Thermal Energy Group
We are a science-to-systems lab conducting research in manipulating matter at nanoscale dimensions for novel applications in a multitude of thermal, solar, and electrochemical energy devices and systems. We combine theoretical, computational, and experimental techniques to understand energy conversion, storage, and transport.
Blog
Oct-29-2021
We have an opening for a postdoc with expertise in the field of chemistry and chemical engineering, with a particular focus on catalysis and thermochemical reactor design.
The Project: Cost-effective decarbonization of heat, which is the dominant source of energy for the industrial and building sector worldwide, is a grand scientific and technological challenge. Currently natural gas is the dominant source of heat in these sectors. Although CO2-free hydrogen is being considered as a potential alternative, infrastructure challenges related to transport and storage of hydrogen are… more
Oct-26-2021
Using our new infrared pyrometer, we set a new Thermal Energy Group record this week, measuring temperatures above 2000° C for the first time! The high temperature chamber is used to study hydrogen production by methane pyrolysis and to investigate high-temperature thermal energy storage materials. The record was set by Nate Weger, Lin Yang, and Clement Messeri using a C-type thermocouple, breaking the record of 1700° C set by Nate Weger and Mahmoud Elzouka.
Oct-13-2021
Youngsup received his B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Yonsei University, where he developed nanomaterial-integrated MEMS devices. He received his PhD from MIT, where he focused on mechanistic understanding and enhancing pool boiling heat transfer, via surface property and structure design, at the Device Research Lab (DRL). Prior to his PhD study, he also worked at Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) in the Electrochemistry Department.
Outside of the lab, you might find him taking a walk with his family around the campus, playing soccer, or working out in the gym.… more
Recent Publications
Zeng, Yuqiang, Buyi Zhang, Yanbao Fu, Fengyu Shen, Qiye Zheng, Divya Chalise, Ruijiao Miao, Sumanjeet Kaur, Sean D. Lubner, Michael C. Tucker, Vincent S. Battaglia, Chris Dames, and Ravi S. Prasher."Extreme fast charging of commercial Li-ion batteries via combined thermal switching and self-heating approaches."Nature Communications
14.1 (2023). DOI
Zhang, Buyi, Bei Fan, Zhi Huang, Kenneth Higa, Vincent S. Battaglia, and Ravi S. Prasher."A Review of Dispersion Film Drying Research."Journal of Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage
20.3 (2023). DOI