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Department of Physics & Astronomy professor receives NSF CAREER Award for work on zinc-ion batteries
A University of Kansas researcher from the Department of Physics & Astronomy has been chosen for a prestigious CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation for his innovative work with zinc-ion batteries. The five-year, $504,566 grant will be used to design stable cathode material for zinc-ion batteries, which will improve their performance and longevity through state-of-the-art computational modeling. Zinc-ion batteries are a sustainable alternative to the more widely used lithium-ion batteries, which currently are in everything from mobile phones to electric vehicles.
KU nominates three undergraduates for Udall Scholarships
Three undergraduates at the University of Kansas are nominees for Udall Scholarships, which recognize students who demonstrate leadership, public service and commitment in the fields of tribal public policy, Native health care or the environment. All three of KU’s 2024 nominees are competing in the environmental category.
Full stories below.
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Contact: Ranjit Arab, [email protected]
Department of Physics & Astronomy professor receives NSF CAREER Award for work on zinc-ion batteries
LAWRENCE — A University of Kansas researcher from the Department of Physics & Astronomy has been chosen for a prestigious CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation for his innovative work with zinc-ion batteries.
Hartwin Peelaers, assistant professor of physics & astronomy, received a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the NSF for “Computational Design of High-Performing V205 Cathodes for Zinc-ion Batteries.”
The five-year, $504,566 grant will be used to design stable cathode material for zinc-ion batteries, which will improve their performance and longevity through state-of-the-art computational modeling. Zinc-ion batteries are a sustainable alternative to the more widely used lithium-ion batteries, which currently are in everything from mobile phones to electric vehicles.
Peelaers said a major application of his research is that it will help promote green energy sources in a cost-efficient, reliable and safe manner.
“This award will allow me to develop a new research line on a topic that can beneficially impact society by performing the necessary basic materials research on new, safe and Earth-abundant zinc-ion batteries that can provide cheap and reliable grid-scale energy storage so that more intermittent energy resources like wind and solar can be included in the electricity grid,” Peelaers said.
Along with developing zinc-ion batteries, the project also plans to increase diversity within STEM fields through outreach, research opportunities for high school and undergraduate students and an increase of underrepresented students admitted to Ph.D. programs.
“We are delighted that the NSF has recognized Professor Peelaers for his outstanding work,” said Arash Mafi, executive dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. “His research will not only further scientific learning, but will also provide a safer, more Earth-friendly alternative for powering electronic devices.”
The NSF CAREER Award is the most prestigious award given to faculty members beginning their independent careers. The program intends to provide support to professionals to further outstanding research through commitment to teaching, learning and disseminating knowledge.
About the College
The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (known as “The College”) is the heart of KU, educating the most students, producing the most research and collaborating with nearly every entity at KU. The College is home to more than 50 departments, programs and centers, as well as the School of the Arts and School of Public Affairs & Administration.
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Contact: Erin Wolfram, [email protected]
KU nominates three undergraduates for Udall Scholarships
LAWRENCE — Three undergraduates at the University of Kansas are nominees for Udall Scholarships, which recognize students who demonstrate leadership, public service and commitment in the fields of tribal public policy, Native health care or the environment. All three of KU’s 2024 nominees are competing in the environmental category.
KU’s 2024 nominees are:
Grant Misse, a junior in environmental studies and music composition
Ally Pruente, a sophomore in environmental studies and strategic communications
Sarah Reuben-Hallock, a sophomore in environmental studies
The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship is a federal scholarship that honors the legacies of Morris Udall and Stewart Udall, two former Arizona lawmakers whose careers influenced American Indian self-governance, health care and the stewardship of public lands and natural resources.
The Udall Foundation administers the program. This year, the foundation will award 60 students with scholarships of up to $7,000 each. Selected scholars will also receive access to the Udall Alumni Network and attend a four-day scholar orientation in Tucson, Arizona. Students must be nominated by their university to apply, and universities are limited in the total number of nominations they can make.
At KU, the nomination process is coordinated by the Office of Fellowships within Academic Success. Students interested in applying next year should email [email protected]. The next application cycle will begin in spring 2025. Sophomores and juniors may apply.
Biographical details of the candidates follow.
Grant Misse
Grant Misse, from Gardner, is the son of Brett Misse and Kourtney Misse and a graduate of Gardner-Edgerton High School. Misse is majoring in environmental studies and music composition. He aspires to earn a master’s degree in public and nonprofit management and return to northeast Kansas to start a nonprofit and eventually influence policy related to sustainable agriculture and food systems at the government level.
In summer 2023, he interned at the Mahwah Environmental Volunteers Organization. Currently, Misse works to promote environmental initiatives as the leadership/recruitment outreach lead for the Sunrise Movement KU and as the committee lead/founder of 2040 Vision KU. Additionally, he works at the Center for Community Outreach as the managing director. He continues to volunteer for the program Music Mentors, for which he previously served as a program coordinator, and is also the president of the New Music Guild and a member of the Glee Club.
Ally Pruente
Ally Pruente, from Lenexa, is a graduate of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School and the daughter of Mike Pruente and Jennifer Pruente. She is majoring in environmental studies and strategic communications. In her future career, Pruente hopes to address environmental education and representation in the media. She is the outreach officer for the Osage Chapter of the Association for Women Geoscientists and a proud member of the Xi Chapter of Sigma Kappa sorority where she serves as the sustainability chair. Pruente is also a student assistant for the Kansas Geological Survey and a garden volunteer through the Center for Community Outreach.
Sarah Reuben-Hallock
Sarah Reuben-Hallock, from Overland Park, is a graduate of Blue Valley High School and is the daughter of Alex and Karen Hallock. Reuben-Hallock is majoring in environmental studies. She plans to pursue a graduate degree in mycology and forest pathology and contribute to cutting-edge research. Reuben-Hallock is the grounds team lead for Sunrise Movement KU advocating for a more sustainable campus and the program coordinator for EARTH within the Center for Community Outreach leading a community garden for students facing food insecurity. She also serves as a volunteer for Bridging the Gap, a nonprofit organization in Kansas City.
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