Description:

Yanwei Lum Seminar

Join the Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy for a seminar conducted by Assistant Professor Yanwei Lum from the National University of Singapore. 

What: "Exploring new directions and insights into electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction"
Who: Assistant Professor Yanwei Lum, National University of Singapore
When: Friday, November 7, 2025 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CT
Where: Ryan Hall, 4003, 2190 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208

Abstract:

Electrochemical CO₂ and NO reduction are promising technologies for the net-zero and sustainable production of chemicals. If powered by renewable energy, this can also be a valuable method for storing renewable energy in the form of chemical fuels. In this talk, he will discuss our recent works, where he reveals important new insights into the reaction mechanisms. Here, he uses isotope labelling studies to offer new perspectives into catalyst design strategies and computational modelling of pathways.

Furthermore, he shows how the catalyst and reaction system can be appropriately designed for the direct conversion of dilute CO₂ or simulated flue gas streams into value-added products. For instance, he designed a zero-gap electrolyzer system that can transform simulated flue gas into urea. Finally, he moves beyond the catalyst and demonstrate how systems engineering can also be an important tool to improve overall performance. One example is the development of a 'reversed' gas diffusion electrode, which can output high purity synthesis gas without needing product separation.

Speaker Biography: 

Dr. Yanwei Lum obtained his BEng degree in Materials Science and Engineering at Imperial College London in 2012. He then received his PhD degree in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley in 2018 under Prof. Joel W. Ager III. This was followed by a PostDoctoral stint at the University of Toronto with Prof. Edward H. Sargent. He joined the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) as a Presidential Young Assistant Professor in 2021. His research interests include electrocatalysis, CO₂/NO; reduction, electroorganic reactions and hydrogen storage. He has a H-index of 39 and his publications have been cited >10,000 times. In his independent career, he has published in top international journals such as Nat. Chem., Nat. Synth., Nat. Commun. and Sci. Adv. as the corresponding author.