Irving Energy Institute Funds First Research Projects

Interdisciplinary topics range from nanotechnology to bioenergy to telemedicine.

l to r: Hunter Snyder (PhD student, Ecology, Evolution, Ecosystems and Society), Mary Albert (Professor of Engineering), and Joshua Elliott (PhD student, Engineering) are among the first recipients of Irving Institute research grants.

The Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society has awarded its inaugural round of one-year seed grants to nine energy-related projects proposed by faculty and students. Topics range from the transformation of energy systems in New Hampshire and Greenland to novel technologies that enable more efficient motors.

“What’s amazing about the proposals is their broad geographic reach, combined with very tangible connections to people’s lives, says Stephen Doig ’82, the Irving Institute’s new managing director of research.

As the institute’s managing director, Doig says his aim is to help faculty and students focus their interdisciplinary research on thematic areas that tap into strengths already present at Dartmouth. “One potential area is the intersection of energy and health care,” he says. “Another is the link to cold climate regions. A third interest might be in energy policy and rural regions of the United States.”

Grant recipients include:

• Mary Albert, professor of engineering at Thayer School of Engineering, for partnering with citizens of Qaanaaq, Greenland, on promoting Sustainable Energy for Remote and Underserved Communities
• Ian Baker, the Sherman Fairchild Professor of Engineering at Thayer School of Engineering, for developing High Performance Nickel-Iron Permanent Magnetics for Electric Motors and Turbines
• Amro Farid, associate professor of engineering at Thayer School of Engineering, whose team will develop for Lebanon, N.H., a Transactive Energy Blockchain Prototype to enhance the sustainability of the city’s electric grid.
• Katherine Mirica, assistant professor of chemistry, and Weiyang (Fiona) Li, the William P. Harris Career Development Assistant Professor of Engineering at Thayer School of Engineering, for Powering the Carbon-Neutral Energy Cycle: Energy-Efficient Catalysts for CO2 Reduction