Nico Hotz

Research Interests

Interfacial transport phenomena and thermodynamics in energy technology, including phenomena at the micro- and nanoscale. Thermodynamics aspects of photovoltaics, novel sustainable energy conversion technologies, and chemical reactions are an essential part of my research. My main focus in research is the combination of ideas, insights and results from traditional energy technology such as thermal power plants with novel and innovative technologies such a fuel cells and photovoltaic cells based on micro- and nanostructured materials. An essential topi of my research interests is the energetic and exergetic analysis of complex energy conversion and storage systems, especially including renewable and sustainable energy solutions.

Bio

Nico Hotz specializes in interfacial transport phenomena and thermodynamics in energy technology. His research focuses on heat, mass, and charge transfer on nano-scale surfaces for solar thermal applications, catalytic fuel reforming, hydrogen generation, fuel cells, and electrolysis.

Education

• Ph.D. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Switzerland), 2008

Positions

• Associate Professor of the Practice in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
• Associate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society

Awards, Honors, and Distinctions

• Excellence in Teaching Award. Pratt School of Engineering. 2015
• Alfred M. Hunt Faculty Scholar. Pratt School of Engineering. 2014
• New Investigator Award. North Carolina Space Grant. 2013
• Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award. Oak Ridge Associated Universities. 2012
• Best Paper Award in the ASME Energy Sustainability Conference 2010. Advanced Energy Systems Division of ASME . 2011
• Fellowship for Prospective Research. Swiss National Science Foundation. 2009
• Georg A. Fischer Award 2009. ETH Zurich. 2009

Courses Taught

• ME 536: Compressible Fluid Flow
• ME 494: Engineering Undergraduate Fellows Projects
• ME 493: Engineering Undergraduate Fellows Projects
• ME 492: Special Projects in Mechanical Engineering
• ME 491: Special Projects in Mechanical Engineering
• ME 431L: Heat and Mass Transfer
• ME 424L: Mechanical Systems Design
• ME 421L: Mechanical Design
• ME 394: Engineering Undergraduate Fellows Projects
• FOCUS 195FS: Special Topics in Focus
• EGR 95FS: First Year seminar in Focus
• EGR 393: Research Projects in Engineering

