Dr Yagya Regmi
Research Fellow
My profile
Biography
I am an inorganic chemist interested in renewable energy storage and conversion. My work relates to:
- Developing advanced materials for electrochemical reactions (https://ukcatalysishub.co.uk/catalysing-green-hydrogen-generation/)
- Electrochemical device fabrication (fuel cells, electrolysers and redox flow batteries)
- Electrochemical tests using rotating disk electrodes, membrane electrode assemblies, test stations and cell stacks
- Biomass conversion to value-added platform chemicals
- Techno-economic analysis of energy technologies
At the Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre, our research group focuses on electrochemical generation of chemicals, and using fuel cells as power sources. We develop efficient and economic materials, devices and methodologies to lower the cost of energy and chemicals such as hydrogen. We investigate technologies pertaining to proton exchange membrane (PEM), anion exchange membrane (AEM) and solid oxide based membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). We also coordinate with businesses to identify applications for hydrogen and fuel cells towards achieving Net zero.
I completed my chemistry undergraduate degree in 2005 at Lyon College, Arkansas and PhD in 2015 at the University of Wyoming, United States. In Wyoming, I developed catalysts for fuel cells and electrolysers. A complete change in field took me to Knoxville, Tennessee to investigate thermochemical conversion of biomass to value added platform chemicals at the Center for Renewable Carbon. Finally, in 2018, I ventured west to work at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. At Berkeley Lab, I studied unitised regenerative fuel cells which work as both fuel cells and electrolysers, and if optimised properly, have the potential to revolutionise the energy landscape. Starting 2020, I joined the Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre and the Chemistry Department at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Expert Reviewer
EPSRC Peer Review College
United States Department of Energy Office of Basic Energy Sciences
Swiss National Science Foundation
Materials and catalysis journals (Nature energy, ACS Catalysis, ChemSusChem, Journal of Power Sources, ACS Applied Energy Materials, ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, Electrochimica Acta, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, ChemElectroChem, European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, Johnson Matthey Technology Review, MRS Proceedings)
Personal/Group website address
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=Iy5Cj1kAAAAJ
Interests and expertise
I investigate on technologies to make renewable energy affordable and sustainable. Some of the areas we have active projects are:
Green hydrogen
Catalysis
Electrochemistry
Fuel Cells
Biomass valorisation
Ceramics
Impact
- Technical expert to All-Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group (APPCCG) on the topic of hydrogen fuel cells for decarbonisation of transportation in the UK. (March – October 2020).
- Published essay with MP Alexander Stafford titled “Achieving Net Zero Emissions from the UK Transport Sector by 2050: The role of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles” as part of the APPCCG Net Zero Exchanges: Connecting policy and research for climate action.
- Technical Reviewer for the Henry Royce Institute “Materials for the Energy Transition Roadmap: Materials for low-carbon production of hydrogen and related energy carriers and chemical feedstocks”. March – July 2020.
Projects
Current projects
Hydrogen technologies for orbital propulsion (Royal Academy of Engineering)
Reducing iridium in proton exchange membrane electrolysers through catalyst and porous transport layers engineering (EPSRC, Henry Royce Institute)
Low iridium loaded anode catalysts and catalyst layers for proton exchange membrane water electrolysers (EPSRC, UK Catalysis Hub)
Precious metal free catalysts for water electrolysers (EPSRC, iCASE with Johnson Matthey)
Sonoelectrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide to valuable products (EPSRC, UK Catalysis Hub)
Sustainable fuels for heavy duty vehicles (UKRI-IUK, KTP)
Sustainable synthesis of materials for clean water and green energy applications (Royal Society)
Teaching
Why study…
Nanoparticles can be thought of as building blocks of functional materials as functional groups are for organics and biomaterials. We are starting to build up the library of nanomaterials and synthetic techniques to be able to impart unique properties on nanomaterials based heterostructures. In our lab, we try to solve present and anticipated energy problems by using devices that depend on unique properties of nanomaterials. From understanding basic reaction mechanisms to combining two or more nanoparticles, we create unique interfaces. Ultimate aim is to lower the cost of renewable energy by making electrocatalysis more efficient. Some of the questions we ask are:
- Do laws of fundamental chemical reactions such as SN1 and SN2 hold for nanostructure combination to generate unique nanoreactors?
- What is the structure-activity-stability relationship of nanomaterials and nanocomposites?
- How do structural and chemical properties change as we build heterostructures from nanoparticles?
