Message from the Director
Greetings and welcome to the website of the International Institute on Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (I2CNER).
Professor Petros Sofronis, PhD
Director
International Institute for
Carbon-Neutral Energy Research
The year 2020 marked the 10th anniversary of I2CNER. It was also the year in which we achieved “World Premier” status and were successfully inducted into the WPI Academy of Japan, an elite organization that ensures our continuation in advancing the mission and goals of the WPI program.
This recognition is a significant accomplishment and is the result of the culmination of 10 years of international collaborations and dedication to WPI standards in scientific accomplishments, technology transfer, interdisciplinary research, and academic systems reforms. Indeed, I2CNER has dedicated its first ten years to producing some of the world’s best research on the future of energy. As the newest center of the WPI Academy, we aim to continue to make disruptive advances in the 21st century international energy landscape, as well as strengthen the scientific advancements in Japan in collaboration with the United States and the world.
As a permanent Institute of Kyushu University, I2CNER has consolidated its research efforts into three thrusts: Advanced Energy Materials, Advanced Energy Conversion Systems, and Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and the Environment. These thrusts are directly linked to the “Platform for International Collaborations and Partnerships” that has been designed to maintain I2CNER’s international identity and the “Platform for Societal Implementation and Industrial Collaboration” whose purpose is to ensure technology transfer through the large and growing network of I2CNER’s industrial interactions. Our world-class researchers are working to bridge I2CNER and Japan to other countries’ top universities and institutes.
The partnership between Illinois and Kyushu University continues to expand through new interactions and collaborations, and will focus on multiple areas such as mathematics, agriculture, library sciences, medicine, and social sciences and economics in addition to energy research.
I2CNER is clearly an international effort, operating according to international standards for quality and excellence. We will continue to amplify the WPI mission and advance our carbon-neutral energy goals with our partners around the world.
