Chen Han

　

University of New South Wales Sydney

Ms. Chen Han holds a bachelor's degree from the China University of Petroleum and a master's degree from the East China University of Science and Technology. Currently, she is a fourth-year PhD student in Chemical Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), working under the supervision of Professor Rose Amal, Professor Xiaojing Hao, and Dr. Jian Pan.

Her doctoral research focuses on ‘Solar-to-fuel conversion by (photo)electrochemical processes’. She has been actively researching solar energy conversion technologies, from photovoltaic and catalyst material engineering, advanced characterizations, mechanistic studies, system and device designs, sustainable production, economic analysis to strategy planning. She has extensive research experience using interdisciplinary knowledge to solve emerging environmental and energy issues. She has published 18 articles in high-impact journals with citations over 580 times (h-index 11).

Solar-driven production of green fuels for a sustainable future

Solar-driven green fuels production has emerged as a promising solution to address the challenges posed by energy crisis and climate change. By harnessing the abundant and renewable energy from the sun, this approach aims to convert solar energy into valuable chemical fuels, such as hydrogen, ammonia and hydrocarbons, by using water, air, CO2 emissions and waste. However, the technology is still pending for improvement and optimization to maximize solar utilization efficiency. This study focuses on the design of novel photovoltaic devices and highly efficient catalysts to develop a comprehensive (photo)electrochemical system, which can produce target products at an industrial relevant rate. In-depth investigations employing advanced characterizations, particularly in-situ techniques, have been conducted to gain a thorough understanding of the materials' properties and complex reaction mechanisms. Furthermore, modeling calculations have been employed to enhance theoretical understanding, and feasibility analyses have been conducted to evaluate the market potential and economic viability.

Overall, solar-driven sustainable fuels production holds tremendous potential for realizing a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. The advancements of this work in materials science, energy conversion technologies, and system integration are paving the way for its rational design and large-scale commercial application. This study will contribute to the transition towards a carbon-neutral and sustainable energy society.