Professor Fulfills His Passion for Alternative Energy by Enabling Students

Name: Charles Coe, PhD

Title: Associate Research Professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering

Previous Title/Employer: Senior Research Associate—Materials Characterization, and Strategic Technologist, Air Products

Expertise: 30-plus years in the development of catalysts and adsorbents, during which he produced 38 U.S. patents and 37 peer-reviewed journal publications

Villanova Courses: Alternative Energy, Energy Storage Systems, Chemical Engineering Economics

He says: “At Villanova, I’m fulfilling my passion for alternative energy by enabling students—through teaching and research opportunities—to work in sustainable engineering.”

Dr. Coe develops and teaches alternative energy courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level, but, as an associate research professor, one of his main contributions is guiding students on how to do research and advising them so they can make significant progress. He involves them in his work, which includes improving the thermal chemical conversion of biomass, using sorbents to capture carbon dioxide, and producing industrial gases with molecular sieves.

Students Say:

“Conducting research with Dr. Coe provided exposure to new technologies and experimental techniques, which proved helpful during my job search.” —Grant Kester ’19 ChE

“Dr. Coe’s industrial experience comes with a great sense of knowing what is realistic and brings access to industry research projects, expanded networking opportunities and, most importantly, his management skills. Dr. Coe is my mentor; he pushes me hard, but always has a sense of reality and work/life balance.” —Anthony Vallace, PhD candidate