Hosted by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) in collaboration with the South African Institution of Chemical Engineers (SAIChE), South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE), South African Academy of Engineering (SAAE), and the University of Johannesburg, this webinar will explore how atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology is revolutionising green hydrogen production and storage — and what this means for South Africa’s energy future.
“Atomic Layer Deposition and Green Hydrogen: Powering South Africa’s Energy Future”
The keynote presentation will be delivered by Prof Tien-Chien Jen, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Science at the University of Johannesburg and SARChI Chair for Green Hydrogen.
We would greatly appreciate it if you could share this invitation with your professional networks, colleagues, and students.
We look forward to your participation in what promises to be an insightful and impactful discussion.
BACKGROUND
The advancement of green hydrogen presents a technological revolution in clean energy and a transformative opportunity for South Africa’s economic development. This webinar will discuss the role of advanced materials—specifically those enabled by atomic layer deposition (ALD) —in helping to overcome barriers to hydrogen storage and generation. Through nanoscale engineering, ALD offers precise control of material properties, enhancing efficiency and durability in hydrogen systems. The presentation will also discuss some of these scientific advances within South Africa’s broader socio-economic context, examining how green hydrogen can help to stimulate new industries, create jobs, and support the sustainable growth of South Africa. The ability to link fundamental research to national priorities will illustrate how material innovations can unlock the full potential of South Africa’s hydrogen economy.
About Prof Tien-Chien Jen (University of Johannesburg)
Prof Jen is a B1 NRF-rated scholar with a Scopus h-index of 44 and over 8,400 citations and a Google Scholar h-index of 54 and over 12,500 citations, highlighting his standing as a researcher known for substantial contributions and he has also published in high-impact journals, such as the Chemical Review in 2024, with an impact factor of 55.8. Prof Jen is the head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Science at the University and is the SARChI Chair for Green Hydrogen in South Africa. Prof Jen exemplifies sustained research excellence and prolific productivity through his leadership of multiple high-impact research centres at UJ, including the ALD and Manufacturing Research Centres. His research portfolio - which encompasses atomic layer deposition, nano-fabrication, renewable energy systems, and advanced thermal-analysis manufacturing - has yielded over 700 peer-reviewed outputs, including 400 journal articles and 10 books. His success is further reinforced by substantial international grants, NRF-backed investments in advanced laboratory infrastructure, and the establishment of a Joint Research Centre with Nanjing Tech University, all of which have catalysed a dynamic, collaborative research ecosystem. Prof Jen's status as an ASME Fellow and Academician of ASSAf underscores the global and national impact of his contributions, confirming his capacity to produce consistently high volumes of influential scholarship.
