2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Advancing Undergraduate Education through Solar-Hydrogen Research: An Engineering Summer Program to Address South Carolina’s Renewable Needs

Presented at ECCNED Technical Session 1: Hydrogen Economy, Decarbonization, and Energy Literacy

Solar-hydrogen technology, harnessing abundant solar resources, offers significant potential for sustainable energy and undergraduate education. In South Carolina, this technology is vital for addressing renewable energy demands due to the state’s abundant solar potential. This paper evaluates a six-week summer program designed to train undergraduates in photocatalytic hydrogen production via water splitting, utilizing solar energy and water to generate hydrogen fuel. This initiative addresses regional renewable energy needs while preparing engineering students for industry innovation. Eight undergraduates engaged in a curriculum combining theoretical instruction with hands-on laboratory experiments. After learning the fundamentals of hydrogen production, the photocatalytic process, and key parameters affecting hydrogen generation efficiency, the students proposed photocatalysts and theoretically evaluated them to achieve high solar-to-hydrogen efficiency. The pedagogy emphasized active learning through problem-based projects, such as optimizing catalyst materials, and collaborative teamwork, reflecting industry practices. This approach developed technical proficiency and innovative thinking essential for renewable energy advancements. Students showcased their achievements through poster sessions, presenting results and design innovations, and contributed to a research paper, enhancing their communication and scholarly skills. Limited equipment access encouraged creative, low-cost designs, showcasing undergraduate ingenuity. The program demonstrated improved understanding of solar-hydrogen principles and technical expertise, offering a scalable model for integrating solar-hydrogen research into undergraduate education at R2 institutions. Future iterations will incorporate interdisciplinary modules on hydrogen infrastructure to further align with renewable energy goals. By equipping high-potential undergraduates with practical and research skills, the program supports the region’s renewable energy transition and cultivates a skilled engineering workforce.

Authors

Dr. H. Bryan Riley South Carolina State University - College of CSTEM-T CEES [biography]

Dr. H. Bryan Riley, who joined South Carolina State University in the spring of 2024 is leading the newly established Center for Energy and Environmental Solutions (CEES). The mission of the CEES is to foster innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration in energy production, environmental sustainability, and technological advancements. CEES offers innovative research opportunities for student engagement, workforce development, and industry engagements that address the evolving challenges of energy and environmental management.
Masoomeh Ghasemi http://orcid.org/https://0000-0002-2252-7028 South Carolina State University [biography]

Dr. Masoomeh Ghasemi is a Staff Research Engineer at South Carolina State University, with expertise in hydrogen energy systems, fuel cell modeling, and computational fluid dynamics. Her research focuses on multi-energy hub integration, techno-economic analysis of renewable energy systems, and optimization of energy efficiency. She has published extensively on energy conversion and sustainable energy technologies.
Dr. Nasrollah Hamidi http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4321-6488 South Carolina State University [biography]

Dr. Nasrollah Hamidi is a Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences at South Carolina State University (SCSU). His research focuses on polymer synthesis and characterization, waste plastic depolymerization and recycling, and atmospheric water generation. He has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications and has extensive experience with analytical techniques including GPC, light scattering, DSC, and TGA.
Dr. Hamidi has contributed to projects involving VOC detection in water using EPA methods and the development of high-temperature carbon composite materials. He has served as PI/PD on multiple Evans-Allen projects and participated in NSF HBCU-UP initiatives, as well as serving as co-PI in a Minority Leadership Program. His recent work emphasizes hydrogen generation and education for sustainable energy advancement
Seyed Majid Ghoreishian http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6203-3332 South Carolina State University [biography]

Dr. Seyed Majid Ghoreishian received his Ph.D. degree in Biological Sciences and Bioengineering from Inha University (South Korea) in 2021 and joined the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina (USA) as a Postdoctoral Researcher. Currently, he is a tenure-track faculty member of the Center for Energy and Environmental Solutions (CEES) at South Carolina State University (USA). He has genuinely contributed to the catalysis and sustainable energy fields, having published over 62 high-ranking peer-reviewed articles and garnered more than 3000 citations (h-index: 31 and i10-index: 55). During his Ph.D. study, he was awarded Outstanding Research Award for Excellence of Journal Publication, President’s Award for Outstanding Research, and Top-ranked Graduate Student. His research interests include the development of functional nanomaterials for catalytic processes toward environmental remediation and hydrogen generation.

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