartment into a nursery for 700 larvae of black soldier flies.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIt marked the beginning of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/grubblyfarms.com\u0022\u003EGrubbly Farms\u003C\/a\u003E, a startup company that breeds and sells the larvae as a sustainable source of protein for chicken, pigs and farmed seafood.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe country produces more than 30 million tons of food waste that is dumped into landfills and releases greenhouse gases that damage the environment. But Grubbly Farms is collecting the organic waste and feeding it to the black soldier fly larvae.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAs the larvae eat, they excrete a nutrient-rich fertilizer that benefits gardeners and farmers. The larvae are later used as feed for fish and poultry farms.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWarner and Pittaluga knew that famers in Europe and Africa use black soldier fly larvae as a protein in livestock feed and wondered if famers in the U.S. would be willing to do the same. So as part of last year\u0026rsquo;s Startup Summer they travelled around the state and country to talk with chicken and fish famers to better understand the needs of the market and potential customers.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We had the idea but CREATE-X gave us the skills and ability to launch our startup,\u0026rdquo; said Pittaluga, who graduate with a degree in business.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWarner graduated with a degree in building construction.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EShortly after Startup Summer ended they attended the 2015 Kairos Global Summit, which highlighted 50 innovative startups from around the world.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ELast year the company partnered with Kennesaw State University to conduct research and development in a greenhouse on the university\u0026rsquo;s farm.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThey recently moved into a 5,500-square-foot facility in Doraville and are getting ready to hire their first employee.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGrow Your Own Food\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ERuwan Subasinghe grew tired of his produce and herbs going bad before he could eat it all. He wanted fresh food but didn\u0026rsquo;t have the time or space for a garden.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EInstead he co-invented a machine to let people grow their own fresh produce right in their kitchens.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETogether with Alex Weiss they launched \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.replantable.com\u0022\u003EReplantable\u003C\/a\u003E, the startup behind the Nanofarm, a tiny modular farm that fits on a kitchen countertop. It grows vegetables, herbs and salad greens.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Nanofarm cabinet includes a water tray, LED grow lights and a plant pad. The plant pads are soil-free, pre-seeded paper and fabric pads that contain the plant nutrients. The pads go on top of a water-filled growing tray, where they wick up water during the growing cycle. A built-in ventilation system pumps carbon dioxide to the plants and vents oxygen into the home.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EUnlike other products to come out of Startup Summer this one doesn\u0026rsquo;t require an app or depend on a smartphone or computer to work.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Nanofarm\u0026rsquo;s frame is built from powder-coated steel and natural wood. The door is\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003Emade of tinted glass and the door handle and hinge are made of marine-grade aluminum. It has three dials: one selects the length of the growing period, another starts the unit and a final light is lit when it\u0026rsquo;s time to harvest.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESubasinghe described the device as \u0026ldquo;set it and forget it.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;There is no seeding or watering or adding nutrients and you don\u0026rsquo;t have to adjust the light,\u0026rdquo; he said. \u0026ldquo;After you hit start it will do all the work and let you know when it\u0026rsquo;s time to harvest.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA group of beta testers spent about seven months using the device. The startup is planning to officially launch the Nanofarm this week on Kickstarter.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to Charge EVs\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile in different classes at Georgia Tech, Dorrier Coleman, Josh Lieberman and Isaac Wittenstein experimented with electric vehicles and their growing market.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThey quickly identified a main source of frustration for drivers and owners of these vehicles: seeing one car plugged in to a charger all day while other drivers wait their turn.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe three pooled their knowledge and created a power management system for electric vehicle chargers. \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.teqcharging.com\u0022\u003ETEQ Charging\u003C\/a\u003E aims to make charging easy and hassle free by allowing multiple drivers to plug their cars into a charging queue.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe company\u0026rsquo;s name is short for The Electric Queue and pays tribute to Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA software system queues the power from one car to the next throughout the day. Although every car may be plugged into the charger, the company\u0026rsquo;s patent-pending algorithms place each connected car in a queue. Each charger turns on and off in the most efficient order to maximize the number of cars that can be charged during a specific period of time.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMeanwhile the TEQ app helps vehicle owners find open chargers.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThey went through Startup Summer last year and began live testing the system in June at the Newberger Andes Offices offices, located on Roswell Road and I-285.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResults from beta testing will allow the company to further develop the technology. Wittenstein said they plan to talk with users to get their thoughts on the charging system and learn what improvements and changes they\u0026rsquo;d like to see.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Georgia Tech gave us the opportunity to be where we are right now,\u0026rdquo; said Lieberman, the CEO of TEQ. \u0026ldquo;Without all the support and programs, we would not have been able to define and develop our business.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe 20 teams participating in this year\u0026rsquo;s Startup Summer programs will demonstrate their products Tuesday at the Fox Theatre. The 12-week program helps student teams launch startups based on their ideas and prototypes. 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Replantable","file":{"fid":"206897","name":"replantable.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/replantable.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/replantable.png","mime":"image\/png","size":2242203,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/replantable.png?itok=TAhu442q"}},"565241":{"id":"565241","type":"image","title":"TEQ Charging Beta Testing","body":null,"created":"1471551086","gmt_created":"2016-08-18 20:11:26","changed":"1475895371","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:56:11","alt":"TEQ Charging Beta Testing","file":{"fid":"206899","name":"teqchargingbetasite.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/teqchargingbetasite.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/teqchargingbetasite.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":53479,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/teqchargingbetasite.jpg?itok=IAlFD7de"}}},"media_ids":["584003","584003","464161","404521","565261","565221","565241"],"related_links":[{"url":"http:\/\/create-x.gatech.edu\/front","title":"CREATE-X"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"}],"keywords":[{"id":"137161","name":"CREATE-X"},{"id":"3472","name":"entrepreneurship"},{"id":"166972","name":"startup summer"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"},{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"},{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ELaura Diamond\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nMedia Relations\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n404-894-6016\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E@LauraRDiamond\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["laura.diamond@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"593303":{"#nid":"593303","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Meniscus-Assisted Technique Produces High Efficiency Perovskite PV Films","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new low-temperature solution printing technique allows fabrication of high-efficiency perovskite solar cells with large crystals intended to minimize current-robbing grain boundaries. The meniscus-assisted solution printing (MASP) technique boosts power conversion efficiencies to nearly 20 percent by controlling crystal size and orientation.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe process, which uses parallel plates to create a meniscus of ink containing the metal halide perovskite precursors, could be scaled up to rapidly generate large areas of dense crystalline film on a variety of substrates, including flexible polymers. Operating parameters for the fabrication process were chosen by using a detailed kinetics study of perovskite crystals observed throughout their formation and growth cycle.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We used a meniscus-assisted solution printing technique at low temperature to craft high quality perovskite films with much improved optoelectronic performance,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/faculty\/lin\u0022\u003EZhiqun Lin\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Materials Science and Engineerin\u003C\/a\u003Eg at the Georgia Institute of Technology. \u0026ldquo;We began by developing a detailed understanding of crystal growth kinetics that allowed us to know how the preparative parameters should be tuned to optimize fabrication of the films.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe new technique is reported July 7 in the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature Communications\u003C\/em\u003E. The research has been supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPerovskites offer an attractive alternative to traditional materials for capturing electricity from light, but existing fabrication techniques typically produce small crystalline grains whose boundaries can trap the electrons produced when photons strike the materials. Existing production techniques for preparing large-grained perovskite films typically require higher temperatures, which is not favorable for polymer materials used as substrates \u0026ndash; which could help lower the fabrication costs and enable flexible perovskite solar cells.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESo Lin, Research Scientist Ming He and colleagues decided to try a new approach that relies on capillary action to draw perovskite ink into a meniscus formed between two nearly parallel plates approximately 300 microns apart. The bottom plate moves continuously, allowing solvent to evaporate at the meniscus edge to form crystalline perovskite. As the crystals form, fresh ink is drawn into the meniscus using the same physical process that forms a coffee ring on an absorbent surface such as paper.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Because solvent evaporation triggers the transport of precursors from the inside to the outside, perovskite precursors accumulate at the edge of the meniscus and form a saturated phase,\u0026rdquo; Lin explained. \u0026ldquo;This saturated phase leads to the nucleation and growth of crystals. Over a large area, we see a flat and uniform film having high crystallinity and dense growth of large crystals.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETo establish the optimal rate for moving the plates, the distance between plates and the temperature applied to the lower plate, the researchers studied the growth of perovskite crystals during MASP. Using movies taken through an optical microscope to monitor the grains, they discovered that the crystals first grow at a quadratic rate, but slow to a linear rate when they began to impinge on their neighbors.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;When the crystals run into their neighbors, that affects their growth,\u0026rdquo; noted He. \u0026ldquo;We found that all of the grains we studied followed similar growth dynamics and grew into a continuous film on the substrate.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe MASP process generates relatively large crystals \u0026ndash; 20 to 80 microns in diameter \u0026ndash; that cover the substrate surface. Having a dense structure with fewer crystals minimizes the gaps that can interrupt the current flow, and reduces the number of boundaries that can trap electrons and holes and allow them to recombine.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EUsing films produced with the MASP process, the researchers have built solar cells that have power conversion efficiencies averaging 18 percent \u0026ndash; with some as high as 20 percent. The cells have been tested with more than 100 hours of operation without encapsulation. \u0026ldquo;The stability of our MASP film is improved because of the high quality of the crystals,\u0026rdquo; Lin said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDoctor-blading is one of the conventional perovskite fabrication techniques in which higher temperatures are used to evaporate the solvent. Lin and his colleagues heated their substrate to only about 60 degrees Celsius, which would be potentially compatible with polymer substrate materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESo far, the researchers have produced centimeter-scale samples, but they believe the process could be scaled up and applied to flexible substrates, potentially facilitating roll-to-roll continuous processing of the perovskite materials. That could help lower the cost of producing solar cells and other optoelectronic devices.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The meniscus-assisted solution printing technique would have advantages for flexible solar cells and other applications requiring a low-temperature continuous fabrication process,\u0026rdquo; Lin added. \u0026ldquo;We expect the process could be scaled up to produce high throughput, large-scale perovskite films.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAmong the next steps are fabricating the films on polymer substrates, and evaluating other unique properties (e.g., thermal and piezotronic) of the material.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis research was supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (MURI FA9550-14-1-0037; FA9550-16-1-0187) and National Science Foundation (CMMI-1562075). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsoring agencies.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Ming He, Bo Li, Xun Cui, Beibei Jiang, Yanjie He, Yihuang Chen, Daniel O\u0026rsquo;Neil, Paul Szymanski, Mostafa A. EI-Sayed, Jinsong Huang and Zhiqun Lin, \u0026ldquo;Meniscus-assisted solution printing of large-grained perovskite films for high-efficiency solar cells,\u0026rdquo; (Nature Communications, 2017). \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/ncomms16045\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/ncomms16045\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia \u0026nbsp;30332-0181 \u0026nbsp;USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Assistance\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu) or Ben Brumfield (404-385-1933) (ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new low-temperature solution printing technique allows fabrication of high-efficiency perovskite solar cells with large crystals intended to minimize current-robbing grain boundaries. The meniscus-assisted solution printing (MASP) technique boosts power conversion efficiencies to nearly 20 percent by controlling crystal size and orientation.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A new technique produces perovskite photovoltaic materials at low temperature."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2017-07-07 15:47:59","changed_gmt":"2017-07-07 15:52:45","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2017-07-07T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2017-07-07T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"593294":{"id":"593294","type":"image","title":"Perovskite crystal grains","body":null,"created":"1499441349","gmt_created":"2017-07-07 15:29:09","changed":"1499441373","gmt_changed":"2017-07-07 15:29:33","alt":"Microscope image of perovskite crytal grains","file":{"fid":"226146","name":"MASP-1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/MASP-1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/MASP-1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4416548,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/MASP-1.jpg?itok=RdaydMJr"}},"593296":{"id":"593296","type":"image","title":"Meniscus-assisted solution printing","body":null,"created":"1499441507","gmt_created":"2017-07-07 15:31:47","changed":"1499441522","gmt_changed":"2017-07-07 15:32:02","alt":"Meniscus-assisted solution printing experimentla setup","file":{"fid":"226147","name":"meniscus-assisted-1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/meniscus-assisted-1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/meniscus-assisted-1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":514115,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/meniscus-assisted-1.jpg?itok=ChSNDIg5"}},"593297":{"id":"593297","type":"image","title":"Zhiqun Lin research laboratory","body":null,"created":"1499441655","gmt_created":"2017-07-07 15:34:15","changed":"1499441655","gmt_changed":"2017-07-07 15:34:15","alt":"Zhiqun Lin and Ming He in Lin\u0027s laboratory","file":{"fid":"226148","name":"meniscus-assisted-4.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/meniscus-assisted-4.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/meniscus-assisted-4.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":423686,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/meniscus-assisted-4.jpg?itok=Xhq4NSpT"}},"593298":{"id":"593298","type":"image","title":"Studying perovskite crytals produced with MASP","body":null,"created":"1499441802","gmt_created":"2017-07-07 15:36:42","changed":"1499441802","gmt_changed":"2017-07-07 15:36:42","alt":"Optical microscope studying samples produced with MASP","file":{"fid":"226149","name":"meniscus-assisted-7.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/meniscus-assisted-7.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/meniscus-assisted-7.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":473374,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/meniscus-assisted-7.jpg?itok=wCort6ob"}},"593300":{"id":"593300","type":"image","title":"Schematic of meniscus-assisted solution printing technique","body":null,"created":"1499441912","gmt_created":"2017-07-07 15:38:32","changed":"1499441912","gmt_changed":"2017-07-07 15:38:32","alt":"Schematic of meniscus-assisted solution printing","file":{"fid":"226151","name":"meniscus-plates.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/meniscus-plates.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/meniscus-plates.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":132383,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/meniscus-plates.jpg?itok=GrtuAuNb"}}},"media_ids":["593294","593296","593297","593298","593300"],"groups":[{"id":"217141","name":"Georgia Tech Materials Institute"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"174838","name":"perovskite"},{"id":"174851","name":"perovskite crystal"},{"id":"1073","name":"photovoltaic"},{"id":"174852","name":"meniscus"},{"id":"174846","name":"meniscus-assisted solution printing"},{"id":"67921","name":"Zhiqun Lin"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"592837":{"#nid":"592837","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Haitian Initiative Receives \u2018Energetic\u2019 Support from the Strategic Energy Institute","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Strategic Energy Institute participated in an initiative that will bring a new level of \u0026quot;energy\u0026quot; to the island Republic of Haiti. Created to assist in transitioning the country \u0026ldquo;from aid to trade,\u0026quot; the Business, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership (B.E.L.) Initiative is a program that provides opportunities for students, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to explore business and innovation in the United States. The Strategic Energy Institute provided insight into current renewable energy technologies that can be used in Haiti to support the country\u0026#39;s infrastructure and growth.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026quot;Energy equity is an issue in economically challenged regions of the global economy,\u0026quot; said Tim Lieuwen, executive director of the Strategic Energy Institute. \u0026quot;The hopeful outcome for the participants in the B.E.L. Initiative is to identify what is working in the United States and what could potentially work in Haiti to deliver energy to segments of the population who do not currently have access to this basic necessity.\u0026quot;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAccording to the U.S. Department of Energy, Haiti is facing two energy challenges: a broken electricity sector and dependency on charcoal. Only about one-quarter of the population has access to electricity. Even for those with access to electricity, reliability is inconsistent. By exploring renewable energy options abroad, the goal is to find educational or business solutions that will have a long-term success rate.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMax Veve, a 2015 civil engineering graduate of Georgia Tech and current U.S. ambassador for the Youth Government of Haiti, sees the opportunity for entrepreneurial growth for each of the participants. \u0026quot;The B.E.L. Initiative began with a pledge by the Georgia Haitian American Chamber of Commerce to educate 50 young Haitian leaders by 2030 for transformational change in Haiti,\u0026quot; Veve said. \u0026quot;It\u0026#39;s not realistic to assume the participants will learn everything in one lecture. The idea is that they will, however, begin to develop an understanding of how to build businesses in Haiti that provide important resources, such as off-grid energy.\u0026quot;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe focus of the initiative is for participants to understand and seek ideas in fields that will have a positive economic impact on their communities. Out of 30 applications, and after a rigorous adjudication process, the top four applicants from various regions of the country were selected for the program. At the end of the program, they will present their ideas and solutions to a panel of experts for review and feedback, including project execution and feasibility.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Strategic Energy Institute provided insight into current renewable energy technologies to a delegation from Haiti\u0026#39;s BEL Initiative that can be used to support the country\u0026#39;s infrastructure and growth.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Energy equity and renewable solutions among options to be presented during June 19 campus visit"}],"uid":"28797","created_gmt":"2017-06-20 19:00:56","changed_gmt":"2017-06-20 19:08:23","author":"Lance Wallace","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2017-06-20T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2017-06-20T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"592836":{"id":"592836","type":"image","title":"SEI Hosts Delegation from Haiti","body":null,"created":"1497984856","gmt_created":"2017-06-20 18:54:16","changed":"1497985631","gmt_changed":"2017-06-20 19:07:11","alt":"","file":{"fid":"225965","name":"SEIvisit.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/SEIvisit.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/SEIvisit.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2086638,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/SEIvisit.jpg?itok=R5tcXfPn"}}},"media_ids":["592836"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"}],"categories":[{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"167357","name":"SEI"},{"id":"8247","name":"haiti"},{"id":"174734","name":"Business Entrepreneurship and Leadership Initiative"},{"id":"174733","name":"Max Veve"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003Ejhai.james@energy.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jhai.james@energy.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"587954":{"#nid":"587954","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Triboelectric Nanogenerators Boost Mass Spectrometry Performance","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETriboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) convert mechanical energy harvested from the environment to electricity for powering small devices such as sensors or for recharging consumer electronics. Now, researchers have harnessed these devices to improve the charging of molecules in a way that dramatically boosts the sensitivity of a widely-used chemical analysis technique.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have shown that replacing conventional power supplies with \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.rh.gatech.edu\/news\/452231\/proposed-standards-triboelectric-nanogenerators-could-facilitate-comparisons\u0022\u003ETENG devices\u003C\/a\u003E for charging the molecules being analyzed can boost the sensitivity of mass spectrometers to unprecedented levels. The improvement also allows identification to be done with smaller sample volumes, potentially conserving precious biomolecules or chemical mixtures that may be available only in minute quantities.