Dr Bolong HUANG, an Associate Professor of Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has been chosen as a finalist for the Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year 2023 in the Engineering and Technology category. This recognition is for his research in nanocatalysts that have applications in sustainable energy. Dr Huang is one of the three Hong Kong awardees in this category.
Dr Huang's research interests encompass theoretical calculations of electronic structures in various materials, including energy materials and rare earth materials. His focus is on developing catalyst materials that support sustainable energy supply and conversion technologies, in line with global environmental protection goals.
Using his expertise in theoretical calculations and machine learning techniques, Dr Huang is dedicated to creating new catalysts for important chemical reactions in sustainable development. This includes generating hydrogen through water-splitting, improving fuel cells and metal-air batteries through oxygen reduction and evolution, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Dr Huang explained, “My theoretical calculations not only accelerate the discovery of novel catalysts but also gain crucial insights into fundamental reaction mechanisms. I am driven to pursue catalysis research to identify more novel functional materials that can be applied in sustainable developments.”
The Award aims to promote research and innovation across all disciplines by recognizing groundbreaking discoveries. The award, established by the Falling Walls Foundation in Berlin, celebrates the most recent advancements in science and society worldwide.
理大科學家研發新型催化劑 入圍德國Falling Walls科學突破獎2023
香港理工大學（理大）應用生物及化學科技學系副教授黃勃龍博士，憑藉研發納米催化劑，研究成果為可持續能源的碳戰略實現廣泛應用，入圍德國Falling Walls科學突破獎2023-工程技術類別。該類別有三名來自香港的學者入圍，黃勃龍博士是其中一位。
黃勃龍博士的研究專長包括︰納米材料、能源材料、固體功能材料、稀土材料等的電子結構理論計算，及其在多規模能源轉換和供應系統中的應用。他致力於催化方面的研究，以開發支持可持續能源供應和轉換技術的新型催化劑材料，為保護環境的全球願景作出貢獻。
發揮在理論計算和機器學習技術方面的專業知識和經驗，黃勃龍博士為可持續發展開發新型催化劑，包括水分解產生的氫氣（H2）、用於燃料電池和金屬空氣電池的氧氣還原和進化，以及降低二氧化碳控制碳排放。
黃博士表示︰「透過理論計算除了加快研發新型催化劑，更能從中增進及洞悉基本反應機制的重要見解。我將繼續專注催化研究，發掘更多可應用於可持續發展的新型功能材料。」
德國跨界創新基金會（The Falling Walls Foundation）設於德國柏林，其頒發的Falling Walls科學突破獎旨在表彰取得傑出成就和突破的科學家，對研究領域產生了長遠重大的影響，並為解決全球性挑戰作出貢獻。
