Energy
Energy is a topic of global importance that will continue to increase in priority in the coming years. Our efforts at the University of Michigan span the entire hierarchy of energy research, from the design and manufacture of highly efficient energy conversion/storage materials and devices to their effective utilization in power systems and consequent impact on energy policy.(View Affiliated Researchers)
Research Highlights
Atomistic Energy Conversion
Solid-State Energy Transport
The Heat Transfer Physics Laboratory studies nanoscale phonon/photon/electron energy conversion processes.
Pramod Sangi Reddy's group studies heat and electron transport in nanostructured materials, in particular the transfer of energy at the single-molecule level.
Microscale Combustion Mechanisms
The Multiscale Computational Nanoscience Laboratory studies nanoparticle formation during combustion.
Energy Conversion/Storage Materials and Devices
Alternative Fuels
The Combustion Laboratory studies biorenewable, synthetic, and advanced feedstock fuels.
The Microsystems Technology and Science Laboratory and Nanomechanics Laboratory study energy production by ATP-fueled biomolecular motors.
Batteries
The Heterogeneous Multiscale Materials Laboratory studies nanostructured batteries, including biobatteries.
Photovoltaics and thermoelectrics
The Laboratory for Nanostructured Energy Conversion Devices studies inorganic and organic-based technologies for high-efficiency solar/thermal energy conversion and solid-state lighting.
Energy Utilization in Power Systems
Combustion processes
The laboratories of Arvind Atreya and Claus Borgnakke study high-efficiency combustion and pollutant formation.
The laboratory of Hong Im studies computational methods for reacting flows and microscale power generators.
The laboratory of Volker Sick and the Combustion Laboratory use laser diagnostics and high-speed optical imaging to study reactive and non-reactive flows.
High-efficiency IC engines
The W. E. Lay Automotive Laboratory studies new IC engine systems and hybrid designs for automotive technologies.
Automotive systems energy management
The Powertrain Control Laboratory and Fuel Cell Control Systems Laboratory study advanced powertrain modeling and control for hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicles.
Energy Policy
Predictive life cycle analysis
The Environmental and Sustainable Technology Laboratory uses techniques such as predictive life cycle assessment to research the diffusion of alternative energy technologies into the marketplace, designing policy and market incentives to facilitate their adoption.
Energy Researchers
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IC engines, novel engine systems design |
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Combustion |
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Engine Combustion, Pollutant Formation |
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IC Engines, Simulation Of Vehicle Systems |
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Computational Methods For Reacting Flows, Microscale Power Generators |
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Microscale Heat Transfer In Porous Media And Thermoelectric Materials |
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MEMS Optical And Biomolecular Devices, Microscale Heat Transfer |
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Self-assembled Nanostructures for Energy Applications |
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Biomolecular Motors |
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Control Systems For Hybrid And Fuel Cell Vehicles |
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Microscale Heat Transfer, Nanostructured Energy Conversion Devices |
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Molecular-Level Energy Transport, Thermoelectrics |
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Disordered Systems, Including Novel Battery Technologies |
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Laser Techniques For Combustion Diagnostics, Spectroscopy |
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Environmental And Sustainable Technology Systems, Technology Policy |
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Powertrain Systems, Fuel Cells |
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Atomistic Reaction Simulations, Nanoparticle Growth And Self-Assembly |
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Combustion Diagnostics, Novel Fuels |