Message from the Director

Professor Stratos Pistikopoulos

It has never been a more exciting time to engage in energy research! We live in an era of unprecedented, almost revolutionary, changes in the way the energy landscape is evolving, from the resources we use, the technologies we employ, the infrastructural developments we need. Society, industry, and academia, we all enthusiastically embrace the challenges and opportunities toward securing a sustainable energy future.

Texas A&M University has always been a leading state, national and international force in energy research, shaping the agenda for Texas, the energy capital of the world. With over 300 academic colleagues focusing their research on the evolving energy space, our ongoing research at Texas A&M University covers all pillars, the technologies, both fossil and non-fossil including nuclear, the materials empowering the technologies, the societal drivers including policy, security and sustainability, and the digital world, the tools enabling qualitative and quantitative analysis.

The Texas A&M Energy Institute serves as the umbrella organization, the inter-disciplinary ‘glue’, acting as a catalyst and a reference point for the innovative and inspirational research programs within Texas A&M University. We are excited to introduce our newsletter, the Energizer, to start showcasing the breadth and depth of our ongoing research and our most talented researchers. Enjoy reading it!

Featured Partnerships

Texas A&M Research Center and Institute Partnerships

The Texas A&M Energy Institute and partners whom we have formal agreements with are engaging in impactful collaborations in energy research and education. These affiliations benefit society by accelerating global research in sustainable energy transition and inspiring the next generation of students to pursue professions that are yet to exist and to become leaders who reshape the future of the energy industry.

Oil and Gas Partnership Propels International Initiatives

Since the 2018 agreement was forged between the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station's Gas and Fuels Research Center and the Texas A&M Energy Institute, Texas A&M University has expanded synergies in research, education and outreach to propel advancements in responsible oil and gas exploration and production in both the U.S and Qatar.

Texas A&M Institutes Champion 'Energy Digitization'

In an era where energy and digital technologies are merging, Texas A&M University plays a pivotal role in this convergence through a 2021 formal agreement between the Texas A&M Institute of Data Science and the Texas A&M Energy Institute.

United in Safety: The MKOPSC-TAMEI Alliance

Since 2016, the Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center and the Texas A&M Energy Institute have joined forces to offers cutting-edge Safety in Energy Systems educational courses as part of the Master of Science in Energy program. The partnership was solidified with a formal agreement in 2022, enhancing joint efforts in research, education, and outreach.

Texas A&M Faculty Highlight

Dr. Faruque Hasan

Transitioning to a Secure and Sustainable Energy Future

In the ever-evolving landscape of energy production and consumption, the need for sustainable solutions is paramount. Prof. Faruque Hasan, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University, Kim McDivitt ’88 and Phillip McDivitt ’87 Endowed Faculty Fellow, and Assistant Director of Decarbonization at the Texas A&M Energy Institute, is dedicated to shaping a greener, more efficient future by bridging science, engineering, and policy to address key global challenges in energy transition. Since joining the faculty in 2014, Prof. Hasan has been at the forefront of developing systematic methods for designing, analyzing, and optimizing emerging chemical technologies for industrial decarbonization and sustainable energy transition.

Faculty Affiliates

Energy Institute Welcomes New Faculty Affiliates

The Texas A&M Energy Institute is dedicated to fostering a research environment centered on energy related disciplines through a network of around 300 university Faculty Affiliates. The institute welcomed 11 new Faculty Affiliates in January 2024. Texas A&M faculty interested in joining the Faculty Affiliate network may apply through the link below.

Join the Texas A&M Energy Institute
Faculty Affiliate Network

Elevate your impact in the energy sector by becoming a part of the Texas A&M Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate network. If you are a research faculty member at Texas A&M with a passion for energy research, we invite you to apply and collaborate with leading experts to shape the future of energy innovation. Apply today!

Energy Institute Project Highlights

New Center Addresses Global Climate Change Impacts on Water

Dr. Rabi Mohtar, Professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; and Senior Advisor for Resource Nexus at the Texas A&M Energy Institute, is joining forces with several universities on a National Institutes of Health The Global Center on Climate Change, Water, Energy, Food and Health Systems project led by the University of California San Diego to develop evidence-based approaches to provide safe drinking and cooking water in Jordan in ways that can be scaled up globally.

Rocking Energy Storage: TAMEI seed funding results in Okoroafor NSF grant

Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS) is emerging as a promising avenue for storing large quantities of energy to ensure stability during varying energy demands. The Texas A&M Energy Institute funded a preliminary study titled, Investigating Alterations in Rock Properties for Underground Hydrogen Storage: A Geochemical and Geomechanical Baseline Study led by Dr. Esuru Rita Okoroafor, Assistant Professor in the Department of Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M University, lead for the Texas A&M University Geothermal Consortium, and Texas A&M Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate; and Henry Galvis Silva, Texas A&M University doctoral student.

