Energy Solutions
Innovations in Batteries and Renewables
Our investigators pioneer materials for durable batteries, renewable energy, and carbon
capture. They recover rare Earth metals from electronics, engineer solid-state and
aqueous electrolytes, assess CO2 in seawater and mafic rock formations, and push the
current understanding of green energy for a safer future. Below is a rotating selection
of our standout investigators in these areas.
○ Recent News and Highlights
○ Related Strength: Semiconductors
Selected Publications
Bashash, S. (2023). Advanced polynomial trajectory design for high precision control of flexible servo positioning systems. Precision Engineering, 84.
Kazemifar, F. (2022). A review of technologies for carbon capture, sequestration, and utilization: Cost, capacity, and technology readiness. Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology, 12(12).
Pietrzyk, K., Soares, J., Ohara, B., Lee, H. (2016). Power generation modeling for a wearable thermoelectric energy harvester with practical limitations. Applied Energy, 183.
Vu, H., Subuyuj, G., Crisostomo, R, & Skovran, E., (2021). Transposon mutagenesis for methylotrophic bacteria using Methylorubrum extorquens AM1 as a model system. Methods in Enzymology, 650.
Yip (Hoang), O., et al. (2019). Longitudinal versus Lateral Estuarine Dynamics and Their Role in Tidal Stratification Patterns in Lower South San Francisco Bay. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 124.
Award Highlights
Kazemifar, Han, Bashash, “Industrial Assessment Centers – Regional Centers of Excellence” — Department of Energy, 2023
Kazemifar, “Establishing SJSU Industrial Assessment Center” — Department of Energy, 2022
Oh, “Biomedical, Chemical & Materials Engineering Center for High Precision Patterning Science (CHiPPS)” — Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 2022
Lee, Oh, "Effect of Cyclic Mechanical Stress on Ionic Conduction in Composite Polymer Electrolytes for Solid-State Batteries" — NSF, 2021
Skovran, "Efficient Recovery of Rare Earth using Methylobacterium Extorquens" — UC Berkeley, 2022-23
Innovations
Bio-Recycling Technology
Genetically engineering bacteria to eat rare earth metals in electronic waste; recovering
them for power solutions.
Star-Powered Osmosis Solutions [pdf]
A novel approach to improve thin film composite forward osmosis membranes for seawater
desalination, wastewater treatment, and other applications.
Affiliates
Featured Faculty
Farzan Kazemifar
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Energy Systems; Energy Efficiency in Industrial and Commercial Buildings
ORCID: 0000-0001-6260-9119
Hohyun Lee
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Sustainable Energy Generation and Management, Grid Interactive Building, Resilient
Community, Equitable Power Distribution
ORCID: 0000-0002-2691-9360
Dahyun Oh
Associate Professor of Chemical and Materials Engineering
Energy Storage, Nanomaterials, Material Design, Green Technology, Sustainability,
Lithium Batteries, Nanofabrication, Biomaterials, Bioinspired Materials Synthesis,
Nanopatterning
ORCID: 0000-0003-1390-8440
Elizabeth Skovran
Professor of Biological Sciences
Rare Earth Metals, Biorecycling, Electronic Waste, Lanthanides, Bacteria, Methylotroph,
CRISPR, Genetic Engineering, Molecular Biology, Bacterial Genetics, Gacterial Physiology
ORCID: 0000-0002-1737-5621
Olivia Yip
Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Environmental Fluid Mechanics, Estuarine Hydrodynamics, Climate Change, Extreme Precipitation,
Stormwater Modeling
ORCID: 0000-0002-9549-3623
Potential collaborators and members of the media may contact us at officeofresearch@sjsu.edu.
