Energy and Fluids

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Building on the significant achievements of the first term, the Chair will advance research in fluids and fluidic systems development key to unlocking the potential of renewable energy technologies. A better understanding of fluids and fluidic systems is key to enabling the global energy transition toward sustainability. Fluids are ubiquitous as energy carriers (hydrocarbons, hydrogen), in energy storage (stored hydrocarbons, hydroelectricity, pumped hydro, and flow batteries), and energy-related emissions are also fluids - CO2 and methane.The overarching goal of the program is to develop technologies that lead to a reduction in CO2 emissions (or negative emissions, through atmospheric CO2 capture), empower renewable energy technologies, and expand the utilization and storage of renewable energy. These objectives will be accomplished by targeting two streams of research:1. Electrochemical CO2 capture and conversion into products: the Chair will develop technologies that enable clean and efficient electrosynthesis of renewable fuels and feedstocks, including ethanol as a liquid fuel, methane for heating, ethylene for the manufacturing of plastics and carbon monoxide for industrial applications, with carbon dioxide sourced from direct air capture and industrial flue gas emissions; and2. Development and testing of industrial fluids that support the energy transition: the Chair will unlock clean energy technologies through screening and developing industrial working fluids, for applications such as closed-loop geothermal energy, where working fluids will be developed that use phase change materials to effectively draw heat from hot geothermal rock, and developing cooling fluids for batteries, where the thermal properties of battery coolants will be screened.These program objectives will be achieved by leveraging a wealth of inhouse expertise in fluids analysis and energy systems design, development, and scaling. Ultimately, the nominee's research program will accelerate the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies that will help meet Net-Zero by 2050 commitments, in Canada and globally.