Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering academic Prof Dr Chong Kok Keong and his team of researchers secured a grant for their research on a novel integrated solar hydrogen system.

The grant was provided by Ecosys Group Sdn Bhd, in collaboration with the team of researchers. The total amount of funds provided in the grant is up to RM202,340, which is effective starting from 1 March 2024.

Led by Prof Chong, the co-researchers of the research project include LKC FES Department of Chemical Engineering academics Assoc Prof Dr Pang Yean Ling and Assoc Prof Dr Steven Lim; Taylor’s University School of Engineering academic Ts Dr Tan Ming Hui, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) Faculty of Engineering and Technology academic Dr Tan Woei Chong, research fellow from LKC FES Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Mr Tiow Yik Hong, and research fellow from LKC FES Department of Chemical Engineering Mr Saw Ting Xian.

The research project, titled “An Integration of Electrochemical Device and Miniature Dense-Array Concentrator Photovoltaic System for Hydrogen Generation via Proton-Exchange-Membrane Electrolyser (DACPV-PEM)”, aims to develop a new patent for an integrated solar hydrogen system using concentrator photovoltaic and Proton-Exchange-Membrane (PEM) electrolyser. “The main purpose of this industrial-university collaboration is to expedite the process of commercialisation,” shared Prof Chong on the motivation behind the collaborative project.

According to Prof Chong, to achieve the completion of the DACPV-PEM prototype, his team has to design a novel non-imaging dish concentrator for future commercialisation purposes; design the anode and cathode materials at different coating amounts with an improved catalytic performance of PEM; set up a novel sun-tracking system using artificial intelligence technology; design an integrated thermal management system to optimise hydrogen generation via heat transfer from the concentrator photovoltaic system’s (CPV) receiver to PEM electrolyser; and perform techno-economic analyses on the novel integrated solar hydrogen system.

The grant provider, Ecosys Group Sdn Bhd, is one of the leading system solutions providers in the environmental protection system, offering a range of gas abatement systems for various process modules and process types.