Colorado School of Mines Professor Brajendra Mishra (1970181) has been chosen to lead a major study focused on materials that can transform developing energy technologies into clean, affordable and widespread options supporting new manufacturing opportunities and job creation.
For example, Mishra’s team will focus on accelerating the development and manufacture of such innovations as cheaper solar cell materials that can convert more light into useful energy, and membrane technologies that can make carbon separation and capture processes more affordable and practical.
The study is one of five initiated by The Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society (TMS) on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy Industrial Technologies Program. A report consolidating recommendations will be published in September 2011.
Mishra, professor and director of the Center for Resource Recovery & Recycling at Mines, will lead an Innovation Impact Team charged with developing strategic research plans for a select group of surface technologies. Special coatings and surfaces are routinely used to protect equipment and extend service life. However, emerging materials technologies will enable surfaces to play a key role in enhancing the functioning and efficiency of next-generation energy systems. Mishra will help set specific performance goals for these technologies and outline strategies that will enable these goals to be met within five to 10 years.
