Department of Energy Announced $1.6 Million in Funding for Two Rutgers-Newark Scientists 

Two Rutgers-Newark chemistry experts are among a nationwide group of 42 scientists who received a total of $31 million in federal funding from the United States Department of Energy (DOE).

The grants, which fund work that began last month, are awarded for studies that help meet sustainable energy needs. Each Rutgers-Newark scientist will receive $800,000, with some funds going to research collaborators at DOE national labs.

Jenny Lockard, a Chemistry professor, will work in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) on understanding mechanisms behind solar fuels generation, namely, how visible light can be converted into electrical charges. Her research uses a molecular engineering approach to optimize a subset of hybrid porous materials for energy-related applications, such as CO2 reduction, and advanced tools, like laser-based techniques, to better understand their electronic properties and reaction mechanisms.

 The project involves training graduate students in these advanced techniques and provides opportunities for them to work with expert scientists at NREL.

Demyan Prokopchuk, also a Chemistry professor, is researching methods on how renewably sourced electricity and CO2 might be used to make new C-C bonds as an alternative to current methods that rely on fossil fuels. His research program, a collaboration with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL),  will leverage newly discovered manganese compounds that are “supercharged” to reversibly store and release high-energy electrons. The methods developed could some day be applied by manufacturers in processing textiles and bleaching wood and paper.

The collaborative efforts with expert scientists at PNNL will also enable doctoral students from Rutgers-Newark to visit scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and conduct experiments that uncover the mechanisms of reaction, which will help design more efficient manganese catalysts.