Principal Investigator Klavs Jensen
Project Website http://web.mit.edu/jensenlab/research/energy/index.html
We are developing a fundamental understanding of the different physical phenomena underlying fuel processing at millimeter to micron scale. We are also establishing the engineering principles needed to realize portable electrical power generation from hydrocarbon fuels. Competing approaches to fuel conversions are addressed with particular emphasis on two basic strategies:
(*) conversion of hydrocarbons to hydrogen by partial oxidation, reforming, and product separation steps; and
(*) direct conversion of chemical energy to electrical power in thermoelectric and photovoltaic devices
We are also using microchemical systems combined with analytical techniques as rapid, small scale, efficient platforms for investigating upgrading of complex fuels (incl. biofuels) by catalysis and gas-to-liquid processes at high temperatures and pressures, including supercritical conditions.