This National Science Foundation (NSF) Project Grant under the Engineering Program (CFDA 47.041) provides $124,955 in funding to the University of Massachusetts Lowell to conduct research on plasma-catalytic pyrolysis of methane to produce carbon-free hydrogen and carbon fibers. The project aims to develop an electricity-driven plasma-catalytic process using microwave excitation to enable the selective production of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier, while also creating valuable solid carbon materials as a byproduct. The research will integrate in-situ diagnostics, catalyst science, and computational modeling to understand the underlying physical phenomena and kinetics involved in this novel approach. This early-concept grant, awarded on June 15, 2024, supports interdisciplinary education and training of postdoctoral, doctoral, and undergraduate students, as well as outreach activities to promote STEM careers to underrepresented minorities. The project is expected to be completed by November 30, 2025.
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