Mechanical Engineering
Graduate Seminar
NOTICE OF 1st PhD SEMINAR PRESENTATION
CANDIDATE: Aaron Chiu
DEGREE SOUGHT: PhD
DATE: 11/6/2026
TIME: 11:30am
PLACE: Room 1101 CEI
TITLE: Microwave Plasma Reactor for Graphene and Hydrogen Production
Abstract
Hydrogen is a promising energy carrier for improving energy security and supporting the transition toward lower-carbon energy systems. Methane pyrolysis offers an alternative to conventional hydrogen production by decomposing natural gas into hydrogen and solid carbon without directly producing carbon dioxide. Producing high-value carbon nanomaterials, such as graphene, could further improve the economic viability of this process.
This seminar presents the development of a continuous-flow microwave plasma reactor for the cogeneration of hydrogen and graphene. The research focuses on understanding how plasma operating conditions and gas-phase chemistry influence hydrogen production and carbon nanomaterial inception, growth, and morphology. Particular emphasis is placed on identifying the mechanisms governing the formation of different carbon nanomaterials and their relationship to reactor operating conditions. Ultimately, this work aims to develop a fundamental understanding of these processes to support predictive modeling and the controlled production of hydrogen and high-value carbon materials.