Prof. Jennifer Schuttlefield Christus (University of Wisconsin Oshkosh)

May 6, 2014
Categories: Events, General Event

Event Date:
April 14, 2014 – 4:00 PM to April 15, 2014 – 4:59 PM

Location:
Burson 115

Event Date:
April 14, 2014 – 4:00 PM to April 15, 2014 – 4:59 PM

Location:
Burson 115

Seminar Series

Spring 2014

Prof. Jennifer D. Schuttlefield Christus
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

“The Solar Army: A New Paradigm for Lab Experiments and Outreach Projects”

Abstract:

One of the current grand challenges is meeting the global energy need in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. As a society, we will need to develop strategies that incorporate renewable energy in a sustainable fashion. Lab experiments provide the perfect platform to introduce the ideas of current renewable energy technology and the idea of sustainability, while providing students with hands-on learning experiences and reinforcing topics currently being covered in class. We have developed real time research experiences aimed at discovering inexpensive, stable oxide semiconductors that can efficiently photoelectrolyze water to a useable fuel, hydrogen. Students create unique metal oxide semiconductors combinations, analyze their creation to determine the potential of the material being a good light absorber or catalysts, and report their findings to a collaborative database. A distinctive feature of the project is its ability to be implemented in a variety of educational levels with a breadth and depth of material covered accordingly. To date, we have recruited hundreds of students at the high school and undergraduate levels to join our “Solar Army”.

BIO:

Jennifer Schuttlefield Christus, is currently an Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Coordinator of the Solar Army (SHArK, SEAL and HARPOON Projects) at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. She completed her B.S. in chemistry from the University of Iowa in 2003 along with her B.A. in Economcs. She received her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Iowa in 2008 with Professor Vicki H. Grassian. She was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Wyoming from 2008 to 2010 with Professor Bruce A. Parkinson.

Monday, April 14, 2014 @ 4:00 PM in Burson 115