Nico Hotz
Associate Professor of the Practice in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Nico Hotz specializes in interfacial transport phenomena and thermodynamics in energy technology. His research focuses on heat, mass, and charge transfer on nano-scale surfaces for solar thermal applications, catalytic fuel reforming, hydrogen generation, fuel cells, and electrolysis.
Current Research Interests
Interfacial transport phenomena and thermodynamics in energy technology, including phenomena at the micro- and nanoscale. Thermodynamics aspects of photovoltaics, novel sustainable energy conversion technologies, and chemical reactions are an essential part of my research. My main focus in research is the combination of ideas, insights and results from traditional energy technology such as thermal power plants with novel and innovative technologies such a fuel cells and photovoltaic cells based on micro- and nanostructured materials. An essential topi of my research interests is the energetic and exergetic analysis of complex energy conversion and storage systems, especially including renewable and sustainable energy solutions.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
- Associate Professor of the Practice in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering 2019
- Faculty Network Member of The Energy Initiative, Nicholas Institute-Energy Initiative, Initiatives 2012
- Associate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society, Duke Science & Society, Initiatives 2018
Contact Information
- 303 Hudson Hall, Mems Department, Durham, NC 27708
- 303 Hudson Hall, Mems Department, Durham, NC 27708-0300
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nico.hotz@duke.edu
(919) 660-5118
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http://www.duke.edu/~nh66/
- Background
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Education, Training, & Certifications
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Previous Appointments & Affiliations
- Assistant Professor of the Practice in the Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering 2017 - 2019
- Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering 2010 - 2016
- Recognition
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In the News
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APR 28, 2017 -
APR 16, 2014 -
FEB 10, 2014 Duke Research Blog -
MAY 21, 2013
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Awards & Honors
- Excellence in Teaching Award. Pratt School of Engineering. May 4, 2015
- Alfred M. Hunt Faculty Scholar. Pratt School of Engineering. June 2014
- New Investigator Award. North Carolina Space Grant. 2013
- Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award. Oak Ridge Associated Universities. 2012
- Best Paper Award in the ASME Energy Sustainability Conference 2010. Advanced Energy Systems Division of ASME . August 2011
- Fellowship for Prospective Research. Swiss National Science Foundation. 2009
- Georg A. Fischer Award 2009. ETH Zurich. 2009
- Research
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Selected Grants
- Novel Flexible Quantum Dot Solar Cell for Space Applications awarded by Space Grant 2013 - 2014
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External Relationships
- Harbour International Education Technology
- Publications & Artistic Works
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Selected Publications
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Academic Articles
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Myers, Taylor, Lars Schoebitz, Stuart Woolley, Jaime Sanchez Ferragut, Jimmy Thostenson, Kathy Jooss, Jeffery Piascik, et al. “Towards an off-grid fecal sludge treatment unit: demonstrating energy positive thermal treatment.” Gates Open Research 3 (January 2019): 1176. https://doi.org/10.12688/gatesopenres.12929.1.Full Text
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Real, D., I. Dumanyan, and N. Hotz. “Renewable hydrogen production by solar-powered methanol reforming.” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 41, no. 28 (July 27, 2016): 11914–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.02.086.Full Text
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Lim, E. O., T. Visutipol, A. Schicho, W. Peng, and N. Hotz. “Flame-made nanoparticles for catalytic methanol steam reforming (Submitted),” 2015.
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Peng, W., I. Dumanyan, E. Lim, and N. Hotz. “In-situ fabrication of a porous nano-catalyst methanol steam reformer for H2 production (Submitted),” 2015.
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Real, D., I. Dumanyan, and N. Hotz. “Hydrogen production by solar-powered methanol reforming,” 2015.
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Schicho, A., and N. Hotz. “High-pressure electrolyzer for efficient energy generation (Submitted),” 2015.
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Shodiya, T., J. Barnes, G. Xiong, I. Dumanyan, H. Ngo, A. Fales, T. VoDinh, and N. Hotz. “Plasmon-assisted photothermal catalytic reactor for hydrogen generation (Submitted).” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of Usa, 2015.
