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IDEA

Driving Change Towards a Sustainable Future

Director's Welcome

Our journey started in 2005. Based on our rich experience and knowledge in fossil fuel conversion, the research group was established in 2006 at the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) to tackle the technological and economic challenges associated with power plant carbon management.

After almost two decades, this group has grown to be one of the nation’s most impactful research entities in the fields of carbon capture, conversion, hydrogen production and water treatment. We employ more than 30 full-time research staff who work on overcoming key obstacles to the decarbonization of energy and industrial sectors.

Read Kunlei's full message

Kunlei Liu
Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Director, IDEA
kunlei.liu@uky.edu
859-257-0293

Our Mission

Advance sustainable energy decarbonizing solutions and dynamically address practical challenges

Train the next generation of scientists and engineers in energy supply chain

Collaborate and engage with our community

Our Vision

Carbon Neutrality in Every Industry

Enhancing Sustainability

Improving efficiency and reducing carbon capture cost.

We currently focus on 5 major areas of research including carbon capture, carbon dioxide conversion and utilization, hydrogen production and direct air capture, water treatment and material recovery.

Learn about our current research

 

$109M

of Grants Awarded

 

22

Patents Granted

 

5

Technologies Licensed/Transferred

Exceeding Expectations

We have stellar records with 15 returning partners! Including 10+ years with 7 of our partners.

We are currently engaged with over 50 partners and work on a variety of projects.

Discover our partner collaborations

Experts in Our Field
Top 1% in Carbon Capture. 142 Peer-reviewed publications.

Review our publications

Pioneering Innovations
Making an impact in key areas of decarbonization with 21 U.S. patents issued.

Read about IDEA patents

Global Recognition

Learn about our involvement in international carbon capture groups and consortium.

Carbon Management Research Group
CMRG

A Collaborative Industrial-State-Federal Partnership

Learn more about CMRG

International Test Center Network
ITCN

ITCN is a global coalition of facilities working to accelerate the research and development (R&D) of carbon capture technologies.

Visit the ITCN website

International Conference on Energy and Environment
ICEE

The 3rd International Conference on Energy and Environment will be held on July 15-19, 2024 (US time).

Register for the ICEE

Image from UK IDEA Research Headquarters

PPL finalizes award for up to $72 million in federal funding from U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations

ALLENTOWN, Pa., Sept. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) announced today it has executed an agreement with the U.S. Department of En

Metal scaffolding, metal structure and a steam pipe.

UK Pigman College of Engineering recommends the formation of the Institute for Decarbonization and Energy Advancement (IDEA)

UK Pigman College of Engineering recommends the formation of the Institute for Decarbonization and Energy Advancement (IDEA)., In a changemaking move toward advancing sustainable low-carbon energy solutions, the University of Kentucky Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engine

ICEE Conference Group Photo

Global experts convene in Lexington for the 2024 International Conference on Energy and Environment

The International Conference on Energy and Environment (ICEE), now in its third year, took place from July 15 to 19, 2024, at the Lexington Griffin Ga