Minor Program in Sustainable Energy – Examples of Past Independent Research and Thesis Topics
Organized by major
These titles represent the broad range of topics explored by previous students. This is not the complete list.
CBE
“Genetically-encoded Biosensors for Branched-Chain Amino Acid Metabolism and Branched-Chain Higher Alcohol Production”
CEE
“Decarbonization of the Maritime Transport Sector: A Corridor Approach
“Evaluating the Generation Potential and Policy Implications of Alternative Solar Siting Options in New Jersey’s Push for Net-Zero”
ECO
“Understanding and Quantifying the Gap in Supply and Demand of At-risk Capital for the Energy Transition”
ORF
“Scaling Up Renewables in Texas: A Binary Linear Programming Approach to Cost-Effective Integration Under Hourly Supply-Demand Constraints”
Senior Thesis Award Winners
2024
Reese Knopp, MAE – ”An Experimental Investigation into the Scavenging of Microplastics by a Rising Bubble”
2023
Katie Kruse, ECO – “Weaponizing Natural Gas: Analyzing Russia’s Exports in the Lead-up to the 2022 Invasion of Ukraine”
2022
Sydney Hughes, CBE – “Utilizing Aminopolymer Adsorbents Supported on Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for CO2 Capture”
2021
Alex Kaplan, PHY – “A 3.4 µm Quantum Cascade Laser for Photocatalytic Decomposition of Methane”
2020
Neil Slighton, ORF – “Optimization for Planning and Design of Regional Mini-Grid Development in Rural India”
2019
Taylor Bacon, CBE – “Bio-Jet Fuel Production via Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis: Process Simulation, Economics, and Scale-Up Analysis”
2018
Roan Gideon, CEE – “Integrated Wave and Offshore Wind Energy: Benefits and Challenges” (inaugural award)