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Real, D., R. Johnston, J. Lauer, A. Schicho, and N. Hotz. “Novel non-concentrating solar collector for intermediate-temperature energy capture.” Solar Energy 108 (January 1, 2014): 421–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2014.07.014.Full Text
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Shodiya, T., O. Schmidt, W. Peng, and N. Hotz. “Novel nano-scale Au/α-Fe2O3 catalyst for the preferential oxidation of CO in biofuel reformate gas.” Journal of Catalysis 300 (April 1, 2013): 63–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcat.2012.12.027.Full Text
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Hotz, N. “Hybrid solar system for decentralized electric power generation and storage.” Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, Transactions of the Asme 134, no. 4 (October 8, 2012). https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4007356.Full Text
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Kullmann, C., N. C. Schirmer, M. T. Lee, S. H. Ko, N. Hotz, C. P. Grigoropoulos, and D. Poulikakos. “3D micro-structures by piezoelectric inkjet printing of gold nanofluids.” Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering 22, no. 5 (May 1, 2012). https://doi.org/10.1088/0960-1317/22/5/055022.Full Text
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Ko, Seung Hwan, Daeho Lee, Nico Hotz, Junyeob Yeo, Sukjoon Hong, Koo Hyun Nam, and Costas P. Grigoropoulos. “Digital selective growth of ZnO nanowire arrays from inkjet-printed nanoparticle seeds on a flexible substrate.” Langmuir : The Acs Journal of Surfaces and Colloids 28, no. 10 (March 2012): 4787–92. https://doi.org/10.1021/la203781x.Full Text
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Yeo, Junyeob, Sukjoon Hong, Daehoo Lee, Nico Hotz, Ming-Tsang Lee, Costas P. Grigoropoulos, and Seung Hwan Ko. “Next generation non-vacuum, maskless, low temperature nanoparticle ink laser digital direct metal patterning for a large area flexible electronics.” Plos One 7, no. 8 (January 2012): e42315. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0042315.Full Text
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Hotz, N. “Hydrogen production on the rooftop from sunlight and biofuel.” Spie Newsroom, November 2011. https://doi.org/10.1117/2.1201110.003907.Full Text
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Von Rickenbach, J., M. Nabavi, I. Zinovik, N. Hotz, and D. Poulikakos. “A detailed surface reaction model for syngas production from butane over Rhodium catalyst.” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 36, no. 19 (September 1, 2011): 12238–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.06.127.Full Text
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Ko, S. H., J. Chung, N. Hotz, K. H. Nam, and C. P. Grigoropoulos. “Metal nanoparticle direct inkjet printing for low-temperature 3D micro metal structure fabrication.” Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering 20, no. 12 (December 1, 2010). https://doi.org/10.1088/0960-1317/20/12/125010.Full Text
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Weinmueller, C., G. Tautschnig, N. Hotz, and D. Poulikakos. “A flexible direct methanol micro-fuel cell based on a metalized, photosensitive polymer film.” Journal of Power Sources 195, no. 12 (June 15, 2010): 3849–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.12.092.Full Text
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Hotz, N., R. Zimmerman, C. Weinmueller, M. T. Lee, C. P. Grigoropoulos, G. Rosengarten, and D. Poulikakos. “Exergetic analysis and optimization of a solar-powered reformed methanol fuel cell micro-powerplant.” Journal of Power Sources 195, no. 6 (March 15, 2010): 1676–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.09.055.Full Text
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Lee, M. T., M. Werhahn, D. J. Hwang, N. Hotz, R. Greif, D. Poulikakos, and C. P. Grigoropoulos. “Hydrogen production with a solar steam-methanol reformer and colloid nanocatalyst.” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 35, no. 1 (January 1, 2010): 118–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2009.10.083.Full Text
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Raberger, N. B., M. J. Stutz, N. Hotz, and D. Poulikakos. “Simulation of the postcombustor for the treatment of toxic and flammable exhaust gases of a micro-solid oxide fuel cell.” Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology 6, no. 4 (November 1, 2009): 0410021–211. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3080812.Full Text
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Weinmueller, C., N. Hotz, A. Mueller, and D. Poulikakos. “On two-phase flow patterns and transition criteria in aqueous methanol and CO2 mixtures in adiabatic, rectangular microchannels.” International Journal of Multiphase Flow 35, no. 8 (August 1, 2009): 760–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2009.03.010.Full Text
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Schirmer, N. C., T. Schwamb, B. R. Burg, N. Hotz, and D. Poulikakos. “Controlled free-form fabrication of nanowires by dielectrophoretic dispension of colloids.” Applied Physics Letters 95, no. 3 (July 31, 2009). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3186789.Full Text
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Hotz, N., N. Koc, T. Schwamb, N. Schirmer, and D. Poulikakos. “Catalytic porous ceramic prepared in-situ by sol-gelation for butane-to-syngas processing in microreactors.” Aiche Journal 55, no. 7 (July 1, 2009): 1849–59. https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.11831.Full Text
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Hotz, N., N. Osterwalder, W. J. Stark, N. R. Bieri, and D. Poulikakos. “Disk-shaped packed bed micro-reactor for butane-to-syngas processing.” Chemical Engineering Science 63, no. 21 (November 1, 2008): 5193–5201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2008.06.024.Full Text
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Bieberle-Hütter, A., D. Beckel, A. Infortuna, U. P. Muecke, J. L. M. Rupp, L. J. Gauckler, S. Rey-Mermet, et al. “A micro-solid oxide fuel cell system as battery replacement.” Journal of Power Sources 177, no. 1 (February 15, 2008): 123–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2007.10.092.Full Text
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Hotz, N., M. J. Stutz, S. Loher, W. J. Stark, and D. Poulikakos. “Syngas production from butane using a flame-made Rh/Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 catalyst.” Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 73 (2007).
