Research Area
CHALLENGE
    everything
According to the blueprint of global Net Zero Emission set by the International Energy Agency (IEA), 400 new low-carbon technologies are expected in the next 30 years, however, one-third of them are still in the conceptual phase. Hydrogen energy technology is one of the most needed of all the low-carbon technologies. Three of the biggest challenges the Hydrogen energy technology faces are: (1) All the advanced materials to transfer gray hydrogen to green hydrogen are still in the basic stage of research and development (2) The efficiency of storage, transportation, and electricity conversion are still low yet with a high market price (3) The lack of carbon-negative materials for carbon capture.
iSNR is organized by the College of Science and vertically integrates cross-field research teams related to low-carbon technology research on campus. With Negative carbon materials, Energy breakthrough and manufacturing, Green and sustainable resources, and Sustainable cloud computing platform as the main research axes, iSNR aims to implement the national energy transformation goal based on scientific and technological research and development. We also hope that the carbon reduction technology developed by iSNR can lead to the upgrading trend of the industry and thus catch up with the global trend of carbon neutrality.
Research Area 1Negative-Carbon Resources
PI: Prof. Ming-Chun Lu
The world’s demand for low-carbon materials requires the development of carbon-negative materials. It is not only the key strategy for addressing issues such as the continuous depletion of Earth's resources, global greenhouse gas warming, and climate pattern changes but also holds significant potential and value for commercialization. iSNR dives into the research of carbon-negative materials, focusing on the technology of carbon capture and 4D-printing carbon-negative materials.
Application and analysis of the Carbon capture technology
PI
Prof. Ming-Chun Lu
Research team
Prof. Hui-Hsin (Anna) Tseng, Prof. I-Chung Lu, Prof. Chu-Ping Lee
Prof. Yei-Chen Lai, Prof. Ying-Chih Lai
Focusing on utilizing the techniques of material science and engineering, we hope to achieve the goals of carbon reduction, green energy, and sustainability by capturing carbon dioxide and recycling different types of waste materials.
In terms of analysis, the project aims to establish a carbon sequestration analysis platform centered around mass spectrometry and spectroscopy technologies. It will also focus on the mechanisms and reaction kinetics of biological carbon fixation.
The research and development of the related carbon-negative materials is targeted to assist the research areas of animal medicine, smart agriculture, and intelligent healthcare in NCHU.
4D-Printing Carbon-negative materials
PI
Prof. Cheng-Kuan Su
Research team
Prof. Ping-Shan Lai, Prof. Chiaying Chen, Prof. Kun-Yi Lin
It fully shows the application potential of 4D-Printing that elevates the functionality of carbon-negative materials.
The research and development of the related carbon-negative materials is targeted to assist the research areas of animal medicine, smart agriculture, and intelligent healthcare in NCHU.
Short/Medium/Long Term Goals
Research Area 2 Energy breakthrough and manufacturing
PI: Prof. Kuan-Jiuh Lin
Dedicated to the research and application of new energy systems, this project is aiming for breakthroughs in the energy field. Through the development of green hydrogen materials, solar energy can be converted into green hydrogen energy. Furthermore, greenhouse gases can also be transformed into chemical fuels through catalytic technologies thus acting as alternative energy sources.
The project also advances in the expansion of metal-ion energy storage battery systems to achieve the goal of rapid charging and energy storage. This core project provides a comprehensive system from emerging energy generation to storage, making a visionary contribution to the goal of global net-zero emissions by 2050.
The development of full-spectrum green hydrogen materials
PI
Prof. Kuan-Jiuh Lin
Research team
Prof. Hong-Ta Yang, Prof. Chih-Ming Chen, Prof. Heng-Jui Liu
Prof. Te-Hsien Wang, Prof. Chieh-Ting Lin
Emphasize developing full-spectrum semiconductor functional materials for applications in photocatalytic water splitting to produce hydrogen. In the research of photovoltaic energy conversion, the main focus is on optimizing and developing various energy conversion techniques and components.
The development of high-performance electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage
PI
Prof. Meng-Chang Lin
Research team
Prof. Ping-Yu Chen, Prof.Si-Yu Li, Prof. Wen-Yin Ko
Aiming at the development of high-performance metal-ion batteries and related materials, incorporating high-capacity and fast-charging metal oxide anodes for the preparation of fast-charging lithium-ion battery energy storage systems. This project aims to advance technologies reserved for the "post-lithium era" and plans on developing low-cost, high-safety aluminum-ion batteries, which can reduce the battery's dependence on rare elements like lithium. These batteries also ensure that the assembled energy storage systems do not pose safety risks such as combustion or explosion.
