Energy & the Environment

Meeting the ever increasing need for energy while protecting the environment is one of the greatest challenges of our time. U.Va. scientists and engineers are working toward solutions which will address the generation of electricity and fuels with greater efficiency and utilizing alternative sources, such as biorenewables, fuel cells, and photovoltaics. Environmental activities include the use of nanoparticles for remediation of water resources.

 

  • Catalysis
    • Heterogeneous Catalysts are under investigation to improve the synthesis of biodiesel, for the hydrogenolysis of carbohydrates and oxidation of glycerol, and for the conversion of syngas to ethanol.

    • Computational catalysis is being applied to understand the fundamental principles of catalysis, the conversion of carbohydrates on metal surfaces, and electrocatalysts for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells.

      Featured article on catalysis: "The Elements of Catalysis"

  • Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
    • High temperature fuel cells are able to utilize a variety of fuels for generation of electricity. These fuel cells have potential for distributed power applications.
  • Photovoltaics
    • Many materials are being explored to improve the efficiency of solar cells including quantum dots, nanotextured silicon, and carbon fullerenes on a graphite surface.
  • Biodiesel from Algae
    • Opening the door to environmetal friendly alternative fuels

 

Use of nanotechnology for water purification.
1 Jim Smith (Professor), Vinka Oyanedel-Craver, and Julianna Minak (from the Environmental Sciences Department) traveled to San Mateo de Ixtatan in the Guatemalan Highlands to study water quality in the community and to help start a ceramic filter factory.  Jim Smith and Vinka Craver help Don Juan mix clay, water, and sawdust prior to pressing the first filters. 
Julianna Minak and Vinka Craver test water samples from community households for turbidity, coliform bacteria, and pH in a makeshift laboratory adjacent to the Ixtatan Foundation offices. 2