National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Projects
NREL/MSU Denver Project 1 Overview (Renew):
To investigate the photophysical properties of non-heme (nH), Lewis acid (LA) appended Mn(IV)Oxo complexes [(nH)Mn(IV)O]-(LA)x as potential new species relevant to solar energy conversion applications.
Student Slots Available: Two Students (ACS-BP and/or ING-BP)
NREL Sub-Project 1.1. Organic synthesis of nH ligand architectures:
Students on this project will investigate how different ligand modifications affect the energetic landscape of the [(nH)Mn(IV)O]-(LA)x complexes. Through this project, students will learn organic techniques, approaches to organic synthesis and mechanisms, and structural characterization techniques for organic complexes such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Since these complexes will be used to synthesize [(nH)Mn(IV)O]-(LA)x complexes, students will also learn how to characterize the free ligands using analytical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, spectroelectrochemistry, and fluorimetry. T3 Mentors: Shailesh Ambre, Ph.D. (MSU Denver) and/or Wade Braunecker, Ph.D. (NREL)
Shailesh Ambre, Ph.D
Wade Braunecker, Ph.D.
NREL Sub-Project 1.2. Inorganic synthesis of [(nH)Mn(IV)O]-(LA)x complexes:
Students on this project will investigate which properties of LAs affect the [(nH)Mn(IV)O]-(LA)x complexes the most. Using ligands from Subproject 1.1, students will learn to use air-free synthetic techniques to generate inorganic [(nH)Mn(IV)O]-(LA)x complexes with different series’ of LAs. Students on this subproject will learn the structural characterization techniques as well as the analytical techniques to characterize the [(nH)Mn(IV)O]-(LA)x complexes. T3 Mentors: Megan Lazorski, Ph.D.
Megan Lazorski, Ph.D.
NREL Sub-Project 1.3. Spectroscopic Investigations on Photoactive [(nH)Mn(IV)O]-(LA)x Complexes:
Students on this project will investigate if the 𝜅5-ligands and LA properties influence the photoactivity in the [(nH)Mn(IV)O]-(LA)x complexes from Subprojects 1.1 and 1.2. To perform this work, students will learn how to conduct experiments and interpret the results of steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic techniques such as transient absorption spectroscopy (TA), electron paramagnetic spectroscopy (EPR) and transient EPR (tr-EPR), and dark dielectric loss (DDL) and transient dielectric loss (TRDL) spectroscopy. Students on this subproject will learn how to interpret and compile data from these experiments with respect to changes in the energetic landscape of the complexes. T3 Mentors:Melissa Gish, Ph.D., David Mulder, Ph.D. (NREL), and Megan Lazorski, Ph.D.
Melissa Gish, Ph.D.
David Mulder, Ph.D.
Megan Lazorski, Ph.D.
NREL Project 2 Overview (HyMARC):
Investigating Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology and Storage Materials. Depending on which T3 mentor you choose to work with, this project may include one or more of the following aspects: evaluation of metal catalysis materials on mesoporous structures for hydrogen atom desorption processes, the role of Ru and noble metal catalysts on the ammonia decomposition mechanism, modification of covalent organic framework nanostructures (COFn), hydrogen sorption on COFn materials in liquid polymers, and/or modeling and synthesis of gas adsorption in coated framework materials.
Student Slots Available: At least one student (ACS-BP and/or ING-BP)
Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHCs) are recognized as promising hydrogen (H2) carriers due to their high volumetric hydrogen capacity. One of the main limitations of LOHCs, however, is the high energy input required to release H2. Traditionally, this has been achieved through thermochemical catalysis, but the temperatures and pressures required are sometimes challenging to accommodate. Over the past years, plasmonic catalysis has been an emerging field that uses light as energy input instead of temperature. Plasmonic catalysts consist of at least one metallic nanoparticle (NP) that is activated by light at their resonance frequency. This type of photocatalyst has been revolutionary compared to traditional metal-oxide photocatalyst because of their high chemical efficiencies and the fact that light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are able to activate chemistry across various spectral ranges. In this project, we will apply the plasmonic concept to LOHCs to assess its opportunity space compared to thermal dehydrogenation.
Through this work, the student researchers will aid in the development, analysis, characterization, and modeling involved in hydrogen storage systems while getting crucial hands-on laboratory experience and exposure to research work at a National Laboratory. Specifically, the student will test different plasmonic catalysts for the dehydrogenation of formic acid in terms of LED wavelength, intensity, formic acid concentration, and reactor configuration. The rates of conversion (formic acid to hydrogen), the flow of hydrogen and the purity of hydrogen will be recorded by the student and analyzed, across different scales of reactors. In 2025, a 10 g-H2 reactor to be built and tested. The student will work side by side with the design engineer as well as the PI. Potential T3 mentor: Noemi Leick, Ph.D. (NREL)
Noemi Leick, Ph.D.
