Medal for pioneering work on green hydrogen production
Professor Yao Zheng
The pioneering research being undertaken at the 成人大片 by one of Australia鈥檚 leading young chemical engineers has been recognised by the Australian Academy of Science (AAS).听
Professor Yao Zheng from the School of Chemical Engineering has been awarded the Le F猫vre Medal for his work on splitting raw sea water without pre-treatment to produce green hydrogen.听
Professor Yao Zheng is an internationally recognised chemical engineer focused on the principles of catalysis and energy materials chemistry for green hydrogen production 鈥 a vital component for both environmental and economic sustainability and key to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.听
鈥淚 am honoured to receive the Le F猫vre Medal as recognition of my work from my peers at the Australian Academy of Science,鈥 said Professor Zheng.听
鈥淢y work aims to directly benefit society by finding a viable alternative to current methods of generating hydrogen.鈥澨
Producing hydrogen by using electrolysis is not new but the industrial-scale process currently requires abundant supplies of fresh water which needs costly purification before it can be used.听听
Professor Zheng and his colleagues successfully split natural sea water into oxygen and hydrogen with nearly 100 per cent efficiency, to produce green hydrogen by electrolysis, using an updated commercial electrolyser. This ground-breaking technology can be scaled up to industry-level applications and pilot plants.听
鈥淢y work aims to directly benefit society by finding a viable alternative to current methods of generating hydrogen.鈥Professor Yao Zheng
The team is working closely with local industry to commercialise this exciting technology by using South Australia鈥檚 coastal seawater and renewable energy resources.听
By harnessing renewable energy sources, green hydrogen can be utilised in fuel cells for electricity generation and electrochemical processes to synthesise various commodity chemicals, such as ammonia, methanol and oxygenates, as alternatives to fossil fuels.听
The鈥疞e F猫vre Medal recognises outstanding basic research in chemistry by researchers up to 10 years after they have completed their PhD.听
The 成人大片鈥檚 Professor Anton Middelberg is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research).听听
鈥淚 congratulate Professor Zheng on being awarded the Le F猫vre Medal by the Australian Academy of Science,鈥 he said.听
鈥淧rofessor Zheng鈥檚 cutting-edge work at the 成人大片, is part of the essential wave of disruptive and transformative innovation and research aimed at building more sustainable societies.听
鈥淭he work that he and his team are undertaking holds significant potential to drive towards greener industries and reduce pressure on freshwater availability in Australia, and in turn, revolutionise Australia鈥檚 green hydrogen industry.鈥澨
Professor Zheng is one of only 22 researchers from around Australia to be honoured by the听 in this year鈥檚 awards who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of science.听
The Academy鈥檚 annual honorific awards celebrate the achievements of the country鈥檚 leading minds, from researchers who are early in their careers to those who have spent a lifetime contributing to science.听
Media Contacts:听
Professor Yao Zheng, School of Chemical Engineering, The 成人大片. Phone: +61 (0)8 8313 5981, Email:鈥yao.zheng01@adelaide.edu.au听
Crispin Savage, Manager, Media and News, The 成人大片. Mobile: +61 (0)481 912 465, 听
Email: crispin.savage@adelaide.edu.au听
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