Publications

• Divilov S, Eckert H, Toher C, Friedrich R, Zettel AC, Brenner DW, et al. A priori procedure to establish spinodal decomposition in alloys. Acta Materialia. 2024 Mar 1;266.
• Young AH, Hotz N, Hawkins BT, Kabala ZJ. Inducing Deep Sweeps and Vortex Ejections on Patterned Membrane Surfaces to Mitigate Surface Fouling. Membranes. 2024 Jan;14(1):21.
• Grady P, Chen G, Verma S, Marellapudi A, Hotz N. A study of energy losses in the world's most fuel efficient vehicle. In: 2019 IEEE Vehicle Power and Propulsion Conference, VPPC 2019 - Proceedings. 2019.
• Myers T, Schoebitz L, Woolley S, Sanchez Ferragut J, Thostenson J, Jooss K, et al. Towards an off-grid fecal sludge treatment unit: demonstrating energy positive thermal treatment. Gates open research. 2019 Jan;3:1176.
• Real D, Dumanyan I, Hotz N. Renewable hydrogen production by solar-powered methanol reforming. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2016 Jul 27;41(28):11914–24.
• Hotz N, Mohanty AK, Misra M. Investigating operating conditions and mechanical performance of co-injected polylactic acid and polycaprolactone. In: Annual Technical Conference - ANTEC, Conference Proceedings. 2015.
• Real D, Dumanyan I, Hotz N. Hydrogen production by solar-powered methanol reforming. 2015;
• Lim EO, Visutipol T, Schicho A, Peng W, Hotz N. Flame-made nanoparticles for catalytic methanol steam reforming (Submitted). 2015;
• Schicho A, Hotz N. High-pressure electrolyzer for efficient energy generation (Submitted). 2015;
• Shodiya T, Barnes J, Xiong G, Dumanyan I, Ngo H, Fales A, et al. Plasmon-assisted photothermal catalytic reactor for hydrogen generation (Submitted). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of USA. 2015;
• Peng W, Dumanyan I, Lim E, Hotz N. In-situ fabrication of a porous nano-catalyst methanol steam reformer for H2 production (Submitted). 2015;
• Hotz N. Hierarchical Nanostructures for Fuel Cells and Fuel Reforming. In: Ko SH, Grigoropoulos CP, editors. Hierarchical Nanostructures for Energy Devices. Royal Society of Chemistry; 2014.
• Real D, Johnston R, Lauer J, Schicho A, Hotz N. Novel non-concentrating solar collector for intermediate-temperature energy capture. Solar Energy. 2014 Jan 1;108:421–31.
• Shodiya T, Peng W, Hotz N. Novel nano-scale Au/α-Fe2O3 catalyst for the preferential oxidation of CO in biofuel reformate gas. In: ASME 2013 7th Int Conf on Energy Sustainability Collocated with the ASME 2013 Heat Transfer Summer Conf and the ASME 2013 11th Int Conf on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology, ES 2013. 2013.
• Real D, Hotz N. Novel non-concentrated solar collector for solar-powered chemical reactions. In: ASME 2013 7th Int Conf on Energy Sustainability Collocated with the ASME 2013 Heat Transfer Summer Conf and the ASME 2013 11th Int Conf on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology, ES 2013. 2013.
• Lim E, Visutipol T, Peng W, Hotz N. Flame-made CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst for methanol steam reforming. In: ASME 2013 7th Int Conf on Energy Sustainability Collocated with the ASME 2013 Heat Transfer Summer Conf and the ASME 2013 11th Int Conf on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology, ES 2013. 2013.
• Shodiya T, Schmidt O, Peng W, Hotz N. Novel nano-scale Au/α-Fe2O3 catalyst for the preferential oxidation of CO in biofuel reformate gas. Journal of Catalysis. 2013 Apr 1;300:63–9.
• Hotz N. Non-concentrated solar collector for solarthermal chemical reactions. In: ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (IMECE). 2013.
• Hotz N. Flame-made catalyst for bio-methanol steam reforming. In: ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (IMECE). 2013.
• Hotz N. Hybrid solar system for decentralized electric power generation and storage. Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, Transactions of the ASME. 2012 Oct 8;134(4).
• Kullmann C, Schirmer NC, Lee MT, Ko SH, Hotz N, Grigoropoulos CP, et al. 3D micro-structures by piezoelectric inkjet printing of gold nanofluids. Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering. 2012 May 1;22(5).
• Hotz N. Hydrogen production from biofuel under sunlight: A hybrid approach. In: ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. AMER CHEMICAL SOC; 2012.
