RESEARCH INTERESTS

Energy Storage (batteries)

Our current research on this topic is two-fold: (i) to develop low-cost high efficiency grid-level energy storage devices and (ii) to develop newer architectures for Li ion batteries that are more stable

Materials for pyroprocessing of used nuclear fuel (UNF)

Several DOE funded projects are focused on evaluating materials performance and behavior in molten salts used for pyroprocessing. One of the recent projects is to utilize in-situ spectroscopy to help with nuclear materials accountability.

Advanced (Gen IV) nuclear reactor materials

MER Lab is actively involved in identifying materials performance, behavior and degradation mechanism for use in Gen IV reactors. We have a unique custom designed and built supercritical water loop that we utilize specifically for this project.

Electrodes for oxygen evolution and reduction

MER Lab is developing new low-cost electrode materials that can be easily produced and commercialized for use in various applications for OER and ORR.

Materials for Geothermal Energy

World's leader in geothermal energy, Ormat Technologies, is located in Reno, NV. MER Lab working with Ormat on understanding and reducing the scaling and corrosion in their plants and develop inhibitors for the same. Formulations developed in this laboratory is currently used in two of their plants.

Green synthesis of catalytic nanomaterials

MER Lab has synthesized several nanoparticles using bacteria. These environmentally friendly and green processes not only lower energy costs but also produce almost no toxic wastes.

Biohybrid materials for productions of biofuels and pharmaceuticals

MER Lab has developed and patented a novel biohybrid material in which consist of a composite of living bacteria and polymers. Our research has shown that these materials can be utilized to reduce the time to produce bioethanol (for fuel or in beer) by ~25%.

RESEARCH OUTPUT

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