Summary
Chris Barile is the Clemons-Magee Endowed Professor in Chemistry at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Research interests
Research in the Barile group seeks to solve problems related to energy conversion, storage, and efficiency using electrochemistry, materials, and inorganic chemistry.
Dynamic windows, which switch between transparent and opaque, are highly desirable in buildings, automobiles, and smart sunglasses. These windows enable ~10% energy savings in buildings. Our dynamic windows are based on the reversible electrodeposition of metals to overcome problems associated with durability, color, cost, and scalability.
Read more about our dynamic windows
We are developing novel electrochemical platforms to control proton and electron rates to catalysts using hybrid-bilayer membranes (HBM). By modulating proton transfer, we can improve the selectivity of catalysts and understand reaction pathways.
Our laboratory designs new electrochemical approaches to control the structure and function of interfacial battery chemistry. We are developing novel electrolytes and surface architectures that produce tailored battery interfaces.
Honors and awards
- Foundation Established Innovator Award (2025)
- LeMay Award for Excellence in Teaching (2024)
- Hyung K. Shin Award for Excellence in Research (2023)
- Foundation Early Career Innovator Award (2021)
- NSF CAREER (2021)
- Mousel-Feltner Excellence in Research Award (2020)
- Robert C. and Carolyn J. Springborn Graduate Fellowship (2011-2015)
- NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2011-2014)
- S. & I.M.F. Marsden Memorial Prize (2011)
News features
- Christopher Barile employs electrochemistry, inorganic chemistry, and materials chemistry to fight against climate change
- A window that darkens on demand could shine at saving energy
- NSF CAREER award recipient Christopher Barile explores chemical reactions to central and renewable energy and environmental technologies
- Recycling CO2 and the chemistry of climate change
- Rise of the climate optimists, pushing back against gloom
About the Susan Magee and Gary Clemons Professorship
Mackay School of Mines graduate Gary Clemons '81 (earth science) and his wife, Susan Magee Clemons, established two endowed professorships in chemistry and physics to recognize professors who spark students' curiosity and creativity and motivate them to pursue careers in the fields of chemistry and physics. Established: 2012. (College of Science)
Education
- Postdoctoral Scholar (2015-2017), Stanford University (Michael McGehee)
- Ph.D., Chemistry (2015), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champain (Andrew Gewirth)
- M.S., Chemistry (2011), Stanford University (James Collman)
- B.S., Chemistry with distinction (2011), Stanford University
Selected publications
- Bhoumik, N. C.; Padovan, Q. A.; Akter, T.; Stem, D. K.; Barile, C. J. Gold Self-Assembly on Copper Electrodes promotes n-Propanol Formation in Electrochemical CO2 Reduction. Angewandte Chemie 2025, 64(17), e202423882.
- Bhoumik, N. C.; Madu, D. C.; Moon, C. W.; Arvisu, L. S.; McGehee, M. D.; Barile, C. J. Nonaqueous electrolytes for reversible zinc electrodeposition for dynamic windows with excellent optical contrast and durability. Joule 2024, 8(4), 1036-1049.
- Moon, C. W.; Bhoumik, N. C.; Mondol, P.; Park, S. H.; Jang, H. W.; and Barile, C. J. Origin of high optical contrast zinc-zinc oxide electrodeposits for dynamic windows. Nano Energy 2023, 114, 108666.
- Pan, H.; Barile, C. J. Electrochemical CO2 reduction to methane with remarkably high Faradaic efficiency in the presence of a proton permeable membrane. Energy Environ. Sci. 2020, 13(10), 3567-3578.
- Islam, S. M.; Hernandez, T. S.; McGehee, M. D.; Barile, C. J. Hybrid dynamic windows using reversible metal electrodeposition and ion insertion. Energy 2019, 4, 223-229.