by Newswise — ROLLA, Mo. – Missouri University of Science and Technology has long had one of the nation's most diverse energy-focused research portfolios, and leaders are now taking steps to accelerate energy innovation from S&T labs to the marketplace.
“We're currently building an energy technology incubator at Missouri S&T,” says Dr. David Borock, vice provost and dean of S&T's College of Engineering and Computing. “The energy research we do at S&T is incredible and spans many applications. We are excited to empower our research teams to take their research to the commercial market to help solve some of the world's most challenging problems.”
The Missouri S&T Energy Technology Incubator (ETI) will provide research teams with grants and other resources to help them more quickly obtain patents and develop viable business products.
Borok says researchers will be able to partner with S&T's Kumer College of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development and work with the office Technology transfer and economic developmentHowever, some ETI funding is available to start their energy-focused research.
The first seed grants that will support ETI are being funded by Molly and Andrew Legeller, S&T alumni who previously funded a postdoctoral fellowship focused on sustainable energy. New seed grants will replace this fellowship, which aims to help faculty members move ideas from concept to reality.
“The goal is to have some seed grants and other resources available,” Borock says. “We are grateful for the support Legellers have shown for S&T and hope that even more people will be inspired to contribute.”
Donors can choose a specific energy research focus or choose to support the university's energy research more broadly, Borok says. Some of S&T's areas of energy research include:
energy storage
Researchers are advancing energy storage technology by working with new materials, advanced electrode engineering, and multi-scale modeling to better understand and mitigate battery degradation and aging. Researchers are also studying the possibilities of extreme fast charging of electric vehicles and recently showed their efforts US Department of Energy.
electricity
in progress at the university research effort Related to power electronics, transport electrification, microgrids and Renewable energy systems. This research focuses on improving the reliability, efficiency, economy and security of power system operation and Planning. Missouri S&T is also home Sun Village Living labs with multiple microgrids and student-built solar houses used for research and demonstrations.
Production, storage and use of hydrogen
University Hydrogen research Covering areas such as green hydrogen production by electrolysis, nanostructured catalysts, hydrogen storage materials, hydrogen fueling stations, safety protocols, sensors and fuel cells. Researchers are studying how hydrogen can best be used to meet the federal government's goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Carbon management
Faculty and students are conducting research on carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) to reduce harmful emissions and wasted energy. Their efforts include capturing carbon directly from the air or from point sources mineralization For the production of CO2-negative concrete or cement admixtures, for carbon reuse in enhanced oil recovery, and for the production of commodity chemicals and fuels from waste CO2. Research is also carried out in S&T focused on carbon decarbonisation steel and cement industries.
Geothermal
Recognizing the untapped potential of geothermal energy as a sustainable and renewable resource, S&T research groups are working to improve heat recovery efficiencyImprove fracture networks with new fracking methods and control fluid flow loss during drilling with innovative materials.
mining
Researchers are developing innovative and sustainable approaches to sourcing critical minerals which supports the global energy transformation. This study aims to reduce Impact on the environment Mining and processing these minerals using renewable energy and exploring methods that remove carbon from the process. S&T guides methods for extracting base metals from existing mines, wastes and other resources non-traditional sources.
Energy consumed
Missouri S&T is a nuclear reactor that has been used for research and training since 1961. University researchers Study of nuclear materials, environmental impact assessment of energy, layout of power plants and spent nuclear fueland applying machine learning and digital twins to the power plant life cycle. Research efforts also extend to the investigation of radiation effects on radioisotopes and thermal hydraulics of cooling systems, insulators and electronics, the development of structural alloys for reactor vessels, and the study of radiation effects on ceramic fuels and moderators.
How can we help?
To support this initiative visit to give.mst.eduSelect ‘Other' and type ‘ETI'. Contact Lara Turek, Executive Director of Development, at [email protected] or 314-971-1101 with any questions.
About Missouri University of Science and Technology
Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a STEM-focused research university of more than 7,000 students located in Missouri. Part of the four-campus University of Missouri system, Missouri S&T offers more than 100 degrees in 40 fields of study and is among the nation's best public universities in terms of salary, according to the Wall Street Journal. For more information about Missouri S&T, visit www.mst.edu.
Issue number: 105-GE/AS