COMING SOON: Additional Sub-Project Descriptions with PIs in HyMARC!:
The Analytical Sciences Research Group, Bioenergy Science & Technology (BEST) Directorate at NREL. This group is a team of over 20 analytical scientists and analytical chemistry technicians that provides analytical chemistry support to multiple internal and external clients and develops new analytical methods for biomass characterization (https://www.nrel.gov/bioenergy/laboratory-analytical-procedures.html). The key skill sets used in this group include instrumental analyticl chemistry (HPLC, GC, MS, NMR, etc.) , multiple spectroscopy modalities (NIR, Raman, FTIR), and multivariate statistics. Representative publications from our group include “Comparing calibration algorithms for the rapid characterization of pretreated corn stover using near-infrared spectroscopy”, Zofia Tillman, Edward J. Wolfrum, Frontiers in Energy Research – Bioenergy & Biofuels, 03 June 2022. doi:10.3389/fenrg.2022.878973, and “Direct Determination of Cellulosic Glucan Content in Starch-Containing Samples”, Justin B Sluiter, Katie Michel, Bennett Addison, Yining Zeng, William Michener, Alexander L. Paterson, Frédéric A. Perras, Edward Wolfrum, Cellulose (2021). doi:10.1007/s10570-020-03652-2
Student Slots Available: At least one student (Most suitable for ING-BP, but ACS-BP also welcomed)
Students would learn multiple spectroscopy techniques and use these in combination with multivariate statistical algorithms to develop robust rapid characterization tools to measure the reactants and products in biomass-related microbial, biochemical, and thermochemical conversion processes. The work would include significant laboratory and computational efforts. Knowledge of at least one programming language (e.g., Matlab, Python, R) and some exposure to laboratory work will be extremely valuable. T3 Mentor(s): Ed Wolfrum, Ph.D.
Ed Wolfrun, Ph.D.
NREL Sub-Project 3.2. Method development for cellulosic biomass characterization:
Students would develop a thorough understanding of laboratory methods for cellulosic biomass characterization and help develop new procedures for characterizing different biomass-derived feedstocks. These methods typically combine both bench-top chemistry and instrumental analysis techniques. T3 Mentor(s):Justin Sluiter (NREL), and/or Katie Michel (NREL)
Colorado School of Mines Projects
Mines Project 1 Overview (Boil-Off):
Development of the low-cost H2 (𝓁) boil-off capture system to mitigate energy and cost losses associated with H2 generation, transfer, storage, and use.
Student Slots Available: One ACS-BP or ING-BP Student
Conductive materials serve as the backbone for the battery technologies that have revolutionized the way we live. However, the critical minerals used in these materials present geopolitical pinch-points and pose societal and environmental issues due to enhanced mining. Therefore, there is great motivation to discover alternative conducting materials than those currently used.
Student Slots Available: At least one ACS-BP student
Project Lead and T3 Mentors:Prof. Mike McGuirk (Mines/NREL) and a 3rd year Ph.D. student
Mike McGuirk, Ph.D.
Mines Sub-Project 2.1.
Our lab has recently discovered a class of noncovalent materials in which the presence of chalcogen elements produces a rare form of conductivity in primarily organic species. Building on this discovery, we are working to characterize these materials and understand their potential for future battery technologies. A student on this project will learn about organic and inorganic synthetic chemistry, electrochemistry, and crystallography techniques.
University of Colorado - Anschutz Projects
CU Anschutz Project 1 Overview:
Work in the Musselman laboratory is centered on understanding how chemical modification of histone proteins regulates chromatin structure. We investigate this at the level of individual nucleosomes using NMR spectroscopy and other biophysical methods
Student Slots Available: At least one ACS-BP Student
Postbac projects would include generation of modified nucleosomes, collection of biophysical or biochemical data on these substrates and analysis of resultant data. Students will learn expression and purification of proteins and DNA from E. Coli, nucleosome reconstitution and purification, basic biochemical techniques, and biophysical techniques such as SPR, MST, and NMR.
CU Anschutz/MSU Denver Project 2 Overview:
Protein synthesis, also known as translation, is an energetically costly yet essential gene expression process in all of life. Of the three phases: initiation, elongation, and termination, the initiation phase is the most complex and regulated phase. Projects in our lab at MSU Denver and the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, focus on the mechanisms and biomolecular structures that regulate eukaryotic translation initiation.
Student Slots Available: At least one ACS-BP student
To investigate the photophysical properties of non-heme (nH), Lewis acid (LA) appended Mn(IV)Oxo complexes [(nH)Mn(IV)O]-(LA)x as potential new species relevant to solar energy conversion applications.
Student Slots Available: Two Students (ACS-BP and/or ING-BP)
Protein synthesis, also known as translation, is an energetically costly yet essential gene expression process in all of life. Of the three phases: initiation, elongation, and termination, the initiation phase is the most complex and regulated phase. Projects in our lab at MSU Denver and the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, focus on the mechanisms and biomolecular structures that regulate eukaryotic translation initiation.
