Skip to content

ORNL Postdoc Research Profile: William Johnson

Researcher fills up on gas-reduction knowledge at program


Dr. William Johnson

William Johnson conducts studies at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s National Transportation Research Center that will help automobile manufacturers produce environment-friendly engines.

A research stint at Oak Ridge National Laboratory has shifted William Johnson’s career into high gear.

Johnson is in his second year of the Ethanol Selective Catalytic Reduction Nitrogen Oxide, or SCRNOx, program at ORNL’s National Transportation Research Center. He specializes in catalyst and reaction engineering.

“Chemical reaction engineers have an impact in almost every aspect of our lives,” he said. “They affect food production, pharmaceutical development and production, nuclear technology, energy security and biotechnology.”

In the program, the Detroit, Mich., native and his mentor, Todd Toops, investigate lean nitrogen-oxide trap material and silver-alumina catalysts that enable lean nitrogen-oxide reduction in lean-burn gasoline vehicles. Engines in lean-burn gasoline vehicles conserve fossil fuels and limit carbon dioxide emissions but produce nitrogen oxide—a greenhouse gas. Silver-alumina catalysts help remove nitrogen oxide, making the vehicles more environmentally friendly.

The goal is to generate data that can help develop a NOx-reduction model that will enable engineers to design NOx-reduction systems for vehicles. Nitrogen oxides contribute to acid rain and smog, and particular matter, which threaten respiratory health. A reduction in the gas enables vehicles to meet increasingly strict Environmental Protection Agency emissions standards.

“Being from Detroit, it gives me great pride to have an opportunity to study ways to develop technology that will help Detroit auto manufacturers sell cleaner, more-fuel-efficient vehicles,” Johnson said.

A 2007 graduate of the doctoral program at the University of Michigan, Johnson worked as a semiconductor process engineer before coming to ORNL.

“The experience has allowed me to do chemical engineering research in catalysis again,” he said. “This is something I was not doing in my previous job. I think this program allows research scientists and engineers a chance to discover and find their passion and sharpen their skills professionally and it also prepares them for the next step in their careers.”

Not only has the program given Johnson career direction, but it has also exposed him to some ORNL history.

“I didn’t know Oak Ridge National Laboratory invented nuclear power,” he said, “and I didn’t know ORNL demonstrated a safe nuclear technology called Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactors until I arrived here and read an article on the ORNL intranet. I also knew nothing about Alvin Weinberg, Clifford Shull and Eugene Wigner and other great scientists until I got here.”

Now firmly entrenched in ORNL culture, Johnson encourages others to become part of its research programs.

“I think this program, with the right mentor, would be a good place for new Ph.D. talent to develop and hone their research skills,” he said. “I think it’s very positive and useful experience.”

Johnson also gives back to the community in his spare time. He is a member of the Knoxville Area Urban League Young Professionals group, has served in the Tennessee Science Bowl and also finds fulfillment in mentoring and tutoring college students.