Dr. Mukes Kapilashrami

With specialized training in applied physics, Dr. Mukes Kapilashrami is a recognized scientist in the field of nanotechnology focusing on advancing next generation zero carbon energy innovations. In his previous tenure at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. Kapilashrami’s research focused on advancing next generation silicon free photoelectric systems, and materials innovation for clean energy and smart sensor applications.

Dr. Kapilashrami has also served as Environmental Affairs Officer/Deputy Chief of Environmental Affairs at one of the United Nations largest peacekeeping missions in the Sub-Saharan Africa with 13 000+ personnel (uniformed and civilian) strength. In this role, he led programs quantifying the mission’s environmental footprint and translating technical analyses to policy, developed strategies accelerating decarbonization of UN's field operations and monitored implementation. Serving as an advisor on renewable energy technology investment, he assisted in developing the mission's environment action plan and environment management system coordinating with UNHQ and partner peacekeeping missions.

Dr. Kapilashrami brings unique experience and perspective from working across various facets of renewable energy adaptation, mitigation strategy and climate sustainability; from cutting edge scientific research to policy development and technology implementation.

Education

Ph. D. Condensed Matter Physics, Royal Institute of Technology (Stockholm, 2009)

M. Sc. Materials Science and Engineering, Royal Institute of Technology (Stockholm, 2005)

Research Interest

Renewable Energy Innovation | Environmental Management System | Science Policy | Energy Security and Resilience | Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation | International Environmental Affairs and Relations

Journal and Scientific Advisory Panel Service

Dr. Kapilashrami previously served on the board of managers in the Washington DC chapter of the American Chemical Society, and has routinely contributed to advancement of science and innovation serving on numerous review and editorial panels, including -

American Chemical Society | American Petroleum Fund | American Institute of Physics | Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering Elsevier Springer | U.S. Department of Energy | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Selected Publications

Books/book chapters

M. Kapilashrami, ‘Climate Action: From Multilateral Meetings to Action’ in Handbook of Multi-level Climate Actions: Sparking and Sustaining Transformative Approaches, Ed.(s) M. Starik, G. P. Rands, P. Kanashiro and J. Deason, Edward Elgar Publishing, Ltd. (Manuscript in preparation 2021)

D. K. Anand, D. A. Hazelwood, M. G. Pecht and M. Kapilashrami, Engineering for Social Change –Engineering is not just engineering, CALCE EPSC Press (ISBN: 978-0-9846274-7-9)

M. Kapilashrami, Y.-S. Liu, P.-A. Glans, and J.-H. Guo, ‘Soft X-Ray Spectroscopy and Electronic Structure of 3d Transition Metal Compounds in Artificial Photosynthesis Materials’ in From Molecules to Materials – Pathways to Artificial Photosynthesis. Ed.(s) E. A. Rozhakova and K. Ariga, Springer International Publishing © 2015 Invited

Peer reviewed journal articles

C.-H. Chuang, C.-M. Chen, Y.-C. Shao, P.-H. Yeh, C.-M. Chang, W.-F. Pong, M. Kapilashrami, P.-A. Glans, S. Gul, G. Wang, Y. Li, J. Zhang, J. Miyawaki, H. Niwa, Y. Harada, J.-M. Chen and J.-H. Guo, “Electronic Surface Reconstruction of TiO₂ Nanocrystals Revealed by Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering”, Submitted to J. Vac. Sci. & Tech. A (June 2021)

K. Nie, S. Kashtanov, Y. Wei, Y.-S. Liu, H. Zhang, M. Kapilashrami, Y. Ye, P.-A. Glans, J. Zhong, L. Vayssieres, X. Sun, J.-H. Guo, “Atomic-scale understanding of the electronic structure-crystal facets synergy of nanopyramidal CoPi/BiVO4 hybrid photocatalyst for efficient solar water oxidation”, Nano Energy 53 483–491(2018)

Y. Ye, M. Kapilashrami, C.-H. Chuang, Y.-S Liu, P.-A. Glans and J.-H. Guo, “X-ray spectroscopies studies of the 3d transition metal oxides and applications of photocatalysis”, Mater. Res Soc. Comm. 1(14) (2017)

H. Zhang, X. Li, D. Zhang, L. Zhang, M. Kapilashrami, S. Tao, P.-A. Glans, J. Zhu, Y. Luo, Z. Hu, J.-H. Guo, and X. Sun, “Comprehensive electronic structure characterization of pristine and nitrogen/phosphorous doped carbon nanocages”, Carbon 103 480 (2016)

