Our multidisciplinary research teams are at the forefront of discovery for products and processes that are efficient, environmentally-friendly, sustainable and designed for a cleaner future.
Green Chemistry and Engineering Products and Processes
Bio-based cellulose nanocrystals coating surface of micro-particle, providing a green alternative to traditional surfactants.
Water droplets on “smart” carbon dioxide switchable linen. The polymer-coated linen is easily switched between being hydrophobix (left) and hydrophilic (right) by exposure to carbonated water.
Researchers are developing economically viable, solvent-free, sustainable processes for bio-based and compostable polymers, with applications in consumer goods, packaging and various engineering applications. Multidisciplinary research on identification of microplastics in the Great Lakes and tracing their origins is an emerging research area. Students who are interested in conducting research in these areas can add the Collaborative Masters in Applied Sustainability specialization to their master’s degree.
Research Faculty
| Names | Sub Theme | Rank | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
 Michael F. Cunningham |
Green Chemistry and Engineering Products and Processes Bio-based Polymer |
Professor | michael.cunningham@queensu.ca Dupuis Hall 315 613-533-2782 |
Environmental Remediation
Multidisciplinary research involves the development of methods to evaluate the toxicity, solubility, and mobility of contaminants in soils, mine tailings, and leachates, as well as the estimation of environmental and human health risks associated with exposure to existing contaminants in water and soil. Researchers are also investigating novel materials, emerging contaminants, and mixtures of contaminants as well as the biodegradation of naphtha in oil sand tailing ponds.Research Faculty
| Names | Sub Theme | Rank | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
 Louise Meunier |
Environmental Remediation Graphene Integrated Functional Technologies (GIFT) |
Assistant Professor | louise.meunier@queensu.ca Dupuis Hall 211 613-533-6000 ext. 78048 |
Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals
Researchers are developing technologies for the conversion of carbon dioxide, water, and organic waste into valuable chemicals and fuels such as hydrogen, ethylene, ethanol, and propanol. New materials and new component fabrication strategies that reduce the cost and improve the efficiency of producing fuels and chemicals for large-scale and long-term storage of renewable energy are being developed by the Sustainable fuels and chemicals Group. Stored hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels can be used in zero carbon emission vehicles or to provide backup power for the electrical grid. Our researchers are developing novel electrocatalysts and electrochemical devices that significantly improve the efficiency of CO2 converson and hydrogen production while reducing the use of costly precious metals. Novel electrode assembly fabrication methods are being developed that enable the use of low-cost anion and proton conducting polymers that provide better performance characteristics.
Research Faculty
| Names | Sub Theme | Rank | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
 Cao Thang Din |
Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems |
Assistant Professor | caothang.dinh@queensu.ca Dupuis Hall 305 613-533-6637 |
 Ehssan H. Koupaie |
Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals Environmental Remediation and Waste Conversion |
Assistant Professor | ehssan.koupaie@queensu.ca Dupuis Hall 303 613-533-6000 ext. 77931 |
 Brant A. Peppley |
Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals | Professor | brant.peppley@queensu.ca Dupuis Hall G09 613-533-3247 |
Bio-based Polymer
Production of bio-sourced or natural polymers as alternatives to non-sustainable products derived from petrochemicals is a rapidly accelerating trend, but must be economically viable and sustainable for widespread commercialization. Researchers are working to develop new, more efficient ways for making materials comprised mostly or entirely of renewable materials, for example bioplastics from relatively inexpensive and renewable resources such as glucose derived from starch or cellulose and fatty acids from vegetable oils.
Research Faculty
| Names | Sub Theme | Rank | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
Michael F. Cunningham |
Green Chemistry and Engineering Products and Processes Bio-based Polymer |
Professor | michael.cunningham@queensu.ca Dupuis Hall 315 613-533-2782 |
 Marianna Kontopoulou |
Bio-based Polymer | Professor | marianna.kontopoulou@queensu.ca Dupuis Hall 207 613-533-3079 |
Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems
Energy storage systems are used in a multitude of applications ranging from consumer electronics to hybrid electric vehicles, with new applications constantly emerging. Researchers are focusing on various aspects of electrochemical energy storage devices including:
- rechargeable batteries made from abundant and recyclable materials suitable for large-scale applications
- miniaturized batteries for micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS)
- printing of flexible graphene supercapacitors
- development of novel flexible graphene-based battery-supercapacitor hybrids and gel batteries.
This comprehensive research embraces the development of novel technologies and the underlying theoretical background, using sophisticated experimental methods and mathematical modelling.
Research Faculty
| Names | Sub Theme | Rank | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
Cao Thang Din |
Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems |
Assistant Professor | caothang.dinh@queensu.ca Dupuis Hall 305 613-533-6637 |
 Dominik P.J. Barz |
Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems | Associate Professor | dominik.barz@queensu.ca Dupuis Hall 213 613-533-6000 ext. 79470 |