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Hotz, N., S. M. Senn, and D. Poulikakos. “Exergy analysis of a solid oxide fuel cell micropowerplant.” Journal of Power Sources 158, no. 1 (July 14, 2006): 333–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2005.09.023.Full Text
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Hotz, N., M. T. Lee, C. P. Grigoropoulos, S. M. Senn, and D. Poulikakos. “Exergetic analysis of fuel cell micropowerplants fed by methanol.” International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 49, no. 15–16 (July 1, 2006): 2397–2411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2006.03.007.Full Text
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Stutz, M. J., N. Hotz, and D. Poulikakos. “Optimization of methane reforming in a microreactor-effects of catalyst loading and geometry.” Chemical Engineering Science 61, no. 12 (June 1, 2006): 4027–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2006.01.035.Full Text
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Shodiya, T., D. Real, K. McFadded, A. Schmidt, G. J. Lee, T. Conlon, and N. Hotz. “CO preferential oxidation reactor integrated into PEM fuel cell system (In preparation),” n.d.
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Book Sections
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Hotz, N. “Hierarchical Nanostructures for Fuel Cells and Fuel Reforming.” In Hierarchical Nanostructures for Energy Devices, edited by S. H. Ko and C. P. Grigoropoulos. Royal Society of Chemistry, 2014.
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Conference Papers
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Grady, P., G. Chen, S. Verma, A. Marellapudi, and N. Hotz. “A study of energy losses in the world's most fuel efficient vehicle.” In 2019 Ieee Vehicle Power and Propulsion Conference, Vppc 2019 Proceedings, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1109/VPPC46532.2019.8952212.Full Text
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Hotz, N., A. K. Mohanty, and M. Misra. “Investigating operating conditions and mechanical performance of co-injected polylactic acid and polycaprolactone.” In Annual Technical Conference Antec, Conference Proceedings, 2015.
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Lim, E., T. Visutipol, W. Peng, and N. Hotz. “Flame-made CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst for methanol steam reforming.” In Asme 2013 7th Int. Conf. on Energy Sustainability Collocated With the Asme 2013 Heat Transfer Summer Conf. and the Asme 2013 11th Int. Conf. on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology, Es 2013, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1115/ES2013-18388.Full Text
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Real, D., and N. Hotz. “Novel non-concentrated solar collector for solar-powered chemical reactions.” In Asme 2013 7th Int. Conf. on Energy Sustainability Collocated With the Asme 2013 Heat Transfer Summer Conf. and the Asme 2013 11th Int. Conf. on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology, Es 2013, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1115/ES2013-18382.Full Text
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Shodiya, T., W. Peng, and N. Hotz. “Novel nano-scale Au/α-Fe2O3 catalyst for the preferential oxidation of CO in biofuel reformate gas.” In Asme 2013 7th Int. Conf. on Energy Sustainability Collocated With the Asme 2013 Heat Transfer Summer Conf. and the Asme 2013 11th Int. Conf. on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology, Es 2013, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1115/ES2013-18387.Full Text
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Hotz, N. “Non-concentrated solar collector for solarthermal chemical reactions.” In Asme International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (Imece), Vol. 6 A, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2013-65433.Full Text
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Hotz, N. “Flame-made catalyst for bio-methanol steam reforming.” In Asme International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (Imece), Vol. 6 A, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2013-65425.Full Text
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Hotz, N. “Nano-structured catalytic material for solar-powered biofuel reforming.” In Asme International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (Imece), 6:1239–45, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2012-89729.Full Text
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Hotz, Nico. “Hydrogen production from biofuel under sunlight: A hybrid approach.” In Abstracts of Papers of the American Chemical Society, Vol. 243. AMER CHEMICAL SOC, 2012.Link to Item
