SINGAPORE – A Singaporean scientist who developed an economical and sustainable materials that can be utilized for inexperienced hydrogen vitality, and in semiconductor manufacturing, is the primary Singapore winner of a regional prize for scientific innovation.
Professor Liu Zheng, 40, from Nanyang Technological College’s (NTU) Faculty of Supplies Science and Engineering, beat 15 different nominees to win the 2023 Asia-Pacific Financial Cooperation (Apec) Science Prize for Innovation, Analysis and Training (Aspire).
Apec Aspire awards younger scientists for his or her scientific analysis and scholarly publications, in addition to collaboration with different scientists from the 21 Apec member economies, which embrace Vietnam, Japan and Australia.
The prize is price US$25,000 (S$34,000).
The award ceremony came about earlier in Seattle in the US.
Prof Liu was recognised for the relevance of his analysis to this yr’s theme of Inclusive Science, Know-how, and Innovation for a Resilient and Sustainable Surroundings.
He informed The Straits Occasions he feels fortunate that his work aligned effectively to the theme chosen by the US because the host of this yr’s award, and is inspired by the worldwide recognition it brings.
His analysis centres on the applying of sustainable 2D supplies which might be only one atom thick. Prof Liu discovered that the two-dimensional construction of this materials is beneficial in enhancing inexperienced vitality technology, and the semiconductor trade.
As an illustration, 2D platinum can be utilized as a extremely environment friendly catalyst to provide hydrogen used as a type of inexperienced vitality.
Historically, platinum is used as a catalyst within the response, making it a pricey course of, as 1g of platinum prices round US$31. Assuming 1g of platinum is required to make a catalyst conventionally, utilizing selenium to create a 2D platinum catalyst requires solely 0.25g of platinum. This lowers the platinum prices as a smaller quantity of platinum is used, however maintains the effectivity of the hydrogen technology course of.
With Singapore setting its sights on attaining net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, hydrogen vitality is a key vitality supply that can assist carry the nation in the direction of that aim.