• Ko SH, Lee D, Hotz N, Yeo J, Hong S, Nam KH, et al. Digital selective growth of ZnO nanowire arrays from inkjet-printed nanoparticle seeds on a flexible substrate. Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids. 2012 Mar;28(10):4787–92.
• Hotz N. Nano-structured catalytic material for solar-powered biofuel reforming. In: ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (IMECE). 2012. p. 1239–45.
• Hotz N. Solar-powered reformed methanol fuel cell system. In: ASME 2012 10th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology Collocated with the ASME 2012 6th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, FUELCELL 2012. 2012. p. 81–9.
• Real DJ, Studtmann C, Hotz N. Hydrogen production from biofuel under sunlight: A hybrid approach. In: ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. 2012.
• Yeo J, Hong S, Lee D, Hotz N, Lee M-T, Grigoropoulos CP, et al. Next generation non-vacuum, maskless, low temperature nanoparticle ink laser digital direct metal patterning for a large area flexible electronics. PloS one. 2012 Jan;7(8):e42315.
• Hotz N. Micro- and nano-structured catalytic reactor for biofuel reforming in a solar collector. In: ASME 2012 6th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, ES 2012, Collocated with the ASME 2012 10th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology. 2012. p. 885–90.
• Hotz N. Novel porous composite material containing catalytic nanoparticles for hydrogen production from biofuel. In: Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings. 2011. p. 121–6.
• Hotz N. Hybrid solar system for stationary electric power generation. In: 40th ASES National Solar Conference 2011, SOLAR 2011. 2011. p. 505–12.
• Hotz N. Hybrid solar system for stationary electric power generation. In: ASME 2011 5th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, ES 2011. 2011. p. 1631–40.
• Hotz N. Hydrogen production on the rooftop from sunlight and biofuel. SPIE Newsroom. 2011 Nov;
• Von Rickenbach J, Nabavi M, Zinovik I, Hotz N, Poulikakos D. A detailed surface reaction model for syngas production from butane over Rhodium catalyst. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2011 Sep 1;36(19):12238–48.
• Hotz N. Porous media for catalytic renewable energy conversion. In: AIP Conference Proceedings. 2011. p. 57–62.
• Ko SH, Chung J, Hotz N, Nam KH, Grigoropoulos CP. Metal nanoparticle direct inkjet printing for low-temperature 3D micro metal structure fabrication. Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering. 2010 Dec 1;20(12).
• Hotz N, Pan H, Grigoropoulos CP, Ko SH. Exergetic analysis of solar-powered hybrid energy conversion and storage scenarios for stationary applications. In: ASME 2010 4th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, ES 2010. 2010. p. 879–88.
• Hotz N, Lee MT, Grigoropoulos CP, Zimmerman R, Rosengarten G, Poulikakos D. Exergetic analysis of a solar-heated fuel cell system fed by methanol. In: ASME 2010 4th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, ES 2010. 2010. p. 233–40.
• Ko SH, Pan H, Hotz N, Grigoropoulos CP. Large area flexible electronics fabrication by selective laser sintering of nanoparticles with a scanning mirror. In: Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings. 2010. p. 7–12.
• Weinmueller C, Tautschnig G, Hotz N, Poulikakos D. A flexible direct methanol micro-fuel cell based on a metalized, photosensitive polymer film. Journal of Power Sources. 2010 Jun 15;195(12):3849–57.
• Ko SH, Pan H, Hotz N, Yeo J, Grigoropoulos CP. Nanoparticle selective laser sintering for large area flexible electronics fabrication with a scanning mirror. In: 4th Pacific International Conference on Applications of Lasers and Optics, PICALO 2010. 2010.
• Hotz N, Zimmerman R, Weinmueller C, Lee MT, Grigoropoulos CP, Rosengarten G, et al. Exergetic analysis and optimization of a solar-powered reformed methanol fuel cell micro-powerplant. Journal of Power Sources. 2010 Mar 15;195(6):1676–87.
• Lee MT, Werhahn M, Hwang DJ, Hotz N, Greif R, Poulikakos D, et al. Hydrogen production with a solar steam-methanol reformer and colloid nanocatalyst. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2010 Jan 1;35(1):118–26.
• Ko SH, Pan H, Hotz N, Yeo J, Grigoropoulos CP. Nanoparticle selective laser sintering for large area flexible electronics fabrication with a scanning mirror. In: 4th Pacific International Conference on Applications of Lasers and Optics, PICALO 2010. 2010.
