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Meduri Praveen, Ph.D.

Dr. Praveen Meduri


Education

Post Doctoral Fellow, PSIEE

Pennsylvania State University, 2013-2014

 

Post Doctoral Research Associate, Energy Storage Group

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 2011-2013

 

Ph.D., Chemical Engineering

University of Louisville, 2010

 

M.S., Chemical Engineering

University of Akron, 2005

 

B.E. (Hons.), Chemical Engineering

Birla Institute of Technology and Science, 2003 


Professional Experience

Reseach Engineer, Advanced Energy Materials LLC, 2023-2024

Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad 2020-2023

Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad 2014-2020


Research Interests

Photocatalysis

Electrocatalysis

Energy Storage

Water Purification

Carbon dioxide conversion to value added fuels

Agriculture


Research Activities

Dr. Meduri's research group is committed to exploring the food-water-energy nexus to develop effective management strategies crucial for creating inclusive and sustainable solutions to global challenges. Our misson involves a deep investigation into materials and electrochemical hetroegenous catalysis. We utilize advanced, state-of-the-art synthesis and characterization techniques to study these complex systems.

 

By employing combinatorial approaches, we aim to understand how different materials interact within catalytic processes. This comprehensive study will help us design and optimize catalysts that enhance the efficiency of critical processes such as clean energy generation, water purification, and sustainable agricultural practices. Our goal is to develop innovative solutions that address the intertwined challenges of food, water, and energy, ensuring a more sustainable and resilient future. The specific broad areas of interest include:

 

Advanced Fuctional Materials

Our primary focus is on designing and developing cutting-edge multi-fuctional material architectures that leverage non-noble metals and metal comppunds. We are committed to creating advanced materials that not only enhance performance, but also contribute to sustainability by reducing reliance on precious metals. Our approach involves synthesizing and optimizing materials that can perform multiple functions effectively, such as catalysis, energy storage, and environmental remediation. 

 

Solar Fuels

Photo/ Electrochemical Water Splitting for Hydrogen Production: We are dedicated to advancing photo/electrochemical processes for the efficent splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen. Our research emphasizes studying the kinetics and mechanistic details of both the water oxidation and hydrogen evolution reactions. 

 

Photo/Electrochemical Hydrogen Peroxide Production: Our research also targets the production of hydrogen perioxide, a versatile chemical with a wide range of industrial applications. We specificially concentrate on enhancing the two-electron (2e-) pathway for H2Ogeneration, as opposed to the competing four-electron (4e-) pathway that produces H2O.

 

Photo/Electrochemical Conversion of COto Value-Added Products: We are dedicated to exploring the photo/electrochemical conversion of COinto valuable products such as carbon monoxide, methane, or alchohols. 

 

Energy Storage

Our research encompasses various advanced battery technologies, including metal-ion batteries, lithium-sulfar batteries, and metal-air batteries. We are particularly focused on conducting in-situ mechanistic studies to better understand the inner workings and performance dynamics of these battery systems. By investigating these processes in real-time, we aim to improve the efficiency, longevity, and overall functionality of these energy storage solutions. 

 

Water Purification

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals widely used in industrial applications and consumer products for their water- and grease-resistant properties. However, their persistence in the environment and potential health risks have raised significant concerns. PFAS are known for their chemical stability and resistance to degradation, which makes their removal from contaminated environments challenging. Our goal is to use electrochemical approaches to study the complete mineralization of PFAS compounds.

 

Catalysis for Agriculture

The Nitrogren Reduction Reaction (NRR)  is essential for sustainable ammonia production, vital for agriculture and industrial applications. This process involves overcoming significant activation energy barriers to convert nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3). Therefore, we are dedicated to developing selective and efficent catalysts and investigating the NRR through electrochemical methods. 

 


Recent Publications

For publications click Google Citations, Scopus or ORCID

 

 

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