Research
Research Philosophy and Interests
Many contemporary environmental issues, from chemical hazard exposures to climate change, have notable chemical separations questions: how can we remove hazardous waste from the environment? How can we purify the critical minerals needed to build a renewable energy infrastructure? Ironically, these separations questions cannot be disentangled from socioethical questions: how will these technologies affect factors like water security and public health? What assumptions are embedded in our study methods and metrics?
The Boualavong group applies analytical methods from electrochemical engineering, separations science, applied statistics, and science and technology studies to develop and study environmentally-relevant electrochemical separations processes. By combining engineering tools with humanistic and social science theories, we study both the physical fundamentals behind these technologies and the ethical landscapes surrounding them to ensure that we move towards a just and sustainable post-fossil fuel future.
We currently focus on the removal of inorganic pollutants such as CO2 and lead, with attention to both the economic and public health impacts of our processes. Our work draws from a variety of experimental and computational methods, seeking to know not only that the technology works, but also that it will be socially responsible and environmentally sustainable.
Ongoing Research Projects
Electrochemical CO2 Capture
What are the optimal reaction conditions for separating CO2 from a gaseous mixture using electrochemistry?
Current work:
Mixed computational-experimental studies to identify optimal electrochemically active sorbents
Manipulating the air-water interface to enhance CO2 absorption rates
Byproducts and stability of electrochemical CO2 capture sorbents
Metal Separations
How can we tune the electrochemical properties of metals so that they do (or do not) separate?
Current work:
Electrochemical and molecular transport controls of lead corrosion in low lead surface area (<1%) conditions.
Coordination chemistry influences on transition metal redox properties.
Measurement Ethics in Separations Science
What do we measure in scientific research and why? How do those decisions impact our scientific conclusions?
Current work:
Tracing the propagation of ethical values through the literature via citation networks
Incorporating subaltern perspectives into scientific research questions and methods