Junichi Miyamoto Hydrogen Research Award │ Kyushu University Platform of Inter/Transdisciplinary Energy Research

Following the wishes of the late Mr. Junichi Miyamoto, this scholarship is intended to contribute to developing hydrogen research at Kyushu University. The award will provide tuition fee support for students with outstanding abilities in hydrogen research who are enrolled in the doctoral and master's courses at Kyushu University and are expected to distinguish themselves as exceptional researchers in the future. The fund will enable such students to devote themselves to their research studies and contribute to the vitalization of research activities in the graduate schools of Kyushu University.

NEWS

Call for application (April 2025)

April 2025 application related documents

1. Application Guidelines (PDF)
2. Application Form (Word-file)
3. Supervisor Recommendation Form (Word-file)
4. Announcement Poster (PDF)

Application Procedures

1. Entry Form (Deadline: November 29th, 2024)
2. Submission of application documents (Deadline: December 9th, 2024)
3. Letter of recommendation (Deadline: December 9th, 2024)

2025 Award Winners

【doctor department】

Affiliation　Department of Hydrogen Energy System, Graduate School of Engineering

Name	Kojiro Sanami
Title of the Research	Optimization of Cathode Catalysts Composition for PEFC Using Pt-Ta-Co Ternary Elements
Outline of Research	Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) are expected to be applied to heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks. This study aims to improve the performance of PEFCs by focusing on the catalytic activity and durability of the cathode catalyst which is responsible for the oxygen reduction reaction. Pt-Co alloy catalysts are known for their high activity as cathode catalysts. Metal oxides such as tantalum oxide (TaOx) are expected to improve durability due to their high thermochemical stability. In this study, we aim to achieve both catalytic activity and durability by combining Pt-Co and TaOx in a “Pt-Ta-Co ternary nanocomposite catalyst”.

Affiliation　Graduate school of Engineering, Department of Hydrogen Energy Systems

Name	Ryota Ozaki
Title of the Research	Establishment of Design Guidelines for Development of Fuel-Electrode-Supported Reversible Solid Oxide Cells
Outline of Research	Reversible solid oxide cells (r-SOCs), which can reversibly switch between fuel cells for power generation and steam electrolysis cells for hydrogen production, are promising electrochemical energy devices to adjust the supply of fluctuating renewable electricity. For the development of high performance and durable r-SOCs, it is essential to evaluate the electrode performance in detail using a practical cell structure, such as fuel-electrode-supported cells. In this study, we aim to elucidate the electrode reaction mechanisms and degradation mechanisms of various electrode materials and microstructures using the fuel-electrode-supported cells. Furthermore, we aim to establish the design guidelines for high performance and durable r-SOC.

Affiliation　Department of Automotive Science, Graduate School of Integrated Frontier Sciences

Name	Kohei Sawada
Title of the Research	Particulate InGaN Photocatalyst for Highly Efficient Water Splitting
Outline of Research	Photocatalytic water splitting is expected to contribute to achieving carbon neutrality. However, hydrogen conversion efficiency is insufficient for practical uses. Recently, gallium-indium-based semiconductor have been reported as a highly efficient photocatalyst. Despite these breakthroughs, the development and detailed characterization of particulate photocatalyst derived from gallium-indium-based semiconductor remain insufficient. In this study, particulate InGaN photocatalyst synthesized using solid-state reaction or hydrothermal method, which offer high reproducibility and rely solely on low-cost equipment. Furthermore, both experimental and computational theoretical approaches employed to indicate the detailed highly efficient photocatalytic mechanism, ultimately aiming to develop a practical and highly efficient photocatalytic water splitting system

2024 Award Winners

【doctor department】

Affiliation　Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering

Name	Yuya Hayashida
Title of the Research	Innovation of Boiling Cooling Using Micro Honeycomb Porous Plate Microhoneycomb for Fuel Cell Miniaturization
Outline of Research	Fuel cells, especially fuel cell vehicles, are required to be compact. The heat generation density increases accordingly, and cooling must be performed with a smaller heat transfer area. Boiling cooling using the latent heat of evaporation of the coolant is very effective for innovation of cooling system. The use of MHPP as a heat transfer surface can improve the critical heat flux (CHF, which is the limiting value of boiling cooling) to the top level in the world. In this study, we focus on the unsteady characteristics of boiling phenomena, which have not been discussed so far, to understand the CHF mechanism and to pursue methods to further improve the boiling cooling performance.