M. Kapilashrami, Y. J. Wang, X. Li, P.-A. Glans, M. Fang, A. Riazanova, L. Belova, K. V. Rao, Y. Luo, B. Barbiellini, H. Lin, R. Markiewicz, A. Bansil, Z. Hussain and J.-H. Guo, “Understanding the dynamic interplay between intrinsic defects and impurity ions in room temperature-ferromagnetic Mg_1-xFe_xO_y thin films”, J. Phys.: Cond. Mater. 28 156002 (2016)

M. Kapilashrami, G. Conti, I. Zegkinoglou, S. Nemsak, C. S. Conlon,T. Törndahl, V. Fjällström, J. Lischner, Steven G. Louie, R. J. Hamers, L. Zhang, J.-H. Guo, C. S. Fadley, and F. J. Himpsel, “Valence band offset measurements between Diamond and CIGS for PV application”, J. Appl. Phys. 116, 143702 (2014)

M. Kapilashrami, Y. Zhang, Y.-S. Liu, A. Hagfeldt and J.-H Guo, “Probing the Optical Property and Electronic Structure of TiO₂ Nanomaterials for Renewable Energy Applications”, Chem. Rev. 114, 9662 (2014)

T. Pascal, K. Wujcik, J. Velasco-Velez, C. Wu, A. Teran, M. Kapilashrami, J. Cabana, J.-H. Guo, M. Salmeron, B. Miquel, N. Nitash and D. Prendergast, “The X-ray Absorption Spectra of Dissolved Polysulfides in Lithium – Sulfur Batteries from First Principles”, J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 5, 1547 (2014)

Y. Dong, M. Kapilashrami, Y. Zhang and J.-H Guo, “Morphology change and band gap narrowing of hierarchical TiO₂ nanostructures induced by fluorine doping”, Cryst. Eng. Comm. 15 10657 (2013)

M. Kapilashrami, H. Zhang, M. Fang, X. L., Xuhui Sun, K.V. Rao, L. Belova, Y. Luo and J.-H. Guo, “Electronic structure of room-temperature ferromagnetic Mg_1-xFe_xO_y thin films”, Appl. Phys. Lett. 101 082411 (2012)

M. Kapilashrami, C. X. Kronawitter, T. Törndahl, J. Lindahl, A. Hultqvist, W.-C. Wang, C.-L. Chang, S. S. Mao and J.-H. Guo, “Soft X-ray characterization of Zn_1-xSn_xO_y electronic structure for thin film photovoltaics”, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 14 10154-10159 (2012)

C. X. Kronawitter, M. Kapilashrami, J. R. Bakke, S. F. Bent, C.-H. Chuang, W.-F. Pong, J.-H Guo, L. Vayssieres and S. S. Mao, “TiO₂-SnO₂:F interfacial electronic structure investigated by soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy”, Phys. Rev. B 85 125109 (2012)

T. Kataoka, Y. Yamazaki, V. R. Singh and Y. Sakamoto, A. Fujimori, Y. Takeda, T. Ohkochi, S.-I. Fujimori, T. Okane  and Y. Saitoh, H. Yamagami, A. Tanaka, M. Kapilashrami, L. Belova and K. V. Rao, ”Ferromagnetism in ZnO co-  doped with Mn and N studied by soft x-ray magnetic circular dichroism”, Appl. Phys. Lett. 99 132508 (2011)

M. Kapilashrami, J. Xu, K.V. Rao and L. Belova, “Thickness dependent magnetic transition in pristine MgO and ZnO sputtered thin films”, Proc. and Appl. of Ceram. 4 [3] 225-220 (2010)

M. Kapilashrami, J. Xu, K. V. Rao and L. Belova, “Experimental evidence for room-temperature ferromagnetism in MgO thin films”, J. Phys.: Cond. Matter, 22 345004 (2010)

M. Kapilashrami, J. Xu, A. Biswas, T. Tamaki, P. Sharma, K.V.Rao and L. Belova, “Co-existence of ultraviolet photo-response and room-temperature ferromagnetism in ZnO thin films”, Mater. Lett. 64 1291-1294 (2010)

C. M. Araújo, M. Kapilashrami, X. Jun, O. D. Jayakumar, S. Nagar, Y. Wu, C. Århammar, B. Johansson, L. Belova, R. Ahuja, G. A. Gehring and K. V. Rao, “Room-temperature ferromagnetism in MgO thin films”, Appl. Phys. Lett., 96 232505 (2010)

M. Kapilashrami, J. Xu, V. Ström, K. V. Rao and L. Belova, “Transition from ferromagnetism to diamagnetism in undoped ZnO thin films”, Appl. Phys. Lett. 95 033104 (2009)