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).

    Shi, T., et al. (2020) Distribution channel choice and divisional conflict in remanufacturing operations. Production and Operations Management, 29(7).

    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

  • Bashash, Badawy, “Research and Testing of Solar Power Integration with Second-life Batteries in Grid-tied Systems” — California Energy Commission, 2021

    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

  • CSU STEM-NET

Featured Faculty

Saeid Bashash
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Dynamic Systems and Control, Sustainable Energy Systems, Battery Management Systems  
ORCID: 0000-0002-0058-7935

Farzan Kazemifar
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Energy Systems; Energy Efficiency in Industrial and Commercial Buildings
ORCID: 0000-0001-6260-9119

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

Tianqin Shi
Associate Professor of Global Innovation and Leadership
Sustainable Operations Management
ORCID: 0000-0001-6126-7399

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.