Stuart Licht

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.

Stuart Licht
Born	Stuart Lawrence Licht (1955-07-24) 24 July 1955 (age 70) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Other names	Stuart Light
Citizenship	USA
Alma mater	Wesleyan University (BS, MS) Weizmann Institute of Science (PhD)
Known for	STEP process CO2 conversion to nanocarbons Molten-air batteries Aluminium–sulfur battery Super-iron batteries
Awards	Beckman Young Investigators Award (2005) Fellow of the Electrochemical Society (2018)
Scientific career
Fields	Electrochemistry Solar energy Climate mitigation technologies
Institutions	George Washington University Clark University Technion
Thesis	(1985)

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]

Academic career

From 1988 to 1995, Licht held the Carlson Endowed Chair in Chemistry at Clark University. He subsequently served at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology from 1995 to 2003,^[15] and then chaired the Department of Chemistry at the University of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2008.^[16] He also worked as a Program Director at the National Science Foundation.^[17] In 2008, he joined George Washington University, where he became Professor Emeritus of Chemistry in 2023.^[18]

He has chaired the New England Section of the American Chemical Society and is a Fellow of the Electrochemical Society,^[19] where he founded both the New England and Israel sections.

Research

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]

Selected honors

• 2005 Beckman Young Investigators Award^[37]
• 2006 Energy Technology Research Award, Electrochemical Society^[38]
• 2015 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award by EPA^[39]
• 2015 Open Innovation Energy Storage Prize, BASF^[40]
• 2015 Open Innovation Energy Storage Prize, BASF^[41]
• 2016 Hillebrand Prize^[42]
• 2018 Fellow of the Electrochemical Society^[43]
• 2019 Distinguished Researcher Award by the George Washington University^[44]
• 2022 XFactor XPrize Award for the most valuable product from CO₂, Carbon Corp Team Leader by Xprize Foundation.^[45]