Revolutionary Research Insider | Issue XXV
University of Massachusetts Amherst | Research
Research that propels change.
#DidYouKnow The University of Massachusetts Amherst has been a leader in energy transition research for decades, from developing some of the very first modern wind turbines in the 1970s to conducting cutting-edge research today aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuels and advancing renewable energy? In this issue of Revolutionary Research Insider, we explore a few examples of remarkable UMass innovation in the energy sector.
Transitioning to a green economy requires certain critical materials that make up the backbone of energy efficient batteries and electric vehicles. One such component in short supply in the U.S. is nickel. Now, researchers in the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMass Amherst have discovered an ingenious way to enhance the natural superpowers of plants to harvest and extract nickel.
They are studying a plant known as Odontarrhena (formerly Alyssum murale), known to hyperaccumulate nickel, to determine which genes and proteins are at play. Then, they plan to re-engineer a much faster growing plant, considered a noxious weed by some—Camelina sativa, a member of the mustard family—to enhance its ability to hyperaccumulate nickel.
“We believe that there is currently enough nickel in the barren soil in the U.S. to supply us for 50 years of phytomining,” says researcher Om Parkash Dhankher. “We won’t be able to supply all of the nickel the economy needs,” he adds, “but our method could account for 20 to 30 percent of the projected demand.”
Learn more in this article.
Lithium-ion batteries play a ubiquitous role in powering today’s economy, in sectors ranging from consumer electronics to transportation to energy storage across the grid. But manufacturing these batteries currently requires a toxic solvent, known as NMP, as well as PFAS “forever” chemicals.
Derrick Maxwell, PhD , who earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at UMass Amherst in 2014, is working to change that. He is incubating his start-up company, Amel Energy, at the UMass Amherst Institute for Applied Life Sciences . Amel Energy is developing nontoxic, nonpolluting, sustainable alternatives for use in battery manufacturing. Maxwell recently landed his first major grant—$150,000 from Binghamton University (New York) through the Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine—to build and demonstrate the viability of batteries using Amel’s new technology with New York-based lithium-ion battery manufacturers.
“Someday, I hope to see NMP and PVDF completely eliminated in battery manufacturing. Our technology is cheaper and healthier, and there’s no reason not to,” says Maxwell. “I think UMass is the perfect partner to achieve this goal due to its commitment to sustainability and track record of innovation.”
#AI and computing technology have made incredible advances in recent years—but this has come at a cost.
“Currently, computing uses around 10 to 15 percent of all electricity global, and the U.S. Department of Energy projects that by 2040, we’ll no longer be able to produce enough electricity to meet this demand,” says Qiangfei Xia , the Dev and Linda Gupta Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UMass Amherst. “This demand for power is actually driving interest by big tech companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta in recommissioning defunct nuclear power plants, which holds its own risks.”
Xia and his collaborators are developing a new computing device, known as a memristor, that promises to dramatically reduce energy usage and costs. It opens doors for creating low-power AI hardware, especially for edge computing, where data is processed in the devices that collect it, rather than being sent to a centralized cloud server. Potential applications include consumer electronics—such as lightweight AR/VR goggles or wireless earbuds—scientific research, and military technology.
Finally, UMass researchers are committed not only to technological innovation but also to research on the societal implications of the energy transition. UMass’s Energy Transition Institute and its associated ELEVATE (Elevating Equity Values in the Transition of the Energy System) graduate research program are engaging with local communities to better understand their knowledge, concerns, and needs related to the energy transition. Faculty and graduate students are partnering across disciplines—ranging from engineering and computer science to anthropology and economics—to bring their unique knowledge and skills to problem solving.
As Adam Lechowicz, a PhD student in computer science who is conducting research through ELEVATE in partnership with Holyoke, MA, puts it, "It was important to me personally to find an application of computer science that contributes positively to society. I was drawn to work on this topic because it is an area where computing can become an indispensable component of fighting the climate crisis and addressing socioeconomic inequities." ??
Like what you read here? Visit our website to explore more UMass Amherst research and innovation, or sign up to receive the Revolutionary Research e-newsletter in your inbox four times a year for more great news, stories, and profiles of researchers.
#UMassAmherst #UMassAmherstResearch #CleanEnergy #EnergyTransition