Impacting Humanity

Energy research at Ƶ Boulder is sparking commercial opportunity, driving global impact, and shaping tomorrow’s leaders in the field.

Improving Lithium-ion Batteries through Atomic Layer Deposition

ALD Nanosolutions (ALD = “Atomic Layer Deposition”) spun out of the labs of Chemical Engineering professors Al Weimer and Steve George. A major focus for the company’s lead technology—a proprietary process for creating sub-nanometer coatings on battery electrodes—is improving the performance, efficiency and durability of rechargeable lithium ion batteries, which are commonly used in home electronics.

Inside ALD NanoSolutions

Cooling Buildings with Zero Energy Consumption

A thin-film metamaterial developed by Ronggui Yang and Xiaobo Yin has the potential to revolutionize cooling systems in commercial, industrial and residential buildings with near-zero ongoing energy usage.

Ronggui Yang and Xiaobo Yin holding cooling material

Energy-Positive Wastewater Treatment

Zhiyong Jason Ren is refining a method to purify wastewater by using an electrochemical reaction that absorbs more CO2 than it releases, creating renewable energy in the process. This energy-positive, carbon-negative method could potentially contain huge benefits for many emission-heavy industries. 

Wastewater

Fugitive Methane Detection Enables Mitigation

A team of Ƶ Boulder, NIST and NOAA researchers led by Dr. Greg Rieker successfully developed a long-range methane leak detection system capable of scanning several square miles in just a few minutes. The team formed a Colorado-based commercial spin-out company to transition the technology to market.

Methane detection system

National Energy with Weather Systems Simulation (NEWS)

A software program with high commercial potential, NEWS optimizes the use of windand solar-generated electricity by accounting for the effects of national weather patterns. The program was developed through a collaborative effort between Ƶ Boulder’s and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Solar panels in the snow

Lowering Energy Costs for Consumers

Dr. Julie Lundquist is helping improve wind forecast models, enabling more reliable and efficient energy production from wind turbines. Advances from her work could set up wind farms and power grid operators to be more successful, while lowering costs for consumers.

Julie Lundquist