Short/Medium/Long Term Goals
Research Area 3 Green and sustainable resources
PI: Prof. Ching-Hsuan Lin
With the launch of the global carbon deduction “D-Day (Decision Day)” movement, petroleum, natural gas, and chemical industries worldwide are facing great challenges. The main development of Taiwan currently is centered around solar photovoltaics and offshore wind energy. Therefore, the main goal is to advance the development of circular green materials for manufacturing wind turbine blades to create a sustainable life cycle for these blades. Taking this into consideration, the project aims to develop green polymers, materials for the industrial production of efficient carbon-reduction catalysts, and the development of green processes. These efforts are directed at advancing the manufacturing of sustainable wind turbine blades.
The development of carbon-reductive green polymer materials
PI
Prof. Ching-Hsuan Lin
Research team
Prof. Chih-Feng Huang, Prof. Han-Yu Hsueh
This project involves the development of recyclable wind turbine blades and the utilization of waste polycarbonate-based epoxy resins cured with a catalyst-free solidifier to create multi-scale micro-nano structured surfaces.
The first research highlights synthesizing a series of low-viscosity epoxy resins containing degradable ester or polycarbonate groups for use in recyclable wind turbine blades.
The second research highlights on developing epoxy resins derived from waste polycarbonate and containing siloxane structures. These resins are used as coatings on the surface of nano-porous microspheres and are solidified using a novel Vitrimer solidifier to enhance the adhesion to porous and wrinkled surfaces. This leads to the creation of self-repairing anti-fouling coatings. Through the reuse of waste polycarbonate, the use of catalyst-free epoxy curing agents, and the application of anti-fouling coating materials, we may eventually achieve a circular economy.
The development and process improvement of green catalysts
PI
Prof. Chien-Fu Liang
Research team
Prof. Chien-Fu Liang, Prof. Dong-Sheng Lee, Prof. Shun-Yuan Luo
Prof. Cheng-Kun Lin, Prof. Siang-Chen Wu
The research focuses on the carbon deduction process of the energy storage industries and the development and application of carbon-negative high-value green catalysts. It dives into the development of electrode materials for the energy storage industry. Additionally, the carbon dioxide emissions and waste produced during the industrial production process will be used to create high-value cyclic carbonate polymers, polycarbonate polymers, biodegradable polymers, or biochemically synthesized glycine through carbon-negative processes.
In terms of process optimization, the primary research lies in utilizing sodium dithionite and ionic liquids to develop novel green chemical methods and processes. Furthermore, the project aims to develop highly efficient and recyclable ionic liquids to improve the efficiency of traditional organic methods while reducing the usage of organic solvents.
Short/Medium/Long Term Goals
Research Area 4 Sustainable cloud computing platform
PI: VP & Prof. Yin-Tzer Shih
The “Sustainable Cloud Platform” was established on our experience in cloud-based big data analysis, blockchain technology, and cloud value-adding service platform development. The main purposes are to establish a carbon inventory database and a trading cloud platform, the development of a carbon rights certificate trading platform, and eventually create an ecosystem of carbon-negative industries. It is expected that with the utilization of cloud digital tools, we can promote continuous carbon reduction internally and create a sustainable low-carbon campus, and externally help enterprises accelerate the transformation to net-zero carbons thus promoting the public's common willingness and ability towards actions.
Analysis and optimization of carbon inventory data
PI
VP & Prof. Yin-Tzer Shih
Research team
Prof. Hung-Hsu Tsai, Prof. Chih-En Kuo
Three research highlights:
(1) The establishment of the “Agricultural Carbon Inventory Database and Trading Cloud Platform” involves creating a cloud-based platform for carbon inventory to support data storage and management for various projects of iSNR. This achieves the goal of integrating data across different projects.
(2) "Big Data Analysis and Optimization Technology for Carbon Inventory (Carbon Emissions, Carbon Sinks, Carbon Credits, Carbon Trading, and Carbon Neutrality)," entails developing big data analysis and optimization techniques related to carbon inventory. It offers solutions for carbon offsetting and provides incentive feedback mechanisms, encouraging high-carbon-emitting businesses to use the platform.
(3) "Development of Carbon-Negative Agricultural and Livestock Industry Scientific Measurement Methodology" focuses on defining various sustainable carbon-negative indicators and measurement methods.
Carbon rights blockchain applications and value-adding service
PI
Prof. Lo-Yao Yeh
Research team
Prof. Iuon-Chang Lin, Dr. Jen-Wei Hu
Three research highlights:
(1) The establishment of “Blockchain infrastructure” and the initial construction of blockchain-based “Carbon Credit Certificate” and “Verification Functionality.”
(2) The functionality of the "Carbon Credit Certificate Trading Platform" is to facilitate "legitimate carbon credit sales" by sellers through it. The platform is also built on a blockchain to fully realize the core concept of decentralization.
(3) In the field of carbon application, there are certain times when privacies are needed. Since the default setting of blockchain operates on public information, a design of privacy protection is necessary.