On 8–9 December 2025, Hub Net Zero hosted faculty members from Kyushu University led by Prof. Dr. Tatsumi Ishihara for a two-day project meeting in Thailand to advance the collaborative research project, “Integration of High-Purity Biohydrogen Production Processes for FCEV Utilization.” The project is co-led by Assoc. Prof. Miki Ainada of the Faculty of Engineering and the International Institute for Carbon Neutral Energy Research and Prof. Dr. Navadol Laosiripojana, Director of the Joint Graduate School of Sustainable Energy and Environment (JGSEE), King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT).
Hub Net Zero facilitates this research project with active participation from KMUTT, the National Energy Technology Center (ENTEC), and the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), both under the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA).
The project focuses on creating a bio-photocatalytic system that produces hydrogen from sunlight by combining inorganic photocatalysts with enzymes. The Thai team explores using lignin and other biowaste to support enzyme production, while also studying hydrogen production in dark reactions. Japanese researchers work to improve bio-photocatalyst performance using oxynitrides and other materials.
The research is jointly funded by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and Thailand’s Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMUB). This partnership is supported under NEXUS, JST’s framework for strengthening long-term, innovation-driven collaboration between Japan and ASEAN.
The visit program started on 8 December at Thailand Science Park, where researchers from both countries met to review progress and plan upcoming milestones, followed by laboratory visits at ENTEC and BIOTEC. Dr. Sumittra Charojrochkul, Executive Director of ENTEC, and Prof. Dr. Navadol Laosiripojana, Manager of Hub Net Zero, welcomed the delegation.
On 9 December, the delegation visited research labs at KMUTT Bangkhuntien Campus, hosted by Dr. Annop Nopharatana, Vice President Bangkhuntien, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chakrit Tachaapaikoon, Deputy Director of the Pilot Plant Development and Training Institute (PDTI). The visit included tours of the Waste Utilization and Management Laboratory — a joint facility of BIOTEC-NSTDA and PDTI-KMUTT — as well as the Center of Excellence in Enzyme Technology and Microbial Utilization and the Advanced Fuel Processing Laboratory.
