As the world responds to the challenge of achieving net-zero emissions, the energy transition has become a shared priority across countries. As a member of the Graduate College of Sustainability and Green Energy, Associate Professor Chia-Chieh Shen seeks to place materials science at the center of practical solutions for Taiwan's energy challenges. His research not only addresses national energy-transition needs, but is also closely connected with industrial applications. From energy storage and decarbonization to the circular economy, his work aims to develop technologies that can create practical value beyond the laboratory.
Starting with Solid-State Hydrogen Storage: Developing Key Technologies for Taiwan's Energy Transition
Professor Shen's research focuses primarily on the development of solid-state hydrogen-storage materials. As Taiwan advances toward its 2050 net-zero transition, hydrogen energy has been identified as one of the key technologies supporting renewable-energy integration, energy storage, and carbon reduction. His laboratory is working on several of the core technologies needed to support these applications.
The research team focuses on four major areas:
Hydrogen Storage
Taiwan has invested substantially in renewable energy, but the intermittent nature of renewable generation requires long-duration and high-capacity energy-storage solutions. Hydrogen offers advantages for seasonal energy storage. Solid-state hydrogen-storage technologies can achieve high storage density under relatively low-pressure conditions, which may support safer power-system dispatch and long-duration energy storage in future energy systems.
Hydrogen Purification
Blue hydrogen, green hydrogen, grey hydrogen, and industrial by-product hydrogen all require different levels of purification. Solid-state materials can make use of their reaction characteristics to improve hydrogen purity. The research also explores the potential to produce ultra-high-purity hydrogen suitable for applications such as the semiconductor industry, where extremely high purity standards may be required.
Hydrogen Transportation
Large-scale power-generation and industrial applications require reliable hydrogen transportation. Solid-state hydrogen-storage materials can operate under relatively low-pressure and low-temperature conditions, potentially enabling safer and more economical hydrogen distribution for energy companies.
Hydrogen Applications
Professor Shen's research explores applications ranging from hydrogen co-firing in power plants and industrial boilers to waste-heat recovery and the recycling of rare-earth NdFeB materials. The goal is for hydrogen technologies to move beyond storage and become integrated into factories, cities, and broader sustainability applications.
Although these research areas may appear diverse, Professor Shen emphasizes that they are connected by one core objective: to develop technologies that can meaningfully contribute to solving energy and environmental challenges.
From the Laboratory to Competition: Learning and Breaking Through Together with Students
When discussing his experience of mentoring students, Professor Shen often emphasizes the importance of persistence, discussion, and repeated validation.
In one research project, experimental results repeatedly differed from expectations. The team conducted numerous trials but was initially unable to identify the cause of the problem. Through continuous discussion and repeated verification, the issue was eventually resolved, and the resulting research led to a patent. For Professor Shen, problems are an inevitable part of research, but when the direction is sound, unexpected challenges can ultimately lead to innovative outcomes.
Beyond laboratory research, he has also guided students in energy-education projects and competitions led by the Department of Mechanical Engineering at National Central University and supported by the Ministry of Education. Students participate in the full process, from developing project ideas and building technologies to presenting their work on stage. Each challenge provides an opportunity to build both technical capability and confidence.
Professor Shen also recalls research in which his team successfully reduced the reaction temperature of a hydrogen-storage technology. The work received recognition through the Future Tech Award, becoming a memorable example of the importance of persistence and a commitment to never giving up.
A Rapidly Growing Energy Industry: Expanding Career Opportunities for Students
Professor Shen emphasizes that hydrogen-energy and solid-state hydrogen-storage technologies are expected to play important roles across a range of industries in Taiwan. Potential application areas include:
- Power companies and energy suppliers: hydrogen co-firing, hydrogen receiving terminals, and hydrogen-storage infrastructure.
- Industrial applications: improving boiler efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in response to international carbon-related requirements such as CBAM.
- Gas suppliers and the semiconductor industry: production and supply of high-purity hydrogen.
- Renewable energy and energy storage: long-duration and seasonal energy storage.
- Circular economy and materials industries: recovery and reuse of industrial by-product hydrogen, as well as recycling applications for rare-earth NdFeB materials.
He believes that future graduates will find opportunities not only in conventional industries, but also in rapidly expanding emerging energy sectors. The growth of hydrogen energy is expected to reshape many parts of the energy industry and create new demand for technically skilled professionals.
What Professor Shen Looks for in Students: Motivation, Hands-On Ability, and Collaboration
When discussing the qualities he values in students who wish to join his laboratory, Professor Shen identifies three key characteristics:
- A genuine willingness to learn —the most important starting point and the motivation for continued progress.
- A willingness to work hands-on —laboratory-based training requires students to develop skills through experimentation, processing, operation, and analysis.
- The ability to work with others —research often requires collaboration with companies, analytical facilities, administrative staff, and other research partners, making effective communication an essential skill.
Researchers need to develop the ability to work independently, while also learning how to make effective use of available resources and collaborate with others.
Moving Forward with Dedication
Professor Shen notes that one of his strongest impressions of teaching at National Central University is the combination of a spacious campus, a strong academic environment, and access to comprehensive advanced research instrumentation. Before joining NCU, some of his previous research already relied on the University's advanced instrumentation facilities. Being able to conduct research directly within this environment has therefore been particularly meaningful.
From materials characterization and structural analysis to measurements of chemical properties, advanced instrumentation can provide high-quality support for research. Professor Shen believes that this combination of facilities, technical resources, and academic collaboration can help students master technologies more effectively, deepen their research, and improve the international competitiveness of their work. He hopes to continue cultivating more students in energy research while collaborating with colleagues across different disciplines.
At the end of the interview, Professor Shen offered students a simple but meaningful message:
“Put your heart into doing things well.”
In his view, as long as students are willing to commit themselves, understand the problem, and persist through difficulties, they can gradually overcome challenges with the support of National Central University's resources and research community, and ultimately find their own path.