RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY
Laboratory of Renewable Energy is an advanced research lab, which focuses on both designing/exploiting novel solar sensitive/multifunctional materials and solve fundamental/technical problems in the fields of solar cells, solar fuel, biomass, hydrogen generation, hydrogen storage, and hydrogen sensor applications through developing the strategic solutions and extending the technologies developed in the lab. The vision of the lab is to advance science in the field of renewable/green energy and develop sustainable technology.
If a building becomes architecture, then it is art
(1) Study of Next Generation Photovoltaics (Dr. Bakhytzhan Baptayev)
Research Directions in Photovoltaics:
1. Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells:
(2) Designing High Solar-Sensitive Materials for Improved Photocatalytic Efficiency (Dr. Vladislav Kudrashev and Dr. Yerkin Shabdan)
Photocatalytic conversion efficiency, including hydrogen fuel generation and organic compound degradation, is low, with Solar to Hydrogen (STH) efficiency at about 3%. The goal is to reach 10% STH. Thus, developing efficient solar-sensitive materials for hydrogen fuel, sensors, and environmental remediation is essential. Proposed research in the ASEMS lab includes:
1. Enhancing Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production:
(3) Development of Hydrogen Storage Materials (Dr. Hadichahan Rafikova)
Hydrogen is an economically viable and environmentally friendly energy carrier. However, effective storage systems are crucial for its use in industry, portable energy sources, gas stations, and transportation. Hydrogen storage technology is essential for advancing hydrogen and fuel cell applications, including stationary power, portable power, and transportation. Our focus is on developing hydrogen storage materials like metal alloys, metal hydrides, MOFs, conducting polymers, and carbon-based composites by studying their physical and chemical adsorption mechanisms.
Research Goals:
(4) Biomass-Derived Value-Added Chemicals, Medicines, and Green Materials (Dr. Minavar Shaimardan)
The decline of fossil fuel reserves and their negative impacts have led to exploring sustainable alternatives. Recycling waste biomass offers a promising solution by converting it into value-added materials for medicine, cosmetics, food packaging, and polymers. Our research aims to develop new methods for creating active pharmaceutical ingredients and bio-derived polymers from biomass-derived molecules (furanics), utilizing photo-, mechano-, and flow chemistry.
(5) Materials with Multiple Functions, Membrane Technologies, and Coating Solutions (Dr. Olzat Toktarbaiuly and Dr. Jeksen Toktarbay)
We study multifunctional materials, including coatings and membranes, for applications like anti-icing, superhydrophobicity, desulfurization, and self-cleaning. Our focus is on the fundamental research, design, and fabrication of cost-effective, durable superhydrophobic anti-icing materials suitable for Kazakhstan's extreme road conditions and climate.
(6) Zwitterionic Polymers as Smart Materials for Various Applications (Dr. Munziya Abutalip)
Zwitterionic polymers, with both positive and negative charges, are notable for their biocompatibility, antifouling, and stimuli-responsive properties. Our laboratory focuses on:
(7) Nanostructured Conducting Polymers (Dana Kanzhigitova)
Nanostructured conducting polymers, such as polypyrrole (PPy), polyaniline (Pani), polythiophene (PTh), and PEDOT, combine the properties of plastics with those of metals and semiconductors. Our research focuses on a reproducible synthesis of conducting polymer nanostructures from zero-dimensional to 3D composites to address fundamental problems in hydrogen gas detection.
Research Objectives:
Research Directions in Photovoltaics:
1. Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells:
- Investigate stability and cost reduction.
- Develop competitive, efficient components.
- Design solid-state electrolytes (gel, semi-solid, solid).
- Create dye-sensitized solar-powered devices.
- Enhance efficiency and stability with new materials.
- Use varied perovskite compositions, transition metal oxide nanostructures, and cost-effective electrodes with good stability, transparency, conductivity, and flexibility.
- Improve efficiency via morphological changes, additive doping, and novel designs.
- Enhance charge separation, mobility, and flexibility through cross-linking and morphology adjustments.
(2) Designing High Solar-Sensitive Materials for Improved Photocatalytic Efficiency (Dr. Vladislav Kudrashev and Dr. Yerkin Shabdan)
Photocatalytic conversion efficiency, including hydrogen fuel generation and organic compound degradation, is low, with Solar to Hydrogen (STH) efficiency at about 3%. The goal is to reach 10% STH. Thus, developing efficient solar-sensitive materials for hydrogen fuel, sensors, and environmental remediation is essential. Proposed research in the ASEMS lab includes:
1. Enhancing Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production:
- Design solar-sensitive nanocomposites for hydrogen, hydrocarbon fuels, and ammonia production.
