Research Overview
The Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and the Environment Thrust pulls together the range of challenges facing Japan’s and the world’s energy transition, namely the transition from largely fossil fueled energy technology to a carbon-neutral or a carbon-free energy supply. In addition, this Thrust enables the coordination of carbon reduction technologies, energy efficiency technologies, and guidance for social, political, and investment strategies to coordinate this transition.
Our thrust includes the following 4 main clusters;
1. Carbon capture technologies based on membrane separation for zero and negative emission
We are developing technologies for CO₂ capture based on membrane separation, which is considered to have the lowest capture energy. In order to control global warming, CO₂ is not only captured from large-scale emission sources, but also CO₂ from (1) air and (2) exhaust gas with diluted CO₂ by membrane separation for negative emission, and CO₂ removal at biogas upgrading. We are also considering modularization along with the development of these technologies. The specific research topics include:
– Direct Air capture (CO₂ capture from the atmosphere)
– Diluted CO₂ capture
– CO₂ separation over N₂ for post-combustion CO₂ capture
– CO₂ separation over H₂ for pre-combustion CO₂ capture
– CO₂ separation over CH₄ for biogas upgrading
2. Carbon storage & management using the earth
As CO₂ reduction approach using the earth, CO₂ geological storage that directly injects CO₂ into the subsurface reservoir has been recognized. By considering (1) amount of CO₂ reduction, (2) time to achieve CO₂ reduction and (3) cost for CO₂ reduction, CO₂ reduction and managements using the earth could be one of realistic approaches. The specific research topics include:
– Modeling of stored CO₂ (e.g., mineralization process)
– Develop continuous monitoring system for safe CO₂ storage or geothermal development
– Model pore geometry using mathematics and AI for elastic/hydraulic property prediction
– Distinguish natural earthquake and CO₂ injection induced earthquake
– Investigate multiscale CO₂ behavior from molecular- to reservoir-scale
3. Energy efficient technologies
To contribute toward the world’s energy transition, we are working on the development of energy efficient technologies, which includes heat mass transfer enhancement in adsorption systems, development of low-temperature thermally powered adsorption heat pump/refrigeration system and biofuel and edible protein production and negative CO₂ emissions. The specific research topics include:
– Synthesis and characterization of activated carbon-based composite adsorbent.
– Synthesis and characterization of MOFs.
– Heat mass transfer and thermodynamic analysis of adsorbent bed and its geometry.
– Analysis of adsorption cycles.
– Development of compact adsorption heat exchangers.
– Theoretical and simulation of hybrid heat pump cycles.
– Modelling of growth conditions and quantitative analysis for biomass growth.
– Impact of physical parameters for biomass production.
– Optimization of algae growth for industrial production.
4. Socio-techno-economic and policy analysis
In order to progress an energy transition which incorporates and develops technologies which can effectively deal with climate change, there is a need for analysis of technical, economic and social aspects. I²CNER is progressing this analysis across the spectrum of available technologies, with a focus on the technologies being developed within I²CNER. In addition to the evaluation of the technical aspects such as technological applicability and efficiency, we also consider their economic and social merit. The analytical approaches which we undertake include modeling, systems analysis, statistical analysis, applied mathematical analysis, social surveys and stakeholder engagement. Our current research themes include:
– Energy transitions
– Techno-economic analysis of carbon management
– Global Hydrogen and energy system modeling
– Hydrogen fuel station research
– Applied math for energy
Researchers
Principal Investigators
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Professor
International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research, Kyushu University (I²CNER)
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Professor
International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research, Kyushu University (I²CNER)
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Sugai, Yuichi
Professor
Kyushu University, Department of Earth Resources Engineering
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Takahashi, Koji
Professor
Kyushu University, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
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Associate Professor
International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research, Kyushu University (I²CNER)
All Researchers
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Han, Jianlei
JSPS特別研究員
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Pal, Animesh
JSPS特別研究員
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Miyazaki, Takahiko
Professor
Department of Advanced Environmental Science and Engineering Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University
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Mori, Shoji
Professor
Kyushu University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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Sugai, Yuichi
Professor
Department of Earth Resources Engineering, Kyushu University
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Research Professor
Research Center for Negative Emissions Technologies, Kyushu University (K-NETs)
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Research Professor
International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research, Kyushu University (I²CNER)
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Fujii, Yasumasa
Visiting Professor
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Hirose, Katsuhiko
Visiting Professor
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Honda, Kuniaki
Visiting Professor
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Kurosawa, Atsushi
Visiting Professor
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Associate Professor
International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research, Kyushu University (I²CNER)
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Ikeda, Tatsunori
Associate Professor
Department of Earth Resources Engineering, Kyushu University
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Kojio, Ken
Associate Professor
The institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University
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Li, Qin-Yi
Associate Professor
Kyushu University, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
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Associate Professor
Kyushu University, Institute of Mathematics for Industry,Division of Applied Mathematics
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Miyawaki, Jin
Associate Professor
Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University
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Sakoda, Naoya
Associate Professor
Kyushu University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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Associate Professor
Kyushu University Platform of Inter-/Transdisciplinary Energy Research (Q-PIT)
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Shundo, Atsuomi
Associate Professor
Kyushu University, Department of Applied Chemistry
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Thu, Kyaw
Associate Professor
Department of Advanced Environmental Science and Engineering Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University
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Teshima, Hideaki
Assistant Professor
Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Kyushu University
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Umehara, Yutaro
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyushu University
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Wang, Zhenying
Assistant Professor
Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Kyushu University
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Kita, Yutaku
Visiting Assistant Professor
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Shen, Biao
Visiting Assistant Professor
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An, Yingjun
Post-doctoral Fellow
Research Center for Negative Emissions Technologies, Kyushu University (K-NETs)
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Rasha Afmed Hanafy Bayomi
Post-doctoral Fellow
Center for Polymer Interface and Molecular Adhesion Science, Kyushu University
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Chao-Hung Cheng
Post-doctoral Fellow
Center for Polymer Interface and Molecular Adhesion Science, Kyushu University
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Post-doctoral Fellow
Research Center for Negative Emissions Technologies, Kyushu University (K-NETs)
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Kenshi Itaoka
Post-doctoral Fellow
Transdisciplinary Research and Education Center for Green Technologies, Kyushu University (TREC-GT)
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Liu, Wing Chung
Post-doctoral Fellow
International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research, Kyushu University (I²CNER)
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Panlong, Yu
Post-doctoral Fellow
Department of Advanced Environmental Science and Engineering Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University
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Akai, Makoto
Visiting Researcher
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Ariyoshi, Miho
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