Peter Sunderland's research interests include hydrogen safety, soot formation and oxidation in flames, microgravity combustion and fire safety, laminar diffusion flames, oxygen-enhanced combustion, combustion diagnostics, and fire-safety aspects of soot.

He is PI for a research program funded by NIST to investigate the fire hazards of hydrogen leaks. His expertise in combustion, fire safety, and hydrogen pertains to these MERC focus areas: hydrogen fuel-cell systems, small-scale power systems, next-generation nuclear reactors, and oil recovery, transport and processing.

Dr. Sunderland was recently named one of the Keystone Professors for the Clark School.