Cleaner Fuels via Atomic Imaging and Elemental Engineering

The student will develop and apply advanced in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques towards improving nanoparticle catalysts to support the energy transition. In particular the student will seek to develop in situ gas and liquid phase TEM imaging and analysis techniques combining graphene liquid cell and commercial silicon nitride environmental cell holder platforms. The resulting platform will be applied to study the evolution of nanoparticle catalysts under realistic environmental conditions (in liquids or gas and at elevated temperature). Such new structural and chemical insights will be applied to assist in the development of new catalytic systems with improved performance for reactions relevant to carbon reduction and reaching a Net Zero energy goal.