**Meet the MIT Professor Making Waves in Climate Tech**
In a world increasingly concerned about climate change, one MIT professor is reeling in impressive breakthroughs. Professor Yet Ming Chang, an esteemed member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is not just your average academic; he’s a powerhouse of innovation and sustainability with a passion that stems from his love for fishing. Back in the early 1990s, while casting his line in the waters of New England, he began to notice something alarming—an unexpected shift in his catches. The professor recalled how, instead of bringing home traditional New England favorites like lobster and cod, he was now pulling out mahi-mahi. As bizarre as it sounds, this change was a clear indicator of the warming waters and the impacts of climate change, a realization that would shape his future endeavors.
With a staggering $2.5 billion in funding under his belt, Chang has set his sights on creating solutions that tackle the urgent climate crisis. He has co-founded 10 startups during his career, with eight of them focusing specifically on energy and sustainability. Among these innovators, Form Energy stands out, having raised nearly $1 billion for its revolutionary iron-air battery technology. Another game-changer is Sublime Systems, which earlier this year landed $87 million from the Department of Energy to construct a facility dedicated to low-carbon cement production. With every startup he co-founds, Chang takes significant steps toward decarbonizing our planet.
What makes Chang’s work even more remarkable is not just the sheer volume of his patents—about 110—but the real-world impact of his research. His scientific articles, totaling more than 300, cover vital areas like battery technology and the eco-friendly production of materials. He isn’t just penning papers; he’s setting the stage for practical applications that can replace carbon-heavy technologies with green alternatives. His startups are making strides to develop cleaner batteries, decarbonize the cement-making process, and find sustainable methods for extracting critical minerals needed for electric technologies.
Despite his significant contributions, Chang isn’t looking to wear the CEO hat. Instead, he prefers to serve as a Chief Science Officer in his startup ventures. This choice allows him to keep a hands-on approach while still influencing the direction of his companies. Chang embodies optimism in the fight against climate change, insisting that worrying about unattainable deadlines shouldn’t distract innovators from the hard work that lies ahead. As he puts it, there’s always something productive to focus on without getting lost in the challenges of the future.
Born in Taiwan and having immigrated to the United States when he was just six years old, Chang’s journey from a shop owner’s son to a leading figure in climate innovation is an inspiring one. His academic path has been grounded in a steadfast commitment to addressing energy concerns, especially after witnessing the energy crises of the 1970s as a teenager. His focus on sustainability began to truly take shape around the mid-2000s, when the implications of climate change became undeniable. Now, with a dedicated research group of 25 students and postdoctoral researchers, Chang is shaping the next wave of climate warriors, guiding young minds eager to tackle some of the planet’s biggest challenges.
In an era where the urgency of climate action has never been clearer, Professor Yet Ming Chang is proving that it’s possible to combine passion, research, and entrepreneurship into effective solutions for a sustainable future. He’s not just making waves; he’s making a splash in a whole new pool of possibilities. With each startup, he’s helping to turn the tide on climate change—one innovation at a time.
