Turning waste into opportunity

The Atlantic Zero-Emission Energy System Laboratory at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown is working on turning agricultural, forestry and other organic waste into clean fuels and chemicals, leaning on circular economy principles to help industry and communities move toward a net-zero future. Professor Yulin Hu, the lab’s principal investigator, describes how her research team can help the energy and clean tech sector tackle some of its top R&D challenges, including hydrogen production, energy materials development and environmental remediation solutions.

At what point in the clean tech process is partnering with your laboratory most valuable?

Partnering with our lab is most valuable at the stage of product testing, including testing the properties of solid, liquid and gaseous biofuels, as well as materials testing. We also have the experience and expertise to build and test prototypes. For instance, we have built a first-generation pyrolysis reactor for making biochar (a form of charcoal made from biomass waste that improves soil fertility while sequestering carbon) and activated carbon. We are currently testing the biochar in fields with the support of local farmers.

The lack of an R&D department is a problem many small and medium-sized enterprises face. Partnering with us provides companies with cost-effective access to specialized testing and prototyping facilities, enabling them to validate performance, refine designs and progress toward commercialization.

How do you set up projects so they’re practical for industry?

I set up industry-focused projects by starting with a clear understanding of the partner’s real-world challenges. I typically begin by asking detailed questions about the specific problems they are facing, what outcomes they expect and how they plan to use the results.

Once I understand their expectations, I evaluate the project against the capabilities of our research team and infrastructure: what we can realistically deliver within the timeline, what data we can generate and what level of analysis is feasible. Based on this, I draft a project scope that is technically sound, achievable and aligned with their priorities.

This approach ensures that we understand their needs and provides a clear, transparent project plan based on our capacity. This reduces the risk for the client and leads to more effective solutions to their challenges.

Tell us about a partnership where a company has used your research infrastructure to advance their goals.

We have worked with a local company specializing in clean tech since 2022. We worked together on hydrogen production using solar energy, among other projects. Recently, the company asked whether we could develop a solution to recover lithium from seawater. It wants to build and enhance the energy storage capacity of lithium batteries. We applied for a provincial grant to work on this project and are building a prototype to extract lithium from seawater. We are working together to improve the prototype and bring it to the next level. 

For a company using the Research Facilities Navigator to connect with a lab for the first time, what is the easiest way to start a productive conversation with your team?

The most effective way for a company to start a productive conversation with our team is to simply reach out. From there, we can set up a call or meeting to talk through their needs, the challenges they’re facing and what they hope to achieve. 

Clients typically begin by sharing a high-level description of their objectives, expected timeline and budget. This information allows us to evaluate feasible approaches and determine whether our facilities and expertise are suitable to the project. This initial conversation provides the company with insight into our technical capabilities and helps them assess alignment before moving forward.