UH Students Showcase Innovative Solutions at Energy Research Day

As challenges and needs emerges within society, it is paramount to investigate solutions
that can keep up with the constantly evolving energy sector and move the world toward
a sustainable future. That urgency is not lost on the University of Houston, a Carnegie-designated
Tier One Research University. More than 60 graduate and doctoral students shared cutting-edge
research taking place in various UH labs during the 2023 Energy Research Day.

“UH has been doing a lot of work in the energy space for a long time. If you ask most
people in the industry and the outside world, they’ll tell you that it’s the best-kept
secret in Houston,” UH Vice President for Energy and Innovation Ramanan Krishnamoorti
said. “We are trying to change that by highlighting the work that our students, faculty
and researchers do across all aspects of energy.”

Presented by UH Energy, the UH Graduate School and the UH Division of Research, Energy
Research Day featured presentations that addressed the gamut of energy issues and
challenges – from energy poverty to carbon capture and storage, from solid-state batteries
to robotics and more.

The event not only highlighted the ingenuity that will drive the industry forward
but more importantly, it was an introduction to the future energy leaders who will
be responsible for shaping the future of energy for years to come.

“The biggest asset we have is our people,” Krishnamoorti said. “We wanted to find
a way to shine a light on them and provide more opportunities for the energy community
to get to know the people behind the work.”

The event also featured a keynote address by Harriet Kung, deputy director for science
programs for the Office of Science (SC) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Kung
examined the path forward for energy as well as the importance of collaboration, workforce
development and engaging those tasked with solving current and future energy issues.

She noted that UH was uniquely equipped to make an impact within industry. In particular,
Kung referenced UH’s work with the DOE-funded Tracking Aerosol Convection interactions
ExpeRiment (TRACER) as well as recent student and researcher success in DOE-sponsored
competitions.

“This is a huge opportunity for us to really strengthen our partnership with such
an important institution. I’m very encouraged [by my campus visit],” Kung said during
her address. “If you look at our current workforce, it definitely doesn’t resemble
the rest of the America. UH really has the talent and expertise that can complement
the current issues that we have.”