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThough the mechanism by which the enhancement takes place requires more study, the researchers believe the unique aspects of the TENG output \u0026ndash; oscillating high voltage and controlled current \u0026ndash; allow improvements in the ionization process, increasing the voltage applied without damaging samples or the instrument. The research, which was supported by the National Science Foundation, NASA Astrobiology Program and the Department of Energy, is reported February 27 in the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature Nanotechnology\u003C\/em\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Our discovery is basically a new and very controlled way of putting charge onto molecules,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/Fernandez\/Facundo%20M.\u0022\u003EFacundo Fern\u0026aacute;ndez\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chemistry.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E who uses mass spectrometry to study everything from small drug molecules to large proteins. \u0026quot;We know exactly how much charge we produce using these nanogenerators, allowing us to reach sensitivity levels that are unheard-of \u0026ndash; at the zeptomole scale. We can measure down to literally hundreds of molecules without tagging.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFern\u0026aacute;ndez and his research team worked with \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/faculty\/wang\u0022\u003EZhong Lin Wang\u003C\/a\u003E, a pioneer in developing the TENG technology. Wang, a Regents professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Materials Science and Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, said the TENGs provide consistent charging levels that produce quantized ion pulses of adjustable duration, polarity and frequency.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The key here is that the total charge delivered in each cycle is entirely controlled and constant regardless of the speed at which the TENG is triggered,\u0026rdquo; said Wang, who holds the Hightower Chair in the School of Materials Science and Engineering. \u0026ldquo;This is a new direction for the triboelectric nanogenerators and opens a door for using the technology in the design of future instrumentation and equipment. This research demonstrates another practical impact of TENG technology.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMass spectrometry measures the mass-to-charge ratio of ions to identify and quantify molecules in both simple and complex mixtures. The technology is used across a broad range of scientific fields and applications, with molecules ranging from small drug compounds on up to large biomolecules. Mass spectrometry is used in biomedicine, food science, homeland security, systems biology, drug discovery and other areas.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBut in conventional electrospray mass spec techniques, as much as 99 percent of the sample can be wasted during ionization, said Fern\u0026aacute;ndez, who holds the Vasser Woolley Foundation Chair in Bioanalytical Chemistry. That\u0026rsquo;s largely because in conventional systems, the mass analysis process is pulsed or scanned, while the ionization of samples is continuous. The new TENG pulsed power source allows scientists to time the ionization to match what\u0026rsquo;s happening inside the mass spectrometer, specifically within a component known as the mass analyzer.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBeyond improved sensitivity and the ability to analyze very small sample quantities, the new technique also allows ion deposition on surfaces, even non-conducting ones. That\u0026rsquo;s because the oscillating ionization produces a sequence of alternating positive and negative charges, producing a net neutral surface, Fern\u0026aacute;ndez said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMass spectrometers require large amounts of power for creating the vacuum essential to measuring the mass-to-charge ratio of each molecule. While it\u0026rsquo;s possible that future TENG devices could power an entire miniature mass spectrometer, the TENG devices are now used just to ionize samples.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The nanogenerators could eliminate a big chunk of the mass spectrometer system because they wouldn\u0026rsquo;t need a more powerful device for making the ions,\u0026rdquo; Fern\u0026aacute;ndez said. \u0026ldquo;This could be particularly applicable to conditions that are extreme and harsh, such as on a battlefield or in space, where you would need a very robust and self-contained unit.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETriboelectric nanogenerators, developed by Wang in 2012, use a combination of the triboelectric effect and electrostatic induction to generate small amounts of electrical power from mechanical motion such as rotation, sliding or vibration. The triboelectric effect takes advantage of the fact that certain materials become electrically charged after they come into moving contact with a surface made from a different material. Wang and his research team have developed TENGs with four different working modes, including a rotating disc that may be ideal for high throughput mass spectrometry experiments. This paper is the first publication about an application of TENG to an advanced instrument.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWang\u0026rsquo;s team has measured voltage levels at the mass spec ionizer of between 6,000 and 8,000 volts. Standard ionizers normally operate at less than 1,500 volts. The technology has been used with both electrospray ionization and plasma discharge ionization, with the flexibility of generating single polarity or alternating polarity ion pulses.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Because the voltage from these nanogenerators is high, we believe that the size of the sample droplets can be much smaller than with the conventional way of making ions,\u0026rdquo; Fern\u0026aacute;ndez said. \u0026ldquo;That increases the ion generation efficiency. We are operating in a completely different electrospray regime, and it could completely change the way this technology is used.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe TENG technology could be retrofitted to existing mass spectrometers, as Fern\u0026aacute;ndez has already done in his lab. With publication of the journal article, he hopes other labs will start exploring use of the TENG devices in mass spectrometry and other areas. \u0026ldquo;I see potential not only in analytical chemistry, but also in synthesis, electrochemistry and other areas that require a controlled way of producing electrical charges,\u0026rdquo; Fern\u0026aacute;ndez said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research was initiated by postdoctoral fellows in the two laboratory groups, Anyin Li and Yunlong Zi. \u0026ldquo;This project really shows how innovation can happen at the boundaries between different disciplines when scientists are free to pursue new ideas,\u0026rdquo; Fern\u0026aacute;ndez added.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis work was jointly supported by NSF and the NASA Astrobiology Program, under the NSF Center for Chemical Evolution, CHE-1504217. Research was also supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Sciences (Award DE-FG02-07ER46394), and the National Science Foundation (DMR-1505319). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsors.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Anyin Li, Yunlong Zi, Hengyu Guo, Zhong Lin Wang, Facundo M. Fern\u0026aacute;ndez, \u0026ldquo;Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Sensitive Nano-Coulomb Molecular Mass Spectrometry,\u0026rdquo; (Nature Nanotechnology, 2016). \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/nnano.2017.17\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/nnano.2017.17\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia \u0026nbsp;30332-0181 \u0026nbsp;USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003Es: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu) or Ben Brumfield (404-385-1933) (ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETriboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) convert mechanical energy harvested from the environment to electricity for powering small devices such as sensors or for recharging consumer electronics. Now, researchers have harnessed these devices to improve the charging of molecules in a way that dramatically boosts the sensitivity of a widely-used chemical analysis technique.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers have harnessed triboelectric nanogenerators to improve the sensitivity of mass spectrometers."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2017-02-25 21:02:50","changed_gmt":"2017-02-27 17:18:26","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2017-02-27T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2017-02-27T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"587947":{"id":"587947","type":"image","title":"Improving mass spectrometry","body":null,"created":"1488054759","gmt_created":"2017-02-25 20:32:39","changed":"1488054759","gmt_changed":"2017-02-25 20:32:39","alt":"TENG generator next to mass spec device","file":{"fid":"224065","name":"mass-spec-teng4304.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/mass-spec-teng4304.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/mass-spec-teng4304.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":329115,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/mass-spec-teng4304.jpg?itok=Vw6U_1_t"}},"587948":{"id":"587948","type":"image","title":"Contact-separation triboelectric nanogenerator","body":null,"created":"1488054933","gmt_created":"2017-02-25 20:35:33","changed":"1488054933","gmt_changed":"2017-02-25 20:35:33","alt":"Contact-separation triboelectric nanogenerator","file":{"fid":"224066","name":"mass-spec-teng4338.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/mass-spec-teng4338.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/mass-spec-teng4338.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":245536,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/mass-spec-teng4338.jpg?itok=yC7bkbD_"}},"587949":{"id":"587949","type":"image","title":"Harnessing TENG devices to improve mass spec","body":null,"created":"1488055078","gmt_created":"2017-02-25 20:37:58","changed":"1488055078","gmt_changed":"2017-02-25 20:37:58","alt":"Researchers who harnessed TENG for mass spectrometry","file":{"fid":"224067","name":"mass-spec-teng4291.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/mass-spec-teng4291.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/mass-spec-teng4291.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":389793,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/mass-spec-teng4291.jpg?itok=_A0_JAKc"}},"587950":{"id":"587950","type":"image","title":"Sliding triboelectric nanogenerator","body":null,"created":"1488055217","gmt_created":"2017-02-25 20:40:17","changed":"1488055217","gmt_changed":"2017-02-25 20:40:17","alt":"Sliding triboelectric nanogenerator","file":{"fid":"224068","name":"mass-spec-teng4306.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/mass-spec-teng4306.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/mass-spec-teng4306.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":248354,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/mass-spec-teng4306.jpg?itok=Ux4I5iqN"}},"587952":{"id":"587952","type":"image","title":"Applying electrical charge2","body":null,"created":"1488055496","gmt_created":"2017-02-25 20:44:56","changed":"1488055496","gmt_changed":"2017-02-25 20:44:56","alt":"Applying electrical charge to molecules","file":{"fid":"224070","name":"mass-spec-teng4355.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/mass-spec-teng4355.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/mass-spec-teng4355.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":745134,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/mass-spec-teng4355.jpg?itok=Mx7jJgr2"}},"587951":{"id":"587951","type":"image","title":"Applying electrical charge","body":null,"created":"1488055365","gmt_created":"2017-02-25 20:42:45","changed":"1488055365","gmt_changed":"2017-02-25 20:42:45","alt":"Applying charge to molecules","file":{"fid":"224069","name":"mass-spec-teng4317.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/mass-spec-teng4317.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/mass-spec-teng4317.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":236137,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/mass-spec-teng4317.jpg?itok=7JLaQ3l0"}},"587953":{"id":"587953","type":"image","title":"Actuating mass spec with TENG","body":null,"created":"1488055614","gmt_created":"2017-02-25 20:46:54","changed":"1488055614","gmt_changed":"2017-02-25 20:46:54","alt":"","file":{"fid":"224071","name":"mass-spec-teng4755.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/mass-spec-teng4755.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/mass-spec-teng4755.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":500048,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/mass-spec-teng4755.jpg?itok=BSLE8XMT"}}},"media_ids":["587947","587948","587949","587950","587952","587951","587953"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"}],"keywords":[{"id":"3158","name":"Mass spectrometry"},{"id":"37991","name":"triboelectric"},{"id":"173582","name":"triboelectric nanogenerators"},{"id":"173583","name":"TENG"},{"id":"5819","name":"analytical chemistry"},{"id":"13751","name":"Zhong Lin Wang"},{"id":"17301","name":"Facundo Fernandez"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"587525":{"#nid":"587525","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Four-Stroke Engine Cycle Produces Hydrogen from Methane and Captures CO2","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen is an internal combustion engine not an internal combustion engine? When it\u0026rsquo;s been transformed into a modular reforming reactor that could make hydrogen available to power fuel cells wherever there\u0026rsquo;s a natural gas supply available.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBy adding a catalyst, a hydrogen separating membrane and carbon dioxide sorbent to the century-old four-stroke engine cycle, researchers have demonstrated a laboratory-scale hydrogen reforming system that produces the green fuel at relatively low temperature in a process that can be scaled up or down to meet specific needs. The process could provide hydrogen at the point of use for residential fuel cells or neighborhood power plants, electricity and power production in natural-gas powered vehicles, fueling of municipal buses or other hydrogen-based vehicles, and supplementing intermittent renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EKnown as the CO2\/H2 Active Membrane Piston (CHAMP) reactor, the device operates at temperatures much lower than conventional steam reforming processes, consumes substantially less water and could also operate on other fuels such as methanol or bio-derived feedstock. It also captures and concentrates carbon dioxide emissions, a by-product that now lacks a secondary use \u0026ndash; though that could change in the future.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EUnlike conventional engines that run at thousands of revolutions per minute, the reactor operates at only a few cycles per minute \u0026ndash; or more slowly \u0026ndash; depending on the reactor scale and required rate of hydrogen production. And there are no spark plugs because there\u0026rsquo;s no fuel combusted.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We already have a nationwide natural gas distribution infrastructure, so it\u0026rsquo;s much better to produce hydrogen at the point of use rather than trying to distribute it,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/fedorov\u0022\u003EAndrei Fedorov\u003C\/a\u003E, a Georgia Institute of Technology professor who\u0026rsquo;s been working on CHAMP since 2008. \u0026ldquo;Our technology could produce this fuel of choice wherever natural gas is available, which could resolve one of the major challenges with the hydrogen economy.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA paper published February 9 in the journal\u003Cem\u003E Industrial \u0026amp; Engineering Chemistry Research \u003C\/em\u003Edescribes the operating model of the CHAMP process, including a critical step of internally adsorbing carbon dioxide, a byproduct of the methane reforming process, so it can be concentrated and expelled from the reactor for capture, storage or utilization.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOther implementations of the system have been reported as thesis work by three Georgia Tech Ph.D. graduates since the project began in 2008. The research was supported by the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense through NDSEG fellowships, and the U.S. Civilian Research \u0026amp; Development Foundation (CRDF Global).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EKey to the reaction process is the variable volume provided by a piston rising and falling in a cylinder. As with a conventional engine, a valve controls the flow of gases into and out of the reactor as the piston moves up and down. The four-stroke system works like this:\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003ENatural gas (methane) and steam are drawn into the reaction cylinder through a valve as the piston inside is lowered. The valve closes once the piston reaches the bottom of the cylinder.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EThe piston rises into the cylinder, compressing the steam and methane as the reactor is heated. Once it reaches approximately 400 degrees Celsius, catalytic reactions take place inside the reactor, forming hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The hydrogen exits through a selective membrane, and the pressurized carbon dioxide is adsorbed by the sorbent material, which is mixed with the catalyst.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EOnce the hydrogen has exited the reactor and carbon dioxide is tied up in the sorbent, the piston is lowered, reducing the volume (and pressure) in the cylinder. The carbon dioxide is released from the sorbent into the cylinder.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EThe piston is again moved up into the chamber and the valve opens, expelling the concentrated carbon dioxide and clearing the reactor for the start of a new cycle.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;All of the pieces of the puzzle have come together,\u0026rdquo; said Fedorov, a professor in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026ldquo;The challenges ahead are primarily economic in nature. Our next step would be to build a pilot-scale CHAMP reactor.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe project was begun to address some of the challenges to the use of hydrogen in fuel cells. Most hydrogen used today is produced in a high-temperature reforming process in which methane is combined with steam at about 900 degrees Celsius. The industrial-scale process requires as many as three water molecules for every molecule of hydrogen, and the resulting low density gas must be transported to where it will be used.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFedorov\u0026rsquo;s lab first carried out thermodynamic calculations suggesting that the four-stroke process could be modified to produce hydrogen in relatively small amounts where it would be used. The goals of the research were to create a modular reforming process that could operate at between 400 and 500 degrees Celsius, use just two molecules of water for every molecule of methane to produce four hydrogen molecules, be able to scale down to meet the specific needs, and capture the resulting carbon dioxide for potential utilization or sequestration.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We wanted to completely rethink how we designed reactor systems,\u0026rdquo; said Fedorov. \u0026ldquo;To gain the kind of efficiency we needed, we realized we\u0026rsquo;d need to dynamically change the volume of the reactor vessel. We looked at existing mechanical systems that could do this, and realized that this capability could be found in a system that has had more than a century of improvements: the internal combustion engine.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe CHAMP system could be scaled up or down to produce the hundreds of kilograms of hydrogen per day required for a typical automotive refueling station \u0026ndash; or a few kilograms for an individual vehicle or residential fuel cell, Fedorov said. The volume and piston speed in the CHAMP reactor can be adjusted to meet hydrogen demands while matching the requirements for the carbon dioxide sorbent regeneration and separation efficiency of the hydrogen membrane. In practical use, multiple reactors would likely be operated together to produce a continuous stream of hydrogen at a desired production level.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We took the conventional chemical processing plant and created an analog using the magnificent machinery of the internal combustion engine,\u0026rdquo; Fedorov said. \u0026ldquo;The reactor is scalable and modular, so you could have one module or a hundred of modules depending on how much hydrogen you needed. The processes for reforming fuel, purifying hydrogen and capturing carbon dioxide emission are all combined into one compact system.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis publication is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) CBET award 0928716, which was funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5), and by award 61220 of the U.S. Civilian Research \u0026amp; Development Foundation (CRDF Global) and by the National Science Foundation under Cooperative Agreement OISE- 9531011. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of NSF or CRDF Global. Graduate work of David M. Anderson, the first author on the paper, was conducted with government support under an award by the DoD, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship, 32 CFR 168a.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: David M. Anderson, Thomas M. Yun, Peter A. Kottke and Andrei G. Fedorov, \u0026ldquo;Comprehensive Analysis of Sorption Enhanced Steam Methane Reforming in a Variable Volume Membrane Reactor,\u0026rdquo; (Industrial \u0026amp; Engineering Chemistry Research, 2017). \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1021\/acs.iecr.6b04392\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1021\/acs.iecr.6b04392\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia \u0026nbsp;30332-0181 \u0026nbsp;USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contacts\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu) or Ben Brumfield (404-385-1933) (ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen is an internal combustion engine not an internal combustion engine? When it\u0026rsquo;s been transformed into a modular reforming reactor that could make hydrogen available to power fuel cells wherever there\u0026rsquo;s a natural gas supply available.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers have developed a modular reactor able to generate hydrogen at lower temperatures than existing processes."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2017-02-16 17:17:33","changed_gmt":"2017-02-16 17:24:12","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2017-02-16T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2017-02-16T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"587521":{"id":"587521","type":"image","title":"CHAMP hydrogen reactor","body":null,"created":"1487264945","gmt_created":"2017-02-16 17:09:05","changed":"1487264945","gmt_changed":"2017-02-16 17:09:05","alt":"CHAMP reforming reactor","file":{"fid":"223907","name":"champ-reforming5.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/champ-reforming5.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/champ-reforming5.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":564752,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/champ-reforming5.jpg?itok=qhYP4EZT"}},"587522":{"id":"587522","type":"image","title":"CHAMP hydrogen reactor2","body":null,"created":"1487265035","gmt_created":"2017-02-16 17:10:35","changed":"1487265035","gmt_changed":"2017-02-16 17:10:35","alt":"","file":{"fid":"223908","name":"champ-reforming4.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/champ-reforming4.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/champ-reforming4.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":381416,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/champ-reforming4.jpg?itok=oKL22Kqp"}},"587523":{"id":"587523","type":"image","title":"CHAMP schematic","body":null,"created":"1487265103","gmt_created":"2017-02-16 17:11:43","changed":"1487265103","gmt_changed":"2017-02-16 17:11:43","alt":"Schematic of CHAMP reactor","file":{"fid":"223909","name":"champ-schematic.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/champ-schematic.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/champ-schematic.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":110795,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/champ-schematic.jpg?itok=jmEKSh8y"}}},"media_ids":["587521","587522","587523"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"7619","name":"hydrogen"},{"id":"173489","name":"hydrogen reforming"},{"id":"4253","name":"reactor"},{"id":"12800","name":"methane"},{"id":"173490","name":"CHAMP"},{"id":"2781","name":"Andrei Fedorov"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"533911":{"#nid":"533911","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Large-Scale Data Study of Super Storm Sandy Utility Damage Shows \u201cSmall\u201d Failures, Big Impact","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen Super Storm Sandy struck New York State in October 2012, the damage to the state\u0026rsquo;s electric utility infrastructure was devastating, overwhelming repair and restoration by the distribution system operators (DSOs). A new study shows the extent of the challenge faced by the upstate New York distribution grid and suggests what might be done to make the system more resilient against future storms.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe study, which required more than three years, examined power failures that affected more than 600,000 customers from four major service regions. The study showed that failures affecting small numbers of customers accounted for more than half the outage impact, defeating efforts to restore service by prioritizing repairs to substations and other major facilities \u0026ndash; a traditional recovery strategy. The research, reported April 29 in the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature Energy\u003C\/em\u003E, is believed to be the largest detailed study of failure reports for distribution grids using real data.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;System failures can affect large numbers of customers even if they occur at the distribution level of the grid and do not cascade,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/faculty-staff-directory\/chuanyi-ji\u0022\u003EChuanyi Ji\u003C\/a\u003E, an associate professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E at the Georgia Institute of Technology. \u0026ldquo;Together, these local failures can have a big non-local impact on customers. The grid simply cannot respond well to large numbers of failures.