- Investigate charge separation and catalytic conversion in photocatalytic systems.
- Improve sensor sensitivity via photocurrent enhancement.
- Study high sensitivity, selectivity, and throughput by designing various nanocomposites and investigating their mechanisms.
- Design and synthesize solar-sensitive materials with a broad band gap.
- Combine theoretical modeling to investigate photocatalytic mechanisms.
- Develop integrated systems for low-energy consumption devices.
- Construct complete photovoltaic-energy storage systems for smart and green technologies.
(3) Development of Hydrogen Storage Materials (Dr. Hadichahan Rafikova)
Hydrogen is an economically viable and environmentally friendly energy carrier. However, effective storage systems are crucial for its use in industry, portable energy sources, gas stations, and transportation. Hydrogen storage technology is essential for advancing hydrogen and fuel cell applications, including stationary power, portable power, and transportation. Our focus is on developing hydrogen storage materials like metal alloys, metal hydrides, MOFs, conducting polymers, and carbon-based composites by studying their physical and chemical adsorption mechanisms.
Research Goals:
- Identify suitable hydrogen storage materials.
- Understand hydrogen storage mechanisms.
- Improve storage capacity.
- Enhance hydrogen release kinetics.
(4) Biomass-Derived Value-Added Chemicals, Medicines, and Green Materials (Dr. Minavar Shaimardan)
The decline of fossil fuel reserves and their negative impacts have led to exploring sustainable alternatives. Recycling waste biomass offers a promising solution by converting it into value-added materials for medicine, cosmetics, food packaging, and polymers. Our research aims to develop new methods for creating active pharmaceutical ingredients and bio-derived polymers from biomass-derived molecules (furanics), utilizing photo-, mechano-, and flow chemistry.
(5) Materials with Multiple Functions, Membrane Technologies, and Coating Solutions (Dr. Olzat Toktarbaiuly and Dr. Jeksen Toktarbay)
We study multifunctional materials, including coatings and membranes, for applications like anti-icing, superhydrophobicity, desulfurization, and self-cleaning. Our focus is on the fundamental research, design, and fabrication of cost-effective, durable superhydrophobic anti-icing materials suitable for Kazakhstan's extreme road conditions and climate.
(6) Zwitterionic Polymers as Smart Materials for Various Applications (Dr. Munziya Abutalip)
Zwitterionic polymers, with both positive and negative charges, are notable for their biocompatibility, antifouling, and stimuli-responsive properties. Our laboratory focuses on:
- Membrane Filtration:
- Enhancing water treatment, wastewater reuse, desalination, and industrial separations.
- Advancing performance and scalability of zwitterionic polymer-based membranes.
- Paraffin Inhibition:
- Developing amphiphilic polybetaines with antibacterial properties.
- Synthesizing hydrophobically modified polycarboxybetaines for unique self-assembled nanostructures and effective paraffin inhibition.
- Biomedical Applications:
- Creating self-healed hydrogels for drug delivery, wound healing, and tissue regeneration.
(7) Nanostructured Conducting Polymers (Dana Kanzhigitova)
Nanostructured conducting polymers, such as polypyrrole (PPy), polyaniline (Pani), polythiophene (PTh), and PEDOT, combine the properties of plastics with those of metals and semiconductors. Our research focuses on a reproducible synthesis of conducting polymer nanostructures from zero-dimensional to 3D composites to address fundamental problems in hydrogen gas detection.
Research Objectives:
- Synthesize Ordered Polymer Chains: Using an inorganic crystal template.
- Fabricate Various Morphologies: Create hollow nanotubes via electrospinning to enhance charge carrier mobility.
- Understand Structure-Property Correlations: Study the connection between polymer morphology and hydrogen gas sensing.
- Enhance Environmental Performance: Optimize sensitivity and morphology for different conditions.
MEMBERS
Nurxat Nuraje, PhD
Professor and Lab Head
- Olzat Toktarbaiuly, PhD
Senior Researcher
- Bakhytzhan Baptayev, PhD
Senior Researcher
- Vladislav Kudryashov, PhD
Senior Researcher
- Yerkin Shabdan, PhD
Senior Researcher
Minavar Shaimardan, PhD
Senior Researcher- Munziya Abutalip, PhD
Senior Researcher
- Khadichakhan Rafikova, PhD
Senior Researcher
- Enoch Adotey, PhDResearcher
EQUIPMENT
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