Michael Smith
Smith’s research interests lie at the intersection of materials science and catalysis where he works on the development of carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies for producing recycled carbon-based fuels from renewable energy inputs. His research focuses on utilizing metal-organic framework materials as electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction because their material properties can provide dexterity in controlling reaction microenvironments, supporting and stabilizing electrochemically active metal nanoparticles, and modulating bulk heterojunctions to increase the CO2 concentration near catalyst surfaces. He is advised by Assistant Professor Michele Sarazen and Professor Bruce Koel in chemical and biological engineering.