Alfred University students, faculty attend energy storage, sustainability conference

Two Alfred University students and Kun Wang, associate professor of materials science and engineering in the Inamori School of Engineering, attended the 2025 Annual Energy Storage Technology and Innovation Conference, held Wednesday, Oct. 29, in Ithaca.

Wang accompanied students Tinashe Mberesi, junior electrical engineering and mathematics major, and David Puga, junior electrical engineering and materials science and engineering major, to the conference. The event was hosted by the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium (NY-BEST), a provider of expertise resources for energy storage-related companies and organizations seeking to grow their businesses in New York State.

Alfred University students Tinashe Mberesi (left) and David Puga (right) with Kun Wang, professor of materials science and engineering, at the Energy Storage Technology and Innovation Conference.

The conference brought together leading experts, researchers, and industry professionals to discuss innovations in energy storage materials, systems, and sustainability. The topics of discussion included:

• Advancements in storage technologies and applications
• Innovations in materials and chemistries
• Advancements in product development
• Commercialization, manufacturing, and supply chain developments

The group from Alfred took part in a poster competition, showcasing their research in advanced battery and energy storage technologies. Their poster was for a research project titled "Physics-Informed Neural Network for Battery Materials Discovery." The students' participation highlights Alfred University's growing engagement in clean energy research and innovation, as well as the opportunities students have to collaborate with faculty and present their work at high-impact professional events.