Cambridge Centre for Carbon Reduction in Chemical Technologies (C4T)
The C4T team in Singapore represents a dynamic partnership between some of the world-leading scientists and engineers at the University of Cambridge, Nanyang Technological University, and the National University of Singapore.
C4T answers the question of how to positively contribute to Singapore’s ratification of the Paris Agreement on climate change while ensuring the country’s progress and prowess in economic, technological, environmental and social dimensions. Phase 2 was designed to leverage skilled human resources, cutting-edge scientific research, and the vibrant enterprise demonstrated in Phase 1. Phase 2 systematically investigated the raw materials, processes, and products of the local chemical industry and investigated technologies to lower the carbon footprint of this major pillar of Singapore’s economy.
The first 5 years of Phase 2 were divided into six key areas known as Interdisciplinary Research Projects until October 2023 (see italicised font below for more details). Since November 2023, C4T has entered a new phase of impact-focused projects:
| Project | PI(s) | Project Title |
| CN1 | Prof Markus KRAFT Prof Epaminondas MASTORAKOS Assoc Prof Liya YU |
Air pollutant measurements with aerial devices |
| CN2 | Asst Prof Wen LIU (Paul) Asst Prof Tej CHOKSI |
Integrated carbon capture and conversion – from fundamental understanding to hypothesis-driven synthesis of high performance dual functional materials |
| CN3 | Prof Epaminondas MASTORAKOS | Lifecycle and system-level studies of marine decarbonisation |
| CN5 | Prof Markus KRAFT Prof Rong XU |
Introducing automated derivation and synthesis of high value molecules |
| CN8 | Prof Markus KRAFT Assoc Prof Wenming YANG |
Introducing new hydrogen-rich town gas to the residential and commercial cooking sectors |
| CN9 | Prof Epaminondas MASTORAKOS Prof Markus KRAFT |
Dispersion modelling and air quality changes by switching to new marine fuels |
| CN10 | Prof Ning YAN Prof Alexei LAPKIN |
Discovery and design of low-carbon routes to functional molecules |
| CN11 | Prof Alexei LAPKIN | A database of bio-waste and bio-renewable feedstocks linked with chemical reactions prediction |
| CN12 | Prof Markus KRAFT Prof Rong XU |
Dehydrogenation of alternative liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) |
| CN13 | Prof Markus KRAFT Prof Rong XU |
Conversion of CO2 to useful chemicals |
| CN14 | Prof Epaminondas MASTORAKOS | Alternative marine fuel engine modelling |
| CN15 | Prof Adrian FISHER Asst Prof Sui ZHANG Prof Zhichuan XU (Jason) |
Advanced low carbon manufacturing technologies for localised disinfectant production, using novel electrode-membrane architectures |
| CN16 | Prof Alessandro ROMAGNOLI | Thermodynamics and process analysis of novel systems using the “cold energy” of liquid hydrogen to provide cooling needs and produce electricity |
| CN17 | Prof S VISWANATHAN | Extend internal carbon tax work to develop carbon pricing policy insights for Singapore |
| CN23 | Prof Markus KRAFT | Introducing next generation laboratory |
| CN24 | Prof Markus KRAFT | Developing the Automated Lab of the Future |
| CN25 | Dr Nicholas JOSE | An accelerated manufacturing platform for engineered nanomaterials |
| CN26 | Prof Zhichuan XU (Jason) Prof Adrian FISHER |
New electrosynthesis routes for production of organic acids, e.g., oxalic, lactic, benzoic |
C4T sits at the heart of Singapore’s global research and development hub and paves the way for a prosperous, energy-efficient, low-emission eco-city. The scientific techniques, the technologies, the toolkits and most importantly the learning gained through the programme will help assess the techno-economic role of both current (commercial) and novel (R&D stage) technology routes in decarbonising the chemicals and energy sector, whilst simultaneously enriching the talent pool in Singapore by training the next generation of scientists and engineers, supplemented with international expertise and an innovation-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem.
This research is supported by the National Research Foundation, Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore under its Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) programme.
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C4T Phase 2 IRPs:
IRP 1: Sustainable reaction engineering for carbon neutral industry
IRP 2: Electrosynthetic pathways for advanced low-carbon chemical manufacturing
IRP 3: Combustion for cleaner fuels and better catalysts
IRP 4: Better, cleaner heat usage
IRP BB: Better business – pathways to industrial decarbonisation
IRP JPS: The J-Park Simulator
