Headshot of Xiaowei Teng
Email
xteng@wpi.edu
Office
Goddard Hall 129
Education
Ph.D. University of Rochester 2006
B.S. & M.S. East China University of Science and Technology 2001

My research centers on electrochemistry, with a particular emphasis on aqueous electrochemical energy storage, electrochemical recovery of critical materials, and electrochemical conversion of small organic molecules. A key aspect of my work involves leveraging advanced synchrotron X-ray and neutron techniques available at U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory user facilities. These tools enable us to explore electrode–electrolyte interactions at the atomic level, providing the fundamental insights needed to design the next generation of low-cost, environmentally friendly electrochemical systems using non-toxic, earth-abundant materials. I am passionate about working collaboratively to advance innovative energy research. I strive to bridge academia, industry, national laboratories, and public agencies in the field of energy technologies. Equally important to me is the mission of training and inspiring the next generation of energy researchers and building a skilled, future-ready workforce.

Headshot of Xiaowei Teng
Email
xteng@wpi.edu
Education
Ph.D. University of Rochester 2006
B.S. & M.S. East China University of Science and Technology 2001

My research centers on electrochemistry, with a particular emphasis on aqueous electrochemical energy storage, electrochemical recovery of critical materials, and electrochemical conversion of small organic molecules. A key aspect of my work involves leveraging advanced synchrotron X-ray and neutron techniques available at U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory user facilities. These tools enable us to explore electrode–electrolyte interactions at the atomic level, providing the fundamental insights needed to design the next generation of low-cost, environmentally friendly electrochemical systems using non-toxic, earth-abundant materials. I am passionate about working collaboratively to advance innovative energy research. I strive to bridge academia, industry, national laboratories, and public agencies in the field of energy technologies. Equally important to me is the mission of training and inspiring the next generation of energy researchers and building a skilled, future-ready workforce.

Office
Goddard Hall 129
Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 4: Quality Education

SDG 4: Quality Education - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

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SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

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SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

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Preview Affordable and Clean Energy Goal

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

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Preview Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure Goal

SDG 13: Climate Action

SDG 13: Climate Action - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

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Scholarly Work

Arumugam, D.; Zhou, T.; Jagadeesan, S. N.; Pidathala, R. T.; Zhang, L.; Abeykoon, A. M. M.; Kwon, G.; Olds, D.; Narayanan, B.; Teng, X. Electrochemical Reduction Pathways from Goethite to Green Iron in Alkaline Solution with Silicate Additive. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2025, 13, 2633-2640 (supplementary cover)

Zhou, T.X., Seethalakshmi, A.B., Arumugam, D., Zhang, L.H., Abeykoon, M., Kwon, G.; Olds, D.; Teng, X.W. Reversible Disorder-to-Order Transition Induced by Aqueous Lithiation in Vanadate Electrode Materials, Chemistry of Materials, 2024, 36, 11976-11984 (supplementary cover)

Jagadeesan S.N., Guo, F.,  Pidathala, R.; Abeykoon, M., Kwon, G.; Olds, D.; Narayanan, B.; Teng, X.W. Unlocking High Capacity and Reversible Alkaline Iron Redox Using SilicateSodium Hydroxide Hybrid Electrolytes, ChemSusChem, 2024, 17, e202400050 (supplementary cover)

Zhou, T.X., Jagadeesan S.N., Deskins, N.A., Zhang, L.H.; Teng, X.W. Enhanced urea oxidation electrocatalytic activity by synergistic cobalt and nickel mixed oxides, The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 2023, 15, 81-89 (supplementary cover)

Jagadeesan S.N., Barbosa, G.D., Guo, F., Zhang, L.H., Abeykoon, M., Kwon, G., Olds, D., Turner, C Heath, Teng, X.W. Chloride Insertion Enhances the Electrochemical Oxidation of Iron Hydroxide Double-Layer Hydroxide into Oxyhydroxide in Alkaline Iron Batteries, Chemistry of Materials, 2023, 35, 6517-6526 (supplementary cover)

Guo, F., Jagadeesan S.N., Pidathala, R.; Kim, S.; Shan, X., Deskins, N.A., Abeykoon, M., Kwon, G.; Olds, D.; Narayanan, B.; Teng, X.W. Revitalizing Iron Redox by Anion-Insertion-Assisted Ferro- and Ferri-Hydroxides Conversion at Low Alkalinity, Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2022, 144, 11938-11942 (supplementary cover)

Professional Highlights & Honors
Science Panel, NH Energy & Emerging Technology, 2021
Innovator Award, University of New Hampshire, 2021
DOE Early Career Award, 2013
Material Research Society-Graduate Student Award, 2005

News

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Interesting Engineering
US backs new recovery tech to extract uranium from wastewater

Xiaowei Teng, the James H. Manning Professor of Chemical Engineering, has received an award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to study the recovery of critical minerals like uranium from industrial wastewater. The work seeks to improve the health of ecosystems and meet a growing demand for nuclear fuel.

Additional Publications: Nuclear Power Daily