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe top 20 percent of distribution grid failures accounted for more than 80 percent of the customers affected. But even failures that each affected relatively small numbers of customers added up. A large number \u0026ndash; 89 percent \u0026ndash; of small failures, represented by the bottom 34 percent of customers and commonplace devices, resulted in 56 percent of the total cost of 28 million customer interruption hours.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;If you are just going after the big failures, the effect will be limited because there are just too many small ones that cannot be restored quickly,\u0026rdquo; Ji noted. \u0026ldquo;Together, small failures were significant in the total down time of customers.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe large-scale study used granular data provided by the Central Hudson Gas \u0026amp; Electric Corporation in Poughkeepsie; National Grid in Waltham, Massachusetts; the New York State Electric and Gas Corporation in Binghamton; Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., in Pearl River \u0026ndash; and the New York State Public Service Commission in Albany. Overall, the study examined the utility infrastructure serving nearly 51,000 square miles in the entirety of upstate New York.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBeyond the storm damage information, the researchers also examined data from day-to-day operations and studied how routine issues were handled. Those resilience issues included customer service and restoration, in addition to sporadic infrastructure failures. Two Ph.D. students from the Georgia Tech School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Yun Wei and Henry Mei, were instrumental in the data study as part of the research team. The research was supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Our analysis shows that extreme weather does not cause, but rather exacerbates, existing vulnerabilities in the infrastructure and service, which are obscured in daily operations,\u0026rdquo; Ji said. \u0026ldquo;We also saw the issues in daily operations.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers began the work with development of a non-stationary spatiotemporal random process model that linked a large number of infrastructure failures to recoveries and customer impact. The model was chosen because failure and recovery were subject to uncertainty and occurred over widely varying times and locations. The researchers believe their model could be useful to other service regions.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Super Storm Sandy was an unusual event, but we discovered that our findings about the response is broadly applicable to other states and other DSOs when we compared data from daily operations to emergency conditions,\u0026rdquo; Ji said. \u0026ldquo;The infrastructure problem is generic due to the design, and the recovery problem is also somewhat generic because the response follows a similar strategy. This highlights a larger issue of how to make the nation\u0026rsquo;s energy infrastructure and service more resilient to outside disruptions.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBecause the emphasis was on restoring service, not all the records that were obtained from the storm contained information useful to the model. Still, the study is believed to be the largest ever done based on granular failure reports across multiple service regions, and could provide a foundation for future analyses of utility data, Ji noted.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Data analysis can help utilities turn what they collect into knowledge for improving services,\u0026rdquo; she added. \u0026ldquo;The grid can be made more inherently resilient, like communication networks, so a failure in one place doesn\u0026rsquo;t cut off services for many people in the network.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Chuanyi Ji, et al., \u0026ldquo;Large-scale data analysis of power grid resilience across multiple US service regions,\u0026rdquo; (Nature Energy, 2016). \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/nenergy.2016.52\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/nenergy.2016.52\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E177 North Avenue\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAtlanta, Georgia 30332-0181 USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Assistance\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jtoon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ejtoon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E) (404-894-6986) or Ben Brumfield (\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E) (404-385-1933).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new study shows the extent of the challenge faced by the upstate New York distribution grid during Super Storm Sandy in October 2012, and suggests what might be done to make the system more resilient against future storms.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A new study shows the extent of the challenge faced by the upstate New York distribution grid during Super Storm Sandy."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2016-05-08 18:09:43","changed_gmt":"2017-02-06 15:19:06","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-05-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2016-05-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"533881":{"id":"533881","type":"image","title":"Researchers study Super Storm Sandy damage map","body":null,"created":"1462892400","gmt_created":"2016-05-10 15:00:00","changed":"1475895317","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:17","alt":"Researchers study Super Storm Sandy damage map","file":{"fid":"88779","name":"utility-recovery_3347.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/utility-recovery_3347_1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/utility-recovery_3347_1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1600390,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/utility-recovery_3347_1.jpg?itok=f6jTvQd9"}},"533901":{"id":"533901","type":"image","title":"Utility damage from Super Storm Sandy","body":null,"created":"1462892400","gmt_created":"2016-05-10 15:00:00","changed":"1475895317","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:17"}},"media_ids":["533881","533901"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1316","name":"Green Buzz"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"170238","name":"electric utility"},{"id":"436","name":"electricity"},{"id":"213","name":"energy"},{"id":"166855","name":"School of Electrical and Computer Engineering"},{"id":"170239","name":"Super Storm Sandy"},{"id":"172015","name":"utility failure"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jtoon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ejtoon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"584627":{"#nid":"584627","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Simple Processing Technique Could Cut Cost of Organic PV and Wearable Electronics","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA simple solution-based electrical doping technique could help reduce the cost of polymer solar cells and organic electronic devices, potentially expanding the applications for these technologies. By enabling production of efficient single-layer solar cells, the new process could help move organic photovoltaics into a new generation of wearable devices and enable small-scale distributed power generation.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDeveloped by researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and colleagues from three other institutions, the technique provides a new way of inducing p-type electrical doping in organic semiconductor films. The process involves briefly immersing the films in a solution at room temperature, and would replace a more complex technique that requires vacuum processing.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Our hope is that this will be a game-changer for organic photovoltaics by further simplifying the process for fabricating polymer-based solar cells,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/faculty-staff-directory\/bernard-kippelen\u0022\u003EBernard Kippelen\u003C\/a\u003E, director of Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.cope.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Organic Photonics and Electronics\u003C\/a\u003E and a professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026ldquo;We believe this technique is likely to impact many other device platforms in areas such as organic printed electronics, sensors, photodetectors and light-emitting diodes.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESponsored by the Office of Naval Research, the work was reported December 5 in the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature Materials\u003C\/em\u003E. The research also involved scientists from the University of California at Santa Barbara, Kyushu University in Japan, and the Eindhoven University of Technology in The Netherlands.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe technique consists of immersing thin films of organic semiconductors and their blends in polyoxometalate (PMA and PTA) solutions in nitromethane for a brief time \u0026ndash; on the order of minutes. The diffusion of the dopant molecules into the films during immersion leads to efficient p-type electrical doping over a limited depth of 10 to 20 nanometers from the surface of the film. The p-doped regions show increased electrical conductivity and high work function, reduced solubility in the processing solvent, and improved photo-oxidation stability in air.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis new method provides a simpler alternative to air-sensitive molybdenum oxide layers used in the most efficient polymer solar cells that are generally processed using expensive vacuum equipment. When applied to polymer solar cells, the new doping method provided efficient hole collection. For the first time, single-layer polymer solar cells were demonstrated by combining this new method with spontaneous vertical phase separation of amine-containing polymers that leads to efficient electron collection at the opposing electrode. The geometry of these new devices is unique as the functions of hole and electron collection are built into the light-absorbing active layer, resulting in the simplest single-layer geometry with few interfaces.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The realization of single-layer photovoltaics with our approach enables both electrodes in the device to be made out of low-cost conductive materials,\u0026rdquo; said Canek Fuentes-Hernandez, a senior research scientist in Kippelen\u0026rsquo;s research group. \u0026ldquo;This offers a dramatic simplification of a device geometry, and it improves the photo-oxidation stability of the donor polymer. Although lifetime and cost analysis studies are needed to assess the full impact of these innovations, they are certainly very exciting developments on the road to transform organic photovoltaics into a commercial technology.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBy simplifying the production of organic solar cells, the new processing technique could allow fabrication of solar cells in areas of Africa and Latin America that lack capital-intensive manufacturing capabilities, said Felipe Larrain, a Ph.D. student in Kippelen\u0026rsquo;s lab.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Our goal is to further simplify the fabrication of organic solar cells to the point at which every material required to fabricate them may be included in a single kit that is offered to the public,\u0026rdquo; Larrain said. \u0026ldquo;The solar cell product may be different if you are able to provide people with a solution that would allow them to make their own solar cells. It could one day enable people to power themselves and be independent of the grid.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOrganic solar cells have been studied in many academic and industrial laboratories for several decades, and have experienced a continuous and steady improvement in their power conversion efficiency with laboratory values reaching 13 percent \u0026ndash; compared to around 20 percent for commercial silicon-based cells. Though polymer-based cells are currently less efficient, they require less energy to produce than silicon cells and can be more easily recycled at the end of their lifetime.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Being able to process solar cells entirely at room temperature using this simple solution-based technique could pave the way for a scalable and vacuum-free method of device fabrication, while significantly reducing the time and cost associated with it,\u0026rdquo; said Vladimir Kolesov, a Ph.D. researcher and the paper\u0026rsquo;s lead author.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBeyond solar cells, the doping technique could be more broadly used in other areas of organic electronics, noted Ph.D. researcher Wen-Fang Chou. \u0026ldquo;With its simplicity, this is truly a promising technology offering adjustable conductivity of semiconductors that could be applied to various organic electronics, and could have huge impact on the industry for mass production.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAlso at Georgia Tech, the research involved professors Samuel Graham and Seth Marder, both from the Center for Organic Photonics and Electronics. Beyond Georgia Tech, the project also involved Naoya Aizawa from Kyushu University; Ming Wang, Guillermo Bazan and Thuc-Quyen Nguyen from the University of California Santa Barbara, and Alberto Perrotta from Eindhoven University of Technology,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis work was funded in part by the Department of the Navy, Office of Naval Research Award No. N00014-14-1-0580 and N00014-16-1-2520, through the MURI Center CAOP, Office of Naval Research Award N00014-04-1-0313 and by the Department of Energy through the Bay Area Photovoltaic Consortium under Award Number DE-EE0004946. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsors.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Vladimir A. Kolesov, et al., \u0026ldquo;Solution-based electrical doping of semiconducting polymer films over a limited depth,\u0026rdquo; (Nature Materials, 2016). \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/nmat4818\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/nmat4818\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia \u0026nbsp;30332-0181 \u0026nbsp;USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contacts\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu) or Ben Brumfield (404-385-1933) (ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA simple solution-based electrical doping technique could help reduce the cost of polymer solar cells and organic electronic devices, potentially expanding the applications for these technologies. By enabling production of efficient single-layer solar cells, the new process could help move organic photovoltaics into a new generation of wearable devices and enable small-scale distributed power generation.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A simple solution-based processing technique could help reduce the cost of polymer solar cells."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2016-12-05 16:07:37","changed_gmt":"2017-02-06 15:17:41","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-12-05T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2016-12-05T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"584616":{"id":"584616","type":"image","title":"Polymer film for organic PV","body":null,"created":"1480953081","gmt_created":"2016-12-05 15:51:21","changed":"1480953081","gmt_changed":"2016-12-05 15:51:21","alt":"Close-up of polymer film for organic PV","file":{"fid":"222900","name":"polymer-solar_1970.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/polymer-solar_1970.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/polymer-solar_1970.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":247646,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/polymer-solar_1970.jpg?itok=70_aEhOR"}},"584618":{"id":"584618","type":"image","title":"Testing single layer solar cells","body":null,"created":"1480953189","gmt_created":"2016-12-05 15:53:09","changed":"1480953189","gmt_changed":"2016-12-05 15:53:09","alt":"Testing organic solar cells","file":{"fid":"222901","name":"polymer-solar_2021.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/polymer-solar_2021.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/polymer-solar_2021.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":354521,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/polymer-solar_2021.jpg?itok=UpIGJEDP"}},"584621":{"id":"584621","type":"image","title":"Polymer film for organic PV2","body":null,"created":"1480953323","gmt_created":"2016-12-05 15:55:23","changed":"1480953323","gmt_changed":"2016-12-05 15:55:23","alt":"","file":{"fid":"222905","name":"polymer-solar_1961.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/polymer-solar_1961.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/polymer-solar_1961.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":214529,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/polymer-solar_1961.jpg?itok=7qxKcJr-"}},"584625":{"id":"584625","type":"image","title":"Electrically-doped polymer film","body":null,"created":"1480953627","gmt_created":"2016-12-05 16:00:27","changed":"1480953627","gmt_changed":"2016-12-05 16:00:27","alt":"","file":{"fid":"222909","name":"polymer-solar_1991.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/polymer-solar_1991.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/polymer-solar_1991.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2379646,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/polymer-solar_1991.jpg?itok=d9rZmxXq"}},"584622":{"id":"584622","type":"image","title":"Polymer solar cell research team","body":null,"created":"1480953435","gmt_created":"2016-12-05 15:57:15","changed":"1480981389","gmt_changed":"2016-12-05 23:43:09","alt":"Research team for polymer solar cells","file":{"fid":"222906","name":"polymer-solar_1907.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/polymer-solar_1907.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/polymer-solar_1907.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":374844,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/polymer-solar_1907.jpg?itok=DVu4Cnvp"}},"584624":{"id":"584624","type":"image","title":"Polymer solar cell research team2","body":null,"created":"1480953526","gmt_created":"2016-12-05 15:58:46","changed":"1480981434","gmt_changed":"2016-12-05 23:43:54","alt":"","file":{"fid":"222908","name":"polymer-solar_1911.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/polymer-solar_1911.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/polymer-solar_1911.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":355534,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/polymer-solar_1911.jpg?itok=R_8PVg9I"}}},"media_ids":["584616","584618","584621","584625","584622","584624"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1316","name":"Green Buzz"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"77201","name":"PV"},{"id":"169729","name":"solar cell"},{"id":"172870","name":"organic solar cell"},{"id":"1492","name":"Polymer"},{"id":"172871","name":"polymer solar cell"},{"id":"172883","name":"p-doping"},{"id":"2431","name":"Bernard Kippelen"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"586473":{"#nid":"586473","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Advanced Materials Power Next-Generation Molecular Separations","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EChemical separation processes account for as much as 15 percent of the world\u0026rsquo;s total energy consumption. Development of next-generation molecularly-selective synthetic membranes will be among the drivers for more efficient, large-scale separation processes that could dramatically reduce that number.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn a paper published this week in the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature Materials\u003C\/em\u003E, researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology identified the opportunities they see ahead for scalable membrane materials based on rigid, engineered pore structures. They say the most promising materials are scalable for use in compact modules and take advantage of entropy at the molecular level to moderate the separation selectivity of membranes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s all about energy and carbon dioxide,\u0026rdquo; said \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/faculty\/koros\u0022\u003EWilliam Koros\u003C\/a\u003E, professor and Roberto C. Goizueta Chair in Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026ldquo;Chemical separations now consume half as much energy as the entire transportation sector \u0026ndash; land, sea and air. Our goal is to assist industry to cut that by a factor of ten, which also means cutting the CO2 emissions. That\u0026rsquo;s not going to happen right away, but we have shown that the fundamentals of this technology work.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA membrane is an engineered barrier that controls the sorting of components by selectively allowing molecules of a certain size to pass between the incoming feed stream and an outgoing permeate stream. Because they don\u0026rsquo;t require large inputs of energy \u0026ndash; which usually would come from combustion of fuels \u0026ndash; use of these membranes can dramatically reduce both energy consumed and carbon dioxide produced. The membranes are made from advanced polymers, hybrid materials and molecular sieves, with pore sizes tailored for the intended use.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe success of aqueous membranes used to produce purified water demonstrates the potential for lowering energy consumption. Spiral-wound module membranes dramatically reduced the cost of producing clean water, though large size differences between water molecules and contaminants made those processes technically easier than gas and liquid organics separations.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EKoros\u0026rsquo; lab focuses on gas separations, but the article also addresses liquid separation processes. For both applications, he and co-author Chen Zhang point out that to be practical, new materials must be scalable \u0026ndash; able to be packed tightly to provide large amounts of surface area inside small modules. That is best done using hollow-fiber membranes produced using advanced versions of processes that were originally developed to make ordinary textile fibers.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;You\u0026rsquo;ve got to have something that is both high performance and able to be processed on the scale of acres per day,\u0026rdquo; said Koros, who is also a \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.gra.org\u0022\u003EGeorgia Research Alliance\u003C\/a\u003E eminent scholar in membrane technology. \u0026ldquo;Scalability is every bit as important as the capability to do the separation. Exciting materials that are the size of a postage stamp won\u0026rsquo;t make a contribution.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe two authors also argue for entropic separation techniques that are enabled by limiting the ability of molecules to diffuse through pores, depending on their molecular geometry. A molecule whose geometry makes it difficult to diffuse through a narrow opening may be excluded, while a molecule of approximately the same size but different geometry may diffuse through.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;You may ultimately be able to get the first molecule to go through, but it pays a price in entropy,\u0026rdquo; said Koros. \u0026ldquo;If a molecule has many options for passing through the membrane, it is actually in a lower energy state. When you reduce the number of options, you are raising the free energy.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch in the Koros lab has been supported for more than 20 years by the U.S. Department of Energy\u0026rsquo;s Office of Energy Science. Koros also has research projects with major energy producers and chemical companies, as well as the Georgia Research Alliance.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn their paper, Koros and Zhang, a research engineer in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, identified five materials technologies with potential for improving gas separation processes. These include:\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EFlexible polymers\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EMolecular sieves\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003ESemi-rigid polymers\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EHybrid materials\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003ECMS materials\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ELiquid separation processes also have significant opportunities for improvement based on new materials being developed. These processes include:\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EPervaporation\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EOsmotically moderated aqueous separation\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EOrganic solvent nanofiltration (OSN)\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EOrganic solvent reverse osmosis (OSRO)\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Cem\u003ENature Materials\u003C\/em\u003E article focused on progress that had been made in the technology and future potential, with highlights on recent advances in Koros lab at Georgia Tech. The goal was to encourage development of new materials and make membrane scientists aware of the most promising paths.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We want everybody to see this next-generation of materials and understand the processes that help attain the goals of reducing energy consumption and carbon dioxide production,\u0026rdquo; Koros added.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis research was supported by the Office of Energy Science of the U.S. Department of Energy (grant DE-FG02-04ER15510). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Energy.