Stuart Lawrence Licht is an American chemist and academic. He is a Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at George Washington University. Licht's research focuses on the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide into nanocarbons, as well as solar energy, battery chemistry, and fundamental physical and analytical chemistry.
His earlier works primarily focused on high efficiency solar cells and photo-electrochemistry, including solar cells that could store energy for night time use[1][2][3]. His focus slowly transitioned to batteries and fuel cells, including making the first practical aqueous sulfur batteries (overcoming sulfur inherited insulating properties)[4], super iron batteries (based on iron molecules in a plus six oxidative state, which previously was thought impossible to stabilize)[5], the assembling of micro-electrodes[6], and vanadium diboride batteries and air batteries (redox of 11 or over 11 electrons per vanadium diboride molecule and has energy density over that of gasoline at times)[7].
After 2009, his work primarily shifted to focus on generating useful molecules, such as graphene nanocarbons (such as CNT, graphene, and CNOs)[8], ammonia[9], iron, and hydrogen using high temperature electrolysis where heat and electricity can come from either renewable or non-renewable energy[10][11][12]. High temperature electrolysis per equations outlined in his STEP process reduces energy needed for electrolysis beyond what is attainable using heat in a heat engine, and allows for electrolytes to because that have higher ionic conductivity and more concentrated reactant, allowing for even higher efficiencies[10][11][12].
Early life and education
Licht was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1976 and a Master of Science in 1980 from Wesleyan University, where he conducted research in molecular quantum mechanics. He completed his Ph.D. in 1985 at the Weizmann Institute of Science in materials chemistry, with a focus on photoelectrochemical solar cells.[13] From 1986 to 1988, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he studied microelectrode diffusion under the guidance of Mark S. Wrighton.[14]
Licht's research is centered on developing carbon-negative technologies. He is the developer of the Solar Thermal Electrochemical Photo (STEP) process, which combines solar energy and high-temperature electrolysis to remove or convert carbon dioxide into solid carbon nanomaterials.[20][21][22] The resulting nanocarbons have applications in composites, cement,[23] and electronics.[24] The STEP process is designed to both capture and utilize CO2, contributing to climate mitigation efforts.[25][26]
In addition to carbon conversion, Licht has conducted research in solar water splitting,[27][28] and battery technologies, including iron(VI) redox systems,[29] aluminum–sulfur batteries,[30][31] molten-air batteries,[32] and polysulfide-based chemistries.
He has authored numerous scientific publications and holds patents related to physical chemistry and energy storage,[33] and books including those on photoelectrochemistry,[34] and solar hydrogen generation.[35]
By 2024, Licht's STEP-based carbon conversion technology had progressed to industrial demonstration through Carbon Corp in Calgary, Canada. The technology received recognition from the Xprize Foundation for its potential to create valuable products from captured CO2 and to reduce the carbon footprint of materials such as cement and polymers.[36]
↑ Wrighton, Mark S.; Licht, Stuart (1988). "Microelectrodes and Their Use in Photochemistry and Electrochemistry". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 112 (12): 4677–4682. doi:10.1021/ja00167a010.
↑ Licht, Stuart (2001). "Over 18% solar energy conversion to generation of hydrogen fuel; theory and experiment for efficient solar water splitting". International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 26 (7): 653–659. Bibcode:2001IJHE...26..653L. doi:10.1016/S0360-3199(00)00133-6.
↑ Stuart Licht (2002). Semiconductor Electrodes and Photoelectrochemistry. Wiley-VCH. ISBN3-527-30250-6.
↑ Rajeshwar, Krishnan; McConnell, Robert; Licht, Stuart, eds. (2008). Solar Hydrogen Generation: Towards a Renewable Energy Future. Wiley. ISBN978-0387728094.
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