Climate-model development; cloud and convective processes in the atmospheric general circulation; role of clouds in climate and climate change

Petroleum and non-petroleum derived transportation fuels and fuel blends, their production, chemical kinetics, energy security, and net carbon cycle emission impacts; ignition, combustion, and air pollutant emissions generation/abatement; syngas/high-hydrogen content fuels for advanced gas turbine power generation; fire safety related issues on earth and in micro gravity environments

Risk modeling, statistics, financial econometrics, analysis of big data, computational biology, machine learning, probabilistic tropical cyclone risk modeling

Ferris’ research group conducts experimental work at the intersection of chemical kinetics, optical diagnostics, and fuel science. We use shock waves and optical diagnostics to study high-temperature, gas-phase reaction chemistry, and develop laser-based diagnostic tools to guide the development of next-generation, sustainable fuels. Current areas of interest include measuring key reaction rates related to low-carbon fuels; probing the link between aviation-produced particulates and subsequent contrail formation; and accelerating the development of sustainable aviation fuels through data-driven predictive modeling.

Plasma physics with applications to nuclear fusion energy: plasma waves, current drive, laser/plasma interaction; atomic radiation in plasmas; petroleum refining; statistical inference and pattern recognition, modified Otto-cycle engines

Technology development and engineering risk; assessment of complex technologies that may support decarbonization of the energy system.  Fission and fusion systems R&D; reactor safeguards, regulatory policy and proliferation risk; Research employs process modeling, systems engineering, engineering economics, and quantitative risk and decision analysis.

My research uses theory and computation to understand the fundamental transport and reaction processes that occur in electrochemical systems relevant to energy storage and environmental applications, such as Li-ion batteries, electrochemical CO2 capture, and water treatment.

Many commonly used electrochemical devices, including batteries found in phones and electric cars, are characterized by structural and chemical disorder, which is known to result in reduced performance and a shorter lifespan. However, the underlying mechanisms causing these phenomena are still poorly understood. By investigating the influence of disorder on reaction and transport mechanisms, our goal is to gain a deeper understanding of electrochemical and transport processes and propose strategies to improve the performance and lifetime of electrochemical devices. We are interested in exploring several fundamental questions, such as: (1) How does structural and chemical disorder affect the ion transport mechanism in ionic conductors? (2) How does the presence of structural heterogeneities and thin films at electrode interfaces alter the electrochemical activity? (3) How does structural and topological disorder impact the performance and lifetime of electrochemical devices?

Our approach to addressing these challenges integrates theoretical methodologies inspired by non-equilibrium thermodynamics, stochastic processes, statistical mechanics, condensed matter physics, quantum dynamics, and dynamical systems. We also employ continuum and molecular computational methodologies, such as finite element methods, molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo methods, enhanced sampling techniques and free-energy calculations. As a result, our work is highly interdisciplinary, lying at the intersection of engineering, physics, chemistry, materials science, and applied mathematics.

IoT platforms and applications; energy-efficient; cloud and mobile systems; distributed systems and geo-replicated applications

Urban planning and development of sustainable infrastructures for the 21st century

Resilient and sustainable structural design, and efficient structural systems and forms that minimize construction materials.