This seed funding resulted in a U.S. Department of EnergyULTRA-H2: Reservoir Management of Natural Hydrogen from Ultramafic Rocks project to develop a method using Learn more modeling and experimentation to determine the behavior of a large-scale geologic hydrogen reservoir based on the laboratory-scale data obtained from the preliminary study funded by the Texas A&M Energy Institute.

METAVASIS: Bridging Greece and Texas for a Just Energy Transition

In January 2024, 10 students from the Agricultural University of Athens traveled to Texas to visit Houston, Texas A&M University, and other areas as a part of “METAVASIS” (Mobility for Energy Transition Awareness to Bring About Societal Impacts), a project funded by the United States Embassy in Athens. The METAVASIS project is a joint effort between the Texas A&M Energy Institute and the Agricultural University of Athens, with support from the US Embassy in Athens, in partnership with the Texas International Education Consortium, and the Center for Houston’s Future. The project aims to understand the economic, social, and environmental impacts of a rapid energy transition on vulnerable communities and marginalized regions in Greece and Texas.

Egypt’s Energy Roadmap: Navigating Toward 2030

The Texas A&M Energy Institute and representatives from Assiut University, the Arab Academy for Science and Technology, Badr University, Cairo University, and Zagazig University collaborated for an event in Alexandria that was hosted by the Arab Academy for Science and Technology titled Towards Egypt’s Energy Vision 2030: Egypt’s Just Energy Transition: Decarbonization Electrification, Education and Access.

Community Engaged Research

Global Goals…Local Action

A Community-Engaged Approach for Developing a Localized Sustainability Dashboard for the City of San Antonio, Texas

While the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals offer a valuable framework to guide progress at the global and national levels, effective implementation often requires action at the local level. Partnering with Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran of District 3 in the City of San Antonio, Dr. Bassel Daher, Texas A&M Energy Institute Research Scientist, along with the support of Doctor of Engineering student Sai Kapalayam from the Department of Multi-disciplinary Engineering at Texas A&M University, has led a year-long initiative dedicated to localizing sustainability goals within the San Antonio context.

Education

Inspiring the Next Generation

Kim Daniel, Texas A&M Energy Institute Academic Program Coordinator; Dr. Bassel Daher, Research Scientist; and Cindy Lyle, Senior Research Development Officer, presented perspectives on diverse Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) pathways to Women in STEM Club students at College Station High School in January 2024 as part of Texas A&M Energy Institute’s ongoing commitment to inspire the next generation of leaders in energy.

Texas A&M Energy News

Kezunovic recognized as A&M University Distinguished Professor

Credit: Alyson Chapman

Dr. Mladen Kezunovic, Texas A&M University Regents Professor, Eugene E. Webb Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Texas A&M Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, is among eight faculty honored with the prestigious title of Texas A&M University Distinguished Professor.

Predicting Power Outages

Credit: Katie Satterlee

Dr. Kezunovic is also recognized for his National Science Foundation award titled, Advanced Learning for Energy Risk Tracking (ALERT). He and his team are combining big data and machine learning to predict outages and help consumers prepare for loss of power.

Layton receives prestigious A&M NSF CAREER award

Credit: Maddi Busby

Dr. Astrid Layton, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, Donna Walker Faculty Fellow, and Texas A&M Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, received an esteemed National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Program (NSF CAREER) award titled, Resilient Engineering Systems Design Via Early-Stage Bio-Inspiration to advance the ability for early-stage design of resilient systems. She will test design tools under a variety case studies including supply chains, water distribution networks, power grids, and industrial resource networks.

Khan and Elbashir elected AIChE Fellows

Prof. Faisal Khan and Prof. Nimir Elbashir were elected as American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Fellows, the highest grade of membership achieved through election by the Board of Directors.

Khan’s Pipeline Integrity and Microbial Corrosion Research Earns Best Paper Award

Credit: Raven Wuebker

Prof. Faisal Khan’s Science Direct published article titled, Risk-based pipeline integrity management: A road map for the resilient pipelines - ScienceDirect, was recently been honored with the Best Paper Award by KeAi (a subsidiary of Elsevier) Publishing. Originally published in 2021 in the Journal of Pipeline Science and Engineering, Prof. Khan said the paper presents a deeper understanding of the corrosion mechanism driven by microbial activities.

