Surprising Science!
Chemistry Series:
Carbon Dioxide - Harmful or Useful?
One Degree, Many Opportunities
Carbon Dioxide - Harmful or Useful?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas. High concentrations of it will lead to harmful climate changes. Prof Jason Yeo shows how to convert CO2 to high value molecules, such as ethylene and ethanol. This transformation is achieved by using cheap copper catalysts, water and electricity, which can be generated renewably using solar panels.
Prof Yeo Boon Siang, Jason
Department of Chemistry
Prof Yeo studied Chemistry in NUS, where he received his B.Sc. (Hons) and M.Sc. degrees. He obtained his Ph.D. from ETH Zurich, and undertook postdoctoral research at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. His work focuses on developing efficient electrocatalysts for sustainable energy conversion reactions, such as the reduction of carbon dioxide to liquid fuels. Prof Yeo is also group leader of the Solar Fuels Laboratory in the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore.
One Degree, Many Opportunities
Most of us associate chemistry with a scientist in a laboratory coat, testing reactions in fancy glass test tubes. The reality is different, and more exciting. Chemistry as a discipline encompasses far more. Prof Ryan Bettens explains how studies in chemistry open the door to many career opportunities in diverse sectors.
Prof Ryan Bettens
Department of Chemistry
Prof Bettens received his B.Sc. (Hons) in Chemistry from the University of Queensland, and obtained his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Monash University. He did his postdoctoral research at ETH Zurich and Ohio State University. He was also a Research Fellow at the Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University. Prof Bettens’ work focuses on the understanding and accurate description, via computational chemistry, of inter- and intra-molecular interactions, which will ultimately be applied to the dynamics of large systems like proteins, nucleic acids and bulk matter. Prof Bettens has been awarded multiple Faculty teaching excellence awards, is on the honour roll and is a fellow of the NUS Teaching Academy.
