Green Catalysis Research Lab

The Green Catalysis Research group focuses on developing novel catalysts and catalytic technologies for (i) improving the current processes of manufacturing chemicals and (ii) producing new and sustainable chemicals. We endeavour to exploit the use of sustainable energies and feedstocks such as electricity from solar farms and biomass for new developments, which can potentially reduce their carbon footprints and improve sustainability. 

 

Principal Investigators

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    China Beacons Institute

    Xiaolei Fan

    Professor in Green Chemicals and Energy

 

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    China Beacons Institute

    Xiaoxia Ou

    Assistant Professor in Green Chemicals and Energy

 

Gas-based technology and innovation space

Dr Nicholas Musyoka’s research interest focusses on gas-based technology and innovation space in relation to Green Chemicals, Renewable Energy and Energy Storage. He is keenly interested in technologies related to gas production, separation, storage and conversion. The anchors for these technologies are catalysis and sorbent materials. 

Principal Investigator

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    China Beacons Institute

    Nicholas Musyoka

    Associate Professor in Renewable Energy & Energy Storage

 

Centre for Smart Process Engineering

The Smart Process Engineering (SPE) laboratory focuses on the research and development of process integration and intensification technologies in chemical engineering, sustainable energy, and environmental process. The main research interests include high-efficiency wastewater treatment processes, particle technology, innovative pharmaceutical technology, system simulation, and artificial intelligence in related areas. 

Principal Investigator

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    China Beacons Institute

    Dongbing Li

    Associate Professor in Green Chemicals and Energy

Supercritical Fluid and Fluidized Bed technologies

By taking advantage of the green supercritical fluid and/or fluidized bed systems for greatly enhanced processing speed and capacities, our team aims to develop leading technologies and equipment that support continuous green extraction, separation and purification for high-value food products with guaranteed biosafety, and to develop key technologies and engineering solutions that support medium- and large-scale thermochemical conversion production lines and mobile pyrolysis devices. 

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    China Beacons Institute

    Yuanyuan Shao

    Associate Professor in Green Chemicals and Energy

Smart Multiple-Fluid Process Intensification

The team focussed on research into and development of process intensification in the three-phase system based on the core theories of particulate and fluidization technology. Targeting treating industrial wastewater in chemical engineering, we are extensively carrying out comprehensive research from fundamental investigation to commercializing application on bio-particle technology and (gas-)liquid-solid reactor development. 
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    China Beacons Institute

    Xiaoyang Wei

    Assistant Professor in Green Chemicals and Energy

Development and Optimization of Gas-solid Fluidized Bed Technologies

We work closely with industrial partners on gas-solid fluidized beds. Cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), 3-D printing, high-speed camera, and intrusive probes, are employed to experimentally characterize the gas-solid flow. Referring to experimental data, numerical models are developed with workstations, servers, and supercomputers. Finally, gas-solid fluidized beds can be designed and intensified for specific industrial processes.

 

Material Science Project

The research is primarily focused on material science, where I employ multiscale modelling of a wide range of systems, from ordinary three-dimensional materials to van der Waals nanomaterials and complex materials. My research primarily tackles critical energy challenges, spanning catalysis, thermoelectric materials, photovoltaics, metal-ion/sulfur batteries, and gas sensors. The nature of my field provides a practical framework in identifying optimal parameters before performing costly experiments.  

Principal Investigator

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    China Beacons Institute

    Muhammad Sajjad

    Assistant Professor in Renewable Energy & Energy Storage

 

Thermochemical Conversion Processes 

The research is focused on the investigation of thermochemical conversion processes, including pyrolysis, gasification, combustion, co-combustion, and reforming. The investigations comprehend traditional fuels such as coal and biomass, and potential sustainable feedstock such as hydrogen, ammonia, and metal fuels.  

Principal Investigator

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    China Beacons Institute

    Paulo Debiagi

    Assistant Professor in Renewable Energy & Energy Storage

 

Photocatalytic Reaction Lab (PRL)

PRL focuses on both fundamental and applied research in the frontiers of catalysis, environmental and energy science and engineering. The research areas mainly include but are not limited to: photocatalytic of CO2 to value-added products; photocatalytic reduction for water splitting; photocatalytic reduction for wastewater remediation; and other promising photocatalytic reactions.

Principal Investigator

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    China Beacons Institute

    Honglei Zhang

    Assistant Professor in Renewable Energy & Energy Storage

 

GreenTech Lab

As part of the Provincial Key Laboratory of Carbonaceous Wastes Processing and Process Intensification, The GreenTech Lab focuses on developing green technology solutions, be that processes, products or services that use less resources and/or energy, generate less waste, and causes less environmental damage than alternatives. 

Principal Investigator

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    Chemical and Environmental Engineering / Faculty of Science and Engineering

    Philip Hall

    Head of Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Professor in Chemical and Environmental Engineering

 

Environmental Processes and Pollution Control Lab (EPPC)

The EPPC focuses on both fundamental and applied research in the frontiers of environmental science and engineering. It is centred on environmental chemistry to investigate the emission of various pollutants, their migration and distribution between gas-liquid-solid matrices so as to understand their pollution pathways and final destinations.

Principal Investigator

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    Chemical and Environmental Engineering / Faculty of Science and Engineering

    Jun He

    Professor in Environmental Chemistry and Pollution Control, Head of Natural Resources and Environment Research Group (NRERG), Deputy Director of International Doctoral Innovation Centre (IDIC)

 

Microfluidics Lab

The microfluidic green chemistry laboratory conducts scientific investigations which are closely related with pragmatic demands arising from social and economic development and focuses on basic and application research in microfluidic emulsification for development of micro/nanoscale materials including functional particles, capsules, and fibers. Our lab is keen to provide highly-efficient technical solutions to address outstanding energy and environmental challenges.

 

Principal Investigator

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    Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering / Faculty of Science and Engineering

    Yong Ren

    Professor in Mechanical Engineering