Polymer Scientists Grunland and Pentzer Inducted as ACS POLY Fellows

Credit: Maddi Busby

This year, the Division of Polymer Chemistry (POLY) within the American Chemical Society (ACS) welcomed seven new fellows, including Texas A&M University's esteemed academics Dr. Jaime Grunlan, Leland T. Jordan ’29 Chair Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University and Texas A&M Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, and Dr. Emily Pentzer, Associate Professor in the Texas A&M University Department of Chemistry. The POLY Fellows program honors exceptional contributions in advancing the realm of polymer science, whether through significant scientific achievements, dedicated service to the profession, or a combination of both.

Pentzer named to National Academies STEM Cohort

Credit: Shana K. Hutchins

Dr. Emily Pentzer, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University, was named to the 2024 cohort of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s New Voices in Sciences, Engineering and Medicine program.

Vincent Selected as a Sloan Research Fellow

Credit: Michelle Revels

Dr. Orencio Duran Vinent, Assistant Professor in the Department of Ocean Engineering at Texas A&M University, was selected as a 2024 Sloan Research Fellow. This fellowship recognizes 126 of the top researchers from the United States and Canada. Duran Vinent’s research focuses on enhancing infrastructure in coastal areas that are densely populated and economically booming.

Hu named Editor-in-Chief for Electronic Design Automation Journal

Credit: Katie Satterlee

Dr. Jiang Hu, Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University and Texas A&M Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, is the new editor-in-chief of the Association for Computing Machinery Transactions on Design Automation of Electronic Systems journal.

Arróyave named Editor-in-Chief of Materials Letters and Materials Letters: X

Credit: Michelle Revels

Dr. Raymundo Arróyave, Segers Family Dean’s Excellence Professor, Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Texas A&M University, and Texas A&M Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, was named Editor-in-Chief of Materials Letters and Materials Letters: X. The publication encompasses groundbreaking research related to science, applications and materials processing.

Xie invited to White House Roundtable Discussion on AI for Energy

Credit: Katie Satterlee

Dr. Le Xie, Associate Director of Energy Digitization at the Texas A&M Energy Institute, and Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University, was an invited speaker at the February 2024 virtual roundtable hosted by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the U.S. Department of Energy to discuss the potential for Artificial Intelligence to strengthen the nation’s resilience against climate change impacts and build an equitable clean energy economy. View Dr. Xie's video for more information on his AI research.

Duffield Leads Texas A&M Participation in AI Consortium

Credit: Texas A&M Division of Research

Texas A&M University joined the inaugural cohort of the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute Consortium. Leading Texas A&M’s team is Dr. Nick Duffield, Director of the Texas A&M Institute of Data Science and Royce E. Wisenbaker Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University. The consortium is developing science-based and empirically backed guidelines and standards for AI measurement and policy, laying the foundation for AI safety across the world.

Vedlitz Co-Authors Paper with Engineering Researchers on Access to Essential Facilities

Credit: The Bush School of Government and Public Service Institute for Science Technology and Public Policy

A new Texas A&M study titled Disparities in Access and Association between Access to Critical Facilities During Day-to-day and Disrupted Access as a result of Storm Extreme Weather Events, is led by Urban Resilience.AI Lab Director Dr. Ali Mostafavi; Dr. Arnold Vedlitz, Professor and Bob Bullock Chair in Government and Public Policy; Director and Distinguished Research Scholar in the Institute for Science, Technology and Public Policy and Texas A&M Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate; and civil engineering graduate student Flavia Ioana Patrascu. The study examines the interplay of routine access and disrupted access caused by extreme weather to essential facilities.

Garcia celebrated for 35 years of service at A&M

Our warmest congratulations to Vickie Garcia, Senior Administrative Coordinator at the Texas A&M Energy Institute, for 35 years of service at Texas A&M University. May your professional journey continue to be filled with success and fulfillment!

Recent Texas A&M Energy Institute Seminars

December 2023

Dr. Yassin Hassan, University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at Texas A&M University, Regents Professor, L.F. Peterson ‘36 Chair II in Engineering; and Texas A&M University Faculty Affiliate, presented Nuclear Energy: A Sustainable Source in the Energy Mix as the featured Texas A&M Energy Institute Annual Distinguished Lecture. He highlighted how diversifying the U.S. energy portfolio with nuclear energy can significantly reduce carbon emissions, ensure a reliable and uninterrupted energy supply, and facilitate the transition to a greener future. Dr. Hassan’s presentation can be viewed here.

