Chemical Society Seminar:Yun Hang Hu- Advanced Materials for Sustainable Energy and Environment: From Nanomaterials to Superstructured Materials

Abstract:

We face significant challenges in achieving energy and environmental sustainability, and addressing these issues depends strongly on advances in materials innovation. In recent years, Prof. Hu’s group has focused on developing novel materials for clean energy and environmental applications through the discovery of new chemical reactions. In this talk, he will highlight:

(1) the design and synthesis of three-dimensional graphene materials and alkali-metal–embedded carbon nanowalls derived directly from CO and CO₂, demonstrating excellent performance in solar cells;

(2) the development of superstructured materials for use in fuel cells and supercapacitors; and

(3) the creation of advanced functional materials from fallen leaves, with applications as biodegradable plastics and photocatalysts.

Bio:

Prof. Yun Hang Hu holds the distinguished title of University Professor and is the Charles and Carroll McArthur Endowed Chair Professor at Michigan Technological University. He is an international Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE) and a Fellow of six major scientific societies (AAAS, ACS, APS, AIChE, ASM International, and RSC). He serves as Editor-in-Chief of Energy Science & Engineering (a Wiley journal) and sits on the editorial advisory boards of ten journals published by leading publishers including Nature Portfolio, Wiley, Elsevier, Springer, ACS, and RSC.

Prof. Hu has received numerous national and international honors and awards, such as the Rudolf A. Erren Award from the International Association for Hydrogen Energy (IAHE), the Outstanding Science & Innovation Award from the Chinese Association for Science and Technology in the USA (CAST-USA), and multiple awards from the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Prof. Hu has authored over 330 publications in prestigious journals and delivered more than 200 invited lectures, including over 70 plenary and keynote presentations—notably the Plenary Lecture at the Opening Session of the 255th ACS National Meeting. His research focuses on nanomaterials and superstructured materials for sustainable energy and environmental applications, including energy devices (solar cells, batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells), catalysis (thermal, photo-, and thermo-photocatalysis), hydrogen production and storage, CO₂ and methane conversion, and the transformation of waste into valuable materials.