BIO

Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Krista Kulesa is an electrochemist and Linus Pauling Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow in the Catalysis Science Group at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Her research focuses on reversible energy storage and high-throughput method development. Krista earned her Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry, beginning her thesis research at Indiana University in Bloomington and finishing at Texas A&M. During her Ph.D., Krista received a DOE Office of Science Graduate Research Award to study high-pressure electrochemistry at PNNL. Krista also has a Master of Arts in Ancient Greek and Latin, and is an enthusiastic member of the Tri-Cities Astronomy Club. 

ABSTRACT

Electrochemistry can be found everywhere: from batteries, to medical sensors, to winter static.  It harnesses the interactions between electrical energy and chemical changes to transform feedstocks into domestic energy and commodities. However, directing the movement of electrons to make and break the right chemical bonds is as challenging as conducting a symphony orchestra. With so many knobs to tune and reactions to tackle, high-throughput experimentation and artificial intelligence can work together to compose, conduct, and harmonize the score of an electrochemical future.