Several Davidson School of Chemical Engineering graduate students were recently honored for their excellence in research, teaching, and service in 2019-2020. Awards were presented by Purdue University, the College of Engineering, and the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering.

Soft and flexible materials called halide perovskites could make solar cells more efficient at significantly less cost, but they are too unstable to use. A Purdue University-led research team, including Davidson School of Chemical Engineering faculty Dr. Letian Dou and Dr. Brett Savoie, has found a way to make halide perovskites stable enough by inhibiting the ion movement that makes them rapidly degrade, unlocking their use for solar panels as well as electronic devices. The results were published in the journal Nature on Wednesday (April 29).

Dr. Vilas Pol, Associate Professor in the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, is leading a team of Purdue University researchers created a technique to turn waste polyethylene terephthalate, one of the most recyclable polymers, into components of batteries. The new battery technology involving microwaves may provide an avenue for renewable energy conversion and storage.

Purdue Chemical Engineering alumnus Dr. Duncan A. Mellichamp (PhD '64) is one of four inductees in the 2020 Control Process Automation Hall of Fame. Dr. Mellichamp is an Emeritus Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is a 2007 Outstanding Chemical Engineering. He also established the Duncan and Suzanne Mellichamp Lectureship in 2013.

Dr. Bryan Boudouris, Robert and Sally Weist Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, is part of a team of Purdue researchers using sensors to manage climate control and indoor air quality. They have developed a sensor to help control and cut down on energy consumption through heating and ventilation systems, particularly those used in large office and hospitality industry buildings.