GEMS 2027 Thematic Cluster: Catalytic Solutions for Climate Resilience: Sustainable Conversion of Carbon, Nitrogen and Biomass Resources

This thematic cluster brings together complementary expertise in photocatalysis, thermocatalysis, and electrocatalysis to address one of the defining global challenges of our time: Climate change. The cluster focuses on developing innovative catalytic technologies that convert abundant, underutilised, or waste resources into sustainable energy carriers and chemicals, thereby supporting the transition towards a low-carbon and circular economy.

Collectively, the projects are united by a common objective: the catalytic transformation of carbon, nitrogen, and biomass-derived feedstocks into sustainable fuels and chemicals. The cluster spans multiple catalytic platforms while addressing shared scientific challenges in catalyst design, reaction engineering, mechanistic understanding, and process efficiency.

Impact: Through cross-campus collaboration and interdisciplinary training, the cluster will generate new knowledge, develop next-generation researchers, and deliver technological innovations that contribute to decarbonisation, sustainable energy production, and climate resilience. The outcomes are expected to support global decarbonisation and climate change mitigation efforts and strengthen Monash University's leadership in climate-focused research and innovation.

Project 1 (School of Engineering)

Solar Carbon Dioxide Conversion to Renewable Fuels

The increasing concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a major driver of climate change, creating an urgent need for technologies that can simultaneously mitigate emissions and generate sustainable energy. This project focuses on the photocatalytic conversion of CO₂ into value-added fuels and chemicals using advanced perovskite-based materials. Perovskites will be engineered as visible-light-responsive photocatalysts with tailored electronic structures, surface properties, and defect chemistries to enhance light harvesting, charge separation, and catalytic selectivity. Particular emphasis will be placed on promoting multi-electron CO₂ reduction pathways while suppressing competing side reactions such as hydrogen evolution. Experimental investigations will be complemented by Density Functional Theory (DFT) modelling to elucidate reaction mechanisms, adsorption behaviour, charge distribution, and the role of defects in governing catalytic performance. The resulting insights will guide the rational design of efficient and durable photocatalysts, advancing solar-driven carbon conversion technologies for sustainable fuel production and carbon circularity.

For enquiries, please contact Assoc. Prof. Lling-Lling, Tan

For more information about this project, please visit our GEMS website.

How to Apply

When you apply for admission into your preferred degree program you will be able to select your scholarship type. No separate application is required.

By clicking on a course, you will be directed to further information, including details on ‘How to Apply’.

However, before applying for a GEMS, it is recommended that you first contact the main supervisor for this GEMS research topic. Please provide details of your academic background and achievements to the supervisor so that they can assess your suitability for the GEMS research topic you are interested in.

Main Supervisor (Malaysia):  Assoc. Prof. Lling-Lling, Tan

Associate Supervisor (Malaysia): Dr. Irene, Ling , Prof. Siang-Piao, Chai

Associate Supervisor (Australia): Dr. Wenxin, Mao

Project 2 (School of Engineering)

Sustainable Ammonia Production through Thermocatalytic Nitrogen Conversion

Ammonia is emerging as a promising carbon-free energy carrier and a critical feedstock for global food production. However, conventional ammonia synthesis via the Haber-Bosch process is highly energy-intensive and contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions. This project aims to develop advanced thermocatalytic systems for efficient nitrogen activation and ammonia synthesis under milder and more sustainable operating conditions. The research will focus on the rational design of novel earth-abundant catalyst materials with enhanced activity, selectivity, and stability, alongside mechanistic investigations to elucidate key reaction pathways and rate-limiting steps. Advanced in-situ characterisation techniques will be employed to establish structure-property-performance relationships and quantitatively identify active catalytic sites. Experimental studies may be complemented by computational modelling to provide molecular-level insights into nitrogen activation and catalytic behaviour. This project will drive the pursuit towards a more energy-efficient ammonia production, which advances low-carbon chemical manufacturing and supports the transition towards a sustainable hydrogen and ammonia economy.

For enquiries, please contact  Prof. Meng Nan, Chong

For more information about this project, please visit our GEMS website.

How to Apply

When you apply for admission into your preferred degree program you will be able to select your scholarship type. No separate application is required.

By clicking on a course, you will be directed to further information, including details on ‘How to Apply’.

However, before applying for a GEMS, it is recommended that you first contact the main supervisor for this GEMS research topic. Please provide details of your academic background and achievements to the supervisor so that they can assess your suitability for the GEMS research topic you are interested in.

Main Supervisor (Malaysia):  Prof. Meng Nan, Chong

Associate Supervisor (Malaysia): Dr. Joshua Zheyan, Soo

Associate Supervisor (Australia): Prof. Alexandr, Simonov

Project 3 (School of Engineering)

Catalyst Engineering for Electrochemical Biomass Valorisation and Green Hydrogen Production

Hydrogen is widely recognised as a key energy carrier for a low-carbon future, yet conventional water electrolysis is constrained by high energy requirements associated with the oxygen evolution reaction. This project explores the electrochemical valorisation of glycerol, an abundant by-product of the biodiesel industry, as an alternative anodic reaction for the production of green hydrogen and value-added chemicals. The research will focus on the development of catalysts capable of selectively oxidising glycerol at lower energy inputs while maintaining high hydrogen production rates. To achieve this, a range of catalytic systems will be explored, spanning conventional inorganic materials to advanced bio-mimetic catalysts, including nanozyme-inspired electrocatalysts, which offer promising opportunities to improve reaction selectivity toward desired products.  Fundamental investigations will be undertaken to elucidate reaction mechanisms, catalyst stability, product selectivity, and the role of catalyst structure, surface properties and local coordination environments in governing electrochemical performance. Advanced characterisation and analytical techniques will be employed to establish structure-activity-selectivity relationships and catalyst design principles, thereby optimising catalytic efficiency. By transforming a low-value waste stream into clean hydrogen and valuable chemical products, the project promotes circular economy principles and supports sustainable energy generation and resource utilisation.

For enquiries, please contact Prof. Siang-Piao, Chai

For more information about this project, please visit our GEMS website.

How to Apply

When you apply for admission into your preferred degree program you will be able to select your scholarship type. No separate application is required.

By clicking on a course, you will be directed to further information, including details on ‘How to Apply’.

However, before applying for a GEMS, it is recommended that you first contact the main supervisor for this GEMS research topic. Please provide details of your academic background and achievements to the supervisor so that they can assess your suitability for the GEMS research topic you are interested in.

Main Supervisor (Malaysia): Prof. Siang-Piao, Chai

Associate Supervisor (Malaysia): Dr. Lutfi Kurnianditia, Putri, Assoc. Prof. Lling-Lling, Tan

Associate Supervisor (Australia): Dr. Priya, Samudrala