Net-zero future - Nanotech expert Prof. G.Q. Max LU explores revolutionary advances in green hydrogen

Prof. G.Q. Max LU, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom, delivered the 39^th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Functional Nanomaterials for Green Hydrogen Production and Storage” on 20 May 2025 on the PolyU campus. The lecture drew over 60 attendees in person and captivated an online audience of more than 15,900 from different countries and regions who watched the live broadcast on social media platforms.

The lecture commenced with a warm welcome by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PAIR, followed by an introduction of the speaker by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU. Prof. Lu began his presentation with a brief outline of the role of functional nanomaterials in addressing global challenges and advancing green hydrogen technologies. He highlighted the critical importance of electrodes, membranes, catalysts and photocatalysts in enhancing the efficiency and scalability of electrolysis and photocatalysis systems, as well as the significance of solid-state storage materials in overcoming challenges related to hydrogen storage and distribution, noting that some low-pressure solutions are already in use.

Still, Prof. Lu emphasised that further technological innovations are needed to reduce costs and enhance performance. He explained that green hydrogen is a valuable energy carrier; it can not only contribute to decarbonisation in the power sector, but also act as zero-emission fuel for sea, land and air freight, which is crucial for the achievement of a net-zero future by 2050. In conclusion, Prof. Lu called on the academic community to accelerate the commercialisation of new materials for the construction of cost-effective hydrogen infrastructure, and urged researchers to bridge the gap between technology R&D and practical applications.

Following the presentation was a lively question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. Chen. The audience engaged in a productive discussion with Prof. Lu, covering a wide spectrum of areas such as hydrogen energy infrastructure planning, technical safety considerations, commercialisation, and cost-effectiveness of nanotechnology for hydrogen production and storage.

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