Research Theme :
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Green Hydrogen (H2) Energy
As countries worldwide rush to revamp energy systems in order to fulfill climate commitments, hydrogen is becoming increasingly important. It is now considered a crucial element in most net-zero emissions projections, with production expected to increase at least fivefold by the middle of the century.
The excitement is quite understandable. Hydrogen has the potential to be a major player in decarbonization if it were abundantly available. It has the capability to produce carbon-free fuels for transportation and heating, as well as power energy-intensive industries like steel and fertilizer manufacturing, which are challenging to electrify.
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The Problem
The problem is that hydrogen (H2) is not freely available. Fifty years ago, scientists first demonstrated that it is possible to use electricity generated by illuminating a semiconductor to split liquid water into oxygen and hydrogen gas. However, the commercial use of solar-powered hydrogen plants has been impeded by low efficiencies and high costs.
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Solution
The industrialization of photocatalytic water splitting hinges on the efficiency of solar-to-hydrogen (STH) energy conversion.
Our focus
One method is photocatalytic water splitting, in which a nanomaterial suspension system is utilized to generate hydrogen. Although this approach is inexpensive and simple to scale up, it has a low STH efficiency (approximately 1%). Improving the efficiency and broad-spectrum responsiveness of photocatalysts, implementing effective charge separation strategies, developing new and efficient co-catalysts, and exploring novel methods and materials for gas separation are important areas for further research in this field.
Research Theme :
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Advanced Air Filter (PM 2.5, PM0.3) Fabrication
Your health: Nanoscale polluted air filtration and Face mask
WHO estimates that around 70 lakh people die every year from exposure to polluted air. WHO data shows that 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants. Everyone needs air to breathe, when we breathe this air we come in contact with the air pollution. If the particles are small enough, they can even penetrate the pulmonary alveoli to enter the circulatory system and cause more serious health problems. Particulate matter (PM) is a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets. PM2.5 refers to the atmospheric particulate matter that has a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres. When you breathe, these particles penetrate into the lungs, which can lead to allergies or respiratory infectious diseases, e.g., lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or asthma. We developed new material and fabricating nanofibers membranes as high-performance air filters.
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LABORATORY FACILITIES
Materials for Energy:
We use a variety of methods such as hydrothermal, solid-state reaction, solution-based growth of nanoparticles, electrospinning to synthesize new semiconductors. We are looking for materials that can convert the energy in sunlight into the potential energy of separated charge carriers.
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INSTITUTE FACILITIES
Funding Support:
