We develop electrochemical conversion technologies for sustainable hydrogen, fuels, and chemicals, spanning water electrolysis and emerging electrochemical conversion of carbon-containing molecules such as CO₂ and CH₄. Our research integrates catalyst and interface design, membranes and membrane–electrode assemblies, multiphase transport, and electrochemical device engineering. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding how ionic transport, gas evolution, interfacial reactions, and local reaction environments govern activity, selectivity, and durability. By linking materials chemistry with transport phenomena and device-level design, we seek to improve reaction efficiency at high current densities and develop scalable electrochemical systems for renewable-energy-driven chemical production.
We investigate thermochemical routes for converting waste carbon resources, methane, biomass, and CO₂ into green fuels and value-added chemicals. Research topics include plastic and biomass pyrolysis, methane reforming and direct conversion, light-olefin production, hydrogen and syngas generation, and catalytic CO₂ conversion. A distinctive focus is the use of Joule heating, induction heating, ultrafast heating, and programmable temperature profiles to control reaction kinetics and product distributions beyond conventional steady-state operation. By coupling catalyst development with dynamic thermal control and structured reactors, we aim to manipulate reaction pathways, suppress undesired secondary reactions and coke formation, and improve carbon utilization and energy efficiency.
We study the fundamental heat, mass, momentum, and multiphase transport processes that govern electrochemical and thermochemical energy-conversion systems. Our work addresses bubble and gas transport, reactant and product diffusion, interfacial mass transfer, heat delivery, residence-time distribution, and spatially and temporally varying temperature and concentration fields. These transport processes are connected directly to structured electrodes, porous media, flow fields, catalytic reactors, and dynamically heated reactors. Through experiments, transport diagnostics, modeling, and reactor design, we seek to establish quantitative relationships between local transport environments and overall reaction performance, providing physical design principles for reaction intensification, scale-up, and high-throughput energy conversion.