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: William J. Koros and Chen Zhang, \u0026ldquo;Materials for next-generation molecularly selective synthetic membranes,\u0026rdquo; (Nature Materials, 2017). \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/nmat4805\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/nmat4805\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia \u0026nbsp;30332-0181 \u0026nbsp;USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contacts\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (jtoon@gatech.edu) (404-894-6986) or Ben Brumfield (ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu) (404-385-1933).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EChemical separation processes account for as much as 15 percent of the world\u0026rsquo;s total energy consumption. Development of next-generation molecularly-selective synthetic membranes will be among the drivers for more efficient, large-scale separation processes that could dramatically reduce that number.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers have identified opportunities for scalable membrane materials."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2017-01-26 01:18:03","changed_gmt":"2017-01-26 01:22:08","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2017-01-25T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2017-01-25T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"586469":{"id":"586469","type":"image","title":"Polymer hollow fiber membranes","body":null,"created":"1485392606","gmt_created":"2017-01-26 01:03:26","changed":"1485393758","gmt_changed":"2017-01-26 01:22:38","alt":"Making polymer hollow fiber membranes","file":{"fid":"223514","name":"membrane-progress-036.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/membrane-progress-036.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/membrane-progress-036.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":416633,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/membrane-progress-036.jpg?itok=9GKmhTvC"}},"586470":{"id":"586470","type":"image","title":"Hollow fiber module","body":null,"created":"1485392733","gmt_created":"2017-01-26 01:05:33","changed":"1485393791","gmt_changed":"2017-01-26 01:23:11","alt":"A hollow fiber module","file":{"fid":"223515","name":"membrane-progress_4927.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/membrane-progress_4927.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/membrane-progress_4927.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":434305,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/membrane-progress_4927.jpg?itok=wA1njo0_"}},"586471":{"id":"586471","type":"image","title":"Membrane scientists Koros and Zhang","body":null,"created":"1485392853","gmt_created":"2017-01-26 01:07:33","changed":"1485393772","gmt_changed":"2017-01-26 01:22:52","alt":"Researchers Koros and Zhang","file":{"fid":"223516","name":"membrane-progress_4951.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/membrane-progress_4951.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/membrane-progress_4951.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":495516,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/membrane-progress_4951.jpg?itok=LhinI3SH"}},"586472":{"id":"586472","type":"image","title":"Carbon fiber bundle","body":null,"created":"1485393019","gmt_created":"2017-01-26 01:10:19","changed":"1485393742","gmt_changed":"2017-01-26 01:22:22","alt":"Carbon fiber bundle","file":{"fid":"223517","name":"fiber-bundle.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/fiber-bundle.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/fiber-bundle.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":558422,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/fiber-bundle.jpg?itok=CuIML_zD"}}},"media_ids":["586469","586470","586471","586472"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"169566","name":"separation"},{"id":"173309","name":"molecular separation"},{"id":"2177","name":"membranes"},{"id":"1692","name":"materials"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"586188":{"#nid":"586188","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Low-Cost Technique Converts Bulk Alloys to Oxide Nanowires","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA simple technique for producing oxide nanowires directly from bulk materials could dramatically lower the cost of producing the one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures. That could open the door for a broad range of uses in lightweight structural composites, advanced sensors, electronic devices \u0026ndash; and thermally-stable and strong battery membranes able to withstand temperatures of more than 1,000 degrees Celsius.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe technique uses a solvent reaction with a bimetallic alloy \u0026ndash; in which one of the metals is reactive \u0026ndash; to form bundles of nanowires (nanofibers) upon reactive metal dissolution. The process is conducted at ambient temperature and pressure without the use of catalysts, toxic chemicals or costly processes such as chemical vapor deposition. The produced nanowires can be used to improve the electrical, thermal and mechanical properties of functional materials and composites.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research, which was reported this week in the journal \u003Cem\u003EScience\u003C\/em\u003E, was supported by the National Science Foundation and California-based Sila Nanotechnologies. The process is believed to be the first to convert bulk powders to nanowires at ambient conditions.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This technique could open the door for a range of synthesis opportunities to produce low-cost 1D nanomaterials in large quantities,\u0026rdquo; said Gleb Yushin, a professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. \u0026ldquo;You can essentially put the bulk materials into a bucket, fill it with a suitable solvent and collect nanowires after a few hours, which is way simpler than how many of these structures are produced today.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EYushin\u0026rsquo;s research team, which included former graduate students Danni Lei and James Benson, has produced oxide nanowires from lithium-magnesium and lithium-aluminum alloys using a variety of solvents, including simple alcohols. Production of nanowires from other materials is part of ongoing research that was not reported in the paper.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe dimensions of the nanowire structures can be controlled by varying the solvent and the processing conditions. The structures can be produced in diameters ranging from tens of nanometers up to microns.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Minimization of the interfacial energy at the boundary of the chemical reaction front allows us to form small nuclei and then retain their diameter as the reaction proceeds, thus forming nanowires,\u0026rdquo; Yushin explained. \u0026ldquo;By controlling the volume changes, surface energy, reactivity and solubility of the reaction products, along with the temperature and pressure, we can tune conditions to produce nanowires of the dimensions we want.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOne of the attractive applications may be separator membranes for lithium-ion batteries, whose high power density has made them attractive for powering everything from consumer electronics to aircraft and motor vehicles. However, the polymer separation membranes used in these batteries cannot withstand the high temperatures generated by certain failure scenarios. As result, commercial batteries may induce fires and explosions, if not designed very carefully and it\u0026rsquo;s extremely hard to avoid defects and errors consistently in tens of millions of devices.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EUsing low-cost paper-like membranes made of ceramic nanowires could help address those concerns because the structures are strong and thermally stable, while also being flexible \u0026ndash; unlike many bulk ceramics. The material is also polar, meaning it would more thoroughly wetted by various battery electrolyte solutions.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Overall, this is a better technology for batteries, but until now, ceramic nanowires have been too expensive to consider seriously,\u0026rdquo; Yushin said. \u0026ldquo;In the future, we can improve mechanical properties further and scale up synthesis, making the low-cost ceramic separator technology very attractive to battery designers.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFabrication of the nanowires begins with formation of alloys composed of one reactive and one non-reactive metal, such as lithium and aluminum (or magnesium and lithium). The alloy is then placed in a suitable solvent, which could include a range of alcohols, such as ethanol. The reactive metal (lithium) dissolves from the surface into the solvent, initially producing nuclei (nanoparticles) comprising aluminum.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThough bulk aluminum is not reactive with alcohol due to the formation of the passivation layer, the continuous dissolution of lithium prevents the passivation and allows gradual formation of aluminum alkoxide nanowires, which grow perpendicular to the surface of the particles starting from the nuclei until the particles are completely converted. The alkoxide nanowires can then be heated in open air to form aluminum oxide nanowires and may be formed into paper-like sheets.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe dissolved lithium can be recovered and reused. The dissolution process generates hydrogen gas, which could be captured and used to help fuel the heating step.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThough the process was studied first to make magnesium and aluminum oxide nanowires, Yushin believes it has a broad potential for making other materials. Future work will explore synthesis of new materials and their applications, and develop improved fundamental understanding of the process and predictive models to streamline experimental work.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers have so far produced laboratory amounts of the nanowires, but Yushin believes that the process could be scaled up to produce industrial quantities. Though the ultimate cost will depend on many variables, he expects to see fabrication costs cut by several orders of magnitude over existing techniques.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;With this technique, you could potentially produce nanowires for a cost not much more than that of the raw materials,\u0026rdquo; he said. Beyond battery membranes, the nanowires could be useful in energy harvesting, catalyst supports, sensors, flexible electronic devices, lightweight structural composites, building materials, electrical and thermal insulation and cutting tools.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe new technique was discovered accidentally while Yushin\u0026rsquo;s students were attempting to create a new porous membrane material. Instead of the membrane they had hoped to fabricate, the process generated powders composed of elongated particles.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Though the experiment didn\u0026rsquo;t produce what we were looking for, I wanted to see if we could learn something from it anyway,\u0026rdquo; said Yushin. Efforts to understand what had happened ultimately led to the new synthesis technique.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to those already named, the research included Alexandre Magaskinski of Georgia Tech and Gene Berdichevsky of Sila Nanotechnologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EDifferent aspects of this work were supported by National Science Foundation (grant 0954925) and Sila Nanotechnologies, Inc. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Gleb Yushin and Gene Berdichevsky are shareholders of Sila Nanotechnologies.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Danni Lei, Jim Benson, Alexandre Magasinski, Gene Berdichevsky, Gleb Yushin, \u0026ldquo;Transformation of bulk alloys to oxide nanowires,\u0026rdquo; (Science, 2017).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n177 North Avenue\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, Georgia \u0026nbsp;30332-0181 \u0026nbsp;USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contacts\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu) or Ben Brumfield (404-385-1933) (ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA simple technique for producing oxide nanowires directly from bulk materials could dramatically lower the cost of producing the one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures. That could open the door for a broad range of uses in lightweight structural composites, advanced sensors, electronic devices \u0026ndash; and thermally-stable and strong battery membranes able to withstand temperatures of more than 1,000 degrees Celsius.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A technique for producing oxide nanowires directly from bulk materials could dramatically lower the cost of producing the nanostructures. "}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2017-01-19 19:08:21","changed_gmt":"2017-01-19 19:10:43","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2017-01-19T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2017-01-19T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"586183":{"id":"586183","type":"image","title":"Forming alloys","body":null,"created":"1484852279","gmt_created":"2017-01-19 18:57:59","changed":"1484853152","gmt_changed":"2017-01-19 19:12:32","alt":"Metals melting in a glowing crucible","file":{"fid":"223412","name":"fig 1 - small.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/fig%201%20-%20small.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/fig%201%20-%20small.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3434345,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/fig%201%20-%20small.jpg?itok=5DXVsTR8"}},"586184":{"id":"586184","type":"image","title":"Gleb Yushin and nanowires","body":null,"created":"1484852372","gmt_created":"2017-01-19 18:59:32","changed":"1484853135","gmt_changed":"2017-01-19 19:12:15","alt":"Professor Gleb Yushin in the lab","file":{"fid":"223413","name":"fig 3 - small_adj.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/fig%203%20-%20small_adj.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/fig%203%20-%20small_adj.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":472642,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/fig%203%20-%20small_adj.jpg?itok=-vOslj6h"}},"586185":{"id":"586185","type":"image","title":"Alloy in solvent","body":null,"created":"1484852451","gmt_created":"2017-01-19 19:00:51","changed":"1484853115","gmt_changed":"2017-01-19 19:11:55","alt":"","file":{"fid":"223414","name":"fig 2-small.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/fig%202-small.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/fig%202-small.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1847711,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/fig%202-small.jpg?itok=6iIUw1cd"}}},"media_ids":["586183","586184","586185"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"}],"keywords":[{"id":"173268","name":"nanwires"},{"id":"173265","name":"oxide nanowires"},{"id":"107","name":"Nanotechnology"},{"id":"142571","name":"lithium"},{"id":"1292","name":"battery"},{"id":"7440","name":"membrane"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"584881":{"#nid":"584881","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech to Play Key Role in New Federally-Funded Chemical Processing Initiative","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe U.S. Department of Energy announced today that the Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the lead institutions in a new $140 million Chemical Processing Manufacturing Institute. Led by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the new initiative will be the 10\u003Csup\u003Eth\u003C\/sup\u003E special institute and will address energy productivity in the U.S.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThese institutes for manufacturing innovation bring industry, academia and government partners together to leverage existing resources, collaborate and co-invest to nurture manufacturing innovation and accelerate commercialization.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe U.S. Department of Energy\u0026rsquo;s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Acting Assistant Secretary David Friedman announced the new institute Dec. 9 at the U.S. Council on Competitiveness\u0026rsquo; 2016 National Competitiveness Forum. This new institute will be officially called the Rapid Advancement in Process Intensification Deployment, or (RAPID), Institute.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Georgia Tech is proud to play a leading role in RAPID and the continued transformation of the all-important manufacturing sector,\u0026rdquo; said Steve Cross, executive vice president for research at Georgia Tech. \u0026ldquo;Advanced manufacturing is critical to the economic competitiveness of our country, and Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s role in this important initiative will help strengthen our\u0026nbsp;leadership in Georgia and the nation as a leader in chemical processing.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is one of 34 universities included in the RAPID Institute.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s undergraduate chemical engineering program is ranked No. 4 in the country, according to U.S. News \u0026amp; World Report, and Georgia Tech is No. 4 in the U.S. in federal research and development spending in chemical engineering, according to the National Science Foundation. Georgia Tech participates in five of the 10 institutes created by the administration to address manufacturing innovation, including Digital Manufacturing, Flexible Hybrid Electronics, Integrated Photonics, Additive Manufacturing, and Process Intensification.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe RAPID Institute will have up to $70 million in federal funding, subject to appropriations, and an additional $70 million in cost-share commitments from more than 130 partners. It will focus on developing breakthrough technologies to boost domestic energy productivity and energy efficiency by 20 percent in five years through manufacturing processes in industries such as oil and gas, pulp and paper, and various domestic chemical manufacturers.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETraditional chemical manufacturing relies on large-scale, energy-intensive processing. The new institute will leverage approaches to modular chemical process intensification \u0026mdash; like combining multiple, complex processes such as mixing, reaction and separation into single steps \u0026mdash; with the goal of improving energy productivity and efficiency, cutting operating costs, and reducing waste. In the chemical industry alone, these technologies have the potential to save more than $9 billion in process costs annually.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Our investment in this cross-cutting technology is an investment in the future of U.S. manufacturing,\u0026rdquo; said Acting Assistant Secretary Friedman. \u0026ldquo;As we continue to expand the Manufacturing USA network, we provide greater opportunities for businesses of all sizes to solve their toughest technology challenges and unleash major savings in energy-intensive sectors like oil and gas, pulp and paper-making, and other industries.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe RAPID Institute will serve as an American manufacturing leader convening companies, universities, industrial research organizations and national laboratories to focus on new technologies that maximize processes at the molecular level to save energy with every chemical reaction \u0026mdash; adding up to big savings on the manufacturing floor. It is the fourth Energy Department-led institute in the multiagency network known as Manufacturing USA, or the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026quot;RAPID is a great opportunity for experts at Georgia Tech to work on near-term solutions that will make the chemical processes in manufacturing more efficient,\u0026quot; said David Sholl, John F. Brock III Chair of the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, who will serve as the interim chief technology officer for RAPID.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECollectively, the federal government\u0026rsquo;s commitment of more than $700 million to the 10 awarded \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.manufacturing.gov\/nnmi-institutes\/\u0022\u003EManufacturing USA institutes\u003C\/a\u003E has been matched by more than $1.4 billion in non-federal investment from across industry, academia and state governments. The institutes, each led by manufacturing experts renowned in their field, have attracted more than 1,300 companies, universities and non-profits as members of Manufacturing USA. For more information about the RAPID Institute and participating organizations, visit \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/energy.gov\/\u0022\u003EEnergy.gov\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe U.S. Department of Energy\u0026rsquo;s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Acting Assistant Secretary David Friedman announced the new institute Dec. 9 at the U.S. Council on Competitiveness\u0026rsquo; 2016 National Competitiveness Forum. This new institute will be officially called the Rapid Advancement in Process Intensification Deployment or (RAPID) Institute.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The U.S. Department of Energy announced that the Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the lead institutions in a new $140 million Chemical Processing Manufacturing Institute. "}],"uid":"28797","created_gmt":"2016-12-09 16:05:15","changed_gmt":"2016-12-09 20:59:35","author":"Lance Wallace","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-12-09T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2016-12-09T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"370171":{"id":"370171","type":"image","title":"Tech Tower","body":null,"created":"1449245856","gmt_created":"2015-12-04 16:17:36","changed":"1475894344","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:39:04","alt":"Tech Tower","file":{"fid":"74993","name":"15c6001-p6-001.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/15c6001-p6-001.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/15c6001-p6-001.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":419528,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/15c6001-p6-001.jpg?itok=0TKbGgID"}},"512011":{"id":"512011","type":"image","title":"GA Tech Tower","body":null,"created":"1458923712","gmt_created":"2016-03-25 16:35:12","changed":"1475895275","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:54:35","alt":"GA Tech Tower","file":{"fid":"204997","name":"techtower_2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/techtower_2_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/techtower_2_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2516795,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/techtower_2_0.jpg?itok=DxRg67A2"}},"368331":{"id":"368331","type":"image","title":"David Sholl","body":null,"created":"1449245827","gmt_created":"2015-12-04 16:17:07","changed":"1475895107","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:51:47","alt":"David Sholl","file":{"fid":"74901","name":"130710br217.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/130710br217.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/130710br217.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5407155,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/130710br217.jpg?itok=15sQ9-Aj"}}},"media_ids":["370171","512011","368331"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.manufacturing.gov\/nnmi-institutes\/","title":"Manufacturing Institutes"},{"url":"http:\/\/energy.gov\/eere\/amo\/national-network-manufacturing-innovation","title":"National Network for Manufacturing Innovation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"172940","name":"Chemical Processing Manufacturing Institute"},{"id":"12244","name":"energy efficiency"},{"id":"3163","name":"renewable energy"},{"id":"172941","name":"RAPID Institute"},{"id":"172942","name":"NNMI"},{"id":"53721","name":"Manufacturing Institute"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ELance Wallace\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003Elance.wallace@comm.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["lance.wallace@comm.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"564841":{"#nid":"564841","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Carbon Molecular Sieve Membranes Cut Energy Use in Hydrocarbon Separations","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA research team from the Georgia Institute of Technology and ExxonMobil has demonstrated a new carbon-based molecular sieve membrane that could dramatically reduce the energy required to separate a class of hydrocarbon molecules known as alkyl aromatics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe new material is based on polymer hollow fibers treated to retain their structure \u2013 and pore sizes \u2013 as they are converted to carbon through pyrolysis. The carbon membranes are then used in a new \u201corganic solvent reverse osmosis\u201d (OSRO) process in which pressure is applied to effect the separation without requiring a phase change in the chemical mixture.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe hollow carbon fibers, bundled together into modules, can separate molecules whose sizes differ by a fraction of a nanometer while providing processing rates superior to those of existing molecular sieve zeolites. Because it uses a commercial polymer precursor, the researchers believe the new membrane has potential for commercialization and integration into industrial chemical separation processes. The research was reported in the August 19 issue of the journal \u003Cem\u003EScience\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESeparation is currently achieved through refining processes such as crystallization and adsorption with distillation, which are energy-intensive. Globally, the amount of energy used in conventional separation processes for alkyl aromatics is equal to that produced by about 20 average-sized power plants.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe see this as a potentially disruptive technology in the way we separate xylenes and similar organic compounds,\u201d said Benjamin McCool, one of the paper\u2019s co-authors and an advanced research associate at ExxonMobil Corporate Strategic Research in Annandale, N.J. \u201cIf we can make this work on an industrial scale, it could dramatically reduce the energy required by these separation processes.