Larry R. Pederson, Ph.D.
Director of the Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering
larry.pederson@ndsu.edu
Dr. Larry R. Pederson was named the Director of the NDSU Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) in June 2009. CNSE is the largest interdisciplinary research entity at North Dakota State University, with an annual budget of approximately $20,000,000, 65 full-time staff, and 90 NDSU students and faculty, participating in its research programs.
Pederson most recently held the position of laboratory fellow, the highest of six scientific grades, in the Energy and Environment Directorate at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland, Wash. At PNNL, Pederson managed the High Temperature Electrochemistry Center/Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance Coal-Based Systems Core Research program, in collaboration with Montana State University and the University of Florida. In addition, he is past director of the Materials Department at PNNL.
Pederson has published approximately 140 journal articles and conference papers, and holds five U.S. patents, and three patents pending. He also holds 16 foreign patents. Through the course of his distinguished career in scientific research, Pederson has secured significant research funding from both governmental and private sectors, including $28M for the High Temperature Electrochemistry Center since 2002. The focus of Pederson’s most recent research includes materials development for electrochemical applications including solid oxide fuel cells, electrochemical sensors and lithium batteries. Other significant research efforts directed by Pederson include: solid oxide fuel cell degradation studies, automotive nitrogen oxide sensor development, lithium ion battery development, microchannel multi-fuel steam reformer development, fuel cell materials development, Nafion-based gas sensors, adhesive bond failure, advanced electronic materials for energy conversion applications, and safety issues relevant to radioactive and chemical tank wastes.
Pederson received his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a minor in physics and received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Bemidji State University, Bemidji, Minn. He also has served as research advisor for 15 master’s and Ph.D. graduate students in Missouri, Illinois and Washington. In addition, he taught graduate and undergraduate classes in materials science while serving as an adjunct professor at Washington State University.
<<Back