Expert to Address Carbon Dioxide Upgrading at Ensor Lecture

The Ensor Lecture on October 28 will feature Jingguang Chen, the Thayer Lindsley Professor of Chemical Engineering at Columbia University. Chen will discuss the process of upgrading carbon dioxide and biogas into valuable products during the event, which will take place from noon to 1 p.m. at the senior ballroom in the Compton Union Building on the Pullman campus. A reception will precede the lecture, starting at 10:30 a.m.

Chen’s presentation will explore the conversion of carbon dioxide into value-added products, a promising strategy for mitigating emissions as fossil fuels continue to dominate energy production in the near future. The thermochemical conversion of carbon dioxide can yield products such as olefins, oxygenates, and carbon nanofibers, but this process relies on hydrogen. To achieve a net-negative carbon dioxide footprint, it is essential that the hydrogen is generated through water electrolysis rather than from hydrocarbon sources.

Challenges in Hydrogen Production

Despite the potential benefits of water electrolysis, large-scale implementation faces significant obstacles, primarily due to the high costs associated with precious metal electrocatalysts. For example, platinum is typically used for the hydrogen evolution reaction at the cathode, while iridium serves a similar role for the oxygen evolution reaction at the anode. Chen will outline his group’s recent efforts to develop more cost-effective electrocatalysts, as well as their work on converting carbon dioxide or biogas using tandem thermochemical and electrochemical reactors.

Chen brings extensive expertise to this topic, with over 500 journal publications and more than 20 United States patents to his name. His research focuses on the fundamental understanding of carbides, nitrides, and bimetallic catalysts, particularly in the fields of thermocatalysis and electrocatalysis. He has held numerous leadership positions, including serving as chair of the Catalysis Division of the American Chemical Society and as president of the North American Catalysis Society.

Legacy of the Ensor Lectureship

The Ensor Lectureship is named in honor of David Ensor and his wife, Sara, reflecting their commitment to higher education and the empowerment it provides. David Ensor, a graduate of Washington State University in 1963, later earned his master’s and PhD at the University of Washington. He is a recognized expert in aerosol and air pollution science and has contributed significantly to nanotechnology research and international standards development as a delegate to the International Organization for Standardization.

Throughout his career, Ensor has worked with Meteorology Research, Inc., and retired from a long tenure at RTI International. He has been instrumental in the field as one of the founding editors of Aerosol Science and Technology, and has received numerous accolades, including the White House’s Hammer Award and the Meritorious Service Award from the American National Standards Institute.

As the Ensor Lecture approaches, attendees can anticipate a thought-provoking discussion on the innovative methods for reducing carbon emissions and the vital role of advanced materials in achieving sustainable energy solutions.