Dr. Tanya Hutter, Assistant Professor in UT Austin’s Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering and Texas Materials Institute has been awarded this year’s prestigious NSF CAREER Award. This recognition highlights her innovative research aimed at advancing the thermal control of porous materials for enhanced gas sorption applications.
Gas sorption processes, crucial for applications like air purification, carbon capture, and molecular sensing, heavily rely on precise temperature regulation to optimize performance. However, traditional porous materials used for gas adsorption often lack efficient thermal conductivity, posing challenges in achieving uniform and rapid heating. Dr. Hutter’s project proposes a groundbreaking solution by integrating porous gas adsorbing materials into high thermal conductivity, three-dimensional (3D) micro-structured substrates, such as silicon. This novel approach leverages the excellent thermal properties of the substrate to ensure even heat distribution throughout the adsorbent material, thereby improving sorption efficiency and control.
The outcomes of this research are expected to significantly advance the design and performance of devices for gas sensing, storage, and separation, with potential applications in addressing pressing societal issues such as climate change.
Moreover, the NSF CAREER Award supports Dr. Hutter’s commitment to integrating educational activities with her research. The project will provide valuable training opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students, as well as engineering professionals, focusing on interdisciplinary engineering challenges related to sorbent materials and their applications.
Dr. Hutter’s expertise spans emerging molecular sensing technologies, nanomaterials, microfabrication, and nanophotonics. Her research contributes to fields including environmental and industrial sensing, homeland security, and medical diagnostics, underscoring her leadership in advancing scientific knowledge with practical applications. The NSF CAREER Award underscores Dr. Hutter’s dedication to scientific excellence and educational innovation, positioning her as a leading researcher in the field of thermal management for porous materials. Her work exemplifies UT Austin’s commitment to pioneering research that addresses global challenges and drives technological innovation.
