Dr. Patrick Cappillino is a prominent chemist specializing in the development of innovative materials for sustainable energy applications. He currently serves as an Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, where he has established a distinguished research program since joining the faculty in Fall 2014. Dr. Cappillino earned his PhD in bioinorganic and synthetic inorganic chemistry from Boston University, where his doctoral research focused on elucidating the fundamental role of iron in oxygen-activating enzymes. His early academic achievements included winning third place for an oral presentation at the 10th Young Scientists Conference on Chemistry in Germany in 2008, which highlighted his expertise in modeling iron oxygenase active sites.
Dr. Cappillino's pioneering work has led to significant advances in redox flow battery technology through his development of solid boosters and specialized electrolytes that enhance energy density and efficiency. His laboratory has secured over $900,000 in research funding from prestigious organizations including the National Science Foundation, Office of Naval Research, and MassVentures for projects addressing critical challenges in grid-scale energy storage. Notable among these is the $466,035 award from the Office of Naval Research for UMassD MUST III, which focuses on durability and performance of flow batteries for marine and undersea technology applications. His innovative Mushroom-Inspired Vanadium Extraction project demonstrates his commitment to developing sustainable solutions for critical mineral extraction in battery applications.
Recognized for his scholarly contributions, Dr. Cappillino was awarded the prestigious Electrochemical Society/Toyota Young Investigator Fellowship in 2015/16 and featured in the Journal of Materials Chemistry's 2017 Emerging Investigators issue. His research program continues to evolve toward developing next-generation materials for electrocatalysis, heterogeneous catalysis, and advanced energy storage systems that address fundamental challenges in renewable energy infrastructure. With expertise spanning molecular and solid-state inorganic chemistry, meso- and nano-structured materials, and surface chemistry, his laboratory serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research that bridges fundamental science with practical applications. As grid-scale energy storage becomes increasingly critical for global sustainability efforts, Dr. Cappilino's work promises to make enduring contributions to both scientific understanding and technological implementation in the field.