February 2024

Dr. Shannon Bragg-Sitton, Director for the Integrated Energy and Storage Systems Division in the Energy and Environment Science and Technology Directorate at Idaho National Laboratory; and Texas A&M Energy Institute External Advisory Board member presented Achieving a Net-Zero Future: The Role of Nuclear Energy as a Texas A&M Energy Institute Distinguished Lecture Series in Energy speaker. She highlighted research to develop and deploy nuclear-based integrated energy systems to achieve US net-zero emission goals for power, industrial, and transportation sectors. Dr. Bragg-Sitton’s presentation can be viewed here.

Dr. George Papadakis, Professor of Renewable Energy Technology at the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), presented Reverse Osmosis Desalination Driven by Renewable Energy at Texas A&M Energy Institute’s special international energy seminar as part of the METAVASIS project (see above). He presented sustainable technologies to address global fresh water supply challenges. Dr. Papadakis’ presentation can be viewed here.

Doug Lewin, Stoic Energy Consulting founder, Texas Energy and Power Newsletter author and Energy Capital Podcast host, presented Putting the Pieces Together for a Reliable Grid and a Just Energy Transition, covering the state of the Texas energy grid, demand side strategies to improve affordability, reliability, and sustainability, and the important impacts that grid transformation could have on Texans’ quality of life. Lewin’s presentation can be viewed here.

March 2024

Dr. George Moridis, Robert L. Whiting, Chair in the Department of Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M University, presented Practical Aspects and Implications of Long-Term CO2 Sequestration in Saline Aquifers Using Vertical and Horizontal Wells as a Texas A&M Energy Institute Distinguished Lecture Series in Energy speaker. He discussed impacts of salinity on the attempt to sequester carbon dioxide in saline aquifers via vertical and horizontal wells over long times. Dr. Moridis’ presentation can be viewed here.

Dr. Michael Baldea, holder of the Henry Beckman Professorship in the Department of Chemical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, presented Machine Learning can Produce Actual Learning as a Texas A&M Energy Institute Distinguished Lecture Series in Energy speaker. He discussed a novel class of algorithms inspired by control theory for learning the governing equations of physical and chemical reaction systems. Dr. Baldea’s presentation can be viewed here.

Cyclotron Institute at A&M Celebrates 60 Years Of Nuclear Science History

Credit: Shana Hutchins

What began with a staff of 14 teachers plus graduate assistants and an annual operating budget of approximately $1 million now accounts for the world-renowned Texas A&M University Cyclotron Institute, a nuclear science program involving more than 100 affiliated members - scientists, engineers, technicians, support staff, and graduate and undergraduate students.

Ufodike and TEES to Collaborate with The Virtual Foundry

Credit: Alyssa Schaechinger

The Digital Manufacturing and Distribution Lab (DMD-Lab) at the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) and The Virtual Foundry have partnered to explore the effects of varying sintering parameters on fused filament fabrication 3D-printed titanium alloy parts under the principal investigator Dr. Chukwuzubelu Ufodike, Director of the DMD-Lab and assistant professor in the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University and Texas A&M Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate.

Texas A&M team reducing industrial emissions with heat pump innovations

Credit: Steve Kuhlmann

Dr. Zheng O'Neill, Associate Professor and J. Mike Walker '66 Career Development Professor; Dr. Bryan Rasmussen, Leland T. Jordan Professor II, both in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University and Texas A&M Energy Institute Faculty Affiliates; and Dr. Rosana Moreira, professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Texas A&M University, received a US Department of Energy grant titled, Decarbonizing Industrial Food Drying with Energy-Efficient Desiccant-Wheel Heat Pump System to reduce energy consumption in the wood-drying industry.

Lutkenhaus investigates advanced energy storage solutions

Credit: Raven Wuebker

Polymer-air batteries often face challenges related to stability, kinetics and conductivity. In response, Dr. Jodie Lutkenhaus, Associate Department Head of Internal Engagement and Chemical Engineering Professor at Texas A&M University and Texas A&M Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, has developed a method to use a polymer as an anode in polymer-air batteries to improve battery stability, kinetics and conductivity.

Shamberger leads pressure, humidity study on DOD thermal energy storage

Credit: Jan McHarg

Under the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program, Dr. Patrick Shamberger, Associate Professor, Director of the Undergraduate Program for the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Texas A&M University, and Texas A&M Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, received a U.S. Department of Defense grant to acquire instrumentation for thermal energy storage research.

Samouei: Mining treasures locked away in produced water

Credit: Nancy Luedke

Dr. Hamidreza Samouei, Research Assistant Professor in Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M University and Texas A&M Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, is investigating the components of produced water resulting from oil and gas operations.