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFabrication of the new membrane material begins with hollow polymer fibers approximately 200 microns in diameter, slightly thicker than the average human hair. The fibers have pore sizes of less than one nanometer, and are treated via cross-linking before they are converted to carbon through a pyrolysis process. The pore sizes of the fibers can be adjusted during the fabrication process.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe take a scalable platform based on polymeric membranes and then turn those materials into inorganic molecular sieves,\u201d explained Ryan Lively, an assistant professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemical \u0026amp; Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and the paper\u2019s corresponding author. \u201cOur membranes are mechanically robust and they can withstand the process conditions required by OSRO. They maintain advantageous mechanical properties and membrane performance as they are converted to carbon fiber.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELively and postdoctoral fellow Dong-Yeun Koh used the OSRO process in the laboratory to separate mixtures of para-xylene and ortho-xylene, molecules whose sizes differ by one-tenth of a nanometer. By applying pressure at room temperature, the membrane can convert the 50-50 mixture to an 85-15 mixture at a high flux relative to zeolite membranes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThese molecules have incredibly similar sizes and properties, but the membranes can tell them apart,\u201d said Lively. \u201cThis bulk cut of the mixture greatly enhances the concentration with a very low energy input. This mixture could then be fed into a conventional thermal process for finishing, which would reduce the total energy input dramatically.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn industrial use, the membranes would be bundled together in modules that would be used in chemical facilities. \u201cIn practice, you would get as many modules as you needed for a particular application, and if the need increased, you could simply add more modules,\u201d Lively said. \u201cIt would be totally scalable.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReverse osmosis membranes are already widely used in desalination to produce drinking water from saltwater, consuming a fraction of the energy required by thermally-driven process. Carbon fiber membranes are being used for gas separations, but the new OSRO process is believed to be the first use of reverse osmosis with carbon membranes to separate liquid hydrocarbons.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThough the membrane has demonstrated promising results, it still faces a number of challenges. The membranes will have to be tested with more difficult separations before they can be considered for commercialization and scale-up. Industrial mixtures normally contain multiple different organic compounds, and they may include materials that can foul membrane systems. The researchers will also have to learn to make the material consistently and demonstrate that it can withstand long-term industrial use.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBecause we are starting with commercially-available polymers and we are using commercial-type equipment, we can see a clear line-of-sight to commercialization with this technology,\u201d McCool said. \u201cIt\u2019s a big advantage that the membranes are being spun on a hollow-fiber line similar to that currently used in the industry. The time horizon to make this happen and the cost of production could be highly advantaged over other inorganic systems or more exotic materials like graphene.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDevelopment of the OSRO process resulted from a collaborative process in which Georgia Tech researchers worked closely with ExxonMobil scientists \u2013 including McCool and scientist Harry Deckman \u2013 to identify and overcome the challenges of industrial processing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cExxonMobil is a leader in its commitment to fundamental science,\u0022 said Mike Kerby, ExxonMobil Corporate Strategic Research manager. \u201cAs part of our commitment, we continue to widen our research aperture through collaborations with academic research institutions to better enable us to identify potential breakthrough technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy supplies and realize other environmental benefits.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Dong-Yeun Koh, et al., \u0022Reverse Osmosis Molecular Differentiation of Organic Liquids using Carbon Molecular Sieve Membranes,\u0022 (Science, 2016).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E177 North Avenue\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAtlanta, Georgia 30332-0181 USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contacts\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jtoon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ejtoon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E) or Ben Brumfield (404-385-1933) (\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA research team from the Georgia Institute of Technology and ExxonMobil has demonstrated a new carbon-based molecular sieve membrane that could dramatically reduce the energy required to separate a class of hydrocarbon molecules known as alkyl aromatics.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A carbon-based molecular sieve membrane could dramatically reduce the energy required to separate a class of hydrocarbon molecules."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2016-08-17 22:18:54","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:22:23","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-08-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2016-08-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"564801":{"id":"564801","type":"image","title":"Hollow polymer 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fibers2","file":{"fid":"206880","name":"carbon-membrane3368.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/carbon-membrane3368.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/carbon-membrane3368.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1022160,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/carbon-membrane3368.jpg?itok=8yOEaxq3"}}},"media_ids":["564801","564811","564821"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"170595","name":"carbon membrane"},{"id":"213","name":"energy"},{"id":"172269","name":"hydrocarbon"},{"id":"170597","name":"molecular sieve"},{"id":"170596","name":"polymer fiber"},{"id":"169566","name":"separation"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"562061":{"#nid":"562061","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Solar Power to the People","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EToday, an estimated 7 million Haitians live without access to reliable power, limiting their individual and collective prospects for economic growth and prosperity.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith no stable, large-scale energy solution on the horizon, microgrids offer small pockets of hope.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd thanks to a Georgia Tech student team and their benefactors,\u0026nbsp;a remote village health clinic now has electricity 24\/7.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch6\u003ERead the full story: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/tlw-news.gatech.edu\/features\/solar-power-people\u0022\u003ESolar Power to the People\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h6\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAn estimated 7 million Haitians live without access to reliable power, but thanks a Georgia Tech student team and their benefactors, a remote village health clinic now has electricity 24\/7.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Twenty-three Georgia Tech students take \u0022Progress and Service\u0022 to a health clinic in Haiti \u2014 and bring a lot of lessons home."}],"uid":"27948","created_gmt":"2016-08-11 16:49:58","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:22:19","author":"Jennifer Tomasino","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-08-11T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2016-08-11T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"562081":{"id":"562081","type":"image","title":"Electrical and Computer Engineering Students install Microgrid in Haiti","body":null,"created":"1470949479","gmt_created":"2016-08-11 21:04:39","changed":"1475895364","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:56:04","alt":"Electrical and Computer Engineering Students install Microgrid in Haiti","file":{"fid":"218275","name":"ece-students-haiti-microgrid.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/ece-students-haiti-microgrid.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/ece-students-haiti-microgrid.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":253941,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/ece-students-haiti-microgrid.jpg?itok=Uhh8SwAI"}}},"media_ids":["562081"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2435","name":"ECE"},{"id":"8247","name":"haiti"},{"id":"170580","name":"microgrid"},{"id":"166855","name":"School of Electrical and Computer Engineering"},{"id":"167364","name":"solar power"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"},{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMargaret Tate\u003Cbr \/\u003EWriter\/Editor, Institute Communications\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:margaret.tate@comm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Emargaret.tate@comm.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"556041":{"#nid":"556041","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Molten Storage and Thermophotovoltaics Offer New Solar Power Pathway","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new wrinkle on an old technology \u2013 solid-state thermophotovoltaics (TPV) \u2013 could provide a high-efficiency alternative for directly converting high-temperature heat from concentrated solar thermal to utility-scale electricity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENew computer modeling suggests that high temperature TPV conversion \u2013 which captures infrared radiation from very hot surfaces \u2013 could one day rival combined-cycle turbine systems when combined with thermal storage using liquid metal at temperatures around 1,300 degrees Celsius. Advances in high-temperature components and improved system modeling, combined with the potential for conversion costs an order of magnitude lower than those of turbines, suggest that TPV could offer a pathway for efficiently storing and producing electrical power from solar thermal sources, a new study suggests.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe underlying technologies of high temperature storage and thermophotovoltaic conversion could also be used to produce grid-scale batteries able to rapidly supplement other power sources by storing heat for quick conversion to electricity. The research, supported by ARPA-E, was reported July 4 in the journal \u003Cem\u003EEnergy and Environmental Science\u003C\/em\u003E by researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe goal for our study was to provide a heat transfer and thermodynamic perspective on a system that combines concentrated solar power (CSP) with thermal storage and TPV to show that such a system is worthy of renewed attention,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/henry-a\u0022\u003EAsegun Henry\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech. \u201cIn the context of the full system, we suggest that the efficiency could one day rival the best heat engines available on planet today.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETPV operates on the same principle as solar cells in wide use today, but converts photons at infrared wavelengths rather than those in the visible spectrum. Infrared is the predominant kind of heat and light emitted by heaters that glow red-hot.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost research reported in the energy literature suggests that the conversion rate of TPV would be less than 20 percent, not competitive with other heat engines. But Henry believes those calculations do not properly consider the conversion wavelengths or account for efficiencies possible when the full heat delivery system is considered.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe entire system could be quite efficient if we understand where the heat is flowing and design appropriately,\u201d Henry said. \u201cWe believe there is a pathway to make these TPV cells an order of magnitude cheaper than turbines for converting thermal energy to electricity.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe heat would be supplied by a CSP system collecting the sun\u2019s thermal energy using reflectors. The heat would be used to melt silicon, which could be stored in large insulated reservoirs until needed; the heat would then be released as the silicon solidifies. By moving the TPV cells when their power isn\u2019t needed, the system could be rapidly switched on and off to supplement electricity from wind or direct solar PV sources, Henry said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s the dream of utility companies to have a resource that could go from zero to full power in a matter of seconds,\u201d he said. \u201cWith the right insulation and shading of the cells, we could switch them on and off faster than any other conversion technology.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe critical challenge to making renewable energy competitive with fossil fuels at the utility scale is making the electricity dispatchable. The cost advantages of thermal storage over electrochemical storage also make a TPV with thermal energy storage (TES) system attractive for converting and storing energy for use on the grid, said Hamid Reza Seyf, a graduate research assistant who did the system modeling.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe are combining the great economic advantages of TES with the potential for low cost and high performance derived from TPV cells fabricated on reusable substrates, with high reflectivity back reflectors for photon recycling,\u201d he said. \u201cIf solar energy is produced and not needed, you could use it to produce thermal energy that could be stored and discharged to TPV power block when needed. The extremely long lifetimes, high round-trip efficiency, and low cost of the thermal storage compared to electrochemical batteries make the TES very attractive.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf the TPV power block could be made 60 percent efficient, it could compete with most cost effective and efficient heat engine that has ever been achieved commercially, which is accomplished through a tandem turbine based cycle. The cost of turbines is well established and unlikely to see significant decrease, hence the only way to reduce their cost is by increasing their efficiency. However, because current turbines are extremely efficient and operate near their thermodynamic limit, there is little room for efficiency enhancement. TPV power block not only has the potential for lowering the cost but also has much more room for efficiency improvement, Seyf said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe computational model shows that a TPV system coupled with concentrated solar and storage could be as much as 65 percent efficient. But attaining that would require a long-term research initiative.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn their model, the group studied the effects of a silver-based back surface reflector (BSR) to bounce unused light back to the emitter. The study quantified the importance of the BSR reflectivity to the overall system performance.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHenry\u2019s research group has recently demonstrated pumps, storage containers and other components that can operate at extreme temperatures of 1,300 degrees Celsius and above.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers hope their new paper encourages others to pursue TPV improvements \u2013 including fabrication of TPV cells on reusable substrates \u2013 that could lead to development of real-world systems at costs competitive with fossil fuels.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMy hope is that this paper will help bring together the thermophotovoltaics and PV community with the CSP community to realize that the thermal and PV system takes advantage of both sides,\u201d said Henry. \u201cThis is a heat engine that realistically may have a shot at beating the current record. This is a completely different technology, and there is a lot of research yet to be done.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis project was supported by DOE ARPA-E, grant number DEAR0000339. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsor.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Hamid Reza Seyf and Asegun Henry, \u201cThermophotovoltaics: A Potential Pathway to High Efficiency Concentrated Solar Power,\u201d (Energy \u0026amp; Environmental Science, 2016). \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1039\/c6ee01372d\u0022 title=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1039\/c6ee01372d\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1039\/c6ee01372d\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E177 North Avenue\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAtlanta, Georgia 30332-0181 USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contacts\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jtoon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ejtoon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E) (404-894-6986) or Ben Brumfield (\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E) (404-385-1933).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new wrinkle on an old technology \u2013 solid-state thermophotovoltaics (TPV) \u2013 could provide a high-efficiency alternative for directly converting high-temperature heat from concentrated solar thermal to utility-scale electricity.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Thermophotovoltaic technology could directly convert heat from solar thermal to electricity."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2016-07-26 22:04:15","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:22:12","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-07-27T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2016-07-27T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"555971":{"id":"555971","type":"image","title":"Molten tin transport","body":null,"created":"1469584420","gmt_created":"2016-07-27 01:53:40","changed":"1475895355","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:55","alt":"Molten tin transport","file":{"fid":"206608","name":"tin-storage4.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/tin-storage4.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/tin-storage4.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1614396,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/tin-storage4.jpg?itok=Phv3seNG"}},"556001":{"id":"556001","type":"image","title":"Thermophotovoltaic power","body":null,"created":"1469584563","gmt_created":"2016-07-27 01:56:03","changed":"1475895355","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:55","alt":"Thermophotovoltaic power","file":{"fid":"206611","name":"thermophotovoltaics-schematic.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/thermophotovoltaics-schematic_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/thermophotovoltaics-schematic_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":156552,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/thermophotovoltaics-schematic_0.jpg?itok=qC2-Yg6V"}},"556021":{"id":"556021","type":"image","title":"Molten tin transport2","body":null,"created":"1469584653","gmt_created":"2016-07-27 01:57:33","changed":"1475895355","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:55","alt":"Molten tin transport2","file":{"fid":"206613","name":"tin-storage5.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/tin-storage5.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/tin-storage5.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1254584,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/tin-storage5.jpg?itok=ZL-IJzoW"}}},"media_ids":["555971","556001","556021"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"}],"keywords":[{"id":"51571","name":"Asegun Henry"},{"id":"170517","name":"concentrated solar"},{"id":"77201","name":"PV"},{"id":"167182","name":"solar"},{"id":"146521","name":"thermal energy"},{"id":"170519","name":"thermophotovoltaic"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"552541":{"#nid":"552541","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Engineered \u201cSand\u201d May Help Cool Electronic Devices","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBaratunde Cola would like to put sand into your computer. Not beach sand, but silicon dioxide nanoparticles coated with a high dielectric constant polymer to inexpensively provide improved cooling for increasingly power-hungry electronic devices.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe silicon dioxide doesn\u0027t do the cooling itself. Instead, the unique surface properties of the coated nanoscale material conduct the heat at potentially higher efficiency than existing heat sink materials. The theoretical physics behind the phenomenon is complicated, involving nanoscale electromagnetic effects created on the surface of the tiny silicon dioxide particles acting together.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe bottom line could be a potentially new class of high thermal conductivity materials useful for heat dissipation from power electronics, LEDs and other applications with high heat fluxes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022We have shown for the first time that you can take a packed nanoparticle bed that would typically act as an insulator, and by causing light to couple strongly into the material by engineering a high dielectric constant medium like water or ethylene glycol at the surfaces, you can turn the nanoparticle bed into a conductor,\u0022 said Cola, an associate professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E at the Georgia Institute of Technology. \u0022Using the collective surface electromagnetic effect of the nanoparticles, the thermal conductivity can increase 20-fold, allowing it to dissipate heat.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe research, which involved both theory and experiment, has been published online in the journal \u003Cem\u003EMaterials Horizons\u003C\/em\u003E, and was highlighted in the July 8 issue of the journal \u003Cem\u003EScience\u003C\/em\u003E. The work was supported by the Air Force Research Laboratory and the U.S. Air Force. Co-authors include Professor James Hammonds at Howard University, and graduate students Eric Tervo from Georgia Tech and Olalekan Adewuyi from Howard University.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the last several years, theoretical papers have predicted the ability of surface phonon polaritons to increase thermal conduction in nanomaterials made from polar materials like silicon dioxide. Polaritons are quantum quasiparticles produced by strong coupling of electromagnetic waves with an electric or magnetic dipole-carrying excitation. In the specific case of surface phonon polaritons, the electromagnetic waves are coupled to a certain frequency and polarization of vibrating atoms in the material known as optical phonons. When materials are reduced to sizes below 100 nanometers, the surface properties of the material dominate over bulk properties, allowing phonons of heat to flow from particle to particle in the closely packed bed with the assistance of the coupled electromagnetic waves.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlthough researchers could not previously measure heat flow from surface phonon polaritons due to experimental difficulties, they have observed their wave propagation when light hits the surface of a nanostructure material, suggesting a potential role in heat dissipation. In addition to the first measurement of heat flow, Cola and his collaborators also found that the effect can occur when thermal energy is added to a packed bed of nanoparticles.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhat we are also showing for the first time is that when you have nanoparticles of the right type in a packed bed, that you don\u2019t have to shine light on them,\u201d he explained. \u201cYou can just heat up the nanoparticles and the thermal self-emission activates the effect. You create an electrical field around the nanoparticles from this thermal radiation.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers decided to experiment with those special properties, first using water to coat the nanoparticles and turn the silicon dioxide nanoparticle bed into a conductor. But the water coating was not robust, so the researchers switched to ethylene glycol, a fluid commonly used in vehicle antifreeze. The new combination increased the heat transfer by a factor of 20 to approximately one watt per meter-kelvin, which is higher than the value ethylene glycol or silicon dioxide nanoparticles could produce alone, and competitive with expensive polymer composites used for heat dissipation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cYou could basically take an electronic device, pack these ethylene glycol-coated nanoparticles in the air space, and it would be useful as a heat dissipation material that at the same time, won\u2019t conduct electricity,\u201d said Cola. \u201cThe material has the potential to be very inexpensive and easy to work with.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESilicon dioxide was chosen because its crystalline lattice can generate resonant optical phonons \u2013 necessary for the effect \u2013 at approximately room temperature. Other materials could also be used, but the silicon dioxide nanoparticles provide a good compromise of properties and cost.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe resonance frequency, converted into the thermal radiation temperature for silicon dioxide, is around 50 degrees Celsius,\u201d said Cola. \u201cWith this material, we can turn on this effect at a temperature range that a microelectronic device is likely to see.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThough the ethylene glycol works well, it will eventually evaporate. For that reason, Cola plans to identify polymeric materials that could be adsorbed to the silicon dioxide nanoparticles to provide a more stable coating with a reasonable product lifetime.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe effect depends on the collective action of the silicon dioxide nanoparticles.