Dr. John Klaehn is a staff scientist/engineer in INL’s Biological and Chemical Process Sciences Department. He specializes in the synthesis of organic and inorganic compounds and polymers. At the INL, he has established new pathways for processing and post-polymerization modification of high-performance polymers. His research into HP polymeric membranes has assisted in developing high temperature gas separations needed for flue gas and the water-gas shift process. Recent successes with high temperature gas separations (200°C) have shown excellent hydrogen separations, even in the presence of water vapor. INL has been leading new research and development into high temperature gas separations using HP polymers and investigating their thermal and chemical stabilities in these aggressive gas streams. Other research endeavors include, the development of polyphosphazenes for gas separations and battery applications, and HP fiber technologies. Klaehn holds his doctorate in inorganic chemistry from Texas Christian University and was awarded a National Research Council postdoctoral fellowship at the Naval Research Laboratory. He received the INL Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 for five patents he holds.

Polymer Chemistry, Organic Synthesis, Inorganic Synthesis, Membrane Technologies, Actinide/Lanthanide Separations