• Raberger NB, Stutz MJ, Hotz N, Poulikakos D. Simulation of the postcombustor for the treatment of toxic and flammable exhaust gases of a micro-solid oxide fuel cell. Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology. 2009 Nov 1;6(4):0410021–04100211.
• Weinmueller C, Hotz N, Mueller A, Poulikakos D. On two-phase flow patterns and transition criteria in aqueous methanol and CO2 mixtures in adiabatic, rectangular microchannels. International Journal of Multiphase Flow. 2009 Aug 1;35(8):760–72.
• Schirmer NC, Schwamb T, Burg BR, Hotz N, Poulikakos D. Controlled free-form fabrication of nanowires by dielectrophoretic dispension of colloids. Applied Physics Letters. 2009 Jul 31;95(3).
• Hotz N, Koc N, Schwamb T, Schirmer N, Poulikakos D. Catalytic porous ceramic prepared in-situ by sol-gelation for butane-to-syngas processing in microreactors. AIChE Journal. 2009 Jul 1;55(7):1849–59.
• Ko SH, Pan H, Hotz N, Grigoropoulos CP. Large area flexible electronics fabrication by selective laser sintering of nanoparticles with a scanning mirror. In: ICALEO 2009 - 28th International Congress on Applications of Lasers and Electro-Optics, Congress Proceedings. 2009. p. 1396–401.
• Hotz N, Osterwalder N, Stark WJ, Bieri NR, Poulikakos D. Disk-shaped packed bed micro-reactor for butane-to-syngas processing. Chemical Engineering Science. 2008 Nov 1;63(21):5193–201.
• Bieberle-Hütter A, Beckel D, Infortuna A, Muecke UP, Rupp JLM, Gauckler LJ, et al. A micro-solid oxide fuel cell system as battery replacement. Journal of Power Sources. 2008 Feb 15;177(1):123–30.
• Hotz N, Stutz MJ, Loher S, Stark WJ, Poulikakos D. Syngas production from butane using a flame-made Rh/Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 catalyst. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental. 2007;73.
• Hotz N, Senn SM, Poulikakos D. Exergy analysis of a solid oxide fuel cell micropowerplant. Journal of Power Sources. 2006 Jul 14;158(1):333–47.
• Hotz N, Lee MT, Grigoropoulos CP, Senn SM, Poulikakos D. Exergetic analysis of fuel cell micropowerplants fed by methanol. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer. 2006 Jul 1;49(15–16):2397–411.
• Stutz MJ, Hotz N, Poulikakos D. Optimization of methane reforming in a microreactor-effects of catalyst loading and geometry. Chemical Engineering Science. 2006 Jun 1;61(12):4027–40.
• Real D, Dumanyan I, Hotz N. Hydrogen Production by Solar-driven Methanol Steam Reforming. In.
• Shodiya T, Real D, McFadded K, Schmidt A, Lee GJ, Conlon T, et al. CO preferential oxidation reactor integrated into PEM fuel cell system (In preparation).
• Shodiya T, Barnes J, Dumanyan I, Hotz N. Plasmon-enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation from Biofuels. In.
• Shodiya T, Real D, Hotz N. Integrated Solar-Powered Fuel Cell System. In.
• Schicho A, Hotz N. High-pressure Electrolysis Experiments up to 5000 psi. In.
• Shodiya T, Hotz N. Plasmon-Enabled Photothermal Hydrogen Generation in Cold Reactor. In.
• Peng W, Lim E, Dumanyan I, Hotz N. In-Situ Fabrication of a Porous Nano-Catalyst Reactor for H2 Production by Methanol Steam Reforming. In.
• Real D, Dumanyan I, Hotz N. Nanocatalyst for Hydrogen Production by Solar-Driven Methanol Steam Reforming. In.
• Shodiya T, Hotz N. Preferential Oxidation of Carbon Monoxide Integrated with Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell. In.
• Shodiya T, Schmidt O, Peng W, Hotz N. Particle Size Modeling of Novel Au/α-Fe2O3 Catalysts for Preferential Oxidation of CO for Fuel Cell Applications. In.
• Shodiya T, Real D, Hotz N. Nanocatalysts for Integrated Solar-powered Fuel Cell System Combining Fuel Reforming, Reformate Post-processing, and Fuel Cell. In.
• Hotz N, Schicho A. High-Pressure Electrolysis for Efficient Compressed Hydrogen Production. In.
• Lee MT, Hotz N, Greif R, Grigoropoulos CP. Transport Phenomena in a Nanocatalytic Solar thermal Steam-Methanol Reformer. In.

In The News

• Purposeful Partnerships: Duke Units Collaborate to Lead Climate Policy in DC (Aug 7, 2023 | Duke Today)
• Energy Initiative Awards Seven New Seed Grants (Apr 28, 2017 | )
• Energy Initiative Provides First Round of Research Seed Funding (Apr 16, 2014 | )
• Duke Labs Produce 2 Intel Talent Search Finalists (Feb 10, 2014 | Duke Research Blog)
• New Method for Producing Clean Hydrogen (May 21, 2013 | )