Professor Brushett is the Ralph Landau Professor of Chemical Engineering Practice and Director of the Practice School at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He joined MIT in 2012 and became a full professor in 2024. His research centers on electrochemical technologies for a sustainable global economy. With more than 130 publications and a leading role in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Joint Center for Energy Storage Research, he has influenced and changed the global dialogue on next-generation energy systems.
Host and Vice President of TUM Campus Heilbronn Ali Sunyaev reminded us of the persistence behind scientific breakthroughs: “Thomas Alva Edison once said: ‘Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. And yet, when we look at the history of science, we often hear stories of those magical ‘eureka!’ moments. But before there are often long periods spent wrestling with difficult problems, often with no guarantee of success. Chance favors only the prepared mind.”
A Maxim for Education
For Dieter Schwarz, the founder of the grant, there is one maxim, which applies not only to his home region of Heilbronn, but also far beyond: Education is our most important resource. “At this point, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to Dieter Schwarz, on behalf of the TUM Institute for Advanced Study, the TUM Campus Heilbronn, and the entire Technical University of Munich”, says Prof. Sunyaev and continues: “For the founder, creating a good learning environment has always been a priority. This vision is realized here at TUM Campus Heilbronn.”
Professor Brushett shared how the grant impacts his work: “I'm very grateful. I think it's been a tremendous opportunity for me to collaborate with colleagues in Germany and to pursue a research direction that I couldn't have done on my own. This award has allowed us to begin to open that door.” He also highlighted the collaborative spirit between MIT and TUM: “I've really enjoyed working with the students in TUM Professor Jennifer Rupp's laboratory, engaging on topics that, again, would be difficult for me to do on my own. And allow us to push in new directions.”
The team’s innovative research goals: “We're hoping to develop a new ceramic membrane for use in batteries. And it's specifically for redox flow batteries, which are batteries that are designed for long-duration energy storage on the grid”, explains Brushett.
Exchange of Different Angles
Reflecting on his time in Heilbronn, he emphasized the value of the exchange: “It's been a tremendous amount of learning for me. And I've enjoyed the time here. I come away with a much deeper appreciation for how much people are actually thinking about the future of AI from a variety of different angles.”
A grant designed to spark bold ideas, a researcher pushing the boundaries of sustainable energy, and a campus committed to curiosity, collaboration, and courage — this is what brings innovation to another level.
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