Vidhi, a doctoral student in physics, is researching new energy solutions that are scalable and affordable.
She is driving innovation in seawater electrolysis and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), two critical steps in producing green hydrogen, by addressing one of the biggest bottlenecks in the clean energy transition: developing cost-effective, durable catalysts.
In a breakthrough, Vidhi has engineered an Iron Molybdate electrocatalyst that has reported best-in-class OER performance, setting new benchmarks for exceptional efficiency and unprecedented durability. Vidhi鈥檚 research provides a crucial roadmap for future catalyst design, illuminating the mechanism behind the catalyst鈥檚 stability. This breakthrough offers vital new insights into how to sustainably enhance both the performance and stability of earth-abundant catalysts. The result is a clear pathway toward cost-effective, sustainable hydrogen generation using readily available materials.
Vidhi鈥檚 research excellence has earned her the UH Energy Award (2025), the TEX-E Fellowship, and the UH NSM Alumni Scholarship. She was also awarded second place at the TcSUH Student Research Symposium and has presented her findings at National conferences including ACS Fall 2025, NASCRE-2025, and the AIChE Annual Meeting 2024.
Beyond her research achievements, Vidhi actively engages in the UH energy community as the Chair of Marketing & Communications for the UH Energy Coalition, where she promotes student involvement and interdisciplinary collaboration.
A dedicated advocate for energy education, Vidhi regularly volunteers for energy outreach events. She demonstrated a working electrolyzer prototype at Energy Day 2024, inspiring young students to explore electrochemistry and renewable energy.
Her impactful research and leadership embody the spirit of UH Energy, driving innovation, collaboration, and a sustainable energy future.