Postgraduate teaching
Energy Materials (MSc Advanced Materials). We discuss materials that form components of fuel cells, electrolysers and other electrochemical devices. We specifically discuss materials choice for:
- Catalysts and catalyst supports (PGM and non-PGM)
- Membranes (PEM, AEM and Solide Oxide)
- Transport layers (PTL, GDL, MPL, Bipolar Plates and flow fields)
- Structural and electronic materials (End plates, current collectors, heating elements and gaskets)
Bulk Characterisation (MSc Advanced Materials). We assess physical, chemical and mechanical properties of bulk materials using X-ray diffraction, spectroscopy, chemical analysis and microscopy. The aim is to equip students with skill to fully characterise materials, surfaces and devices. We go behind the theory and instrumentation for techniques associated with:
- X-ray diffrction (XRD)
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
- Transimisson electron microscopy (TEM)
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)
- X-ray fluorescence (XRF)
- Raman
- UV-vis
- FTIR
- Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area
- Atomic force microscopy
- And others
Subject areas
Inorganic Chemistry
Supervision
Mentoring 2 PhD student and 2 Postdoctoral Research Associates (PDRAs)
Mentored 2 undergraduate students at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. (2018-2019)
Mentored 2 undergraduates, 1 graduate student and 3 visiting scholars at the University of Tennessee. (2016-2017)
Research outputs
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Reports
Kusoglu, A., Regmi, Y., Jessica, L., Danilovic, N. (2020) New Approaches to Improved PEM Fuel Cell Catalyst Layers. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States).
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Journal articles
Masnica, J.P., Sibt-e-Hassan, S., Potgieter-Vermaak, S., Regmi, Y.N., King, L.A., Tosheva, L. (2023) 'ZIF-8-derived Fe-C catalysts: relationship between structure and catalytic activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction.' Green Carbon, 1(2) pp. 160-169.
Marin, D.H., Perryman, J.T., Hubert, M.A., Lindquist, G.A., Chen, L., Aleman, A.M., Kamat, G.A., Niemann, V.A., Stevens, M.B., Regmi, Y.N., Boettcher, S.W., Nielander, A.C., Jaramillo, T.F. (2023) 'Hydrogen production with seawater-resilient bipolar membrane electrolyzers.' Joule, 7(4) pp. 765-781.
King, L.A., Regmi, Y.N. (2022) 'Precious-metal-free catalyst could afford cost-effective green hydrogen.' Chem, 8(6) pp. 1539-1540.
Fornaciari, J.C., Garg, S., Peng, X., Regmi, Y.N., Weber, A.Z., Danilovic, N. (2022) 'Performance and Durability of Proton Exchange Membrane Vapor-Fed Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cells.' Journal of Electrochemical Society, 169(5) pp. 054514-054514.
Regmi, Y.N., Tzanetopoulos, E., Zeng, G., Peng, X., Kushner, D.I., Kistler, T.A., King, L.A., Danilovic, N. (2020) 'Supported Oxygen Evolution Catalysts by Design: Toward Lower Precious Metal Loading and Improved Conductivity in Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers.' ACS Catalysis, 10(21) pp. 13125-13135.
Peng, X., Taie, Z., Liu, J., Zhang, Y., Peng, X., Regmi, Y.N., Fornaciari, J.C., Capuano, C., Binny, D., Kariuki, N., Scoot, M., Myers, D.J., Weber, A.Z., Danilovic, N. (2020) 'Hierarchical Electrode Design of Highly Efficient and Stable Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cells (URFCs) for Long-term Energy Storage.' Energy & Environmental Science, 13(12) pp. 4872-4881.
Fornaciari, J.C., Gerhardt, M.R., Zhou, J., Regmi, Y.N., Danilovic, N., Bell, A.T., Weber, A.Z. (2020) 'The Role of Water in Vapor-fed Proton-Exchange-Membrane Electrolysis.' Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 167(10) pp. 104508-104508.
Regmi, Y.N., Peng, X., Fornaciari, J.C., Wei, M., Myers, D.J., Weber, A.Z., Danilovic, N. (2020) 'A Low Temperature Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cell Realizing 60% Round Trip Efficiency and 10,000 Cycles of Durability for Energy Storage Applications.' Energy & Environmental Science, 13(7) pp. 2096-2105.
Gauthier, J.A., King, L.A., Stults, F.T., Flores, R.A., Kibsgaard, J., Regmi, Y.N., Chan, K., Jaramillo, T.F. (2019) 'Transition Metal Arsenide Catalysts for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.' The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 123(39) pp. 24007-24012.
