Kaler Science Lecture to Discuss Sustainable Materials Research

Parkland Planetarium Hosts Kaler Science Lecture Series, March 4

Next up for the James B. Kaler Science Lecture series at the William M. Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College is sustainable energy research.

On Friday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m., University of Illinois assistant professor of materials science and engineering Dr. Nicola Perry will present "Ceramics That Breathe: New Materials Development for Sustainable Energy." Kaler Lecture tickets are $2 or free for Friends of the Staerkel Planetarium.

Perry's research group focuses on functional ceramic materials that can improve the sustainability, efficiency, and durability of fuel cells, electrolysis cells, and batteries. During the talk, Perry will describe how her group makes "solid state ionic" materials, a special class of functional ceramics, and tests them in extreme environments to explore new design guidelines.

Perry earned her bachelor's degrees, one in materials science and engineering and one in French studies, at Rice University. She earned her Ph.D. in materials science and engineering at Northwestern University. She was a postdoctoral researcher at Northwestern, MIT, and Kyushu University, and served on the faculty of the International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research. She received early career awards from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy.

Kaler Science lectures are filmed by Parkland College TV for later viewing. After the talk, the seats will be cleaned before the 8 p.m. show, "Big Astronomy," a program about the staff who maintain Chile's world-class observatories. Admission to fulldome shows is $6 for adults or $5 for children, students, or seniors. Please visit parkland.edu/planetarium for the show schedule or call 217/351-2568 for information about booking the dome.