ChE PhD Student Wins Best Poster Award at NECS
Chengyu Zhou, PhD’28, chemical engineering, who is advised by Qing Zhao, assistant professor of chemical engineering, won first place for the Best Poster Award at the New England Catalysis Symposium (NECS) for his poster “Computational Insights into Lithium-Mediated Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction Reaction for Sustainable Ammonia Production.”
His paper highlights groundbreaking research into sustainable ammonia production, a critical step toward reducing carbon emissions and advancing renewable energy solutions.
His research, supported by Zhao’s National Science Foundation CAREER Award, “Computational Characterization of Reaction Mechanisms and Catalytic Microenvironments in Redox-Mediated Ammonia Electrosynthesis,” leverages advanced computational methodologies to provide deeper insights into the lithium-mediated nitrogen reduction reaction (Li-NRR). This approach holds promise for overcoming challenges associated with traditional ammonia production, such as the high energy and carbon footprint of the Haber-Bosch process.
Through density functional theory (DFT), Chengyu’s work examines the reaction mechanisms and catalytic microenvironments of Li-NRR, offering valuable contributions to the field of electrochemical nitrogen reduction. By addressing the fundamental chemistry of Li-NRR, this research paves the way for improved ammonia electrosynthesis performance and its potential as a zero-carbon energy carrier.