Cappillino gets fellowship

Patrick Cappillino, chemistry/biochemistry assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, was one of three recipients to receive the 2015 Electrochemical Society Toyota Young Investigator Fellowship. Cappillino plans to research green-energy technology, particularly the development of Nonaqueous Redox-Flow Batteries. Cappillino hopes to improve the stability of NRFBs using the compound Amavadin, which naturally occurs in mushrooms. He holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from Boston University and a B.A. from the State University of New York at Albany.

How did you discover Amavadin’s potential for enhancing battery lifetimes?

One area of NRFB electrolyte development that has not gotten a lot of attention is their stability to deep redox cycling. The molecules tend to fall apart under extreme conditions. Using what Mother Nature has “learned” over millions of years of evolution is a powerful approach to solve this fundamental problem. Amavadin, which occurs naturally in mushrooms, is a unique molecule that is very good at holding onto vanadium. We think this will prevent it from decomposing.

What are some of the benefits of utilizing NRFBs, as opposed to alternative energies?

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Redox flow batteries, in general, enable alternative energies. Green, renewable energy sources like wind and solar tend to be more intermittent than fossil fuels. As we bring them online, we have to provide storage capacity to match the supply with the demand. RFBs have been around for a long time and are receiving renewed interest as a cost effective, safe grid storage solution.

Are you involved with any other green-energy research/endeavors?

Yes. Another research interest of mine is valorization of biomass waste. Materials left over from agricultural and industrial processes, such as stalks and seed hulls, are usually either burned or left behind. … Producing value-added materials and chemicals from these waste streams will go a long way to improving profitability. •

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