SEI Initiative Lead Profile: Tequila Harris

Tequila A.L. Harris, a professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech, leads energy and manufacturing initiatives at the Strategic Energy Institute. Her research explores the connectivity between the functionality of nano- to macro-level films, components, and systems based on their manufacture or design and their life expectancy, elucidating mechanisms by which performance or durability can be predicted. She uses both simulations and experimentation to better understand this connectivity.

By addressing complex, fundamental problems, Harris aims to make an impact on many industries, in particular energy (e.g., polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells), flexible electronics (e.g., organic electronics), and clean energy (e.g., water), among others. 

Harris has experience in developing systematic design and manufacturing methodologies for complex systems that directly involve material characterization, tooling design and analysis, computational and analytical modeling, experimentation, and system design and optimization. Currently, her research projects focus on investigating the fundamental science associated with fluid transport, materials processing, and design issues for energy/electronic/environmental systems. Below is a brief Q&A with Harris, where she discusses her research and how it influences the energy and manufacturing initiatives at Georgia Tech.

• What is your field of expertise and at what point in your life did you first become interested in this area?

In graduate school, I aimed to become a roboticist but shifted my focus after realizing I was not passionate about coding. This led me to explore manufacturing, particularly scaled manufacturing processes that transform fluids into thin films for applications in energy systems. Subsequently, my expertise is in coating science and technology and manufacturing system development. 

• What questions or challenges sparked your current energy research? What are the big issues facing your research area right now?

We often ask how we can process materials more cost-effectively and create complex architectures that surpass current capabilities. In energy systems, particularly with fuel cells, reducing the number of manufacturing steps is crucial, as each additional step increases costs and complexity. As researchers, we focus on understanding the implications of minimizing these steps and how they affect the properties and performance of the final devices. My group studies these relationships to find innovative manufacturing solutions. A major challenge in the manufacture of materials lies in scaling efficiently while maintaining performance and keeping costs low enough for commercial adoption. This is a pressing issue, especially for enabling technologies such as batteries, fuel cells, and flexible electronics needed for electric vehicles, where the production volumes are on the order of billions per year. 

• What interests you the most in leading the research initiative on energy and manufacturing? Why is your initiative important to the development of Georgia Tech’s energy research strategy?

What interests me most is the inherent possibility of advancing energy technologies holistically, from materials sourcing and materials production to public policy. More specifically, my interests are in understanding how we can scale the manufacture of burgeoning technologies for a variety of areas (energy, food, pharmaceuticals, packaging, and flexible electronics, among others) while reducing cost and increasing production yield. In this regard, we aim to incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning in addition to considering limitations surrounding the production lifecycle. The challenges that exist to meet these goals cannot be done in a silo but rather as part of interdisciplinary teams who converge on specific problems. Georgia Tech is uniquely positioned to make significant impacts in the energy and manufacturing ecosystem, thanks to our robust infrastructure and expertise. With many manufacturers relocating to Georgia, particularly in the "energy belt" for EVs, batteries, and recycling facilities, Georgia Tech can serve as a crucial partner in advancing these industries and their technologies.

• What are the broader global and social benefits of the research you and your team conduct on energy and manufacturing?

The global impact of advancing manufacturing technologies is significant for processing at relevant economy of scales. To meet such demands, we cannot always rely on existing manufacturing know-how.  The Harris group holds the intellectual property on innovative processes that allow for the faster fabrication of individual or multiple materials, and that exhibit higher yields and improved performance than existing methods. Improvements in manufacturing systems often result in reduced waste, which is beneficial to the overall materials development ecosystem. Another global and societal benefit is workforce development. The students on my team are well-trained in the manufacture of materials using tools that are amenable to the most advanced and scalable manufacturing platform, roll-to-roll manufacturing, with integrated coating and printing tools. This unique skill set equips our students to thrive and become leaders in their careers.

• What are your plans for engaging a wider Georgia Tech faculty pool with the broader energy community?

By leveraging the new modular pilot-scale roll-to-roll manufacturing facility that integrates slot die coating, gravure/flexography printing, and inkjet printing, I plan to continue reaching out to faculty and industrial partners to find avenues for us to collaborate on a variety of interdisciplinary projects. The goal is to create groups that can help us advance materials development more rapidly by working as a collective from the beginning, versus considering scalable manufacturing pathways as an afterthought. By bringing interdisciplinary groups (chemists, materials scientists, engineers, etc.) together early, we can more efficiently and effectively overcome traditional delays in getting materials to market or, worse, the inability to push materials to market (which is commonly known as the valley of death). This can only be achieved by dismantling barriers that hinder early collaboration. This new facility aims to foster collaborative work among stakeholders, promoting the integrated development and characterization of various materials systems and technologies, and ultimately leading to more efficient manufacturing practices.

• What are your hobbies? 

I enjoy cooking and exploring my creativity in this space by combining national and international ingredients to make interesting and often delicious fusion cuisines. I also enjoy roller skating, cycling, and watching movies with my family and friends. 

• Who has influenced you the most?

From a professional standpoint, my research team influences me the most. After I present them with a problem, they are encouraged and expected to think beyond our initial starting point.  This ability to freely think and conceive of novel solutions sparks many new ideas on which to build future ideas. The best cases have kept me up at night, inspiring me to think about how to approach new problems and funding opportunities. I carry their experiences and challenges with me. Their influence on me is profound and is fundamentally why I am a professor.