Research Thrust Areas

I. Gasification

Develop an effective technology to partially oxidize biomass into a gaseous mixture of syngas consisting of H2, CO, CH4, and CO2. High-quality syngas can be further used for catalytic synthesis of liquid fuels and hydrogen production. 

II. Nanocatalysts for Conversion of Syngas to Biofuel and Hydrogen

Development of mesoporous silica- encapsulated nanocatalysts followed by screening in a Si-microreactor. This technology will lead to new catalysts for gas to liquid and hydrogen production technologies. 

III. High-purity hydrogen

Fuel processing and reforming for hydrogen production and separation as H2-fuel in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) applications. High-purity H2 is the fuel of choice in PEMFCs.