Texas A&M Energy Institute Announces Winners of 2019-2020 “Energy Seed Grant” Research Proposal Call

Over the past several decades, most of the research activities focused on the development of new and exotic materials for efficient harvesting of solar energy and to drive photo and/or electrochemical processes e.g. water splitting and carbon dioxide reduction. However, little attention is given to the reactors or the reaction systems. Herein, the advancement of the state-of-the-art will be achieved by the design, modeling, optimization, and testing of a hybrid photo-electro-chemical that combines the advantages of existing tubular and fiber optic systems, and utilizes concentrated solar light.

The proposal entitled “Hydrogen Evolution using Metal-Organic Framework-complexed Hydrogenase Active Site Analogues as Electrocatalysts (MHAEs)” will support a collaborative research in the fields Hydrogen Evolution Using Metal-organic Framework (MOFs)-complexed [FeFe]-hydrogenase Synthetic Analogue Electrocatalyst. Studies of molecular electrocatalysts for proton reduction are complicated due to the complex coupling of material properties, design of structure, and electrochemistry. The goals are to: 1) Synthesize MOF-complexed hydrogenases (H2ase) active site analogues as electrocatalysts; 2) Characterize the structures of MHAEs; 3) Evaluate the electrocatalytic ability for H2production. This project will improve electrocatalyst behavior and efficiency on H2 production to enhance clean energy application.

Drs. Ben Klopack, Eric Lewis, and Fernando Luco are examining the economic impact of Hurricane Harvey on the gasoline market. Hurricane Harvey led to a 12% nationwide increase in gas prices and it also affected local demand and supply in hard-hit areas: Flooded roads made it difficult for consumers to access gas stations, and somThe proposal entitled “Hydrogen Evolution using Metal-Organic Framework-complexed Hydrogenase Active Site Analogues as Electrocatalysts (MHAEs)” will support a collaborative research in the fields Hydrogen Evolution Using Metal-organic Framework (MOFs)-complexed [FeFe]-hydrogenase Synthetic Analogue Electrocatalyst. Studies of molecular electrocatalysts for proton reduction are complicated due to the complex coupling of material properties, design of structure, and electrochemistry. The goals are to: 1) Synthesize MOF-complexed hydrogenases (H2ase) active site analogues as electrocatalysts; 2) Characterize the structures of MHAEs; 3) Evaluate the electrocatalytic ability for H2production. This project will improve electrocatalyst behavior and efficiency on H2 production to enhance clean energy application.e gas stations suffered significant hurricane damage. In their research, they will quantify the overall impact of Harvey on the gasoline market both in hard-hit areas and elsewhere, measuring how it shifted supply and demand, and the extent to which it altered gas station competition.

Prairie View A&M University’s Dr. Sarhan Musa, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, and Dr. Logan Yelderman, Assistant Professor of Psychology, plan to conduct research on the impacts of solar energy transition and community involvement in the transition. Using a collaborative framework, this research will assess the energy and economic impact of installing solar power grids, evaluate disparities in demographics regarding residents’ willingness to engage in collaboration with energy providers, and examine the impact of providing information on solar energy and the process of transitioning from fossil fuels to solar power. This research will be conducted in Prairie View, TX, home of Prairie View A&M University.

Currently, there is no viable and affordable emission-free electrification infrastructure for buildings and electric vehicles. This research envisions accelerating the development of an integrated emission-free sustainable energy system for buildings and transportation infrastructure. A scheme for the emission-free energy infrastructure is being developed. The technological aspect of the scheme involves a novel approach to integrate aesthetic solar shingles, to be developed, along with high capacity, fast charging lithium-ion energy storage batteries at strategically located charging stations. An interdisciplinary (systems engineering, electrical engineering, and business analytics) research team, across three university campuses, is formed to undertake key technical and economic challenges.