Hotz

Nico Hotz

Associate Professor of the Practice in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

Research Interests

Interfacial transport phenomena and thermodynamics in energy technology, including phenomena at the micro- and nanoscale. Thermodynamics aspects of photovoltaics, novel sustainable energy conversion technologies, and chemical reactions are an essential part of my research. My main focus in research is the combination of ideas, insights and results from traditional energy technology such as thermal power plants with novel and innovative technologies such a fuel cells and photovoltaic cells based on micro- and nanostructured materials. An essential topi of my research interests is the energetic and exergetic analysis of complex energy conversion and storage systems, especially including renewable and sustainable energy solutions.

Bio

Nico Hotz specializes in interfacial transport phenomena and thermodynamics in energy technology. His research focuses on heat, mass, and charge transfer on nano-scale surfaces for solar thermal applications, catalytic fuel reforming, hydrogen generation, fuel cells, and electrolysis.

Education

  • Ph.D. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Switzerland), 2008

Positions

  • Associate Professor of the Practice in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
  • Associate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society

Awards, Honors, and Distinctions

  • Excellence in Teaching Award. Pratt School of Engineering. 2015
  • Alfred M. Hunt Faculty Scholar. Pratt School of Engineering. 2014
  • New Investigator Award. North Carolina Space Grant. 2013
  • Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award. Oak Ridge Associated Universities. 2012
  • Best Paper Award in the ASME Energy Sustainability Conference 2010. Advanced Energy Systems Division of ASME . 2011
  • Georg A. Fischer Award 2009. ETH Zurich. 2009
  • Fellowship for Prospective Research. Swiss National Science Foundation. 2009

Courses Taught

  • ME 592: Research Independent Study in Mechanical Engineering or Material Science
  • ME 536: Compressible Fluid Flow
  • ME 493: Engineering Undergraduate Fellows Projects
  • ME 492: Special Projects in Mechanical Engineering
  • ME 491: Special Projects in Mechanical Engineering
  • ME 431L: Heat and Mass Transfer
  • ME 424L: Mechanical Systems Design
  • ME 421L: Mechanical Design
  • ME 392: Undergraduate Projects in Mechanical Engineering
  • FOCUS 195FS: Special Topics in Focus
  • EGR 95FS: First Year seminar in Focus
  • EGR 393: Research Projects in Engineering

In the News

Representative Publications

  • Eckert, H., S. A. Kube, S. Divilov, A. Guest, A. C. Zettel, D. Hicks, S. D. Griesemer, et al. “Soliquidy: a descriptor for atomic geometrical confusion (Accepted).” Npj Computational Materials 11, no. 1 (December 1, 2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41524-025-01529-1.
  • Divilov, S., H. Eckert, C. Toher, R. Friedrich, A. C. Zettel, D. W. Brenner, W. G. Fahrenholtz, et al. “A priori procedure to establish spinodal decomposition in alloys.” Acta Materialia 266 (March 1, 2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2024.119667.
  • Young, August H., Nico Hotz, Brian T. Hawkins, and Zbigniew J. Kabala. “Inducing Deep Sweeps and Vortex Ejections on Patterned Membrane Surfaces to Mitigate Surface Fouling.” Membranes 14, no. 1 (January 2024): 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14010021.
  • Grady, P., G. Chen, S. Verma, A. Marellapudi, and N. Hotz. “A study of energy losses in the world's most fuel efficient vehicle.” In 2019 IEEE Vehicle Power and Propulsion Conference, VPPC 2019 - Proceedings, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1109/VPPC46532.2019.8952212.
  • Myers, Taylor, Lars Schoebitz, Stuart Woolley, Jaime Sanchez Ferragut, Jimmy Thostenson, Kathy Jooss, Jeffery Piascik, et al. “Towards an off-grid fecal sludge treatment unit: demonstrating energy positive thermal treatment.” Gates Open Research 3 (January 2019): 1176. https://doi.org/10.12688/gatesopenres.12929.1.