Regmi, Y.N., Myers, D., Weber, A.Z., Danilovic, N. (2019) 'Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cells in Constant Gas and Constant Polarity Modes for Performance Optimization.' ECS Meeting Abstracts, MA2019-02(33) pp. 1468-1468.
Tzanetopoulos, E., Regmi, Y.N., Danilovic, N. (2019) 'Corrosion-Resistant Precious Metal Coated Oxide Nanoparticles As Supports for Iridium-Based Oxygen Evolution Reaction Catalysts in Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzers.' ECS Meeting Abstracts, MA2019-02(54) pp. 2308-2308.
Regmi, Y.N., Fornaciari, J., Wei, M., Myers, D., Weber, A.Z., Danilovic, N. (2019) 'Experimental Analysis of Operating Conditions of Proton Exchange Membrane Based Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cells for Efficient and Economic Energy Conversion.' ECS Meeting Abstracts, MA2019-01(29) pp. 1462-1462.
Edmunds, C.W., Mukarakate, C., Xu, M., Regmi, Y.N., Hamilton, C., Schaidle, J.A., Labbé, N., Chmely, S.C. (2019) 'Vapor-Phase Stabilization of Biomass Pyrolysis Vapors Using Mixed-Metal Oxide Catalysts.' ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 7(7) pp. 7386-7394.
Haber, H.L., Kim, P., Chmely, S.C., Lloyd, J., Regmi, Y.N., Abdoulmoumine, N., Labbé, N. (2017) 'Environmentally Friendly Process for Recovery of Wood Preservative from Used Copper Naphthenate-Treated Railroad Ties.' ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 5(11) pp. 10806-10814.
Regmi, Y.N., Roy, A., King, L.A., Cullen, D.A., Meyer, H.M., Goenaga, G.A., Zawodzinski, T.A., Labbé, N., Chmely, S.C. (2017) 'Lattice Matched Carbide–Phosphide Composites with Superior Electrocatalytic Activity and Stability.' Chemistry of Materials, 29(21) pp. 9369-9377.
Regmi, Y.N., Rogers, B.R., Labbé, N., Chmely, S.C. (2017) 'Scalable and Tunable Carbide-Phosphide Composite Catalyst System for the Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass.' ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 5(9) pp. 7751-7758.
Regmi, Y.N., Mann, J.K., McBride, J.R., Tao, J., Barnes, C.E., Labbé, N., Chmely, S.C. (2017) 'Catalytic transfer hydrogenolysis of organosolv lignin using B-containing FeNi alloyed catalysts.' Catalysis Today, 302pp. 190-195.
Stacy, J., Regmi, Y.N., Leonard, B., Fan, M. (2017) 'The recent progress and future of oxygen reduction reaction catalysis: A review.' Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 69pp. 401-414.
Stacy, J., Yost, A.J., Regmi, Y.N., Leonard, B., Chien, T.Y., Fan, M. (2017) 'A Facile Synthesis of Highly Stable Modified Carbon Nanotubes as Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalysts.' ChemistrySelect, 2(5) pp. 1932-1938.
Regmi, Y.N., Roy, A., Goenaga, G.A., McBride, J.R., Rogers, B.R., Zawodzinski, T.A., Labbé, N., Chmely, S.C. (2017) 'Electrocatalytic Activity and Stability Enhancement through Preferential Deposition of Phosphide on Carbide.' ChemCatChem, 9(6) pp. 1054-1061.
Regmi, Y.N., Wan, C., Duffee, K.D., Leonard, B.M. (2015) 'Nanocrystalline Mo2C as a Bifunctional Water Splitting Electrocatalyst.' ChemCatChem, 7(23) pp. 3911-3915.
Regmi, Y.N., Waetzig, G.R., Duffee, K.D., Schmuecker, S.M., Thode, J.M., Leonard, B.M. (2015) 'Carbides of group IVA, VA and VIA transition metals as alternative HER and ORR catalysts and support materials.' Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 3(18) pp. 10085-10091.
Wan, C., Regmi, Y.N., Leonard, B.M. (2014) 'Multiple phases of molybdenum carbide as electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction.' Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, 53(25) pp. 6407-6410.
Regmi, Y.N., Leonard, B.M. (2014) 'General synthesis method for bimetallic carbides of group VIIIA first row transition metals with molybdenum and tungsten.' Chemistry of Materials, 26(8) pp. 2609-2616.