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe are basically showing a macroscopic translation of a nanoscale effect,\u201d Cola said. \u201cEven though the nanoparticle bed is a bulk assembly, it is a bulk assembly that has a lot of internal surface area. The internal surface area is the gateway by which it interacts with the electromagnetic field \u2013 the light and the heat.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo far, the effect has been demonstrated in small amounts of silicon dioxide nanoparticles. Another step would be to scale up the study to demonstrate that heat can be transferred longer distances in larger volumes of the material, Cola said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe rate at which the thermal energy goes from one side of the particle to the other side of the particle is constant throughout the nanoparticle bed, so it shouldn\u2019t matter how thick the nanoparticle bed is,\u201d he explained. \u201cWhen these particles are close enough together, their modes are coupled, which allows the energy to transport.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFurther testing would be needed to ensure the long-term efficiency and to confirm that there are no impacts on the reliability of the electronic devices cooled with the technique, Cola said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis work was supported by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory Minority Leaders Program contract FA8650-11-D-5800 through a subcontract from United Technologies Corporation. Support is acknowledged from U.S. Air Force Summer Faculty Fellowships. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsoring agencies.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: E.J. Tervo, et al., \u201cHigh thermal conductivity in polaritonic SiO2 nanoparticle beds, (Materials Horizons, 2016). \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1039\/c6mh00098c\u0022 title=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1039\/c6mh00098c\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1039\/c6mh00098c\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E177 North Avenue\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAtlanta, Georgia 30221-0181 USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contacts\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jtoon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ejtoon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E) or Ben Brumfield (404-385-1933) (\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBaratunde Cola would like to put sand into your computer. Not beach sand, but silicon dioxide nanoparticles coated with a high dielectric constant polymer to inexpensively provide improved cooling for increasingly power-hungry electronic devices.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Engineered \u0022sand\u0022 may offer the potential for improved cooling of electronic devices."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2016-07-13 09:11:45","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:22:08","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-07-13T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2016-07-13T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"552491":{"id":"552491","type":"image","title":"Thermal probe testing silicon dioxide","body":null,"created":"1468415700","gmt_created":"2016-07-13 13:15:00","changed":"1475895350","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:50","alt":"Thermal probe testing silicon dioxide","file":{"fid":"95910","name":"silicon-dioxide-5764.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/silicon-dioxide-5764.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/silicon-dioxide-5764.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1357634,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/silicon-dioxide-5764.jpg?itok=wvTv1taS"}},"552511":{"id":"552511","type":"image","title":"Thermal probe testing silicon dioxide2","body":null,"created":"1468415700","gmt_created":"2016-07-13 13:15:00","changed":"1475895350","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:50","alt":"Thermal probe testing silicon dioxide2","file":{"fid":"95912","name":"silicon-dioxide-5767.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/silicon-dioxide-5767.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/silicon-dioxide-5767.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1381175,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/silicon-dioxide-5767.jpg?itok=mLAB13PO"}},"552521":{"id":"552521","type":"image","title":"Silicon dioxide nanoparticles","body":null,"created":"1468415700","gmt_created":"2016-07-13 13:15:00","changed":"1475895350","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:50","alt":"Silicon dioxide nanoparticles","file":{"fid":"95917","name":"silicon-dioxide-5739.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/silicon-dioxide-5739.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/silicon-dioxide-5739.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1034284,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/silicon-dioxide-5739.jpg?itok=MXXqP9Xz"}},"552531":{"id":"552531","type":"image","title":"Cooling electronic devices","body":null,"created":"1468415700","gmt_created":"2016-07-13 13:15:00","changed":"1475895350","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:50","alt":"Cooling electronic devices","file":{"fid":"95918","name":"silicon-dioxide-5712.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/silicon-dioxide-5712.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/silicon-dioxide-5712.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1471740,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/silicon-dioxide-5712.jpg?itok=m5PmRyKq"}}},"media_ids":["552491","552511","552521","552531"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"}],"keywords":[{"id":"8875","name":"Baratunde Cola"},{"id":"611","name":"conduction"},{"id":"437","name":"cooling"},{"id":"609","name":"electronics"},{"id":"435","name":"heat"},{"id":"170466","name":"silicon dioxide"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E404-894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"553481":{"#nid":"553481","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Light-Trapping 3-D Solar Cells Undergo Space Testing","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA novel three-dimensional solar cell design developed at Georgia Tech will soon get its first testing in space aboard the International Space Station. An experimental module containing 18 test cells was launched to the ISS on July 18, and will be installed on the exterior of the station to study the cells\u2019 performance and their ability to withstand the rigors of space.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to testing the three-dimensional format, the module will also study a low-cost copper-zinc-tin-sulfide (CZTS) solar cell formulation. In all, the module launched to the ISS contains four types of PV devices: 3-D cells based on conventional cadmium telluride, 3-D cells based on CZTS materials, traditional planar solar cells produced at Georgia Tech, and planar cells based on CZTS.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe experiment was aboard SpaceX\u0027s Falcon 9 rocket that blasted off\u0026nbsp;at 12:45 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe want to see both the light-trapping performance of our 3-D solar cells and how they are going to respond to the harshness of space,\u201d said Jud Ready, a principal research engineer at the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.gtri.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Research Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (GTRI) and an adjunct professor in the Georgia Tech \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Materials Science and Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cWe will also measure performance against temperature, because temperature has an influence on the performance of a solar cell.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBuilt by coating miniature carbon nanotube \u201ctowers\u201d with a photo-absorber that captures sunlight from all angles, the 3-D cells developed by Ready\u2019s lab could boost the amount of power obtained from the small surface areas many spacecraft have. The cells would absorb light from any direction, eliminating the need for mechanical devices to aim PV modules toward the sun.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe PV cell experiment will be installed on the NanoRacks External Platform (NREP), where robustness of the solar cells will be studied under harsh space conditions for six months. The project is sponsored by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), and the Space Station opportunity was provided by NanoRacks via its Space Act Agreement with NASA\u2019s U.S. National Labs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022The CZTS photovoltaic arrays were built using the readily available elements copper, zinc, tin and sulfur to replace rarer CIGS \u2013 copper, indium, gallium and selenium \u2013 which are used in similar thin-film solar cells,\u0022 said Ready. \u0022The CZTS approach produces an efficient photo-absorber using earth-abundant materials that cost around a thousand times less than rare-earth elements like indium, gallium and selenium.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne virtue of CZTS photovoltaic material is its electron band structure, Ready explained. Like CIGS, CZTS is a direct band gap material. In semiconductor physics, this means incoming solar photons are able to emit current-producing electrons directly, rather than moving through power-robbing intermediate states as indirect band gap materials, like silicon, require.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMoreover, Ready said, direct band gap materials have good resistance to the powerful ionizing radiation encountered in space. That\u0027s because direct band gaps are larger than indirect band gaps; it\u0027s harder for radiation to damage these larger gaps so severely that functionality is seriously impaired.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe 3-D capability could prove especially valuable on the International Space Station, which is exposed daily to 15-16 sunrises and sunsets as it orbits Earth every 92 minutes at 17,150 m.p.h. The 3-D towers can exploit the sun\u0027s rays for longer periods than conventional 2-D planar \u2013 or flat \u2013 designs, which work most efficiently only when the sun is directly overhead.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022With our 3-D design, as the sun\u0027s angle increases more surface is exposed and there\u0027s a growing chance that photons will enter,\u0022 Ready said. \u0022Also, 3-D technology provides more opportunity for photons to bounce around between the towers, increasing the likelihood they will be converted to electron hole pairs and produce mobile charge carriers.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs the ISS orbits, the 3-D arrays\u0027 performance will be compared to a high quality commercial 2-D planar cell array installed nearby. If things go as expected, GTRI\u0027s cells will provide relatively better performance than the other cells as they move away from high noon. The new CZTS 3-D arrays will also be tested in space against an older 3-D design made by GTRI using cadmium telluride.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of the GTRI development team\u2019s key achievements to date has been identifying the best ways to manufacture CZTS solar cells. The team has pinpointed techniques for successfully processing the four Earth-abundant elements into an efficient photo absorber.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022In manufacturing you have to heat these elements, and one major issue is that they evaporate at different rates,\u0022 Ready explained. \u0022Getting them to blend in the desired ratios, so that the stoichiometry is retained and electron levels of the constituent elements match up as they should, has been a challenge.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGTRI\u0027s photovoltaic arrays will be encased in Lexan containers aboard the ISS. Lexan, a clear yet strong polymer, produces minimal interference with incoming solar rays but can protect the delicate arrays from astronauts and space debris \u2013 and also protect the crew from any pieces of the arrays that might separate.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter the six-month mission, the solar cells will be sent back to Earth via a cargo ship. The research team will assess the cells\u2019 post-mission performance and look for damage from radiation and other space hazards.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022If it can survive in space, which is the harshest of environments from the standpoint of wide temperature swings, radiation and numerous other factors, then we can be confident it will work well down on Earth,\u0022 Ready said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EReady\u2019s novel 3-D photovoltaic technology (U.S. Patent # 8,350,146) is licensed for commercial manufacture by Bloo Solar of El Dorado Hills, CA.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E177 North Avenue\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAtlanta, Georgia 30332-0181 USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contacts\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jtoon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ejtoon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E) (404-894-6986) or Ben Brumfield (\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E) (404-385-1933)\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: Rick Robinson\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA novel three-dimensional solar cell design developed at Georgia Tech will soon get its first testing in space aboard the International Space Station. An experimental module containing 18 test cells was launched to the ISS on July 18, and will be installed on the exterior of the station to study the cells\u2019 performance and their ability to withstand the rigors of space.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A novel three-dimensional solar cell design will soon get its first testing in space aboard the International Space Station."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2016-07-16 12:26:21","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:22:08","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-07-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2016-07-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"553421":{"id":"553421","type":"image","title":"PV Cell Produced for Testing","body":null,"created":"1468685264","gmt_created":"2016-07-16 16:07:44","changed":"1475895350","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:50","alt":"PV Cell Produced for 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Group","file":{"fid":"206529","name":"solar1_0.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/solar1_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/solar1_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1194418,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/solar1_0.jpg?itok=S6HoqcxE"}},"553441":{"id":"553441","type":"image","title":"Jud Ready and PV Cell","body":null,"created":"1468685593","gmt_created":"2016-07-16 16:13:13","changed":"1475895350","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:50","alt":"Jud Ready and PV Cell","file":{"fid":"206527","name":"solar2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/solar2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/solar2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1233834,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/solar2.jpg?itok=gXhEAzMd"}},"553471":{"id":"553471","type":"image","title":"Wire 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Collaborations","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EU.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Dr. Ernest Moniz today visited the Georgia Institute of Technology, delivering the keynote address for the second installment of the Quadrennial Energy Review.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMoniz also toured the Southern Company\u2019s Energy Innovation Center at Georgia Tech\u2019s Enterprise Innovation Institute in Atlanta\u2019s Tech Square and the Carbon Neutral Energy Solutions Laboratory on the Georgia Tech campus.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn his opening address, Moniz said Georgia Tech has the opportunity to play a key role as a center of innovation in developing regional energy solutions. He described a new DOE initiative to establish regional innovation partnerships.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMoniz said different regions have different needs, opportunities and resources, including natural, human and institutional resources. He added that Georgia Tech could serve as an institutional resource for the Southeast.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022We think that is good policy because those portfolios will take on different characters in different parts of the country,\u0022 he said.\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Carbon Neutral Energy Solutions (CNES) Laboratory is designed to foster industry collaboration and support translational and pre-commercial research in clean, low carbon energy technologies. Research spans all aspects of the energy cycle from production and generation to distribution and use, and is focused on addressing the most pressing energy and environmental challenges. Core research conducted within the lab includes solar technologies, combustion, gasification, catalysis and bio-catalysis, as well as carbon capture and sequestration.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe\u2019re honored to have Secretary Moniz back on the Georgia Tech campus, and it was especially meaningful to have him see one of our showcase facilities,\u201d said Tim Lieuwen, executive director of the Georgia Tech Strategic Energy Institute. \u201cWe have a strong, mutually beneficial relationship with the Department of Energy as we work together to find clean, reliable, affordable and sustainable sources of energy.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELieuwen hosted the secretary for a tour of the CNES Lab, which has LEED Platinum status and was funded in part by Recovery Act funding through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST.)\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Strategic Energy Institute at Georgia Tech was established to serve as a conduit for integrating, facilitating, and enabling Institute-wide programs in energy research and development.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMoniz also spent time with Georgia Tech partner, the Southern Company. Southern Company has worked with Georgia Tech\u2019s Strategic Energy Institute on a number of research initiatives, including a promising 2005-2007 study on wind. DOE is a longtime supporter of and partner in Southern Company\u2019s efforts to invent America\u2019s energy future through robust, proprietary research and development (R\u0026amp;D).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough the Energy Innovation Center, Southern Company is extending its R\u0026amp;D commitment by identifying better, more reliable and more efficient ways to increase value for customers through products and services. Many of the ideas being tested in the center come from the Southern Company system\u0027s more than 26,000 employees, while others are surfaced through partnerships with leading universities, research organizations and like-minded companies such as Nest and Tesla.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSouthern Company\u2019s decades-long partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy has produced cutting-edge technologies that are reshaping electricity generation in America,\u201d said Southern Company Energy Innovation Center Vice President Michael E. Britt. \u201cThrough the Energy Innovation Center at Tech Square and our partnership with Georgia Tech, Southern Company is expanding on its longstanding commitment to finding real energy solutions in coordination with like-minded leaders in R\u0026amp;D \u2013 from established corporations to fast-growing startups.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to the work taking place at the Energy Innovation Center, Southern Company operates DOE\u2019s National Carbon Capture Center in Alabama and has received DOE support for the development of the world\u2019s most advanced coal plant in Mississippi and two of the first new carbon-free nuclear units in a generation of Americans in Georgia.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMoniz also took the opportunity during his remarks to recognize leaders at Georgia Tech such as former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn, namesake and distinguished professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s Nunn School of International Affairs, and Provost Rafael Bras for their roles in advising federal energy and national security policy makers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022We get lots of advice from Georgia Tech and we appreciate it,\u0022 Moniz said.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EU.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Dr. Ernest Moniz today visited the Georgia Institute of Technology delivering the keynote address for the second installment of the Quadrennial Energy Review.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz visited the Georgia Institute of Technology Tuesday, May 24."}],"uid":"28797","created_gmt":"2016-05-23 11:07:33","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:21:42","author":"Lance Wallace","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-05-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2016-05-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"539841":{"id":"539841","type":"image","title":"U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz at Tech Square","body":null,"created":"1464706800","gmt_created":"2016-05-31 15:00:00","changed":"1475895329","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:29","alt":"U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz at Tech Square","file":{"fid":"216681","name":"16c10303-p27-001.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/16c10303-p27-001.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/16c10303-p27-001.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1387103,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/16c10303-p27-001.jpg?itok=K5qaHV6p"}},"539871":{"id":"539871","type":"image","title":"Secretary of Energy tours CNES Laboratory","body":null,"created":"1464706800","gmt_created":"2016-05-31 15:00:00","changed":"1475895329","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:29","alt":"Secretary of Energy tours CNES Laboratory","file":{"fid":"216684","name":"moniz_tours_cnes_sm.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/moniz_tours_cnes_sm_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/moniz_tours_cnes_sm_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":257142,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/moniz_tours_cnes_sm_0.jpg?itok=hZDUEJu1"}},"539861":{"id":"539861","type":"image","title":"Secretary of Energy tours Southern Company Innovation Center","body":null,"created":"1464706800","gmt_created":"2016-05-31 15:00:00","changed":"1475895329","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:29","alt":"Secretary of Energy tours Southern Company Innovation Center","file":{"fid":"216683","name":"16c10303-p27-003.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/16c10303-p27-003.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/16c10303-p27-003.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1223947,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/16c10303-p27-003.jpg?itok=jW7wpWRB"}}},"media_ids":["539841","539871","539861"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"663","name":"Department of Energy"},{"id":"3441","name":"DOE"},{"id":"170313","name":"Ernest Moniz"},{"id":"167357","name":"SEI"},{"id":"167358","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"},{"id":"36441","name":"Tim Lieuwen"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"},{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ELance Wallace\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:lance.wallace@comm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Elance.wallace@comm.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["lance.wallace@comm.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"529891":{"#nid":"529891","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Researchers List \u201cSeven Chemical Separations to Change the World\u201d","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThermally-based industrial chemical separation processes such as distillation now account for 10 to 15 percent of the world\u2019s annual energy use. Slaking the global thirst for energy could therefore get a substantial boost from improved technologies for producing fuels, plastics, food and other products with reduced inputs of energy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn a comment article published April 26 in the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature\u003C\/em\u003E, two researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology suggest seven energy-intensive separation processes they believe should be the top targets for research into low-energy purification technologies. Beyond cutting energy use, improved techniques for separating chemicals from mixtures would also reduce pollution, cut carbon dioxide emissions \u2013 and open up new ways to obtain critical resources the world needs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETechnologies applicable to those separation processes are at varying stages of development, the authors note. These alternative processes are now under-developed or expensive to scale up, and making them feasible for large-scale use could require a significant investment in research and development.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe wanted to highlight how much of the world\u2019s energy is used for chemical separations and point to some areas where large advances could potentially be made by expanding research in these areas,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/faculty\/sholl\u0022\u003EDavid Sholl\u003C\/a\u003E, one of the article\u2019s authors, chair of Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemical \u0026amp; Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and a Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar. \u201cThese processes are largely invisible to most people, but there are large potential rewards \u2013 to both energy and the environment \u2013 for developing improved separation processes in these areas.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the United States, substituting non-thermal approaches for purifying chemicals could reduce energy costs by $4 billion per year in the petroleum, chemical and paper manufacturing sectors alone. There\u2019s also a potential for reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 100 million tons per year.