Peters Named New Director of Resnick Sustainability Institute

Jonas C. Peters, the Bren Professor of Chemistry, has been appointed director of the Resnick Sustainability Institute. Launched in 2009 with an investment from philanthropists Stewart and Lynda Resnick and located in the Jorgenson Laboratory on the Caltech campus, the Resnick Institute concentrates on transformational breakthroughs that will contribute to the planet’s sustainability over the long term.

The Resnick Sustainability Institute, which involves both the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Engineering and Applied Science divisions, serves as a prime example of the multidisciplinary approach prized by Caltech.

“Some of the most important challenges in sustainability are also among the most complex,” says Peters, who has been a member of the Caltech faculty since 1999. “We are committed to working on problems that are uniquely suited to the Caltech environment. This means starting with fundamentals and leveraging the cross-catalysis of ideas and creativity of this campus to come up with ways to have substantial impact.”

Because the world’s natural resources are dwindling, Peters wants to continue focusing the Resnick Institute’s efforts on efficient energy generation, storage, and use. Some current projects include development of advanced photovoltaics, photoelectrochemical solar fuels and cellulosic biofuels; energy conversion work on batteries and fuel cells; and efficiency in industrial catalysis and advanced research on electrical grid control and distribution.

In addition, the Resnick Institute is exploring new opportunities in the area of water sustainability. In September, the institute hosted a workshop entitled “Water Resilience and Sustainability: Can We Make LA Water Self-Sufficient?” The workshop examined the long-term potential for sustainable water use in urban environments, using the Los Angeles area as a case study.

“The Resnick Sustainability Institute is continuing to build one of the great centers for sustainability research,” says Peters. “We are doing this by supporting the most talented young scientists and engineers committed to tackling the fascinating, critical, and yet very difficult challenges of this field.”