Li awarded A&M grant for carbon capture and utilization

Credit: Steve Kuhlmann

Dr. Ying Li, Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Texas A&M University Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pioneer Natural Resources Faculty Fellow III, and Texas A&M Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, received a Targeted Proposal Team (TPT) grant from the Texas A&M University Division of Research titled Integrated Carbon Capture and Utilization via Rapid Electrification (IC-CURE).

Toliyat Leads Texas A&M Research to Reduce Emissions of Commercial Aircraft

Credit: Rachel Rose

Dr. Hamid Toliyat, Raytheon Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University, and Texas A&M Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, received funding to continue with phase two of a U.S. Department of Energy Aviation-class Synergistically Cooled Electric-motors with iNtegrated Drives (ASCEND) project. The program aims to develop an all-electric propulsion system for single-aisle, 150-200 passenger commercial aircraft, such as the Boeing 737, that will significantly decrease the amount of greenhouse gas emissions affecting the environment through commercial air travel.

IQSE Part Of National Effort To Harness Nuclear Laser Fusion For Limitless Energy

Credit: Texas A&M Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering

The Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering (IQSE) at Texas A&M University is a major player in one of the U.S. Department of Energy hubs, known as RISE, which will be led by Colorado State University and dedicated to advancing laser-driven fusion energy. Texas A&M University’s Dr. Marlan Scully, University Distinguished Professor and IQSE director; Dr. Alexei Sokolov, Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and IQSE associate director; Dr. Aleksei Zheltikov, Professor of Physics & Astronomy; and Dr. Zhenhuan Yi, Research Assistant Professor of Physics & Astronomy are harnessing fusion energy through Inertial Fusion Energy using lasers that heat a small target containing fusible material to enable innovations toward commercial fusion.

TEEX Launches Resources and Training for First Responders on Electric Vehicle and Energy Storage System Emergencies

Credit: Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service

The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service has published a stakeholders’ report and informational website and developed no-cost training for first responders to identify the issues, challenges and current practices in preventing, preparing for, and addressing electric vehicle and energy storage system fires and related emergencies.

Upcoming Energy Events

April 4, 11, 18, 2024

MKOPSC Mannan/O’Connor Memorial Lecture Series

April 4, 2024; Quentin Baker, President | BakerRisk

April 11, 2024: Dr. Sreeram Vaddiraju, Assoc. Professor of Chemical Engineering | MKOPSC

April 18, 2024: Jaqueline Trinh, Regional Process Safety Specialist | Cargill

Location: Jack E. Brown Engineering Building, Room 256

April 5, 2024

Who Owns the Heat?: Science-Based Legal and Practical Challenges to Allocating Ownership Rights to Subsurface (Geo)Thermal Energy

Gabriel Eckstein, Professor of Law; Director, Energy, Environmental, & Natural Resources Systems Law Program Texas A&M University School of Law

Location: Halbouty Geosciences Building, Room 101

April 10, 2024

Texas A&M University Towards

Resilient-by-Design NextG Power Systems: Embracing Uncertainty and Leveraging Complexity

Dr. Eman Hammad, Assistant Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution, Texas A&M College of Engineering

Location: Texas A&M Energy Institute Frederick E. Giesecke Engineering Research Building (GERB) Third Floor Conference Room

April 24, 2024

Towards Zero-Carbon Power Grids: Navigating Renewables' Complexities and Constraints

Dr. Elnaz Kabir, Assistant Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution Texas A&M College of Engineering

Location: Texas A&M Energy Institute Frederick E. Giesecke Engineering Research Building (GERB) Third Floor Conference Room

April 30-May 2, 2024

Energizing Electric Grid Analysis with PowerWorld

Dr. Thomas Overbye, Professor of Electrical Engineering, O’Donnell Foundation Chair III. Director of the TEES Smart Grid Center

Location: Center for Infrastructure Renewal

May 3, 2024

Prairie View A&M Research Vibes

Dr. Rabi Mohtar, Professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; and Senior Advisor for Resource Nexus at the Texas A&M Energy Institute,

Location: Prairie View A&M Memorial Student Center Grand Ballroom

May 7, 2024

AI for Energy Seminar

Dr. Le Xie, Segers Family Dean’s Excellence Professor, Chancellor EDGES Fellow, and Presidential Impact Fellow in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University, and Associate Director-Energy Digitization at Texas A&M Energy Institute

Location: Texas A&M Energy Institute Frederick E. Giesecke Engineering Research Building (GERB) Third Floor Conference Room

May 30, 2024

WEF Nexus-Migration Webinar

Building Nexus Resilience

Bassel Daher, Texas A&M Energy Institute Research Scientist

Location: Webinar