Research Interests

• Optoelectronic and catalytic properties of intrinsically and extrinsically strained materials

• Electrochemical and biochemical CO₂ reduction and C-C bond formation

• Interfacing biological and nonbiological materials; biofuel cells and bioelectrodes

• Biochemistry and enzymology of metalloenzymes

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Education

• Ph.D., Biochemistry, University of Florida, 2000–2005

• B.S., Chemistry, University of Zagreb, 1992–1997

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Professional Experience

• During her time at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Svedruzic has been involved in diverse research areas in catalytic conversions for renewable energy technologies, catalyst design, and fundamental understanding of associated chemical transformations. Her research has included biocatalysts, molecular catalysts, metals, and semiconductors, as well as various catalytic conversions such as water splitting, H₂ and biofuel oxidation, CO₂ reduction, and C-C bond formation.

• Svedruzic started her career at NREL as a postdoctoral researcher working on the recombinant expression and biochemical end electrochemical characterization of [FeFe] hydrogenases (H2ases). She also studied various aspects of interaction between H2ase and nanomaterials. As a staff scientist, she initially worked on the design and characterization of enzyme-based electrodes and biofuel cells as part of a cooperative research and development agreement with Lockheed Martin.

• Since 2012, Drazenka's research has been focused on the effects of extrinsic strain on optoelectronic and catalytic properties of materials (mechanochemistry, strain catalysis). Her current research focuses on changes in optoelectronic properties of small molecules under elastic strain as well as various catalytic conversions on the surfaces of extrinsically strained semiconductors and metals.

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Featured Publications

1. "Mechano-electrochemistry and fuel-forming mechano-electrocatalysis on spring electrodes," J. Phys. Chem. C. (2014)

2. "High-performance hydrogen production and oxidation electrodes with hydrogenase supported on metallic single-wall carbon nanotube networks," J. Am. Chem. Soc. (2011)

3. "Raman spectroscopy of charge transfer interactions between single wall carbon nanotubes and [FeFe] hydrogenase," Dalton Transactions (2008)

4. "[FeFe]-Hydrogenase catalyzed H₂ production in a photoelectrochemical biofuel cell," J. Am. Chem. Soc. (2008)

5. "Wiring-up hydrogenase with single-walled carbon nanotubes," Nano Lett. (2007)

View all NREL Publications for Drazenka Svedruzic.