Affiliation　Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Materials

Name	Ryushiro Funasaki
Title of the Research	Electrode overvoltage isolation in anode-supported protonconducting solid oxide fuel cells
Outline of Research	The anode-supported proton conductivity solid oxide fuel cell(PCFC) suffers from significant electrode overpotential during power generation, hindering output efficiency. The primary cause of this overpotential is electrode reactions, which can be mitigated through optimization of electrode materials and electrolyte-electrode combinations. However, due to the use of thin-film electrolytes in anode-supported PCFCs, attaching a reference electrode for isolating electrode overpotential has been challenging. Therefore, in this study, we developed a novel anode-supported PCFC with a structure allowing reference electrode attachment. By verifying the reaction kinetics of the electrodes, this innovation enables efficient exploration of electrode materials and accelerates the optimization of constituent materials in anode-supported PCFCs.

【master department】

Affiliation　Graduate school of Engineering, Department of Hydrogen Energy Systems

Name	Yohei Nagatomo
Title of the Research	Elucidation of Electrode Reaction Mechanisms and Development of Performance Prediction Model for Reversible Solid Oxide Cells (r-SOCs)
Outline of Research	Reversible solid oxide cells (r-SOCs) are expected to be a regulating force in the utilization of renewable energy, as they realize fuel cell power generation and its reverse operation, steam electrolysis, in a single device. To establish design guidelines for practical applications, a detailed understanding of the electrode reaction mechanisms and development of performance analysis and prediction methods that can comprehensively handle both modes of power generation and electrolysis are required. In this research, we systematically elucidate the electrode reaction mechanisms of r-SOCs and construct an electrode performance model based on the electrode reaction processes. Furthermore, we aim to establish an innovative method for performance analysis and prediction that can be applied under various conditions.

Affiliation　Department of Earth Resources Engineering, Graduate School for Engineering

Name	Iriguchi Rika
Title of the Research	Development of a hydrogen-producing UCG simulation model for an underground coal gasification system
Outline of Research	Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) is a technology that involves drilling wells from the surface into underground coal seams, where the coal is combusted in situ to recover combustible energy in the form of gases such as H₂, CO, and CH₄. In UCG field experiments conducted in Hokkaido, Japan, the major challenges include melting of oxidant injection pipe due to high temperatures and increasing hydrogen production. It is hypothesized that injecting water into the coal reaction zone can prevent the melting of the injection pipe exposed to high temperatures and promote the increased production of hydrogen. Therefore, in this study, the effect of water injection on the composition of the product gas and the temperature of the reaction zone is investigated using COMSOL Multiphysics. Additionally, guidelines for optimizing water injection settings are explored.

2023 Award Winners

【doctor department】

Affiliation　Graduate school of Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering

Name	Atsushi Yamamoto
Title of the Research	Investigation of the influence of catalyst layer and carbon structure for cell performance using reaction and mass transport simulation of PEFC
Outline of Research	Recently, researches of mesoporous carbon are becoming active for higher performance and lower cost of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC). But, it is still unclear which factors of the carbon structure play an important role for the performance and durability. Therefore, we will clarify the influence of the internal structure of the carbon support for cell performance and durability by extending the reaction and mass transport simulation within the catalyst layer from the catalyst layer scale to the support scale. And we will propose design guidelines of catalyst layer and carbon structures for improving performance and durability.

Affiliation　Graduate school of Engineering, Department of Hydrogen energy systems

Name	Norihiro Fukaya
Title of the Research	Development of high-durability electrolyte membranes using a model-based approach
Outline of Research	For commercial applications of fuel cells, this study will propose an efficient model for developing high-performance and high-durability materials required for the product. In addition, this method will be applied and demonstrated for high-gas-barrier electrolyte membrane (HGBM). First, the relationship between the durability and gas barrier properties of HGBM will be clarified, and a model will be developed to predict the durability of HGBM. The model will be then applied to predict the target characteristics of HGBM required for the product. Finally, a prototype of HGBM, which can meet the target, will be prepared.

Affiliation　Graduate school of Engineering, Department of Hydrogen energy systems

Name	Zulfi Al Rasyid Gautama
Title of the Research	Research on gas transport of polymer electrolytes for PEFC application
Outline of Research	Polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) is a power source that converts hydrogen into water to generate electricity. One potential use of PEFC is to decarbonize the transport sector. Especially, PEFC is suitable to power heavy-duty vehicles (HDV) due to its lighter system and quick refueling compared to Li-ion battery. However, current PEFC system still lacks the durability and performance required for HDV application. In this research, I focus on performance and durability improvement by using hydrocarbon polymers that can control the gas permeability of the polymer electrolytes in PEFC. In case of the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), high gas barrier property is required to achieve high durability. Conversely, the ionomer in the catalyst layer requires high gas permeability to enhance reactant access to the catalyst. Through this simple approach, we aim to improve the PEFC durability and performance as well as to broaden the material options for the polymer electrolytes.

