(6bh) Rational Materials Design for Energy Conversion and Storage Applications

I am interested in faculty positions in the field of material design for energy conversion and storage applications. My research direction is in the realm of inorganic/materials chemistry, and related to energy conversion and storage systems. I have worked with homogeneous complex catalysts for ethylene oligomerization/polymerization (my graduate work in University of Delaware), rational designed heterogeneous catalysts using synthesized polymer  (my postdoc work in Northwestern U), materials for Li-batteries (postdoc work in Northwestern U and GM), and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for natural gas storage (postdoc work in GM). I have always been trying to find connections between small molecules chemistry and complex materials chemistry. I am currently working on applying MOFs in several energy related systems, such as battery and natural gas storage. When I worked in Northwestern U, by applying the knowledge I have earned from homogeneous catalysts to complex heterogeneous catalysts design, I’ve studied the physical properties, and catalysis performance of single cite Co ions confined in a Nano space by various techniques, including Infrared spectroscopy (IR), Gas chromatography (GC), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and so on. I’ve been able to state that the nano confinement effect can stabilize metal ions with rare oxidation state, but does not show much in the catalysis performance. The most important finding in this work is that traditional small molecule characterization techniques can in fact be employed.  This sets the stage for my own successful research agenda in the future which I anticipate will be at the catalysis design and complex materials and will provide valuable training for undergraduates and graduate students. My teaching experience to date includes general chemistry labs, and thus centers on helping undergraduate students to learn chemistry in a more practical, hands-on way.  I am interested in gaining more teaching experience.