Research Directions
Professor Tzu-Hsuan Chiang's research spans carbon inventories, catalyst and system development for hydrogen production through water electrolysis, photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production, fuel-cell catalysts, and polymer composites. Her research focuses on how materials science can respond to the needs of the energy transition and industrial decarbonization, extending fundamental research toward energy systems and practical applications.
Her research team works across materials design, catalyst preparation, performance analysis, and system integration. The team investigates ways to improve energy-conversion efficiency, reduce process costs, and enhance the practical feasibility of green-hydrogen and fuel-cell technologies.
Green Hydrogen and Hydrogen Production Technologies
In green-hydrogen research, Professor Chiang focuses on catalyst and system development for hydrogen production through water electrolysis, as well as photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen generation. These technologies use renewable energy and water as key resources, with the goal of establishing low-carbon, efficient, and industrially applicable methods of hydrogen production.
In addition to catalyst activity and stability, the research also examines material structures, reaction conditions, and system operating efficiency. This enables research outcomes to move gradually from laboratory-scale studies toward the needs of the energy industry.
Fuel Cells and Polymer Composites
Fuel cells are an important component of hydrogen-energy applications. Professor Chiang conducts research on fuel-cell catalysts, investigating reaction efficiency, material durability, and system integration during energy-conversion processes.
Her work on polymer composites combines the properties of different materials through structural design and functional integration. The objective is to develop advanced materials that can be applied to energy technologies, catalysis, and other low-carbon applications.
Carbon Inventories and Low-Carbon Applications
In addition to energy materials and hydrogen-production technologies, Professor Chiang's expertise includes greenhouse-gas inventories. Carbon inventories help organizations identify greenhouse-gas emission sources and quantify emissions, providing an important foundation for emissions-reduction strategies, energy management, and the adoption of low-carbon technologies.
By integrating carbon management with energy technologies, her research considers not only technical performance, but also how technologies can respond to corporate decarbonization, energy-transition, and sustainability needs.
Major Research Areas
- Carbon inventories and low-carbon applications
- Catalysts and systems for hydrogen production through water electrolysis
- Photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production
- Fuel-cell catalysts
- Polymer composites
Teaching and Talent Development
Teaching and talent development emphasize the connection between materials science, energy technologies, and industry needs. Students are expected not only to understand material properties, catalytic reactions, and energy-conversion principles, but also to develop skills in experimental design, data analysis, system integration, and interdisciplinary communication.
Through participation in research and practice-oriented learning, students gradually develop a complete research workflow, from defining research questions and conducting experiments to analyzing results, applying technologies, and communicating outcomes.
Research Vision
Future research will continue to integrate green hydrogen, energy catalysts, polymer composites, and carbon management to develop low-carbon technologies with scientific depth, energy benefits, and industrial value. The research also aims to cultivate interdisciplinary professionals capable of integrating materials, energy, environmental knowledge, and sustainability management.