Nov 2023
Abstract
Catalysis is in the heart and forefront of any fuel-related deployment technology. In particular, the use of catalysis in the transformation of wastes into energy and fuels is a sector with a revenue forecast in 2027 of USD 54.8 billion and a Growth Rate CAGR of 7.4% from 2020 to 2027. This research is of strategic priority for the United Arab Emirates as it has been stated in the UAE Energy Vision 2050. Wastes can be in the gas, liquid or solid state. In this talk some case studies of how catalysis and surface science principles are applied onto transforming certain waste feeds (CO2, bio-oil) into added-value products are discussed. The design criteria of catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation, dry reforming of methane and bio-oil hydrodeoxygenation are discussed from the perspective of how to achieve a paradigm shift.
Kyriaki Polychronopoulou is currently Full Prof. of Mechanical Engineering (2020-today) and Director of the Center for Catalysis and Separations (CeCaS, 2018-today) at Khalifa University of Science and Technology (KU, UAE), and Visiting Professor at ETH-Zurich. CeCaS is the first center of its kind and one of the strategic centers of Khalifa University, serving the UAE national priorities in energy transition and alternative fuels. Prof. Polychronopoulou is also the Founder and CEO of the newly established spin off ‘Odyssey’; a start up focusing on research translation of decarbonization flagship projects of CeCaS.
She holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Cyprus (2005). Before her appointment at Khalifa University she was Postdoctoral Fellow at Northwestern University (IL, USA) and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (IL, USA).
She has been listed in the Stanford University List of World’s Top 2% Scientists for the years 2020 & 2021 & 2023; since May 2021 she has been selected as a regular member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academy of Scientists (MBRAS), (MBRAS is the primary body of the UAE’s science community composed of top researchers); she is also serving in the MBRAS Media Committee for enhancing science coverage in media in the UAE. Prof. Polychronopoulou has also been invited in the Task force for setting the first-ever UAE R&D Priorities and Policies by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT).
She is recipient of the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) Award for Research Excellence in three consecutive rounds in 2019, 2017 and 2015, while been shortlisted for the Women in Science L’Oreal-Unesco International Award 2021. She is also recipient of the Inaugural Top 1% Journals’ Award 2021 at Khalifa University, 2018 Khalifa University Teaching Excellence Award, the 2018 Khalifa University Commencement for Research, the 2015 KU Faculty Excellence Award for Outstanding Research, as well as the 2007 Fulbright Award for Advanced Research in the US, the 2008 British Council Exchange Scholar Award and the 2008 University of Cyprus Postdoctoral Fellowship.
During her independent career she has served as Visiting Scholar in Texas A&M (USA) and KAIST (S. Korea), previously in the University of Leoben (Austria) and University of Surrey (UK). Prof. K. Polychronopoulou’s research is focused on the development of catalysts (oxides, sulfides, metal supported catalysts) for hydrogen production and decarbonatization as well as other added-value chemical transformations. She has extensive experience in microstructural characterization of surfaces using diffraction, microscopy and spectroscopy tools coupled with isotopes for reaction mechanism exploration. She has (co)authored more than 198 peer-reviewed articles and contributed in many conferences (>200). Other professional activities include: expert evaluator of projects for EU-ERC, NSF, HongKong Research Council, Austria Research Fund, Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation, steering committees, chairing conferences sessions, ad-hoc university committees, journal reviewing and editorships.