{"687357":{"#nid":"687357","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Initiative Lead Q\u0026A: Hailong Chen Drives Innovation in Electrochemical Manufacturing and Recycling","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EHailong Chen is working to reduce energy use and costs in critical sectors such as mining and recycling through advanced electrochemical science.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChen leads the Georgia Tech Electrochemical Manufacturing and Recycling research initiative for the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/matter-systems.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EInstitute for Matter and Systems\u003C\/a\u003E. His research focuses on understanding the fundamental science behind electrochemical manufacturing and recycling processes and applying that knowledge to industrial practices. Chen is an associate professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn this Q\u0026amp;A, Chen discusses his research focus, its connection to the Institute for Matter and Systems\u2019 core priorities, and the national impact of this initiative.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat is your field of expertise and at what point in your life did you first become interested in this area?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMy expertise is materials design and advanced materials characterization using synchrotron and neutron techniques. I have always been interested in understanding electrochemical reactions. Previously, I focused on electrochemical reactions in batteries. More recently, I\u2019ve become interested in a broader range of electrochemical reactions, such as electrowinning and electrochemical separation and extraction of critical elements and materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat questions or challenges sparked your current research?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany electrochemical reactions widely used in industrial manufacturing are not well understood. Current recipes and protocols are mostly inherited from historical trial-and-error iterations, lacking rational design and impeding further development and improvement. Our experience with batteries and unique research capabilities can help improve the efficiency of electrochemical manufacturing and lower economic and energy costs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMatter and systems refer to the transformational technological and societal systems that arise from the convergence of innovative materials, devices, and processes. Why is your initiative important to the development of the IMS research strategy?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech has a strong community of faculty working in electrochemistry across diverse research areas such as energy storage and conversion, synthesis, and water purification. However, we currently lack a unifying theme in electrochemical manufacturing and recycling\u2014the focus this initiative seeks to establish and advance.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat are the broader global and social benefits of the research you and your team conduct?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany manufacturing industries, including mining, separation, and recycling, are highly energy intensive. Our research aims to drive transformative changes in these sectors by significantly reducing energy consumption, economic costs, and carbon footprints, with both immediate and lasting impacts on the U.S. and global society.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat are your plans for engaging a wider Georgia Tech faculty pool with the Institute for Matter and Systems research?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe plan to engage as many faculty members as possible whose research interests and expertise align with this theme. Our goal is to foster a supportive, collaborative, and inspiring environment where they can brainstorm, spark new ideas, and build capabilities. This community will also help them organize and position themselves to compete effectively for future funding opportunities in the field.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s Electrochemical Manufacturing and Recycling initiative aims to revolutionize energy-intensive industries.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech\u2019s Electrochemical Manufacturing and Recycling initiative aims to revolutionize energy-intensive industries. "}],"uid":"35272","created_gmt":"2026-01-15 18:41:17","changed_gmt":"2026-01-15 18:42:44","author":"aneumeister3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-15T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-15T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679011":{"id":"679011","type":"image","title":"Research Lead Faculty Hailong Chen","body":null,"created":"1768502349","gmt_created":"2026-01-15 18:39:09","changed":"1768502389","gmt_changed":"2026-01-15 18:39:49","alt":"Hailong Chen","file":{"fid":"263122","name":"Research-Lead-Faculty-Headshot_chen.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/15\/Research-Lead-Faculty-Headshot_chen.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/15\/Research-Lead-Faculty-Headshot_chen.png","mime":"image\/png","size":2845095,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/15\/Research-Lead-Faculty-Headshot_chen.png?itok=xOpU-JPf"}}},"media_ids":["679011"],"groups":[{"id":"660369","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"194701","name":"go-resarchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:amelia.neumeister@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAmelia Neumeister\u003C\/a\u003E | Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Institute for Matter and Systems\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["amelia.neumeister@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}