Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and the Environment Thrust

Pull together the range of challenges facing Japan 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

Research Overview

The Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and the Environment Thrust pulls together the range of challenges facing Japan 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

Red dots and red areas show existing/planned station sites and their 10 minute driving radiuses. The additional stations that will be created, bringing the total of initial stations to 100, are indicated by green dots (10 minute driving radiuses indicated by green areas). The additional stations (initial 100 to 200 stations) and their 10 minute driving radiuses are indicated by yellow dots and yellow areas. The initial 5,000 customers are represented by blue areas. The additional 15,000 customers, which will bring the total to 20,000 early customers, are represented by light blue areas. Lastly, the additional 30,000 customers, which will bring the total to 50,000 early customers, are represented by pale blue areas.
Continuous CO₂ monitoring system deployed in Canada

Researchers

Principal Investigator

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All Researchers

  • Name

    Position

    Belong

  • Han, Jianlei

    JSPS Research Fellow

    -

  • Pal, Animesh

    JSPS Research Fellow

    -

  • Takata, Yasuyuki

    Specially‐appointed Professor

    International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research, Kyushu University (I²CNER)

  • Freeman, Benny D.

    Professor

    The University of Texas at Austin

  • Kohno, Masamichi

    Professor

    Kyushu University, Department of Mechanical Engineering

  • Matsue, Kaname

    Professor

    Kyushu University, Institute of Mathematics for Industry,Division of Applied Mathematics

  • Miyazaki, Takahiko

    Professor

    Department of Advanced Environmental Science and Engineering Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University

  • Miyazaki, Koji

    Professor

    Kyushu University, Department of Mechanical Engineering

  • Mori, Shoji

    Professor

    Kyushu University, Department of Mechanical Engineering

  • Sefiane, Khellil

    Professor

    University of Edinburgh

  • Itaoka, Kenshi

    Research Professor

    Transdisciplinary Research and Education Center for Green Technologies, Kyushu University (TREC-GT)

  • Takahara, Atsushi

    Research Professor

    Research Center for Negative Emissions Technologies, Kyushu University (K-NETs)

  • Fei, Jiang

    Associate Professor

    Yamaguchi University

  • Ikeda, Tatsunori

    Associate Professor

    Department of Earth Resources Engineering, Kyushu University

  • Kojio, Ken

    Associate Professor

    Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University (IMCE)

  • Kyaw, Thu

    Associate Professor

    Department of Advanced Environmental Science and Engineering Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University

  • Li, Qin-Yi

    Associate Professor

    Kyushu University, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics

  • Maeda, Nobutaka

    Associate Professor

    Center for Energy Systems Design attached to I²CNER, Kyushu University (CESD)

  • Miyawaki, Jin

    Associate Professor

    Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University (IMCE)

  • Nguyen, Dinh Hoa

    Associate Professor

    International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research, Kyushu University (I²CNER)

  • Ousaka, Naoki

    Associate Professor

    Research Center for Negative Emissions Technologies, Kyushu University (K-NETs)

  • Sakoda, Naoya

    Associate Professor

    Kyushu University, Department of Mechanical Engineering

  • Selyanchyn, Roman

    Associate Professor

    Kyushu University Platform of Inter-/Transdisciplinary Energy Research (Q-PIT)

  • Shundo, Atsuomi

    Associate Professor

    Kyushu University, Department of Applied Chemistry

  • Gao, Yuan

    Assistant Professor

    Center for Energy Systems Design attached to I²CNER, Kyushu University (CESD)

  • Hashikuni, Katsuaki

    Assistant Professor

    Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyushu University

  • Huff, Kathryn

    Assistant Professor

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Karmaker, Shamal Chandra

    Assistant Professor

    International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research, Kyushu University (I²CNER)

  • Nguyen, Linh Thi Hoai

    Assistant Professor

    International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research, Kyushu University (I²CNER)

  • Teshima, Hideaki

    Assistant Professor

    Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Kyushu University

  • Umehara, Yutaro

    Assistant Professor

    Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyushu University

  • Wang, Zhenying

    Assistant Professor

    Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Kyushu University

  • An, Yingjun

    Post-doctoral Fellow

    Research Center for Negative Emissions Technologies, Kyushu University (K-NETs)

  • Baloh, Pavlo

    Post-doctoral Fellow

    International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research, Kyushu University (I²CNER)

  • Feng, Sinan

    Post-doctoral Fellow

    Research Center for Negative Emissions Technologies, Kyushu University (K-NETs)

  • Liu, Wing Chung

    Post-doctoral Fellow

    International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research, Kyushu University (I²CNER)

  • Padermshoke, Adchara

    Post-doctoral Fellow

    Research Center for Negative Emissions Technologies, Kyushu University (K-NETs)

  • Phuong, Le Thi Anh

    Post-doctoral Fellow

    Research Center for Negative Emissions Technologies, Kyushu University (K-NETs)

  • Akai, Makoto

    Visiting Professor

    -

  • Engel-Cox, Jill

    Visiting Professor

    National Renewable Energy Laboratory

  • Fujii, Yasumasa

    Visiting Professor

    -

  • Hirose, Katsuhiko

    Visiting Professor

    -

  • Honda, Kuniaki

    Visiting Professor

    -

  • Kunitake, Toyoki

    Visiting Professor

    Institute for Advanced Study, Kyushu University

  • Kurosawa, Atsushi

    Visiting Professor

    -

  • Mitra, Sushanta

    Visiting Professor

    University of Waterloo

  • Orejon, Daniel

    Visiting Associate Professor

    The University of Edinburgh

  • Jia, Jihui

    Visiting Assistant Professor

    China University of Petroleum

  • Kita, Yutaku

    Visiting Assistant Professor

    -

  • Shen, Biao

    Visiting Assistant Professor

    -

  • Ariyoshi, Miho

    -

    -

  • Mitsuiki, Kenta

    -

    -

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