Dr. Porter’s research can be broadly grouped into two efforts: 1) developing optical diagnostics for in-situ detection and control of complex energy conversion technologies, and 2) studying fundamental transport and chemical kinetics for improved efficiency and reduced pollution in energy conversion. Technologies studied include: room-temperature ionic liquids, sodium-ion batteries, diesel spray combustion, gasification, steam-methane reforming, PEM fuel cell manufacturing, and solar photovoltaic manufacturing.