Michelle K. Kidder

Dr. Michelle K. Kidder is a physical organic chemist, with a research emphasis to advance clean energy technologies through integration of multi-modal hybrid materials that aid in separations and chemical conversion to optimize process intensification. She aims to improve the chemical and energy efficiencies while reducing economic and environmental impact through use of renewable feedstocks.   Her research describes kinetics, selectivity and thermodynamics affected by complex interfacial chemistries that occur in biomass/lignin conversion, carbon capture and release, and carbon conversion through thermal and catalytic reaction pathways that translate to deployment technologies in order to accelerate the sustainable production of chemicals and fuels.  At ORNL, Kidder also serves as the Program Manager for DOE’s Fossil Energy Carbon Management for Carbon Capture, Utilization and Conversion portfolio as well as the scientific lead for ORNL’s net zero carbon strategies initiative.  Currently she serves as guest editor for the journals Fuel and Frontiers in Energy Research and also the advisory board for Energy Science and Engineering. Kidder holds over 150 publications, several patents and a 2024 R&D 100 Award.  She has served several positions for ACS ENFL, including Chair (2016), as well as Chair of the East TN American Chemical Society (2019), awards committee, and councilor.  In 2018 she was named an American Chemical Society Fellow, and in 2019 awarded the U.S. Clean Energy Education and Empowerment (C3E) for research