Towards achieving sustainable energy, a Nigerian scientist, Dr. Francis Enujekwu, is on the cusp of a groundbreaking research breakthrough that could redefine the global renewable energy field.
Enujekwus pioneering work combines the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with real-world experiments to advance hydrogen gas (H2) production, offering a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional methods.
The scientist, who is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Bioenergy and Protein Design Laboratory within the Department of Molecular and Computational Bioscience and Biotechnology at MIGAL-Galilee Research Technology Institute, Tel-Hai College in Israel, said he is focusing his research on semi-artificial photosynthetic linear electron flow in microfluidic systems for H2 fuel production. This innovative approach leverages the synergy between AI and renewable bioenergy, aiming to reduce reliance on resource-intensive laboratory trials and lower computational costs.
In a recent chat with journalists, he emphasised the transformative potential of his research, stressing that the innovative efforts will enhance technological competitiveness by excelling in science and engineering, focusing on renewable bioenergy.
He said: “The merging of AI and real-world experiments in renewable energy research pioneers sustainable advancement in H2 production, reducing reliance on resource-intensive laboratory trials and computational costs, potentially impacting research, innovation, industry, and society in the long term.”
According to him, the implications of the research are profound, with the potential to address several critical challenges facing the energy sector today, stressing that it could lead to significant advancements in energy fulfilment, waste management, and the reduction of carbon emissions, aligning with global Net Zero commitments.
He added that by fostering technological competitiveness in the renewable energy sector, his research promises to contribute significantly to the fight against climate change.
Beyond the current project, Enujekwu has made substantial contributions to the field of sustainable energy and hydrogen production. His expertise spans protein engineering, biocatalysts, and the application of AI and deep learning in energy research. He has led innovative projects as a principal investigator, designed and characterised complex experiments, and published extensively in academic journals.
He holds a Masters degree in Chemical Engineering and a PhD in Chemical and Environmental Engineering from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom.
