Accelerating Discoveries at Yale using Artificial Intelligence: Yale Club of DC Annual Dinner

Please join us for the Yale Club of Washington, DC’s 2025 Annual Dinner at the University Club. Our distinguished speaker will be Yale Professor Shu Hu, Director of the Photocatalytic Materials and Interfaces Lab at Yale. Dr. Hu’s presentation will highlight the pioneering work happening in climate tech, deep tech and more, and how these research pursuits are moving forward more rapidly utilizing artificial intelligence specific to each area of study. 

About the Speaker

Dr. Shu Hu is an Assistant Professor of Chemical & Environmental Engineering at Yale University and a leading researcher at the intersection of sustainable energy and artificial intelligence. He directs the Photocatalytic Materials and Interfaces Lab, where his team explores light-driven catalysis, semiconductor photoelectrochemistry, and the development of energy-efficient AI hardware.

Dr. Hu's research focuses on designing novel photocatalytic systems that convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into valuable fuels and chemicals. His work has led to advancements in semiconductor materials and coating technologies, enhancing the efficiency and stability of photoelectrochemical devices.

In collaboration with Professor Fengnian Xia, Dr. Hu is pioneering the development of photo-electro-chemical neural networks aimed at creating energy-efficient AI computing systems. This interdisciplinary project seeks to emulate the brain's adaptability and low energy consumption, addressing the growing energy demands of AI workloads.

Dr. Hu's contributions have been recognized with several honors, including the DOE Early Career Award, the Electrochemical Society's Young Investigator Award, and the ACS ENFL Emerging Researcher Award.

He earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science from Stanford University and completed postdoctoral research in Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology. Dr. Hu is also affiliated with Yale's Energy Sciences Institute, where he continues to advance research in sustainable energy and AI technologies.

About the Meal

Buffet-style dinner including a drink ticket (wine, beer, spirits, soda); Cash bar will also available. 

Menu

• Chicken Piccata

• Pasta Primavera with Basil Pesto

• Home Fried Potatoes

• University Club Salad

• Chocolate Bomb, Chocolate Sabayon, Chocolate Dacquoise, Raspberry Coulis

 About the Location

Founded in 1904, the University Club of Washington, D.C. has long stood as a cornerstone of intellectual and social life in the nation’s capital. Originally established as a gathering place for university alumni and prominent professionals, the Club has welcomed presidents, Supreme Court justices, diplomats, and thought leaders through its doors. Located just steps from the White House, the Club blends classical architecture with a rich legacy of civic and cultural engagement. Its elegant rooms, impeccable service, and storied past make it an ideal venue for meaningful events—where tradition meets timeless sophistication.

The Yale Club of Washington, DC now has a partnership with the University Club that provides Yale Club members with a 40% discount off the University Club’s initiation fee (limited time offer). If interested in learning more, contact [email protected].

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