Congratulations to Dr. Cao Thang Dinh who is 1 of 16 Queen’s researchers this year to receive a Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals.
Founded in 2000, the CRC program is part of a national strategy to attract and retain leading and promising minds with the aim to make Canada one of the world’s top countries in research and development. Tier 1 Chairs are recognized by their peers as world leaders in their respective fields and hold a seven-year term receiving $1.4 million in funding. Tier 2 Chairs are recognized as emerging leaders in their research areas and hold a five-year term receiving $500,000 in support. Of the 16 Queen’s researchers awarded Chairs, nine have been named Tier 1 and seven have been named Tier 2.
Converting electrochemical carbon dioxide (CO2) to hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals offers a promising solution for the long-term, large-scale storage of renewable electricity and the decarbonization of several heavy industries. The widespread implementation of this technology relies on high-performance metrics throughout the process, including those related to production rates, energy efficiency and system stability.
As Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals, Dr. Cao Thang Dinh aims to develop integrated CO2 capture and conversion systems to increase the overall energy efficiency of the process. He and his research team are combining advances in simulation and modelling, materials design and systems engineering to address challenges related to integrated CO2 capture and conversion. Their work will increase scientific knowledge of how to take CO2 directly from industries or the air all the way to net-zero fuels and chemicals. It will also lead to proof-of-concept prototypes that demonstrate a promising path to decarbonization.
Learn more about Queen’s Research Chairs here.