Combating Climate Change With Carbon Dioxide Capture And Conversion Technologies 

Koç University-Korea joint research symposium

6-7 December 2018, Koç University, Istanbul, Türkiye

Organized by:

• Koç University-Tupraş Energy Research Center (KUTEM)
• Koç University Center for Asian Studies (KUASIA)

Koç University professors, invited professors from top research universities in Korea, and R&D industry representatives will come together to present their current research and identify areas for further joint research between Türkiye and Korea in this critical topic. This two-day research symposium will provide a unique opportunity to bring together Korean and Turkish scientists, graduate students and companies interested in discussing and learning about the latest research related to the development and management of CO2 capture and conversion technologies that can also have medium and long-term industrial or commercial applications.

This event is free to attend but registration is required and will be delivered in English.

The event has been possible thanks to the support and sponsorship of:

• Consulate General of the Republic of Korea In Istanbul
• TUPRAŞ

Invited professors from Korea

	Prof. Yousung Jung, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
	Prof. Youngkook Kwon, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT)
	Prof. Wooyul Kim, Sookmyung Women’s University, Chemical and Biological Engineering Department
	Prof. Su-Il In, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)

Koç University professors

	Prof. Can Erkey, Director of Koç University TUPRAŞ Energy Research Center (KUTEM)
	Assoc. Prof. Seda Keskin Avcı, Koç University Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Director of the Nanomaterials, Energy and Molecular Modeling Research Group (NEMO)
	Assoc. Prof. Uğur Unal, Koç University Department of Chemistry, Director of Advanced Ceramics Research Laboratory
	Asst. Prof. Sarp Kaya, Koç University, Chemistry Department
	Asst. Prof. Alper Uzun, Koç University, Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, Catalysis Research Group

The topic: Climate change and CO2 capture and conversion technologies

Climate change is forcing nations to develop new technologies that reduce emissions of anthropogenic carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Moreover, countries like Korea and Türkiye have a high economic dependency on oil imports to meet internal energy demands and so find themselves needing to develop new technologies and policies to create a supply of low-cost energy from alternative sources.

These two problems can be addressed by capturing and making fuels from carbon dioxide. This idea has emerged as a very attractive proposition for governments in other countries such as the US, Japan, and the European Union. The development of these new technologies is an area where neither Türkiye nor Korea can’t be left behind.

Türkiye context

• The European Commission’s Horizon 2020 (H2020) Research and Innovation Program is giving priority to this area (artificial photosyntesis-Bioleaf, reduction of CO2 emissions, absorbants, and materials) and providing funding for research.
• There are competitions in the US and the European Union with high worth prizes to develop inventions that can convert CO2 to useful products.
• The Koç University TUPRAŞ Energy Research Center (KUTEM) has funded 6 projects in this area to date and there are 7 faculty members at the university working on this topic.
• TUPRAŞ, Türkiye’s largest oil refinery company is currently funding a project related to this topic