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cChemical separations account for about half of all U.S. industrial energy use,\u201d noted \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/faculty\/lively\u0022\u003ERyan Lively\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Chemical \u0026amp; Biomolecular Engineering and the article\u2019s second author. \u201cDeveloping alternatives that don\u2019t use heat could dramatically improve the efficiency of 80 percent of the separation processes that we now use.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDubbed the \u201cseven chemical separations to change the world,\u201d the list is not intended to be exhaustive, but includes:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHydrocarbons from crude oil\u003C\/strong\u003E. Hydrocarbons from crude oil are the main ingredients for making fuels, plastics and polymers \u2013 keys to the world\u2019s consumer economy. Each day, the article notes, refineries around the world process around 90 million barrels of crude oil, mostly using atmospheric distillation processes that consume about 230 gigawatts of energy per year, the equivalent of the total 2014 energy consumption of the United Kingdom. Distillation involves heating the oil and then capturing different compounds as they evaporate at different boiling points. Finding alternatives is difficult because oil is complex chemically and must be maintained at high temperatures to keep the thick crude flowing.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUranium from sea water\u003C\/strong\u003E. Nuclear power could provide additional electricity without boosting carbon emissions, but the world\u2019s uranium fuel reserves are limited. However, more than four billion tons of the element exist in ocean water. Separating uranium from ocean water is complicated by the presence of metals such as vanadium and cobalt that are captured along with uranium in existing technologies. Processes to obtain uranium from sea water have been demonstrated on small scales, but those would have to be scaled up before they can make a substantial contribution to the expansion of nuclear power.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlkenes from alkanes\u003C\/strong\u003E. Production of certain plastics requires alkenes \u2013 hydrocarbons such as ethane and propene, whose total annual production exceeds 200 million tons. The separation of ethene from ethane, for instance, typically requires high-pressure cryogenic distillation at low temperatures. Hybrid separation techniques that use a combination of membranes and distillation could reduce energy use by a factor of two or three, but large volumes of membrane materials \u2013 up to one million square meters at a single chemical plant \u2013 could be required for scale-up.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGreenhouse gases from dilute emissions\u003C\/strong\u003E. Emission of carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons such as methane contribute to global climate change. Removing these compounds from dilute sources such as power plant emissions can be done using liquid amine materials, but removing the carbon dioxide from that material requires heat. Less costly methods for removing carbon dioxide are needed.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERare earth metals from ores\u003C\/strong\u003E. Rare earth elements are used in magnets, catalysts and high-efficiency lighting. Though these materials are not really rare, obtaining them is difficult because they exist in trace quantities that must be separated from ores using complex mechanical and chemical processes.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBenzene derivatives from each other\u003C\/strong\u003E. Benzene and its derivatives are essential to production of many polymers, plastics, fibers, solvents and fuel additives. These molecules are now separated using distillation columns with combined annual energy usage of about 50 gigawatts. Advances in membranes or sorbents could significantly reduce this energy investment.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETrace contaminants from water\u003C\/strong\u003E. Desalination is already critical to meeting the need for fresh water in some parts of the world, but the process is both energy and capital intensive, regardless of whether membrane or distillation processes are used. Development of membranes that are both more productive and resistant to fouling could drive down the costs.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESholl and Lively conclude the paper by suggesting four steps that could be taken by academic researchers and policymakers to help expand the use of non-thermal separation techniques:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIn research, consider realistic chemical mixtures and reflect real-world conditions,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEvaluate the economics and sustainability of any separation technique,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EConsider the scale at which technology would have to be deployed for industry, and\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFurther expose chemical engineers and chemists in training to separation techniques that do not require distillation.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: David S. Sholl and Ryan P. Lively, \u201cSeven chemical separations to change the world,\u201d (Nature, Vol. 532, 2016). \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.nature.com\/news\/seven-chemical-separations-to-change-the-world-1.19799\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.nature.com\/news\/seven-chemical-separations-to-change-the-world-1.19799\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E177 North Avenue\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAtlanta, Georgia 30332-0181 USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contacts:\u003C\/strong\u003E John Toon (404-894-6986) (\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jtoon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ejtoon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E) or Ben Brumfield (404-385-1933) (\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:ben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eben.brumfield@comm.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETwo researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology are suggesting seven energy-intensive separation processes they believe should be the top targets for research into low-energy purification technologies. Beyond cutting energy use, improved techniques for separating chemicals from mixtures would also reduce pollution, cut carbon dioxide emissions \u2013 and open up new ways to obtain critical resourece.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers are suggesting seven energy-intensive separation processes that should be top targets for research into low-energy purification technologies."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2016-04-27 09:56:44","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:21:28","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-04-27T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2016-04-27T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"529831":{"id":"529831","type":"image","title":"David Sholl and Ryan Lively","body":null,"created":"1461895200","gmt_created":"2016-04-29 02:00:00","changed":"1475895307","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:07","alt":"David Sholl and Ryan Lively","file":{"fid":"88910","name":"separation-energy_006-horizonal.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/separation-energy_006-horizonal.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/separation-energy_006-horizonal.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1238297,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/separation-energy_006-horizonal.jpg?itok=CI9vaS1x"}},"529841":{"id":"529841","type":"image","title":"Distillation processes","body":null,"created":"1461895200","gmt_created":"2016-04-29 02:00:00","changed":"1475895307","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:07","alt":"Distillation processes","file":{"fid":"88911","name":"colonne_distillazione-horizonal.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/colonne_distillazione-horizonal.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/colonne_distillazione-horizonal.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":463112,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/colonne_distillazione-horizonal.jpg?itok=IGeaO-PK"}},"529851":{"id":"529851","type":"image","title":"David Sholl and Ryan Lively2","body":null,"created":"1461942000","gmt_created":"2016-04-29 15:00:00","changed":"1475895307","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:07","alt":"David Sholl and Ryan Lively2","file":{"fid":"88912","name":"separation-energy_005.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/separation-energy_005_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/separation-energy_005_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1378865,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/separation-energy_005_0.jpg?itok=I0xn-bbW"}}},"media_ids":["529831","529841","529851"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"171976","name":"chemical separation"},{"id":"38811","name":"David Sholl"},{"id":"213","name":"energy"},{"id":"171977","name":"purification"},{"id":"96231","name":"Ryan Lively"},{"id":"169566","name":"separation"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jtoon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ejtoon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"525961":{"#nid":"525961","#data":{"type":"news","title":"12 Emerging Technologies That May Help Power the Future","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe world human population is already more than 7 billion \u2013 a number that could exceed 11 billion by 2100, according to projections from the United Nations. This rising populace, coupled with environmental challenges, puts even greater pressure on already strained energy resources.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGranted, there\u2019s no silver bullet, but Georgia Tech researchers are developing a broad range of technologies to make power more abundant, efficient, and eco-friendly.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis feature provides a quick look at a dozen unusual projects that could go beyond traditional energy technologies to help power everything from tiny sensors to homes and businesses.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERead the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.rh.gatech.edu\/features\/12-emerging-technologies-may-help-power-future\u0022\u003Ecomplete feature\u003C\/a\u003E on the Research Horizons website\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers are developing a broad range of technologies to make power more abundant, efficient, and eco-friendly.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers are developing a broad range of energy technologies."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2016-04-17 21:34:46","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:21:21","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-04-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2016-04-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"525951":{"id":"525951","type":"image","title":"Shannon Yee, School of Mechanical Engineering","body":null,"created":"1461074400","gmt_created":"2016-04-19 14:00:00","changed":"1475895298","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:54:58","alt":"Shannon Yee, School of Mechanical Engineering","file":{"fid":"205508","name":"shannon-yee-13.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/shannon-yee-13_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/shannon-yee-13_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":998605,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/shannon-yee-13_0.jpg?itok=O-LC9Frh"}},"526101":{"id":"526101","type":"image","title":"Devesh Ranjan, School of Mechanical Engineering","body":null,"created":"1461078000","gmt_created":"2016-04-19 15:00:00","changed":"1475895298","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:54:58","alt":"Devesh Ranjan, School of Mechanical Engineering","file":{"fid":"205511","name":"devesh-ranjan47.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/devesh-ranjan47_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/devesh-ranjan47_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1565402,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/devesh-ranjan47_0.jpg?itok=WPGkkXuu"}}},"media_ids":["525951","526101"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"213","name":"energy"},{"id":"13689","name":"energy harvesting"},{"id":"171929","name":"energy technologies"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jtoon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ejtoon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"507121":{"#nid":"507121","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Device \u201cFingerprints\u201d Could Help Protect Power Grid, Other Industrial Systems","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EHuman voices are individually recognizable because they\u2019re generated by the unique components of each person\u2019s voice box, pharynx, esophagus and other physical structures.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearchers are using the same principle to identify devices on electrical grid control networks, using their unique electronic \u201cvoices\u201d \u2013 fingerprints produced by the devices\u2019 individual physical characteristics \u2013 to determine which signals are legitimate and which signals might be from attackers. A similar approach could also be used to protect networked industrial control systems in oil and gas refineries, manufacturing facilities, wastewater treatment plants and other critical industrial systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe research, reported February 23 at the Network and Distributed System Security Symposium in San Diego, was supported in part by the National Science Foundation (NSF). While device fingerprinting isn\u2019t a complete solution in itself, the technique could help address the unique security challenges of the electrical grid and other cyber-physical systems. The approach has been successfully tested in two electrical substations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe have developed fingerprinting techniques that work together to protect various operations of the power grid to prevent or minimize spoofing of packets that could be injected to produce false data or false control commands into the system,\u201d said Raheem Beyah, an associate professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. \u201cThis is the first technique that can passively fingerprint different devices that are part of critical infrastructure networks. We believe it can be used to significantly improve the security of the grid and other networks.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe networked systems controlling the U.S. electrical grid and other industrial systems often lack the ability to run modern encryption and authentication systems, and the legacy systems connected to them were never designed for networked security. Because they are distributed around the country, often in remote areas, the systems are also difficult to update using the \u201cpatching\u201d techniques common in computer networks. And on the electric grid, keeping the power on is a priority, so security can\u2019t cause delays or shutdowns.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe stakes are extremely high, but the systems are very different from home or office computer networks,\u201d said Beyah. \u201cIt is critical that we secure these systems against attackers who may introduce false data or issue malicious commands.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyah, his students, and colleagues in Georgia Tech\u2019s George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering set out to develop security techniques that take advantage of the unique physical properties of the grid and the consistent type of operations that take place there.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor instance, control devices used in the power grid produce signals that are distinctive because of their unique physical configurations and compositions. Security devices listening to signals traversing the grid\u2019s control systems can differentiate between these legitimate devices and signals produced by equipment that\u2019s not part of the system.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother aspect of the work takes advantage of simple physics. Devices such as circuit breakers and electrical protection systems can be told to open or close remotely, and they then report on the actions they\u2019ve taken. The time required to open a breaker or a valve is determined by the physical properties of the device. If an acknowledgement arrives too soon after the command is issued \u2013 less time than it would take for a breaker or valve to open, for instance \u2013 the security system could suspect spoofing, Beyah explained.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo develop the device fingerprints, the researchers, including mechanical engineering assistant professor Jonathan Rogers, have built computer models of utility grid devices to understand how they operate. Information to build the models came from \u201cblack box\u201d techniques \u2013 watching the information that goes into and out of the system \u2013 and \u201cwhite box\u201d techniques that utilize schematics or physical access to the systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDevice fingerprinting is a unique signature that indicates the identity of a specific device, or device type, or an action associated with that device type,\u201d Beyah explained. \u201cWe can use physics and mathematics to analyze and build a model using first principles based on the devices themselves. Schematics and specifications allow us to determine how the devices are actually operating.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers have demonstrated the technique on two electrical substations, and plan to continue refining it until it becomes close to 100 percent accurate. Their current technique addresses the protocol used for more than half of the devices on the electrical grid, and future work will include examining application of the method to other protocols.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBecause they also include devices with measurable physical properties, Beyah believes the approach could have broad application to securing industrial control systems used in manufacturing, oil and gas refining, wastewater treatment and other industries. Beyond industrial controls, the principle could also apply to the Internet of Things (IoT), where the devices being controlled have specific signatures related to switching them on and off.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAll of these IoT devices will be doing physical things, such as turning your air-conditioning on or off,\u201d Beyah said. \u201cThere will be a physical action occurring, which is similar to what we have studied with valves and actuators.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to those already mentioned, the research included graduate students David Formby, the paper\u2019s first author; Preethi Srinivasan and Andrew Leonard.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis research was supported by the National Science Foundation under grant number 1140230. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: David Formby, Preethi Srinivasan, Andrew Leonard, Jonathan Rogers and Raheem Beyah, \u201cWho\u2019s in Control of Your Control System? Device Fingerprinting for Cyber-Physical Systems,\u201d (NDSS 2016).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E177 North Avenue\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAtlanta, Georgia 30332-0181 USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jtoon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ejtoon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EResearchers are using the unique electronic \u201cvoices\u201d produced by devices on the electrical grid to determine which signals are legitimate and which signals might be from attackers.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers are using device fingerprints to help secure the electrical grid."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2016-02-28 17:04:06","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:20:53","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-02-29T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2016-02-29T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"507061":{"id":"507061","type":"image","title":"Utility fingerprinting","body":null,"created":"1456765200","gmt_created":"2016-02-29 17:00:00","changed":"1475895268","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:54:28","alt":"Utility fingerprinting","file":{"fid":"204875","name":"utility-fingerprinting.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/utility-fingerprinting_1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/utility-fingerprinting_1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1745094,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/utility-fingerprinting_1.jpg?itok=zxEeLZGc"}},"507081":{"id":"507081","type":"image","title":"Device fingerprinting2","body":null,"created":"1456765200","gmt_created":"2016-02-29 17:00:00","changed":"1475895268","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:54:28","alt":"Device fingerprinting2","file":{"fid":"204877","name":"utility-fingerprinting2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/utility-fingerprinting2_1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/utility-fingerprinting2_1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2463783,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/utility-fingerprinting2_1.jpg?itok=QhQExRwu"}},"507101":{"id":"507101","type":"image","title":"Device fingerprinting3","body":null,"created":"1456765200","gmt_created":"2016-02-29 17:00:00","changed":"1475895268","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:54:28","alt":"Device fingerprinting3","file":{"fid":"204879","name":"utility-fingerprinting3.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/utility-fingerprinting3_1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/utility-fingerprinting3_1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1977450,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/utility-fingerprinting3_1.jpg?itok=1SBWCUCl"}}},"media_ids":["507061","507081","507101"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"171775","name":"device fingerprinting"},{"id":"170238","name":"electric utility"},{"id":"436","name":"electricity"},{"id":"145981","name":"IISP"},{"id":"67741","name":"Raheem Beyah"},{"id":"167055","name":"security"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"145171","name":"Cybersecurity"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39481","name":"National Security"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jtoon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ejtoon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"497321":{"#nid":"497321","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Six Finalists Competing for InVenture Prize","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFinalists competing for the 2016 InVenture Prize have invented devices to protect firefighters, give children safe drinking water, and teach us how to play \u201cStairway to Heaven\u201d on guitar.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s InVenture Prize competition is designed to encourage and support undergraduate students\u2019 interest in innovation and entrepreneurship. Once again, more than 500 students signed up for the competition.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis year\u2019s six finalist teams have invented ways to make our lives safer, healthier, and a bit more fun. The teams are:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFireHUD\u003C\/strong\u003E: A display and data monitor that will track and display real-time information to firefighters in hazardous conditions. The goal is to decrease the level of uncertainty firefighters face.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInventors: Zachary Braun, computer engineering; and Tyler Sisk, electrical engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFretWizard\u003C\/strong\u003E: A virtual guitar teacher for students at varying levels. The inventors designed the site to give people a simpler and more intuitive way to learn how to play songs on the guitar.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInventors: Ali Abid, computer science; and Molly Ricks, international affairs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERoboGoalie\u003C\/strong\u003E: An automatic retrieval device that collects a soccer ball and launches it back to the player. Similar to a batting cage, this device gives soccer players the flexibility of practicing alone.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInventors (all mechanical engineering majors): Siu Lun Chan, Ming Him Ko, Zhifeng Su, and Timothy Woo.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETEQ\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cstrong\u003ECharging\u003C\/strong\u003E: A power management system for electric vehicle chargers. The technology and design lowers the cost of installing current charge stations and\u0026nbsp;increases efficiency\u0026nbsp;by sequentially charging vehicles.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInventors: Dorrier Coleman, computer engineering; Mitchell Kelman, computer science; Joshua Lieberman, mechanical engineering; and Isaac Wittenstein, mechanical engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETruePani\u003C\/strong\u003E: A household sanitation solution, consisting of a passive antimicrobial cup and storage water device that kills harmful microbes in drinking water. This invention was designed for children in rural India who are most affected by waterborne illnesses, but it also could be used in underserved communities worldwide.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInventors: Samantha Becker, civil engineering; Sarah Lynn Bowen, business administration; Naomi Ergun, business administration; and Shannon Evanchec, environmental engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWobble\u003C\/strong\u003E: A device to test a person\u2019s reactive balance. It works like a mechanical bull in that it spins and tilts. It can be programmed to different levels of difficulty, which makes it useful for determining return-to-play protocols for athletes who have suffered a concussion and also for evaluating the risk of falling for elderly patients.