The National Research Foundation (NRF) has launched a new Decarbonization Program under the Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) initiative, with an investment of SGD 90 million (USD 69 million). CREATE is a research hub in Singapore that brings together leading international and local universities and institutions to collaborate on cutting-edge research. The new program focuses on advancing Singapore’s capabilities in sustainable technologies, specifically in areas like hydrogen utilization, carbon conversion, and the development of sustainable aviation fuel. Research projects will leverage advanced technologies such as AI for materials discovery and autonomous laboratories to explore non-fossil fuel-based pathways for producing high-value chemicals and biofuels.
The program is hosted by the National University of Singapore (NUS) and involves collaboration between local experts at the CREATE Campus and top global institutions. The research is divided into four domains: hydrogen utilization, green chemistry, synthetic biology, and chemical translation. These areas will focus on innovative approaches such as converting biomass into chemicals, engineering microbes to produce biofuels, and developing advanced catalysts for carbon abatement.
Key projects within the program include:
- AI Xploration of Catalysis on Inorganic Surfaces (UC Berkeley, NTU & A*STAR)
- Sustainable Chemical Conversion of Biomass (Max Planck Institute, NTU & NUS)
- Sustainable Manufacture of Molecules and Materials in Singapore (University of Cambridge, NTU & NUS)
- Development of Advanced Catalysts for Electrochemical Carbon Abatement (NUS)
- Carbon Negative Synthetic Biology for Biomaterial Production from CO2 (Shanghai Jiao Tong University & NUS)
- Carbon Negative Production of Advanced Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Using Twin Synthetic Bacterial Consortia (Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique & NUS)
- Hydrogen Combustion in Singapore (University of Cambridge, NTU & NUS)
- Decarbonization with Green Ammonia Using Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) for Power Generation (Imperial College London & NTU)
- Singapore’s Pathway to Carbon Neutrality: Analysis of New Technologies (TUMCREATE & NTU)
CREATE’s Decarbonization Program is designed to foster international collaboration and cross-disciplinary learning, aiming to generate new research discoveries and practical solutions that contribute to global efforts toward achieving net zero emissions. By integrating expertise from multiple disciplines and leveraging AI and advanced modeling capabilities, the program seeks to create sustainable technologies that will drive green growth in Singapore and globally.
(Source: National Research Foundation)
