NIU’s Tao Xu participates in D.C. innovation showcase

NIU chemistry and biochemistry professor Tao Xu presented his research team’s work on clean energy technologies during the Energy & Environment Innovation Showcase, held Monday, Dec. 9, in Washington, D.C.

Recognized internationally for his work, Xu’s nanotechnology research pursues basic science understanding of charge and atom transfer processes at the interfaces of various energy systems, including solar cells, catalysts and sensors.

The showcase was attended by members of Congress and their staffs, as well representatives from federal agencies. From Illinois, Xu discussed his team’s research with Congressman John Shimkus (IL-15) and Congressman Adam Kinzinger, (IL-16), as well as representatives of Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-2), Congressman Bobby Rush (IL-1) and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-9).

Xu, whose research is funded by the National Science Foundation, participated in the event at the invitation of Kinzinger. The NIU professor was one of just 16 presenters, with others representing institutions such as the U.S. Army, private research labs and technology companies, and Texas A&M and Western Michigan universities.

The U.S. House Republicans Energy & Commerce Committee staged the showcase to highlight the importance of investing in the development and deployment of breakthrough technologies to reduce emissions, power the economy of tomorrow, and provide greater value to American consumers.

“It’s very prestigious for Dr. Xu to have been invited to present his work at this event,” said Anna Quider, assistant vice president for Federal Relations at NIU. “It’s also a reminder that the research we do at NIU is being used to inform federal policy.”