He started with a research project on catalytic materials for a water molecule separation reaction that serves hydrogen production technology.

Nguyen Duy Tam, the doctor  who carries out research on ‘technology of the future’

In this field, Iridium and Ruthenium catalysts are known to be the most efficient materials, but they are expensive.

The young doctor found a simple way to make nanoparticles for this material, which increased efficiency and reduced costs.

After that, Tam worked on vanadium redox battery project, which was also his research topic for a PhD dissertation.

Nguyen Duy Tam’s research is mostly in the fields of energy storage and conversion materials, materials that catalyze electrochemical reactions and nanostructured materials.

According to Tam, one of the biggest difficulties for renewable energy is the control and stabilization of generated energy. Electrochemical storage (mostly in batteries) is considered to be one of the most efficient solutions.

Though lithium-ion batteries have outstanding advantages in performance and energy density, they still have disadvantages in that they are incompatible with renewable energy systems - longevity, capacity upgrade capability, safety and recyclability.

Meanwhile, vanadium redox batteries can meet these requirements. By storing energy in electrolytes, they allow independent upgrade of storage capacity. Vanadium battery life is up to 25 years.

It is quiet and safe in operation, with no risk of explosion, and environmentally friendly. Notably, the possibility of re-using the main components of batteries is high, and with low costs.

The working principle of vanadium redox battery was proposed by NASA scientists in the context of the global energy crisis in 1970s.

Later, in the late 1980s, the first vanadium battery system was invented and operated by the research group headed by Professor Maria Skyllas-Kazacos of the University of New South Wales, Australia.

Since then, the number of research works on vanadium batteries has increased with the introduction of commercial vanadium battery products.

If renewable energy is considered the energy source of the future, vanadium batteries and other storage and conversion technologies are considered the key to the efficient use of that energy source.

Potential applications of vanadium batteries include stabilization of renewable energy and regulation of the electricity grid, ensuring energy security; independent energy supply systems for border areas and islands; backup power supply systems for airports, databases; power source for smart buildings; and flexible charging stations for electric vehicles.

After four years of research, Tam found a way to optimize electrolyte materials to increase life expectancy and reduce the cost of vanadium battery systems. These results have been patented and the technology is being transferred to VFlowTech – a start-up in vanadium batteries.

At present, Tam is no longer spending much research time on the topic, but is assisting the transfer of technology to Vietnam. 

Chi Mai

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