Anika JalilAnika's poster: "Development of 3D Printed Falling Thin Film Liquid Phase Electrolyzer Prototype for CO2 Reduction Reaction"

Anika Jalil took home 3rd place in the Fuels, Petrochemicals and Energy Division poster competition at the National American Institute of Chemical Engineering (AIChE) conference which occurred in Orlando, Florida. This is an exceptionally exciting accomplishment as Anika was nominated for the university based AIChE leader-scholar award last year but didn't win.

“It was a special feeling to get recognized for research I'm deeply passionate about,” said Anika Jalil. “I struggle with imposter syndrome, especially coming from Bangladesh. I often feel like I have more to prove, so it was reaffirming to [win] this award. I feel more confident in my skills as a research scientist and engineer.”

Anika is a currently a chemical engineering major working in Charles Dismukes Lab and a learning assistant for several chemical engineering courses. She also leads study groups and works closely with professors to help students better understand their classes.

The Dismukes Lab recently received the inaugural Grossman Innovation Prize from the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS). The winning proposal involved the development of catalysts that use electricity to convert carbon dioxide and water into plastic precursors and other complex organic chemicals with high specificity and yield. The process is net carbon negative, uses less power than extraction from petroleum sources, makes molecules not available from petroleum, and is environmentally beneficial as it produces oxygen as its only byproduct.This technology was developed in cooperation with research associate Anders Laursen and graduate student Karin Calvinho.

Learn more about the Dismukes Lab and RenewCO2, the Rutgers start-up determined to change the way polymers are made.