Events

3 Seminars presented via Energy Research Institute of Xiamen University

Date: Thursday 18 April 2013 10:00 - 11:00

Location: SEMS Seminar Room (Third Floor Engineering)

1.
Biomass Research in School of Energy Research at Xiamen University
Dr. Yunquan Liu, Professor
School of Energy Research, Xiamen University

Abstract:
Biomass is a renewable energy that has great potential to replacing petroleum in the near future. A lot of research activities regarding biomass are going on at School of Energy Research of Xiamen University (SER-XMU). In this talk, a brief introduction to the Institute for BioEnergy at SER-XMU will be given, and based on which the thermochemical pathway for biomass conversion into fuels & chemicals will be focused. Our research in thermochemical conversion includes biomass gasification, syngas clean-up, syngas utilization, biomass fast pyrolysis and catalytic pyrolysis, bio-oil upgrading, bio-oil separations, and lignin depolymerization, specifically via hydrothermal liquefaction (HTU).
Bio: Dr. Yunquan Liu is currently a Full Professor at School of Energy Research, Xiamen University. His research interests include biomass and biofuels, hydrogen production for fuel cells, design and testing of fuel cell stacks, and integration of fuel cell power plants. The fuel cells he has worked on include PAFC, PEMFC, AFC, and SOFC. Nevertheless, his current research is more focused on biomass conversion for fuels and chemicals, in particular the thermochemical conversion such as gasification, pyrolysis and high pressure liquefaction. Much of his work also emphasizes on catalysis and catalyst development for applications such as syngas utilization and bio-oil upgrading in biomass conversion. Before returning to China and becoming a faculty at Xiamen University, Dr. Liu has studied and worked in US for more than 16 years. His major R&D experience is gained from industries, and has worked for employers such as Arthur D. Little, Analytical Energy Systems, Texaco and Chevron. Dr. Liu got his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Dalian University of Technology, and his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University, all in Chemical Engineering. He has authored/co-authored more than 20 papers in various international journals and conferences, and holds more than 10 US patents and 5 Chinese patents. He was nominated as China Fujian Province “Hundreds Talents” in 2011, and was also the recipient of “Outstanding Researcher Award” in Chevron in 2008. Liu is currently the members of AIChE, ACS and NACS, and the session co-chair of “Thermochemical Conversion II” for 2012 and 2013 AIChE conference.

2.
Low-temperature plasmas and their relevant applications in nanomaterials
Qijin Cheng
Institute of Solar Energy Research, School of Energy Research, Xiamen University

Abstract:
Low-temperature plasmas have been widely used in many areas including microelectronics, material synthesis, medicine, surface treatment, environmental protection, and several others. In this presentation, I will present the various low-temperature plasma sources developed in our lab, the synthesis of low-dimensional inorganic nanomaterials (including silicon and metal oxide-based nanomaterials) using a plasma-based approach, and the investigation of nucleation and growth mechanisms of low-dimensional nanomaterials. I will also present the applications of low-dimensional nanomaterials in several nanodevices, including solar cells, gas sensors, etc. The obtained performance of nanodevices based on low-dimensional nanomaterials is very promising for extensive applications in industry due to the unique properties of these low-dimensional nanostructures such as a high surface area to volume ratio, high aspect ratio, perfect crystalline structure, and so on.
Bio: Qijin Cheng obtained his Ph.D. in Physics from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore in 2008. In 2008-2009, he worked in School of Physics, University of Sydney, Australia; in 2009-2012, he worked in CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering, Australia. Currently, he is an associate professor at School of Energy Research, Xiamen University. His research interests include low-dimensional semiconductor nanomaterials (such as zero-dimensional quantum dots, one-dimensional nanowires, etc.), synthesis and characterization of low-dimensional nanomaterials, nucleation and growth of low-dimensional nanomaterials, semiconductor nanodevices (such as solar cells, gas sensors, field emission tips, etc.). Within a few years, he has published more than 30 journal papers (he is the first author for most of these papers) with an H index of 12 and more than 300 citations. He has ever been the reviewer for more than ten prestigious journals including Journal of Materials Chemistry, CrystEngComm, Nanoscale, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Journal of Crystal Growth, Chemical Vapor Deposition, etc.

3.
Developing Efficient Energy Systems with Whole Systems Modelling and Optimal Integration Strategies
Dr. Yingru Zhao
School of Energy Research, Xiamen University

Abstract:
Improving energy efficiency and reducing energy waste is one of the most important issues in recent years. Under this circumstance, creating the next generation of highly efficient and clean energy systems becomes a high priority for policy makers, engineers and academics. An emerging and robust method to systematically quantify and optimally design the energy conversion techniques is Integrated Multi-scale Systems Modelling and Optimization, which provides a new perspective to predict and understand the behaviour of complex energy systems, with detailed information for trade-off analyses of the varying options regarding performance, capital cost/operating profit and environmental impact. In this talk, the research activities at the Institute for Energy Efficiency Engineering in Xiamen University will be overviewed and representative case studies will be presented to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of the proposed integrated approach.
Bio: Dr. Yingru Zhao is an Associate Professor in Energy Efficiency Engineering at School of Energy Research, Xiamen University. She has a comprehensive experience in multi-scale modelling and optimisation of complex energy systems, with particular focus on the model-based analysis, process scheduling and optimisation, integration of low carbon technologies and systems. This work covers a wide range of topics in energy systems engineering and energy efficiency related research, such as fuel cell hybrid power generation, poly-generation, biomass gasification combined cycle, carbon capture and storage, urban energy systems R&D, with links to economic and environmental sustainability analyses. Zhao was nominated in the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University by China Ministry of Education in 2011, and is a Fellow of the Sino-German Center for Research Promotion. She has authored/co-authored over 20 peer-reviewed journal papers on model-based methods & applications, and has peer-reviewed for over 10 international energy journals. Her current research focus is on how to introduce the mutli-scale process modelling and mathematical/systems engineering techniques to analyse and optimise regional energy infrastructures and complex, spatially- and temporally-explicit low-carbon energy systems.