Energy Innovation Professor & Business Founder
Hydrogen is often described as the alpha and omega of energy—an abundant element in our galaxy, full of potential to reshape how humanity powers its future. She embodies energy itself: versatile, powerful, and transformative. The Women in Green Hydrogen Network is vital because it ensures that this transformative journey is inclusive, diverse, and enriched by perspectives that have historically been underrepresented in energy innovation.
From a technological standpoint, hydrogen offers a platform for advanced fuels through proton exchange membrane electrolysis cells (PEMECs), enabling decentralized, efficient, and sustainable production. Our work at Louise Nanoinnovation North American (LNNA) demonstrates how non‑precious metal catalysts and nanostructured materials can achieve high Faradaic efficiency, reduce costs, and extend performance lifetimes. These innovations align with the principles of circular economics, where resources are optimized, waste is minimized, and clean energy systems are designed for long‑term sustainability.
Dr. Jingbo Louise Liu is a Professor of Chemistry at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Faculty Affiliate at the Texas A&M Energy Institute, and Director of Louise Nanoinnovation North American. Her research spans sustainable energy, advanced materials, and forensic science, with a strong commitment to mentoring the next generation of innovators. Her HYDROGENISE (Hydrogen production through water electrolysis) initiative exemplifies this mission, developing non-precious catalysts and composite electrolytes that accelerate water splitting, improve fuel mileage, and reduce hydrogen production costs.
Her research integrates solid-state batteries, microbial fuel cells, and carbon capture technologies, all guided by a four-phase R&D4 framework: Research, Design, Demonstration, and Deployment. She pioneered halide ceramic electrolytes synthesized via green nano-emulsion methods, achieving superionic conductivity and stable cycling. In microbial fuel cells, she engineered nanocatalyst-enhanced systems with red-light stimulation to boost power density. Her carbon management work uses clay-based sorbents for low-cost CO2 capture.
Dr. Liu’s forensic innovations include β-POLICE nanocomposites for fingerprint detection and BEST simulants for crime scene reconstruction, both of which align with DHS priorities. Her LouiseSix metabolic boosters support mitochondrial health, bridging nanoscience with human wellness.
She has taught over 14,500 students, supervised 285 researchers, and produced more than 380 scholarly outputs, including patents, peer-reviewed journal publications, books/book chapters, and invited & contributed presentations at professional conferences. She has led and participated in projects funded by NSF, DOE, DHS, NCERC, and faculty fellowships sponsored by the AFOSR and ONR. Her leadership and contributions to energy, materials and public service have earned her nomination for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring, and recognition from the National Small Business Association, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and elected fellow distinctions by the American Chemical Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry, & the Linnean Society.
The American Chemical Society, The American Institute of Chemical Engineers
A. Chaffee, A. Abedin, J. Liu (Managing Guest Editor), Nanocatalysis: Adaptation and Resilience in Advancement of Energy and Fuels, Special Issue, Catalysis Today, 2022.
Li, V., Gizzatov, A., Shi, H. and Liu, J.L., 2025. Functionalization of porous materials for sustainable energy applications (Editorial). Frontiers in Materials, 12, p.1604024.
Song, C., Wong, S.S., Cheng, Y., Gurkan, B., Hu, Y.H., Chaffee, A., Zhang, S., Hu, L., Bashir, S. and Liu, J.L. 2025. 2024 Energy and Fuels Community Highlights: Advancing Materials and Technologies in Decarbonization and Renewable Energy Solutions, ACS Energy Letters, 10, 4543-4552.
Yuan, Q., Gao, W., & Liu, J. L. (2025). Achievements in Elevating the Chemistry Enterprise: Advancing Energy Transition and Smart Materials. ACS Energy Letters, 10, 1366-1373.
Y. Cheng, L. Houston, and J. Liu, 2022, Nanostructured materials for sustainable energy: Design, evaluation, and applications (Symposium title: Advances in Energy and Electrocatalysis), ACS Symposium Series (ACS Publications).
Y-J. Gao, W. Song, J. Liu, S. Bashir (Editors), Advances in Sustainable Energy-Policy, Materials, and Devices, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany (978-3-030-74405-2), 2021.
F. Li, S. Bashir and J. Liu (Editors), Nanostructured Materials for Next-Generation Energy Storage and Conversion, Vol 1: Fuel Cells, (ISBN: 978-3-662-56363-2), Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2018.
Y.-P. Chen, S., Bashir, J., and Liu, J. (Editors), Nanostructured Materials for Next-Generation Energy Storage and Conversion, Vol 2: Hydrogen Production, Storage, and Application, (ISBN 978 3- 662-53512-7), Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2017.
S. Bashir and J. Liu (Editors), Nanomaterials for Sustainable Energy, ACS Book Series, 2016 (Online: 978-0-8412-3081-1, Print: 978-0-8412-3084-2).