⚡ Low-Carbon Energy (Hydrogen Energy)

As the world moves toward net-zero carbon emission goals, hydrogen is regarded as one of the most promising clean energy sources. Characterized by its high energy density and the fact that it produces only water upon combustion, hydrogen can be used not only for power generation and transportation but also as a decarbonization alternative for industrial processes, offering broad future application prospects.

Hydrogen can also be integrated with renewable energy sources (such as solar and wind power) to store and convert surplus electricity. This enables grid regulation and long-term energy storage, thereby enhancing the flexibility of the energy system. Furthermore, in energy-intensive industries that are difficult to electrify—such as steel, cement, and chemical engineering—hydrogen can replace traditional fossil fuels to effectively reduce carbon emissions. With advancements and scaling in water electrolysis technologies, hydrogen production efficiency and cost-effectiveness will continue to improve, making green hydrogen the mainstream source to replace traditional gray and blue hydrogen.

Given that hydrogen serves as a vital pillar of "future energy," its integration with renewable energy development and net-zero strategies is progressively transitioning from laboratories to practical applications. Governments worldwide are actively deploying hydrogen policies and infrastructure. Consequently, hydrogen will play an indispensable and pivotal role in global energy transition, industrial innovation, and sustainable development. In line with global trends in net-zero emissions and the hydrogen economy, our center focuses on the research and development of water electrolysis technologies. We concentrate on key innovations such as high-efficiency electrocatalytic material design, electrolysis system optimization, and hydrogen purity control to enhance production efficiency, reduce costs, and drive the practical application of clean energy for a low-carbon future.

🌫 Healthy Environment (PM2.5 Monitoring)

PM_2.5 (fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers) can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract, enter the alveoli, and pass into the bloodstream due to its extremely small size, posing multiple risks to human health. PM_2.5 contains a variety of organic pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs/SVOCs), and secondary organic aerosols (SOA). Among these, PAHs are mutagenic and carcinogenic, causing DNA damage and abnormal cell proliferation. Additionally, SOAs are formed through the atmospheric oxidation of gaseous precursors (such as VOCs); they possess finer particle sizes, easily penetrate human tissues, and highly influence cellular oxidative stress and chronic inflammation.

Therefore, analyzing the correlation between PM_2.5 organic composition, source apportionment, and health impacts is a core research topic at our center. We investigate the contribution ratios and toxicity differences of organic compounds in PM_2.5 from various emission sources such as transportation, industry, and biomass burning. Utilizing analytical technologies like GC-MS, TD-GC/MS, and the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) receptor model, we conduct pollutant source attribution. Our approach shifts from total mass monitoring to composition characterization, focusing particularly on the health risk contributions of organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and specific PAHs. We develop advanced detection techniques to track the potential impacts of persistent organic pollutants on the environment and human health, while integrating IoT and big data for regional air quality dynamic forecasting.

Since air quality directly correlates with public health and quality of life, PM_2.5 and its bound organic pollutants have extensive and profound health impacts. Our center’s research focuses on high-resolution monitoring, toxic component identification, source tracing, and integrated health risk assessments. This provides a scientific foundation for precise pollution control and policy formulation, achieving a dual guarantee for air quality and public health.

🔋 Sustainable Development (Battery Recycling)

In the face of increasing water scarcity and resource waste, our center focuses on water purification technologies and water resource management. We develop strategies for water conservation, wastewater recycling, and resource circulation, such as utilizing electrochemical/electrolysis technologies to remove common water pollutants while recovering valuable resources like metals, acids, and bases. Concurrently, with the rapid development of electric vehicles, portable electronic devices, and energy storage systems, global demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has surged. However, if spent batteries are not properly managed, they cause severe environmental pollution and lead to the loss of precious resources. LIBs contain heavy metals (such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese) and electrolyte solvents; improper disposal contaminates soil and water resources, posing ecological and human health risks. Because the natural reserves of lithium, cobalt, and nickel are limited, recycling reduces reliance on primary mining and minimizes environmental destruction. Establishing a battery recycling and reuse system fosters material closed-loop management, promotes green supply chains, lowers manufacturing costs, and enhances industrial economic benefits. Thus, developing battery recycling and regeneration technologies has become a key priority for low-carbon transition and resource strategy.

In recent years, although traditional pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical extraction methods are efficient, they suffer from high energy consumption and heavy pollution. Next-generation green technologies emphasize low energy consumption, low pollution, and high selectivity, including bioleaching, Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) extraction, organic acid leaching, and ionic liquid technologies. Battery recycling is not merely an environmental measure but a core link in driving green energy transition and resource sustainability. Through green chemistry and the introduction of novel materials, we can achieve efficient regeneration of valuable metals, pollution reduction, and industrial upgrading. Our center specializes in deep eutectic solvent extraction technology, developing eco-friendly novel solvents to recover lithium, cobalt, manganese, and nickel from spent batteries, contributing to the realization of a circular economy and net-zero emission targets.

In summary, our center will continue to deepen core technology R&D, promote industry-academia collaboration, and connect with international networks. We actively play a key role as a technological innovation platform, injecting new momentum into energy transition, environmental health, and sustainable development, while fulfilling our responsibility and commitment to future society.

With an initial investment of approximately NT$56 million, we have renovated five specialized laboratories spanning a total of about 80 pings (approx. 264 m²): the Inorganic Analysis Laboratory, Organic Analysis Laboratory, Pretreatment Laboratory, Biological Analysis Laboratory, and Physical Analysis Laboratory. The advanced instruments acquired by the center will support our research teams in developing environmental micro-analysis and forensic techniques, enabling data interpretation to achieve source reduction and prevention, thereby easing environmental burdens.