PhD in Chemical Engineering
Current position: Associate Professor in Chemical Engineering at Xiamen University Malaysia, Malaysia
Research focus: engineering next-generation nanomaterials toward efficient artificial photosynthesis for sustainable fuel production from sunlight
The idea of Wee-Jun’s research lies in the design of novel techniques for engineering heterojunction photocatalysts for efficient solar light utilisation. With the development of high-efficiency photocatalysts, the nanocomposites were employed to convert sunlight to highly energetic sustainable fuels. Wee-Jun collaborates with researchers in the field of computational modelling and advanced spectroscopic characterisations.
As an Assistant Professor at Xiamen University Malaysia, Wee-Jun is developing his ideas among other academics to potentially create a renewable energy research hub on the campus.
2019 Visiting Professor in the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), United States of America
2019 Participation at the 69th Nobel Laureate meeting Lindau, Germany
CV as submitted for the Green Talents award (2018):
Xiamen University Malaysia, Malaysia
Research focus: engineering next-generation nanomaterials toward efficient artificial photosynthesis for sustainable fuel production from sunlight
The atmospheric CO2 concentration is constantly rising and was already 43% higher in 2015 than in the pre-industrial era. Concerning the environmental burdens and severe energy shortage catastrophe, the quest for exploring renewable energy using sunlight to imitate the natural photosynthesis has emerged as a sustainable strategy. This will help to resolve the energy supply bottleneck caused by the depletion of fossil fuels as the reaction harnesses energy directly from the sun. Wee Jun focuses on decreasing the growing concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere and converting solar energy and CO2/H2O to fuels by means of chemical bonds. These projects will uncover clean energy resources to substitute fossil fuels toward sustainable energy production.
The idea of Wee Jun’s research lies in the design of novel techniques for engineering heterojunction photocatalysts for efficient solar light utilisation. With the development of high-efficiency photocatalysts, the nanocomposites were employed to reduce CO2 to energy fuels and reduce H2O to H2. Notably, solar light is harvested and converted to highly energetic sustainable fuels. Apart from the experimental works, Wee Jun demonstrates interdisciplinary research by collaborating with overseas researchers who are engaged in the field of computational modeling and advanced spectroscopic characterisations. The core technology is combining computational results and experimental techniques in a computer-aided catalysts design to reach commercialisation. Through simulation, this helps to understand fundamental principles and elementary reactions involved in CO2 conversion, H2O splitting and H₂ fixation. Additionally it identifies the rate-determining step and also clarifies the origin of the overpotential and elucidates the role of the active site of catalysts.
Now as an Assistant Professor at Xiamen University Malaysia, Wee Jun is developing his ideas among other academics to potentially create a renewable energy research hub on the campus.
The jury values Wee Jun’s approach of CO2 reduction and conversion of solar energy to fuels and sees its potential to become a definitive solution for future energy supply in many countries. The jury also believes that the Green Talents Science Forum will help Wee Jun to establish collaboration between Malaysia and Germany and bring positive impacts to the environment and atmosphere.
