Principal Scientist Dr. Praveen Kolla on SKYRE's role in Implementing the Swiss Army Knife of Decarbonization: Hydrogen
What made you choose SKYRE?
My choice to work for SKYRE was established over three years while I collaboratively worked with SKYRE during my postdoctoral research at Northeastern University, in Boston. I was leading electrocatalyst innovation for a SKYRE technology as a part of NASA and DOE-sponsored R&D. When I decided to make my career transition to industrial research, I expressed my interest with SKYRE’s team and my transition was seamless after a group interview followed by a one-on-one meeting with Dr. Molter.
I chose SKYRE because of the following reasons:
My electrochemistry and material science expertise is at the core of SKYRE’s technologies, I believed that I could immensely contribute to the technology development.
Fast-learning opportunity in the start-up environment.
Direct-exposure to novel and diverse set of electrochemical innovations that SKYRE develops.
How do you connect to SKYRE’s mission?
Achieving decarbonization is an immediate human mission because we neglect to manage our invisible CO₂ emissions the way we manage our visible waste. It’s our responsibility now to implement the right processes.
My early research exposure to key material science challenges of electrochemical energy systems taught me two critical R&D aspects of decarbonization to make an impactful career contribution: establishment of renewable non-fossil energy carrier(s), and carbon capture and utilization. SKYRE is squarely tackling both these aspects of decarbonization via its H2RENEW™ and CO2RENEW™ technologies, which makes me connect at a very fundamental level. SKYRE’s H2RENEW is reducing the life-cycle costs associated with the Swiss army knife of decarbonization – hydrogen (H2), by the recapture of un-utilized H₂ through its H2pump technology. Whereas, CO2RENEW completes the life-cycle of CO₂-neutral fuels/chemicals by integrating CO₂ capture with CO₂ conversion.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I love spending time in outdoor activities - whether it is gardening, cooking, driving, fishing, swimming, hiking, or just walking. My personal goal is to visit all the national forests and enjoy the wilderness that the US offers. A visit to the Yellowstone National Park and a drive through scenic Beartooth Highway is my favorite one yet.
