Professor Isao Domen of Shinshu University Wins Prestigious Clarivate Citation Laureate Award for Breakthrough Solar Hydrogen Technology

Professor Isao Domen, a Specially Appointed Professor at Shinshu University (Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture), has been honored with the Clarivate Citation Laureate Award for his groundbreaking work in developing a photocatalytic system that extracts hydrogen from water using solar energy. The Clarivate Citation Laureate Award is widely regarded as a precursor to the Nobel Prize, and Professor Domen is now considered a candidate for this prestigious recognition.

Professor Domen's innovation involves the development of micro-particle photocatalysts, such as those made with zinc oxide, which are fixed onto sheets to create a system capable of generating hydrogen directly from water using only sunlight. This revolutionary technology has the potential to form the foundation of a hydrogen-powered society, with applications extending to industrial material production in the future.

Currently, Professor Domen’s research team is planning to build a large-scale demonstration system spanning approximately 5,000 square meters in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, by 2026. Commenting on his progress, Professor Domen remarked, "We’ve reached what feels like the 5th or 6th station on this journey. Moving forward, we will strengthen collaborations with industry to accelerate research and development for practical implementation."

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Source: The Nikkei, “Professor Isao Domen of Shinshu University Wins Clarivate Citation Laureate Award for Solar Hydrogen Technology” (September 30, 2024)