Pace, R.D., Regmi, Y. (2006) 'The Finkelstein reaction: Quantitative reaction kinetics of an S
N 2 reaction using nonaqueous conductivity.' Journal of Chemical Education, 83(9) pp. 1344-1348. -
Non-peer reviewed articles / reviews
Regmi, Y., King, L. Importance of Catalysis for Achieving Net Zero.
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Conference papers
Regmi, Y., Lau, T., Decarolis, D., Beale, A., Ronning, M., King, L. (2023) 'Supported Iridium Catalysts for Water Electrolysers.' In 244th ECS Meeting. Gothenburg, Sweden, 8/10/2023 - 12/10/2023.
King, L., Belami, D., Jannalagadda, U., Fan, W., Kwan, J. (2023) 'Hollow TiO2 Supports for Enhanced Acidic Oxygen Evolution Activity.' In 244th ECS Meeting. Gothenburg, Sweden, 10/10/2023 - 12/10/2023.
Pan, Y., Ruan, H., Regmi, Y., Wu, B., Wang, H., Brandon, N. (2023) 'A Machine Learning Accelerated Hierarchical 3D+ 1D Model for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells.' In 244th ECS Meeting. Gothenburg, Sweden, 8/10/2023 - 12/10/2023.
Regmi, Y., Tzanetopoulos, E., Danilovic, N. (2019) 'Oxide nanoparticles coated with corrosion resistant metals as anode catalyst layer fillers in proton exchange membrane electrolyzers.' In Fall National Meeting and Exposition of the American-Chemical-Society (ACS). 258. San Diego, CA, 25/8/2019 - 29/8/2019. AMER CHEMICAL SOC,
Haber, H., Kim, P., Chmely, S., Lloyd, J., Regmi, Y., Abdoulmoumine, N., Labbe, N. (2018) 'Two-step process for recovery of copper naphthenate from end-of-life railroad ties.' In 255th National Meeting and Exposition of the American-Chemical-Society (ACS) - Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water. 255. New Orleans, LA, 18/3/2018 - 22/3/2018. AMER CHEMICAL SOC,
Rajan, K., Mann, J., Regmi, Y., Harper, D., Labbe, N., Chmely, S. (2018) 'Depolymerized lignin & acrylate-based renewable photopolymers.' In 255th National Meeting and Exposition of the American-Chemical-Society (ACS) - Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water. 255. New Orleans, LA, 18/3/2018 - 22/3/2018. AMER CHEMICAL SOC,
Regmi, Y., Leonard, B. (2017) 'Comparative electrocatalytic activities of bimetallic oxides and carbides of iron, nickel and cobalt with tungsten and molybdenum as the second transition metal.' In 253rd National Meeting of the American-Chemical-Society (ACS) on Advanced Materials, Technologies, Systems, and Processes. 253. San Francisco, CA, 2/4/2017 - 6/4/2017. AMER CHEMICAL SOC,
Regmi, Y., Leonard, B. (2016) 'Hydration dependent electrocatalytic activities of bimetallic oxides of Ni, Co and Fe.' 252. AMER CHEMICAL SOC,
Regmi, Y., Chmely, S., Labbe, N. (2016) 'Nickel phosphide and molybdenum carbide composite materials for biomass upgrading.' 252. AMER CHEMICAL SOC,
Chmely, S., Regmi, Y., Ciesielski, P. (2016) 'Depolymerization and valorization of technical lignin using Ni and Fe boride catalysts.' 252. AMER CHEMICAL SOC,
Regmi, Y. (2016) 'Biomass upgrading using water splitting electrocatalysts.' 252. AMER CHEMICAL SOC,
Regmi, Y., Wan, C., Duffee, K., Leonard, B. (2015) 'Comparative study of Fe2N type Mo2C electrocatalysts synthesized four different methods.' 249. AMER CHEMICAL SOC,
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Presentations
Regmi, Y. (2023) Role of hydrogen in Net Zero and research challenges. [Presentation] University of Oxford,10/2/2023.
Regmi, Y. (2022) Role of Fuel Cells in Sustainable Energy Landscape. [Presentation] Online,22/2/2022.
Regmi, Y. (2021) Catalysing green hydrogen generation. [Presentation] Online,25/11/2021.
Regmi, Y. (2021) Alternative Energy Storage and Conversion Technologies for Sustainable Future. [Presentation] Online,25/5/2021.