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Hotz, N. “Micro- and nano-structured catalytic reactor for biofuel reforming in a solar collector.” In Asme 2012 6th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, Es 2012, Collocated With the Asme 2012 10th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology, 885–90, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1115/ES2012-91338.Full Text
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Hotz, N. “Solar-powered reformed methanol fuel cell system.” In Asme 2012 10th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology Collocated With the Asme 2012 6th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, Fuelcell 2012, 81–89, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1115/FuelCell2012-91340.Full Text
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Real, Daniel J., Carlo Studtmann, and Nico Hotz. “Hydrogen production from biofuel under sunlight: A hybrid approach.” In Abstracts of Papers of the American Chemical Society, Vol. 244, 2012.Link to Item
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Hotz, N. “Hybrid solar system for stationary electric power generation.” In 40th Ases National Solar Conference 2011, Solar 2011, 1:505–12, 2011.
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Hotz, N. “Novel porous composite material containing catalytic nanoparticles for hydrogen production from biofuel.” In Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings, 1405:121–26, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1557/opl.2012.191.Full Text
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Hotz, N. “Hybrid solar system for stationary electric power generation.” In Asme 2011 5th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, Es 2011, 1631–40, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1115/ES2011-54389.Full Text
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Hotz, N. “Porous media for catalytic renewable energy conversion.” In Aip Conference Proceedings, 1453:57–62, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4711153.Full Text
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Hotz, N., H. Pan, C. P. Grigoropoulos, and S. H. Ko. “Exergetic analysis of solar-powered hybrid energy conversion and storage scenarios for stationary applications.” In Asme 2010 4th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, Es 2010, 1:879–88, 2010. https://doi.org/10.1115/ES2010-90255.Full Text
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Hotz, N., M. T. Lee, C. P. Grigoropoulos, R. Zimmerman, G. Rosengarten, and D. Poulikakos. “Exergetic analysis of a solar-heated fuel cell system fed by methanol.” In Asme 2010 4th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, Es 2010, 1:233–40, 2010. https://doi.org/10.1115/ES2010-90252.Full Text
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Ko, S. H., H. Pan, N. Hotz, and C. P. Grigoropoulos. “Large area flexible electronics fabrication by selective laser sintering of nanoparticles with a scanning mirror.” In Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings, 1196:7–12, 2010.
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Ko, S. H., H. Pan, N. Hotz, J. Yeo, and C. P. Grigoropoulos. “Nanoparticle selective laser sintering for large area flexible electronics fabrication with a scanning mirror.” In 4th Pacific International Conference on Applications of Lasers and Optics, Picalo 2010, 2010.
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Ko, S. H., H. Pan, N. Hotz, J. Yeo, and C. P. Grigoropoulos. “Nanoparticle selective laser sintering for large area flexible electronics fabrication with a scanning mirror.” In 4th Pacific International Conference on Applications of Lasers and Optics, Picalo 2010, 2010. https://doi.org/10.2351/1.5057239.Full Text
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Ko, S. H., H. Pan, N. Hotz, and C. P. Grigoropoulos. “Large area flexible electronics fabrication by selective laser sintering of nanoparticles with a scanning mirror.” In Icaleo 2009 28th International Congress on Applications of Lasers and Electro Optics, Congress Proceedings, 102:1396–1401, 2009. https://doi.org/10.2351/1.5061505.Full Text
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Hotz, N., and A. Schicho. “High-Pressure Electrolysis for Efficient Compressed Hydrogen Production,” n.d.
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Lee, M. T., N. Hotz, R. Greif, and C. P. Grigoropoulos. “Transport Phenomena in a Nanocatalytic Solar thermal Steam-Methanol Reformer,” n.d.
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Peng, W., E. Lim, I. Dumanyan, and N. Hotz. “In-Situ Fabrication of a Porous Nano-Catalyst Reactor for H2 Production by Methanol Steam Reforming,” n.d.