Student Slots Available: At least one ACS-BP student
RNA Viruses Hijack Host Protein Synthesis Machinery: The 5’ and 3’ untranslated regions of many RNA viruses adopt unique RNA structures that recruit 80S ribosomes independent of the methylated guanosine cap structure found on the 5′ end of eukaryotic mRNAs. We study these structure-based mechanisms that often function in the absence of canonical initiation factors, aiming to shed light on fundamental mechanisms of RNA structure and eukaryotic translation initiation. Project Lead and T3 Mentor:Megan Filbin, Ph.D.(MSU Denver/CU Anschutz)
Megan Filbin, Ph.D.
MSU Denver Sub-project 2.2.
Translation Regulation in Developing Neurons: Neurons are highly polarized cells that develop directionally in response to environmental chemotropic factors. Part of this response involves tethering and releasing translation machinery at axonal growth cones pending the chemotropic signal received. We study the structure and biochemical makeup of these translation complexes, aiming to identify how ribosomes can be manipulated during cell and tissue development. Project Lead and T3 Mentor: Megan Filbin, Ph.D. (MSU Denver/CU Anschutz)
Megan Filbin, Ph.D.
MSU Denver Project 3 Overview:
My work mainly deals with research as part of a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE), looking at the evolution of substrate specificity among Malate and Lactate Dehydrogenase Enzymes. If someone wanted to work on this project, there may be opportunities with three different approaches described below.
Student Slots Available: At least one student (ACS-BP and/or ING-BP)
A computational focus to combine sequence analysis and structural modeling to predict mutations that could be suggested for students to make in the experimental lab. This would likely be similar to approaches being used in my computational lab course, but looking at additional parts of the family or potentially learning additional analysis that we don’t have time to cover in class. Project Lead and T3 Mentor: Andy McMillan, Ph.D.
Andy McMillan, Ph.D.
MSU Denver Sub-Project 3.2.
This project would focus on following up preliminary work done as part of the biochemistry lab course to further characterize mutated proteins to gain additional insight into the effect of these mutations. Students performing this work would be involved in measurements of protein stability and binding affinity of substrates or inhibitors. This subproject will likely begin in the summer of 2025 once mutations have been made as part of the biochemistry lab course. Project Lead and T3 Mentor: Andy McMillan, Ph.D.
Andy McMillan, Ph.D.
MSU Denver Sub-project 3.3.
There may be some opportunities to engage in chemical education research related to the implementation of a CURE model in the courses I teach.
MSU Denver Project 4 Overview:
These projects focus on the development of simple, convenient bio-sensor DNA probes for the quantitative, rapid detection of proteins and other bio-molecules. This approach simplifies the rational design of sensors directed to bind any target of interest and allows the sensors to have affinity and specificity on the order of natural binding interactions. We have targeted diverse human transcription factors, biological toxins, and bacterial antigens. These bio-sensors represent a convenient, versatile, and readily generalized approach for bio-marker detection.
Student Slots Available: At least one student (ACS-BP and/or ING-BP)
Generation of Improved bio-medical diagnostics. There is pressing need for rapid and field-portable medical diagnostics, particularly for neglected tropical diseases. Electrochemical DNA-aptamer based (E-AB) biosensors present a promising route to address this challenge. In this project, students will learn core voltametric electrochemical analysis techniques, design and characterize custom DNA oligonucleotides, and validate the sensitivity and specificity of electrochemical biosensors against bacterial pathogen targets. Project Lead and T3 Mentor: Andrew Bonham, Ph.D.
Andrew Bonham, Ph.D.
MSU Denver Sub-Project 4.2
Computational approaches to understand the role of allelic methylation in human cancers. Human DNA methylation plays important roles in the epigenetic control of gene expression. In many cancers, recent evidence has demonstrated that such methylation may often occur in an allele-specific pattern in cancers, and yet gold standard analysis techniques do not allow the researcher to differentiate this behavior. In this project, students will apply fundamental Python computer programming and bio-informatic data science techniques to create novel tools and approaches for analyzing and visualizing the role of allele-specific methylation across cancer genomic datasets. Project Lead and T3 Mentor: Andrew Bonham, Ph.D.
Shailesh Ambre, Ph.D
Wade Braunecker, Ph.D.
Melissa Gish, Ph.D.
David Mulder, Ph.D.
Megan Lazorski, Ph.D.
Noemi Leick, Ph.D.
Ed Wolfrun, Ph.D.
Mike McGuirk, Ph.D.
Catherine Musselman, Ph.D.
Megan Filbin, Ph.D.
Megan Lazorski, Ph.D.
Andy McMillan, Ph.D.
Andrew Bonham, Ph.D.