Arjun Yennemadi

Arjun Yennemadi is a graduate student in chemical engineering developing physics-based continuum models for scalable electrochemical systems to enable the sustainable recovery of critical elements such as cobalt, nickel, dysprosium, and neodymium. These elements are vital for advanced energy applications yet face severe supply risk, and their separation from chemically similar mixtures remains commercially challenging and environmentally damaging. Addressing this challenge, Arjun has developed continuum models describing ion transport and separation in charged nanoporous membranes and electrodeposition-speciation systems using differential algebraic equation solvers for stiff nonlinear systems. He has used fitting and optimization methods to extract physically meaningful parameters and conduct rapid parameter sweeps that reveal insights into each ion separation mechanism. As a MathWorks Fellow, Arjun will investigate porous cathode architectures and fluid flow effects to optimize an aqueous electroprecipitation system for dysprosium recovery. He also aims to explore coupled electroprecipitation-electroflotation processes for critical element recovery. These approaches could enable chemical-free recovery of critical elements, supporting more sustainable rare earth supply chains.