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Real, D., I. Dumanyan, and N. Hotz. “Hydrogen Production by Solar-driven Methanol Steam Reforming,” n.d.
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Real, D., I. Dumanyan, and N. Hotz. “Nanocatalyst for Hydrogen Production by Solar-Driven Methanol Steam Reforming,” n.d.
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Schicho, A., and N. Hotz. “High-pressure Electrolysis Experiments up to 5000 psi,” n.d.
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Shodiya, T., D. Real, and N. Hotz. “Nanocatalysts for Integrated Solar-powered Fuel Cell System Combining Fuel Reforming, Reformate Post-processing, and Fuel Cell,” n.d.
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Shodiya, T., D. Real, and N. Hotz. “Integrated Solar-Powered Fuel Cell System,” n.d.
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Shodiya, T., J. Barnes, I. Dumanyan, and N. Hotz. “Plasmon-enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation from Biofuels,” n.d.
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Shodiya, T., O. Schmidt, W. Peng, and N. Hotz. “Particle Size Modeling of Novel Au/α-Fe2O3 Catalysts for Preferential Oxidation of CO for Fuel Cell Applications,” n.d.
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Shodiya, T., and N. Hotz. “Preferential Oxidation of Carbon Monoxide Integrated with Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell,” n.d.
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Shodiya, T., and N. Hotz. “Plasmon-Enabled Photothermal Hydrogen Generation in Cold Reactor,” n.d.
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- Teaching & Mentoring
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Recent Courses
- EGR 95FS: First Year seminar in Focus 2023
- FOCUS 195FS: Special Topics in Focus 2023
- ME 431L: Heat and Mass Transfer 2023
- ME 492: Special Projects in Mechanical Engineering 2023
- ME 536: Compressible Fluid Flow 2023
- EGR 95FS: First Year seminar in Focus 2022
- FOCUS 195FS: Special Topics in Focus 2022
- ME 394: Engineering Undergraduate Fellows Projects 2022
- ME 431L: Heat and Mass Transfer 2022
- ME 491: Special Projects in Mechanical Engineering 2022
- ME 493: Engineering Undergraduate Fellows Projects 2022
- ME 494: Engineering Undergraduate Fellows Projects 2022
- EGR 95FS: First Year seminar in Focus 2021
- FOCUS 195FS: Special Topics in Focus 2021
- ME 394: Engineering Undergraduate Fellows Projects 2021
- ME 431L: Heat and Mass Transfer 2021
- ME 491: Special Projects in Mechanical Engineering 2021
- ME 493: Engineering Undergraduate Fellows Projects 2021
- ME 536: Compressible Fluid Flow 2021
- ME 592: Research Independent Study in Mechanical Engineering or Material Science 2021
- Scholarly, Clinical, & Service Activities
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Outreach & Engaged Scholarship
- Bass Connections Team Leader. Providing Clean Fuel for the Developing World. 2021 - 2022 2021 - 2022
- Bass Connections Team Leader. Providing Clean Fuel for the Developing World. 2020 - 2021 2020 - 2021
- Bass Connections Team Leader. Providing Clean Fuel for the Developing World: Technology Is Not Enough. 2019 - 2020 2019 - 2020
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Service to the Profession
- Track Organizer. ASME 2014 Energy Sustainability and Fuel Cell Conference (ESFuelCell2014). June 2014 2014
- Member of Editorial Board. Journal Smart Science. 2014 2014
- Track Organizer. ASME 2013 Summer Heat Transfer, Energy Sustainability and Fuel Cell Conference (HT2013 and ESFuelCell2013). July 2013 2013
- Workshop on Thermochemical Energy Storage for Concentrating Solar Power (CSP). Department of Energy. January 8, 2013 2013
- Session Organizer. ASME 2012 International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition (IMECE2012). November 2012 2012
- Track Organizer. ASME 2012 Energy Sustainability and Fuel Cell Conference (ESFuelCell2012). July 2012 2012
- Session Chair. 4th International Conference on Porous Media and its Applications in Science, Engineering and Industry. June 2012 2012
- Guest Editor. Special Issue Hydrogen Energy and Fuel Cells . Journal Energies. 2012 2012
- Member of ASME Technical Committee on Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage. ASME. 2012 2012
- Track Organizer. ASME 2011 Energy Sustainability and Fuel Cell Conference (ESFuelCell2011). August 2011 2011
- Session Organizer. ASME 2010 International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition (IMECE2010). November 2010 2010
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