DURIP grant will allow Gebbie lab to acquire cutting-edge microscope

Matthew Gebbie, Conway Assistant Professor of chemical and biological engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has received a grant from the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) to acquire a piece of equipment that will greatly advance his research efforts.

Gebbie’s group investigates electrochemistry, or using electricity to convert energy into chemicals and vice versa. This has major applications in synthesizing green chemicals, creating green fuels, storing energy and developing next-generation batteries.  

The grant will enable Gebbie’s lab to purchase an electrochemical atomic force microscope which will allow the team to investigate changes on an electrode’s surface during chemical reactions. “Having the opportunity to bring electrochemical atomic force microscopy into our lab is going to transform the types of questions we can ask and insights we can pursue,” says Gebbie.

For fiscal year 2025, DURIP has granted $43 million in equipment funds to 112 researchers at 64 institutions across the United States.   

Featured image: Matt Gebbie (left) and 2024 PhD graduate Ryan Cashen. Credit: Joel Hallberg