Astrid M. Müller

Dr. Müller is an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Rochester. Prior to starting at the University of Rochester in 2018, Prof. Müller earned a PhD in Chemistry for work at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, with an emphasis on ultrafast reaction dynamics. Her postdoctoral work centered on developing a fundamental understanding of the interactions between lasers and matter. Her independent research program is now focused on the preparation and understanding of new nanomaterials using pulsed laser in liquids synthesis. This technique offers unprecedented flexibility and control over the surface chemistries, and structural and electronic properties of mixed-metal nanostructures. This uniquely positions Prof. Müller’s group to quantitatively understand how nanocatalysts and mechanisms impact the performance of nanomaterials in sustainable electrocatalytic clean energy, green chemistry, and PFAS destruction applications. Some recent highlights from her group include a review of pulsed laser in liquids synthesis for the controlled synthesis of catalytic nanomaterials; a perspective on water oxidation; and the invention of a green chemistry process to render carbon fiber paper hydrophilic for unprecedentedly long times.