Prof. Chi-Hwa Wang (National University of Singapore)

Prof. Yanjun Dai (Shanghai Jiaotong University)

Harbin Institute of Technology

Title of Talk: Progress in material-based solar-driven thermochemical fuel production and underlying mechanisms

Abstract: The ability to produce high-grade fuels and chemicals by reutilizing industrial CO₂ emissions is becoming increasingly feasible, thanks to advancements in understanding specific mechanisms and improvements in existing technologies. However, while closing the carbon cycle is crucial, it presents significant challenges for global implementation. This work examines the current state-of-the-art materials and highlights the properties and characteristics that contribute to enhanced catalytic performance. Ultimately, this study offers a theoretical framework for designing, screening, and evaluating high-performance energy storage materials, addressing challenges in advanced material and reactor development, and CO₂ catalytic conversion mechanisms under the multi-field coupling effect of solar energy excitation.

Biography:  Dr. Guene Lougou Bachirou is an Associate Professor in the School of Energy Science and Engineering at Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), China. He is primarily engaged in solar photothermal conversion and energy storage material. He has served on the editorial boards of Rare Metals and Carbon Neutrality. Dr. Guene Lougou is a member of both the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) and the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). He has participated in numerous international conferences as an invited speaker, session chair, scientific committee member, and organizing committee member. In addition, he has presided over significant national research projects as a PI/participant. His contributions to research and education have been recognized with several honors, including the International Excellent Young Scientists Research Grant Award, the National High-end Foreign Talent Introduction Program, and the Rare Metals 2023 Best Young Editorial Board Member Award.

Title of Talk: Solar fuel processing at elevated temperatures

Abstract: Solar energy, with its abundant and renewable characteristics, is considered as an important alternative energy source. However, the dispersed nature (low energy density), intermittency (uneven temporal distribution), and randomness (significant geographical and weather influences) of solar energy resources impose certain limitations to its large-scale practical applications. Therefore, energy storage technologies become particularly important. Converting solar energy into energy-dense forms (such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, etc.) can significantly enhance the stability and economic viability of solar energy utilization. In this talk, I will primarily focus on solar high-temperature fuel processing technologies. By employing multiscale and multiphysical models combined with experimental validation, we aim to understand the coupled energy conversion and transport phenomena in the high-temperature fuel production processes, guiding the engineering of efficient solar fuel devices. Addressing the issue of low efficiency in solar thermochemical hydrogen production, we propose to utilize high-temperature electrochemical oxygen pumps to enhance the oxygen mass transfer of the reduction process, thereby improving fuel production efficiency. Finally, the design and optimization of high-flux solar simulators will be presented for characterizing concentrated solar devices and materials, supporting the research on solar high-temperature fuel production.

Biography: Meng Lin is an assistant professor heading the Solar Energy Conversion and Utilization Laboratory (SECUL) at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SECUL), Shenzhen. He received his PhD (2018) in the mechanical engineering from EPFL, Switzerland. Between 2018 and 2019, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the Joint Center of Artificial Photosynthesis (JCAP) and the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Division of California Institute of Technology (Caltech). In 2019, he joined the department of mechanical and energy engineering at SUSTech with research focus on the engineering of high-performance solar conversion materials, devices, and systems to fulfill industrial-scale needs for electricity, heat, fuels, or a combination thereof.

Institute of High Performance Computing, Singapore

Title of Talk: Sustainable energy and fuel from sunlight, water, air, and solid waste

Abstract: Sustainable fuels from a solar-and-biomass dual-source nexus are proposed as a short- and mid-term pathway of syngas production for liquid hydrocarbon fuels. This talk summaries holistic research achievements on solar fuel study at NUS, covering multidisciplinary topics of optics, thermo-physics, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, thermochemistry, catalysis material, and systems science as well as incorporating the key research outcomes of high-flux solar simulator, fluidized-bed and fix-bed solar reactors.

Biography: Dr. Xian Li is a senior scientist at Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). He obtained his Ph.D. in power engineering and engineering thermo-physics from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2015. The nature of his research is multidisciplinary, focusing on optics, thermo-physics, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics as well as incorporating thermochemistry, material, and systems science, to solve the real-world problems in energy systems. His research interests are in the areas of physics-and-AI based modelling, simulation, and optimization of energy systems, covering solar energy, solar fuel, biomass energy, and energy and environment sustainability topics.

High-performance perovskites catalytic materials for solar thermochemical CO₂ splitting.

Solar-assisted biomass gasification for syngas fuel production.

An Optical-Electronic-Catalytic Coupled Multi-Physical Simulation for Sunlight-Driven CO₂ Reduction Device Based on Light Absorbers Patterned Electrocatalysts