IPDR Symposium: Advancing Energy Research and Fostering Collaboration
On March 14, 2024, the Inter-Institutional Program for Diversifying Research (IPDR) Mini-Symposium took place at Howard University, bringing together researchers and engineers from Howard University, Morgan State University, and Pennsylvania State University. The symposium provided a vibrant platform for experts to share groundbreaking advancements in energy technology, to foster new research collaborations, explore joint funding opportunities, and building capacity across institutions.
The event showcased a broad range of research in energy transition innovations, Li-ion battery advancements, solar energy harvesting technologies, energy materials discovery, and critical minerals recovery. By uniting experts from diverse backgrounds, the symposium encouraged meaningful dialogue to address one of today’s most urgent challenges: transitioning to sustainable energy systems.
Participants of the IPDR Mini-Symposium
Central to the discussions were the pressing questions surrounding the global energy transition. Dr. Nutifafa Doumon explored this theme in his talk, “What Will It Take to Meet the Energy Transition?” where he delved into the technological and societal changes needed to move toward renewable energy solutions. Complementing this, Dr. Thandazile Moyo‘s presentation, “Resourcing the Energy Transition,” focused on the role of critical minerals and resources essential to enabling the transition, highlighting both the challenges and the opportunities for innovation.
The symposium also highlighted advancements in Li-ion battery technology, with Dr. Quinton Williams and Dr. Yahya Alqahtani discussing recent breakthroughs that are crucial for improving energy storage and reliability. Dr. Williams further expanded on applied research and technological advancements in energy harvesting, conversion, and storage, providing insights into how these innovations could reshape the future energy landscape.
Dr. Williams (left) and Dr. Asuo (right) presenting on “Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage” and “Solar Energy Harvesting Materials,” respectively.
In addition to technology-focused talks, the symposium featured a special session on Graduate Studies, Career Opportunities, and Internships, led by Dr. Nelson Dzade and Dr. Ivy Asuo, aimed at guiding early-career researchers and students toward new opportunities in energy research.
Dr. Prabhakar Misra and Dr. Antonio Levy shared their expertise on experimental techniques for understanding the fundamental physics behind materials used in energy applications, while Dr. Tawanda J. Zimudzi highlighted the cutting-edge capabilities of the Materials Characterization Laboratory at Penn State, which remains open to external researchers for collaborative projects.
The symposium also provided space for discussions around solar energy harvesting devices, with Dr. Ivy Asuo presenting her research on the latest developments in solar technologies and Dr. Nelson Dzade outlining innovative methods for computationally accelerated energy materials discovery, design, and optimization.
A notable highlight was Dr. Olumide Ogunmodimu’s presentation on enhancing critical metals recovery from mining and waste streams through comminution optimization, underscoring the importance of sustainable practices in mining and resource management.
Closing the event, Dr. Willie Rockward led discussions on collaborative opportunities among the three universities, fostering a deeper conversation about building self-sustaining research networks to tackle the multifaceted challenges of the energy transition. Dr. Bruce Logan, Director of Penn State’s Institute of Energy and the Environment (IEE), also contributed valuable insights into the role institutions like IEE play in advancing research and development for a sustainable energy future.
From Left to Right: Dr. Nutifafa Doumon, Dr. Willie Rockward, and Dr. Quinton Williams
Through its diverse presentations and collaborative discussions, the IPDR Mini-Symposium successfully created new pathways for joint research initiatives. The symposium not only reinforced the importance of technological innovation in energy systems but also highlighted the significance of building robust partnerships across academia to advance sustainability efforts. By engaging in this shared mission, Howard University, Morgan State University, and Pennsylvania State University are setting a strong foundation for future research collaborations to drive impactful solutions to the global energy transition.
The symposium was made possible with generous support and sponsorship from the Penn State Institute of Energy and the Environment (IEE) through the Interdisciplinary Program for Diversifying Research (IDPR) seed grant awarded to key participants, whose ease of collaboration was facilitated by the Alliance for Education, Science, Engineering, and Design in Africa (AESEDA).