GCSE Sustainable Energy Research Introductions Zoomposium #9 Thursday 28 May 2026 12:00 to 13:00
Published: 1 May 2026
Dr Bernhard Schmidt: ‘Carbon nitride polymer hybrid materials as new avenue in photocatalysis and hydrogen production’ Dr Mingyu Zhu: 'Cold home index: From Smart Data to Health Impacts’ Dr Arjunan Subramanian: ‘Energy Transitions for Rural India: Evaluating Biochar-Enhanced Biogas for Health and Sustainability’
Speakers:
Dr Bernhard Schmidt, School of Chemistry
‘Carbon nitride polymer hybrid materials as new avenue in photocatalysis and hydrogen production’
Graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) is a promising material due to its photocatalytic properties that are exploited for various energy relevant applications. Our work focusses on combining g-CN with polymers to improve processing and colloidal properties. In the presentation, our efforts to produce these materials will be highlighted with a focus on photocatalytic hydrogels, thin films and particles with applications in waste water remediation, hydrogen generation and carbon dioxide reduction in mind.
Dr Mingyu Zhu, School of Social & Political Sciences
'Cold home index: From Smart Data to Health Impacts’
I will talk about the on-going Smart Data Research UK Fellowship work. It develops new ways to predict indoor home conditions and their health impact. The research uses existing information about energy use, building characteristics, and weather patterns to predict where problems will occur. The research is on a unique dataset from a three-way collaboration between the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex, the Urban Big Data Centre at the University of Glasgow, and the Smart Energy Research Lab at University College London.
Dr Arjunan Subramanian, Adam Smith Business School
‘Energy Transitions for Rural India: Evaluating Biochar-Enhanced Biogas for Health and Sustainability’
Many rural households in India rely on wood and dung for cooking, exposing women and children to harmful indoor smoke. Biochar-enhanced biogas offers a cleaner, more sustainable alternative by converting animal waste into renewable energy and producing nutrient-rich slurry for agriculture. As an economist based in a business school, I use experimental methods, including randomised controlled trials, to assess whether the technology improves household wellbeing, supports sustainable farming practices, and offers good value for money. The study generates evidence on how clean energy innovations can contribute to public health, climate mitigation, and rural development.
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First published: 1 May 2026
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