【master department】

Affiliation　Graduate school of Engineering, Department of Hydrogen Energy Systems

Name	Shogo Nakamura
Title of the Research	Improvement of Fuel Cell Durability Using Metal Oxides to Suppress Chemical Degradation of Polymer Electrolyte Membranes
Outline of Research	Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) have been developed for various applications, with a strong focus on transportation and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). They are particularly applicable for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) such as trucks and buses. For effective application in HDVs, higher power output and increased durability compared to passenger vehicles will be required. In this study, we aim to clarify the mechanism of suppression of chemical degradation of the electrolyte membrane by the metal oxide and maximize the chemical durability of PEFCs. Moreover, we aim to establish design guidelines for PEFCs with necessary and sufficient durability by optimizing the chemical degradation suppression effect.

Spring Semester 2022

Affiliation　IGSES, Plasma and Quantum Science and Engineering

Name	Hikona Sakai
Title of the Research	Elucidation of turbulence-driven transport physics in hydrogen isotope plasmas through the development of measurement equipment
Outline of Research	Through developing a turbulence measurement system, a comprehensive understanding of plasma confinement by focusing on two physical phenomena in hydrogen isotope plasmas is aimed. The first is to clarify the behavior of turbulence and its contribution to transport inside the ITB (internal transport barrier), which has been reported to improve transport through experiments and simulations. Second, the interaction between macroscopic fluctuations and turbulence excited by fast ions simulating α-particles generated in a fusion reactor and their transport changes will be pursued.

Affiliation　Graduate school of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Name	WEI XUESONG
Title of the Research	Dramatic improvement of critical current density based on the analogy of boiling and water electrolysis
Outline of Research	The world’s energy consumption is increasing year by year, and renewable energy power generation has received a great deal of attention in recent years. For the demand of using the excess energy generated by renewable energy more efficiently without wasting, there is a need to develop alkaline water electrolysis, which can transform excess generated electricity into hydrogen, as a large-scale and low-cost electricity storage technology. Therefore, based on the analogy between boiling and water electrolysis, we applied the cooling method by using a honeycomb porous plate, which significantly improved boiling Critical Heat Flux to alkaline water electrolysis and improved the performance of water electrolysis. To clarify the mechanism of water electrolysis improvement from the microscale, we develop a honeycomb porous electrode creation technology with which a honeycomb porous structure can be formed by a self-organization process, then build a theoretical model based on the experimental results.

Affiliation　Graduate school of Engineering, Department of Hydrogen Energy Systems

Name	Takahiro Uemura
Title of the Research	The Determination Mechanism of Fatigue Strength of Bended Pipe for High-Pressure Hydrogen Equipment
Outline of Research	Hydrogen refueling station equips hundreds of cone-and-thread fittings for connecting pipes, which increases construction cost. In addition, periodic confirmation works to prevent screw loosening also raise the regular maintenance cost. In such a situation, the use of bended pipes is required. Although the domestic regulation limits radius of bended pipe for use in high-pressure gas, its rationale is not established. This study aims to reveal the fatigue strength of bended pipes, which can be affected by various influencing factors, e.g., residual stress, work hardening and thickness change, by means of both experiments and numerical analyses, leading to a reasonable review of the existing regulation.

Autumn Semester 2021

Affiliation　Graduate school of Engineering, Department of Hydrogen Energy Systems (Early Completion 31st Aug 2023)

Name	Masahiro Yasutake
Title of the Research	Developing Porous Transport Electrode for Low Iridium Loading and High Current Density Operation of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Water Electrolysis (PEMWE)
Outline of Research	Green hydrogen production by water electrolysis is a key technology for realizing a decarbonized society. The issue of high green hydrogen production cost is primarily due to operating expenditure and capital expenditure. PEMWE especially has a clear advantage over other water electrolysis technologies due to its ability to operate at high current density. The overall electrode area could be reduced at high current density operation, leading to an overall reduction in capital expenditure. A significantly high amount of platinum group metal (PGM) catalyst used in the anode due to rate-determining anode reaction is also another issue. The objective of this research is to therefore develop a low PGM loading anode, while realizing high performance and high current density operation for overall reduction of capital expenditure. Currently, we have developed a novel anode, which has the potential to exhibit high catalytic activity and suppress mass transport resistance at high current density operation.
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