Kunal Karan
Positions
Professor
Schulich School of Engineering, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
Associate Director
Calgary Advanced Energy Conversion and Storage Research -Technology
Contact information
Background
Educational Background
B. Tech. Chemical Engineering, Banaras Hindu University, 1992
Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, University of Calgary, 1999
M.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Calgary, 1994
Research
Areas of Research
Karan group’s current research activities are focussed on the development of advanced materials targeting applications in clean energy and health technologies. The research is aligned with two of the five areas of focus laid out in UCalgary’s Research and Innovation Plan - Ahead of Tomorrow (2023-2030): (i) Energy Futures and (ii) Health and Life.
Advanced materials tailored for application-specific functional properties are the key needed to unlock the much-needed technological breakthrough for addressing the grand challenges facing humanity’s two critical needs – energy and health. For example, advancement of clean hydrogen technologies can help Canada meet its ‘zero emissions by 2050’ goal, and development of affordable early cancer detection technology can ensure effective treatment for patients improving their overall survival and reduce the economic burden on health system.
Some recent examples of advanced materials developed and/or investigated in Karan group include: (i) high activity catalysts for hydrogen fuel cells; (ii) biocompatible coating for cell growth and biosensor applications, (iii) bio-inspired nanoparticles for cardiovascular event management, (iv) nanometers thin conducting polymers for electrochemical energy and biosensing.
Research Interests
- Electrocatalysts and catalyst support for high-performance hydrogen fuel cells and electrolyzers
- 2D Material based polymer electrolyte membranes for high-durability fuel cells and electrolyzers
- Catalyst ink formulation for high performance fuel cell electrode
- Poly(Catecholamine) as versatile coatings for biosensors
- Mimetic exosomes for cancer diagnostics development
Participation in university strategic initiatives
Courses
| Course number | Course title | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| ENCH 421 LAB 01 B01 | Chemical Engineering Kinetics | 2021 |
| ENCH 421 LEC 01 01 | Chemical Engineering Kinetics | 2020 |
| ENCH 421 TUT 01 T01 | Chemical Engineering Kinetics | 2021 |
| ENCH 511 LAB 03 B03 | Chemical Process Design I | 2021 |
| ENCH 511 LAB 04 B04 | Chemical Process Design I | 2021 |
| ENCH 531 LAB 03 B03 | Chemical Process Design II | 2021 |
| ENCH 531 LAB 04 B04 | Chemical Process Design II | 2021 |
Awards
- Excellence in Teaching Award, Engineering Society, University of Calgary. 2024
- Distinguished Alumni - Indian Institute of Technology-Varanasi IIT-BHU, India (2022). Competitive award given to alumni for distinguished contribution to their research field., Indian Institute of Technology - BHU (Varanasi). 2022
- UCalgary Student Union Teaching Excellence Award, Student Union, University of Calgary. 2022
- Excellence in Teaching Award, Engineering Society, University of Calgary. 2022
- GSA Excellence Award (honorable mention), The University of Calgary. 2019
- Energy Innovator Award - 3rd Prize (Global Research Initiative in Sustainable Low Carbon Unconventional Resources Program (GRI), The University of Calgary. 2019
- Best Poster Award - 2018 International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE) Conference., International Society of Electrochemistry. 2018
- Excellence in Teaching - Engineering Student Society, University of Calgary, The University of Calgary. 2015
- Early Researchers Award (Province of Ontario), 2008
- Engineering Society Golden Apple Award for Excellence In Teaching (Queen's University), 2008
- Engineering Society Golden Apple Award for Excellence In Teaching (Queen's University), 2005
- Engineering Society Golden Apple Award for Excellence In Teaching (Queen's University), 2003
Publications
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