We are offering pioneering research projects that will enable you to explore key technologies that will support UK industry to reach net zero. CDT in Green Industrial Futures has five research themes. Our students will develop expertise in their chosen research field, whilst also understanding cross-thematically how technologies integrate.
Advancing CCUS technologies
Advancing carbon capture, utilisation and storage technologies will push forward research frontiers in advanced materials and technologies for CO2 capture and utilisation from industrial sources and a range of socio-economic, engineering, and geological issues required to achieve the scaleup of CO2 storage to gigatonnes per year, particularly to unlock the UK’s potential as a regional European hub for CO2 storage.
Theme Leads: Professor Paul Fennell, Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer, Professor Sam Krevor
Green hydrogen & sustainable fuels
This theme focuses on critical challenges on scaling up and integration of hydrogen and sustainable fuels into large energy systems. This includes the development and optimisation of novel materials and devices with high conversion & selectivity, long lifetimes & low cost, in combination with cost reductions in CO2 capture, particularly Direct Air Capture (DAC). This theme also addresses the challenges that arise from curtailed renewable energy, the utilisation of low carbon fuels and novel designs of equipment needed for difficult to decarbonised processes.
Theme Leads: Professor John Andresen, Professor Yannis Hardalupas. Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian
Next generation CO2 removals
Developing next generation CO2 removal technology (CDR) generates novel understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying DAC, ocean alkalinity enhancement, accelerated weathering, Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS), Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) technologies, and uses this to develop next generation CDR solutions. It includes developing state of the art methods for materials characterisation, fit-for-purpose model development combining first principles and empirical modelling with machine learning and a systems architecting approach to technology design.
Theme Leads: Professor Lin Ma, Professor Mijndert Van der Spek
System integration
With the themes above, the system integration theme develops effective ways to integrate solutions considering site-specific industrial symbiosis, energy and resource efficiency and assessment studies for fuel switching. This includes integrating process modelling, techno-economic and life cycle analysis (LCA) to support the net-zero production of base/platform chemicals and fuels. These assessments will use prospective and consequential methods so solutions are assessed for their current and future performance and the wider system. Novel advanced optimisation and value models will be coupled to a superstructure approach to design energy-materials-technology pathways to achieve net-zero manufacturing at minimum cost.
Theme Leads: Professor Marcelle McManus, Professor John Andresen
Integrated theme (social, environmental, economic and political)
Critical to the success of a green industrial transition is uptake and use in industry and society. Working across the themes, this theme applies cutting-edge social science and behavioural insights to ensure a people-based focus. Research projects will address evidence gaps, understanding what is required for net zero-consistent behaviour change in industry and society and testing mechanisms for transformative changes. We will apply an expanded concept of behaviour change to include people’s professional, consumer, citizen and community roles, and assess underpinning policy and regulatory frameworks linked with systems integration to understand the complex challenges posed by net zero.
Theme Leads: Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh, Professor Mijndert Van der Spek