Talal Ashraf recently participated in the World Sustainable Energy Days Biomass Research Conference in Wels, Austria, 28 Feb 2023-3rd March 2023. The conference was dedicated to showcasing the importance of the energy transition in securing a sustainable future for clean energy and exploring the policies, technologies and markets necessary to achieve this goal.
As a researcher for the Ebio project, Talal had the honour of presenting the challenges of working with pyrolysis liquid for electrochemical decarboxylation and the significant obstacles involved in Kolbe electrolysis. During the conference, he presented the complexity of this process and how it presents a substantial hurdle for the electrochemical decarboxylation of pyrolysis liquid.
Talal also highlighted some promising results, including using platinum and boron-doped diamond electrodes for electrochemical decarboxylation. These materials have shown great promise in overcoming the challenges associated with Kolbe/non-Kolbe electrolysis and may pave the way for more efficient and sustainable energy production in the future. Overall, the World Sustainable Energy Days Biomass Research Conference was a success, Talal comments “It was inspiring to see so many passionate researchers and policymakers working together to find new and innovative solutions to the complex challenges facing our world today. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to present my work and contribute to this important conversation. I look forward to continuing to work towards a more sustainable future for all.”