Suljo Linic

Biography

  Professional Experience University of Michigan Chemical Engineering Department Ann Arbor, Michigan Professor, 1938 Faculty Scholar Fellow, 2014 Associate Professor, 2010 Assistant Professor, 2004 Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft Theory Department Berlin, Germany Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2003-2004   Courses Taught Undergraduate ChE 341: Fluid Mechanics ChE 344: Reaction Engineering and Design Graduate CHE 495/695: Electronic Structure Calculations in Engineering CHE 495/696: Molecular Foundation for Heterogeneous Catalysis and Electro-catalysis CHE 496/696 course: Ab initio Electronic Structure Calculations in Engineering ChE 528: Chemical Reaction Engineering

Research Interest

 Research Philosophy The objective of our work is to develop predictive theories of surface chemistry related to heterogeneous catalysis, electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. We are currently working on a number of projects in the fields of sustainable energy generation and conversion, functional nanomaterials, fundamental and applied heterogeneous catalysis. We use a range of experimental techniques including those aimed at performance assessment, kinetic analysis of chemical transformations, in operando spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. These experimental techniques are combined with first principles theoretical tools such as electronic structure calculations (DFT), ab initio kinetics and thermodynamics, and optical simulations. Research Focus Photocatalysis Photocatalysis Plasmonic metal nanoparticles are an emerging class of materials for heterogenous photocatalysis. Our research focuses on understanding the mechanism of this process using both experimental and modeling techniques. More description is on Professor Linic’s group page Electrocatalysis Electrocatalysis The electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction limits the performance of low-temperature hydrogen fuel cells. We have developed models to help guide the design of nanostructures which can drive this reaction more efficiently. Learn more More description is on Professor Linic’s group page Heterogeneous Catalysis Heterogenous Catalysis Most commercial heterogenous catalysts have been discovered through trial-and-error approaches. We focus on the bottom-up design of optimal catalysts through a detailed understanding of underlying physical mechanisms governing these processes.