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInventors: Hailey Brown, mechanical engineering; Matthew Devlin, biomedical engineering; Ana Gomez del Campo, biomedical engineering; and Garrett Wallace, biomedical engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe winning team scores $20,000 and the second-place team receives $10,000.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBoth first- and second-place finishers will receive free U.S. patent filings by Georgia Tech\u2019s Office of Technology Licensing and a spot in Georgia Tech\u2019s startup accelerator program, Flashpoint.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA $5,000 People\u2019s Choice Award will go to the fans\u2019 favorite invention. Voting will be by text messaging during the finale.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe finale will take place March 16 at the Ferst Center for the Arts. Tickets are free and can be requested \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/inventureprize.gatech.edu\/inventure-prize-ticket-request-form\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe event will also be aired live on Georgia Public Broadcasting.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Winners of the annual Georgia Tech contest will be announced March 16"}],"uid":"27918","created_gmt":"2016-02-09 12:51:56","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:20:38","author":"Laura Diamond","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-02-10T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2016-02-10T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"47390":{"id":"47390","type":"image","title":"InVenture Prize Logo","body":null,"created":"1449175107","gmt_created":"2015-12-03 20:38:27","changed":"1475894442","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:40:42","alt":"InVenture Prize Logo","file":{"fid":"190117","name":"tne92353.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/tne92353.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/tne92353.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":19079,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/tne92353.jpg?itok=tyJWnvz7"}},"497161":{"id":"497161","type":"image","title":"FireHUD","body":null,"created":"1455120000","gmt_created":"2016-02-10 16:00:00","changed":"1475895256","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:54:16","alt":"FireHUD","file":{"fid":"204619","name":"firehud.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/firehud_0.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/firehud_0.png","mime":"image\/png","size":114199,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/firehud_0.png?itok=vgupvQhG"}},"497171":{"id":"497171","type":"image","title":"FretWizard","body":null,"created":"1455120000","gmt_created":"2016-02-10 16:00:00","changed":"1475895256","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:54:16","alt":"FretWizard","file":{"fid":"204620","name":"fretwizard.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/fretwizard_0.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/fretwizard_0.png","mime":"image\/png","size":52075,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/fretwizard_0.png?itok=K6dhwAiD"}},"497221":{"id":"497221","type":"image","title":"RoboGoalie","body":null,"created":"1455120000","gmt_created":"2016-02-10 16:00:00","changed":"1475895256","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:54:16","alt":"RoboGoalie","file":{"fid":"204624","name":"robogoalie.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/robogoalie_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/robogoalie_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2116299,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/robogoalie_0.jpg?itok=v3m9dj6I"}},"497251":{"id":"497251","type":"image","title":"TEQ Charging - InVenture Prize finalist","body":null,"created":"1455120000","gmt_created":"2016-02-10 16:00:00","changed":"1475895256","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:54:16","alt":"TEQ Charging - InVenture Prize finalist","file":{"fid":"204627","name":"teq_charging_system_0.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/teq_charging_system_0_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/teq_charging_system_0_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":828134,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/teq_charging_system_0_0.jpg?itok=yGy9UEUl"}},"497201":{"id":"497201","type":"image","title":"TruePani","body":null,"created":"1455120000","gmt_created":"2016-02-10 16:00:00","changed":"1475895256","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:54:16","alt":"TruePani","file":{"fid":"204623","name":"purepahni_composite_1.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/purepahni_composite_1.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/purepahni_composite_1.png","mime":"image\/png","size":617928,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/purepahni_composite_1.png?itok=fuvdE3GX"}},"497271":{"id":"497271","type":"image","title":"Wobble","body":null,"created":"1455120000","gmt_created":"2016-02-10 16:00:00","changed":"1475895256","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:54:16","alt":"Wobble","file":{"fid":"204628","name":"wolbull_tilt.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/wolbull_tilt.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/wolbull_tilt.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":144873,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/wolbull_tilt.jpg?itok=NVIwHitC"}}},"media_ids":["47390","497161","497171","497221","497251","497201","497271"],"related_links":[{"url":"http:\/\/inventureprize.gatech.edu\/","title":"The InVenture Prize web site"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"148","name":"Music and Music Technology"},{"id":"152","name":"Robotics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"3472","name":"entrepreneurship"},{"id":"341","name":"innovation"},{"id":"453","name":"undergraduate research"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"},{"id":"39521","name":"Robotics"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"},{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"},{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"},{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ELaura Diamond\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003EGeorgia Tech Media Relations\u003Cbr \/\u003E404-894-6016\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["laura.diamond@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"484651":{"#nid":"484651","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Two-Stage Power Management System Boosts Energy-Harvesting Efficiency","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA two-stage power management and storage system could dramatically improve the efficiency of triboelectric generators that harvest energy from irregular human motion such as walking, running or finger tapping.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe system uses a small capacitor to capture alternating current generated by the biomechanical activity. When the first capacitor fills, a power management circuit then feeds the electricity into a battery or larger capacitor. This second storage device supplies DC current at voltages appropriate for powering wearable and mobile devices such as watches, heart monitors, calculators, thermometers \u2013 and even wireless remote entry devices for vehicles.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy matching the impedance of the storage device to that of the triboelectric generators, the new system can boost energy efficiency from just one percent to as much as 60 percent. The research was reported December 11 in the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature Communications\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWith a high-output triboelectric generator and this power management circuit, we can power a range of applications from human motion,\u201d said Simiao Niu, a graduate research assistant in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Materials Science and Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E at the Georgia Institute of Technology. \u201cThe first stage of our system is matched to the triboelectric nanogenerator, and the second stage is matched to the application that it will be powering.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETriboelectric nanogenerators use a combination of the triboelectric effect and electrostatic induction to generate small amounts of electrical power from mechanical motions such as rotation, sliding or vibration. The triboelectric effect takes advantage of the fact that certain materials become electrically charged after they come into moving contact with a surface made from a different material. However, the output is alternating current, which can power applications such as LED lighting \u2013 but is not ideal for mobile devices.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOrdinary alternating current can be converted to direct current by using a transformer \u2013 but such a device requires consistency in the number of cycles per second. Because biomechanical energy sources such as walking or finger tapping produce fluctuating amplitude and variable frequencies, a standard transformer can\u2019t be used. In addition, the output from a triboelectric generator tends to have high voltage and low current \u2013 while applications for it require just the opposite: low voltage and higher current.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo address the problem, Niu and collaborators under the supervision of Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/faculty\/wang\u0022\u003EZhong Lin Wang\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech developed their power management system, which converts the fluctuating power amplitudes and variable frequencies to a continuous direct current.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe power management system can work with any triboelectric generator that produces a minimum of 100 microwatts. The system requires some power to operate, but compensates by increasing the overall output as much as 330 times to reach milliwatt levels.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter what kind of mechanical motion or what frequency of mechanical motion you have as long as the energy input is high,\u201d said Niu. \u201cThis is a critical step in the commercialization of triboelectric nanogenerators because it opens up a range of new applications.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith finger tapping as the only energy source, the power unit provides continuous direct current of 1.044 milliwatts. The unit can work continuously with the motion, allowing devices to be operated even as the device charges the battery or capacitor.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond portable electronics, Niu believes the system could be useful in powering networks of sensors, allowing long-term operation without the need for replacing batteries.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn a sensor network, you would have so many devices that you could not replace all of the batteries,\u201d he said. \u201cThis technology would allow you to power the sensors by harvesting energy from the environment and then directly providing energy for each component of the network.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith the energy management circuitry demonstrated in this proof-of-concept, the next step will be to miniaturize the circuitry to fit into an overall system, said Zhong Ling Wang, a Regents professor in the Georgia Tech School of Materials Science and Engineering who led development of the original triboelectric nanogenerators.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis new device provides a bridge between the triboelectric nanogenerator and many different types of applications,\u201d he said. \u201cThis work will allow us to build a package that can power wearable and mobile devices from the motion of humans. With constant output from a battery or large capacitor, you can drive just about any device that you want.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe power management system could also be applied to piezoelectric and pyroelectric generators, which also produce alternating current.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2012, Wang and his research team announced triboelectric nanogenerators that produce small amounts of electricity from motion in the world around us \u2013 by capturing the electrical charge produced when two different kinds of plastic materials rub against one another. Based on flexible polymer materials, the triboelectric generators provide alternating current (AC) from activities such as walking.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EVariations in generator structures allow a variety of applications depending on the source of mechanical energy. Wang\u2019s team has reported four major groups of generators including those that operate by (1) vertical contact-separation mode, (2) lateral sliding mode, (3) single-electron mode, and (4) freestanding triboelectric-layer mode. There are also hybrid combinations of these major structural modes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Simiao Niu, Xiaofeng Wang, Fang Yi, Yu Sheng Zhou and Zhong Lin Wang, \u201cA universal self-charging system driven by random biomechanical energy for sustainable operation of mobile electronics,\u201d (Nature Communications, 2015). \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/ncomms9975\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/ncomms9975\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E177 North Avenue\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAtlanta, Georgia 30332-0181 USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (404-894-6986) (\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jtoon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ejtoon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA two-stage power management and storage system could dramatically improve the efficiency of triboelectric generators that harvest energy from irregular human motion such as walking, running or finger tapping.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A power management and storage system could boost energy harvesting."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2016-01-11 17:47:42","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:20:24","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-01-11T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2016-01-11T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"484611":{"id":"484611","type":"image","title":"Triboelectric nanogenerator","body":null,"created":"1452898800","gmt_created":"2016-01-15 23:00:00","changed":"1475895236","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:53:56","alt":"Triboelectric nanogenerator","file":{"fid":"204284","name":"triboelectric_generator.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/triboelectric_generator.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/triboelectric_generator.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":502506,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/triboelectric_generator.jpg?itok=DzCiN2xm"}},"484621":{"id":"484621","type":"image","title":"Shoe with generator","body":null,"created":"1452898800","gmt_created":"2016-01-15 23:00:00","changed":"1475895236","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:53:56","alt":"Shoe with generator","file":{"fid":"204285","name":"shoe-w-generator.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/shoe-w-generator.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/shoe-w-generator.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1351459,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/shoe-w-generator.png?itok=Y5G3dqI_"}},"484631":{"id":"484631","type":"image","title":"Nanogenerator powering calculator","body":null,"created":"1452898800","gmt_created":"2016-01-15 23:00:00","changed":"1475895239","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:53:59","alt":"Nanogenerator powering calculator","file":{"fid":"204286","name":"calculator.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/calculator.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/calculator.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":554330,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/calculator.jpg?itok=yeu-gOJu"}}},"media_ids":["484611","484621","484631"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"13689","name":"energy harvesting"},{"id":"1334","name":"nanogenerator"},{"id":"37991","name":"triboelectric"},{"id":"13751","name":"Zhong Lin Wang"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Toon\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearch News\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jtoon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ejtoon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E(404) 894-6986\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jtoon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"455491":{"#nid":"455491","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Liquid Cooling Moves onto the Chip for Denser Electronics","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EUsing microfluidic passages cut directly into the backsides of production field-programmable gate array (FPGA) devices, Georgia Institute of Technology researchers are putting liquid cooling right where it\u2019s needed the most \u2013 a few hundred microns away from where the transistors are operating.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECombined with connection technology that operates through structures in the cooling passages, the new technologies could allow development of denser and more powerful integrated electronic systems that would no longer require heat sinks or cooling fans on top of the integrated circuits. Working with popular 28-nanometer FPGA devices made by Altera Corp., the researchers have demonstrated a monolithically-cooled chip that can operate at temperatures more than 60 percent below those of similar air-cooled chips.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to more processing power, the lower temperatures can mean longer device life and less current leakage. The cooling comes from simple de-ionized water flowing through microfluidic passages that replace the massive air-cooled heat sinks normally placed on the backs of chips.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe believe we have eliminated one of the major barriers to building high-performance systems that are more compact and energy efficient,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/faculty-staff\/fac_profiles\/bio.php?id=163\u0022\u003EMuhannad Bakir\u003C\/a\u003E, an associate professor and ON Semiconductor Junior Professor in the Georgia Tech \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cWe have eliminated the heat sink atop the silicon die by moving liquid cooling just a few hundred microns away from the transistors. We believe that reliably integrating microfluidic cooling directly on the silicon will be a disruptive technology for a new generation of electronics.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESupported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the research is believed to be the first example of liquid cooling directly on an operating high-performance CMOS chip. Details of the research were presented on September 28 at the IEEE Custom Integrated Circuits Conference in San Jose, Calif.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELiquid cooling has been used to address the heat challenges facing computing systems whose power needs have been increasing. However, existing liquid cooling technology removes heat using cold plates externally attached to fully packaged silicon chips \u2013 adding thermal resistance and reducing the heat-rejection efficiency.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo make their liquid cooling system, Bakir and graduate student Thomas Sarvey removed the heat sink and heat-spreading materials from the backs of stock Altera FPGA chips. They then etched cooling passages into the silicon, incorporating silicon cylinders approximately 100 microns in diameter to improve heat transmission into the liquid. A silicon layer was then placed over the flow passages, and ports were attached for the connection of water tubes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn multiple tests \u2013 including a demonstration for DARPA officials in Arlington, Virginia \u2013 a liquid-cooled FPGA was operated using a custom processor architecture provided by Altera. With a water inlet temperature of approximately 20 degrees Celsius and an inlet flow rate of 147 milliliters per minute, the liquid-cooled FPGA operated at a temperature of less than 24 degrees Celsius, compared to an air-cooled device that operated at 60 degrees Celsius.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESudhakar Yalamanchili, a professor in the Georgia Tech School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and one of the research group\u2019s collaborators, joined the team for the DARPA demonstration to discuss electrical-thermal co-design.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe have created a real electronic platform to evaluate the benefits of liquid cooling versus air cooling,\u201d said Bakir. \u201cThis may open the door to stacking multiple chips, potentially multiple FPGA chips or FPGA chips with other chips that are high in power consumption. We are seeing a significant reduction in the temperature of these liquid-cooled chips.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe research team chose FPGAs for their test because they provide a platform to test different circuit designs, and because FPGAs are common in many market segments, including defense. However, the same technology could also be used to cool CPUs, GPUs and other devices such as power amplifiers, Bakir said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to improving overall cooling, the system could reduce hotspots in circuits by applying cooling much closer to the power source. Eliminating the heat sink could allow more compact packaging of electronic devices \u2013 but only if electrical connection issues are also addressed.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn a separate research project, Bakir\u2019s group has demonstrated the fabrication of copper vias that would run through the silicon columns that are part of the cooling structure fabricated on the FPGAs. Graduate student Hanju Oh, co-advised with College of Engineering Dean Gary May, fabricated high aspect ratio copper vias through the silicon columns, reducing the capacitance of the connections that would carry signals between chips in an array.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe moment you start thinking about stacking the chips, you need to have copper vias to connect them,\u201d Bakir said. \u201cBy bringing system components closer together, we can reduce interconnect length and that will lead to improvements in bandwidth density and reductions in energy use.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe cooling research was funded by DARPA\u2019s Microsystems Technology Office, through the ICECOOL program. At Georgia Tech, DARPA funds two major cooling and system integration projects, one called STAECool directed by George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering Professor Yogendra Joshi, and the other, called SuperCool, that is directed by Bakir. In collaboration with the STAECool effort, Bakir and Joshi, along with Professors Andrei Fedorov and Suresh Sitaraman from the School of Mechanical Engineering, developed a thermal design vehicle to emulate challenging power maps to test the benefits of microfluidic cooling.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe have reached an important milestone that we hope to use as a stepping stone to reach other objectives,\u201d said Bakir. \u201cThere is still a big challenge ahead, but we expect this to allow much denser, higher-performance computing systems that will dissipate less power. We can think of many interesting applications for these cooling technologies.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAltera\u2019s principal investigator for the project, Arifur Rahman, said: \u201cFuture high-performance semiconductor electronics will be increasingly dominated by thermal budget and ability to remove heat. The embedded microfluidic channels provide an intriguing option to remove heat from future microelectronics systems.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis research was supported by DARPA-MTO; the contents of the news release are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DARPA.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION\u003C\/strong\u003E: Thomas E. Sarvey, et al., \u201cEmbedded Cooling Technologies for Densely Integrated Electronic Systems,\u201d (IEEE Custom Integrated Circuits Conference, 2015).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch News\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E177 North Avenue\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAtlanta, Georgia 30332-0181 USA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Relations Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon (\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jtoon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ejtoon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E) (404-894-6986)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter\u003C\/strong\u003E: John Toon\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EUsing microfluidic passages cut directly into the backsides of production field-programmable gate array (FPGA) devices, Georgia Institute of Technology researchers are putting liquid cooling right where it\u2019s needed the most \u2013 a few hundred microns away from where the transistors are operating.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers are putting liquid cooling right where it\u2019s needed the most \u2013 a few hundred microns away from where the transistors are operating."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2015-10-05 12:58:48","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:19:43","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2015-10-05T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2015-10-05T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"455451":{"id":"455451","type":"image","title":"Liquid cooling ports","body":null,"created":"1449256319","gmt_created":"2015-12-04 19:11:59","changed":"1475895199","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:53:19","alt":"Liquid cooling 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