Kōnane Bay receives two prestigious early-career honors
Assistant Professor R. Kōnane Bay has received two prestigious honors recognizing her contributions to chemical engineering research: a 2026 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Early Career Research Program Award and a spot on the American Institute of Chemical Engineers' (AIChE) 35 Under 35 list.
Bay is among 67 early-career scientists nationwide selected for the DOE award, which will support her research aimed at understanding how interactions between extremely thin layers of different plastics affect the strength and durability of the overall material.
These high-performance films have potential applications in critical mineral extraction and energy storage, where improved durability could help reduce extraction costs and extend battery lifetimes.
Bay was also selected for AIChE's 35 Under 35 list, which recognizes outstanding chemical engineering professionals under age 35. She was chosen in the Chemical & Materials category from more than 70 nominations representing researchers, educators and industry professionals worldwide.
At 鶹ý's Huli Materials Lab, Bay's broader research focuses on understanding and engineering the properties of ultrathin polymer films, microbial biofilms and living materials for applications in biotechnology, protection, packaging, energy and sensing.