Shawn Litster
Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Courtesy Appointment, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering
Shawn Litster is a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Stanford University (2008) and his Bachelor Engineering and Master of Applied Sciences degrees from the University of Victoria. His current research focus is micro- and nanoscale transport phenomena in energy conversion technologies where electrochemistry and electrokinetics play a dominant role, including fuel cells, batteries, and ultra-capacitors. His research interests also include multiphase flow in porous media and micro-channels, non-linear dynamics, catalytic gasification, and microfluidic pumping.
Litster has received Carnegie Mellon’s George Tallman Ladd Research Award, a National Science Foundation CAREER award, the University of Victoria’s Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medal, and best paper/presentation awards from The Electrochemical Society and the American Society for Mechanical Engineers. He is an author of over 30 journal papers and three book chapters. He is also an inventor for two US patents on fuel cell design.
Improving Hydrogen Fuel Systems to Decarbonize Energy
Advancing Transportation Technology: Electrification of Vehicles with Fuel Cells and Batteries
Fuel Cells for Electric Vehicles
Behind the Researcher
Education
2008 Ph.D., Stanford University
2005 Master of Applied Sciences, , University of Victoria
2004 Bachelor of Engineering, University of Victoria
Media mentions
Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation
Professor Shawn Litster shares clean hydrogen research at multiple national conferences
Shawn Litster, Scott Institute Energy Fellow and Professor of Mechanical Engineering, is heavily involved in clean hydrogen research. Litster’s research generally focuses on sustainable energy conversion technologies that incorporate electrochemistry, including electrolyzers for producing hydrogen and fuel cells for vehicle powertrains.
CMU Engineering
Litster sub-awardee on $50M of new DOE hydrogen projects
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded 52 projects $750 million to dramatically reduce the cost of clean hydrogen and reinforce American leadership in the growing hydrogen industry.
Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation
Litster Shares Fuel Cell Electrode Research at Department of Energy Event
Energy Fellow Shawn Litster shared his research at the U.S. Department of Energy Hydrogen Program's 2023 Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting on June 6th in Arlington, Virginia.
Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation
Scott Institute Announces New Class of Energy Fellows
The Scott Institute Energy Fellows Program incentivizes, promotes and rewards Carnegie Mellon University's most dedicated tenure track energy faculty. Each fellow receives yearly funding and resources from the Scott Institute.
Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation
Tenth Annual Round of Scott Institute Seed Grants Will Support Five CMU Energy Projects
Carnegie Mellon University research projects exploring green chemistry and reduced greenhouse gas emissions in steelmaking are among the research being supported by the Scott Institute for Energy Innovation’s 2022 Seed Grants for Energy Research.
CMU Engineering
Jaramillo on transportation, IPCC report for policymakers
Paulina Jaramillo served as coordinating lead author of the transportation section of the newly released IPCC report for climate-policymakers.
CMU Engineering
A disruptive approach to fuel cell tech
A research collaboration led by Shawn Litster receives $3.2M from ARPA-E’s OPEN 2021 program to develop ionomer-free electrodes for ultra-high power density fuel cells.
Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation
Litster Team Wins $3.2M U.S. DOE's ARPA-E OPEN 2021 Award for EV Fuel Cell Research
Shawn Litster's research team was awarded $3.2 million for their project studying disruptive electrode technology for use in electric vehicle applications.
VeloNews
Litster interviewed on on virtual cycling program
MechE’s Shawn Litster was interviewed in VeloNews on Zwift, the largest virtual cycling game.
Associated Press
Litster quoted on hydrogen fuel cell market
MechE’s Shawn Litster was quoted in the Associated Press on the expansion of the hydrogen fuel cell market.
AP News
Litster mentioned on hydrogen fuel
MechE’s Shawn Litster was mentioned by AP News about hydrogen generators entering the market.
Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation
Scott Institute Faculty Receive Navy NEPTUNE Partnership for Hydrogen Electrolysis and Battery Research
The Office of Naval Research NEPTUNE program chose Carnegie Mellon to be a lead university, with Institute Director Jay Whitacre, Energy Fellow Venkat Viswanathan, and Shawn Litster as the leads of the NEPTUNE research team at Carnegie Mellon.