Energy and environment

We are developing new materials and processes for efficient energy conversion and storage devices, exploring ways to minimize global climate change, and more.

Energy and environment

Advanced vehicle systems and technologies

Researchers investigate the economic, environment, and social implications of current and future vehicle technologies. How can we build better technologies—ones that are cleaner, more efficient, affordable, and sustainable?

Fuel cell, advanced lithium batteries, electric aviation, autonomous vehicles, and the policies surrounding these technologies, are some of the areas we are exploring.

Faculty involved: B. Reeja Jayan, Shawn Litster, Jeremy Michalek, Katie Whitefoot, Ding Zhao

Materials for energy efficiency

Our researchers are engineering new materials to improve energy conversion and storage efficiency as well as dramatically reduce energy consumption of products like electronics, lighting, and other widely-used appliances. Some recent examples take advantage of 3D printing to produce ceramics and battery electrodes.

Faculty involved: Amir Barati Farimani, B. Reeja Jayan, Shawn Litster, Jonathan Malen, Alan McGaughey, Rahul Panat, Sheng Shen,

Energy and air quality

Our experts investigate the air pollutants that are emitted by the production and use of energy and how these pollutants evolve in the atmosphere. They explore ways to minimize the impact on human health and global climate change.

Faculty involved: Jeremy Michalek, Albert Presto, Satbir Singh, Ryan Sullivan

Clean power systems

Faculty members explore how to minimize emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants through reliable, safe, and economic operation of electric power plants and other energy conversion systems. They examine how to best utilize renewable energy sources.

Faculty involved: Jeremy Michalek, Satbir Singh

Renewable energy

Our faculty aim to provide clean, renewable sources of energy that serve to de-carbonize the environment, advance sustainable solar power, and develop bio-energy technologies from photosynthetic microorganisms like algae. Polymer solar cells and solar thermal energy conversion are two examples of research areas.

Faculty involved: Amir Barati Farimani, B. Reeja Jayan, Philip LeDuc, Jeremy Michalek, Sheng Shen

People

Learn who in Mechanical Engineering is working in energy and the environment.

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Litster sub-awardee on $50M of new DOE hydrogen projects Opens in new window

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Albert Presto has been named the director of the Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies (CAPS) at Carnegie Mellon University.

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Researchers investigated the impacts of online grocery delivery on energy use, emissions, and traffic congestion.

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Jon Cagan named head of Mechanical Engineering Opens in new window

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Engineering faculty featured in events at GCEAF Opens in new window

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Jayan project awarded $7.5 million

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An EV-olution for charging stations

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Releasing the heat

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Can this refractory metal be an efficient substitute material in microelectromechanical system (MEMS) thermal actuators?

An atomic look at lithium-rich batteries Opens in new window

An international collaboration explored the workings of a lithium-rich battery at the atomic scale. The research opens up pathways for improving existing battery cathodes—and designing new ones.

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Virtually awarded

MechE graduate students earned accolades at the department’s annual research symposium poster sessions. This year's events were virtual through Gather Town, an interactive, video-chat world.

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Solid-ion conductors for safer batteries

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Waste not, watt not

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A path to the future, paved with ceramics Opens in new window

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Researchers find vehicle emissions deceptively clean Opens in new window

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Life after tailpipe Opens in new window

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CACES

Center for Air, Climate, and Energy Solutions

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Learn more about CACES.