Dr Michael QUAH Cheng-Guan
Chief Scientist, Energy Technology and Systems, and Principal Fellow
Phone: 6516-5360
Email: esiqcm@nus.edu.sg
Research Interests
- Advanced fuels, distributed generation, alternative energy
- Energy storage
- Strategic sustainability (environment/energy/water) planning
Short Biography
Dr. Quah has a PhD (1980), MPhil and MSc, all in chemical engineering from Yale University and a BA (magna cum laude) in chemistry and physics, from Harvard.
He worked for the for the DuPont Company from 1979 to 1999, including stints with DuPont Japan and Singapore (1990-1993). At DuPont, Dr Quah held positions in R&D, product and business development, and management. His technical work revolved around membrane technologies for reverse osmosis, gas separations, and electrochemical processes, the last area stimulating his interest in alternative energy innovations. When Dr. Quah worked for DuPont in North Carolina (1993-1999), he also served as Adjunct Professor in Chemical Engineering, at North Carolina State University. After early retirement from DuPont, he held management positions in several small commercial companies and in non-profit organizations, including a stint with the US Army.
Dr. Quah has lectured extensively in the following areas: Nafion* and perfluorinated ionomers for use in electrochemical systems (electrolysis, redox flow cells, and fuel cells), membrane separations, micro-grids, and energy / environmental sustainability.
Others (ESI Bulletin)
Micheal QUAH, "Clean, Alternative and Renewable Energy: Beyond Buzzwords and Sound-bites", 30 September 2009
Recent Presentations
Moderator & Panelist for the Session on membrane commercialisation at Technology Commercialisation Forum held from 5 to 6 March 2010.
Crafting a Technology Roadmap Towards Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability in Singapore: Beginning the Journey” organised by the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, NTU, 23 February 2010.
“Basic and the Background Information on Current/Traditional and Alternative Energy” and “Implications for ASEAN: Suggestions for a Path Forward” at the MFA-JICA JSPP21 on “Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: Warming up against Climate Change”, held from 22 Feb to 5 March 2010.
Panelist for the Session on “Global and Sustainable Energy Demands – Role of Chemical Engineers” at ChemBiotech ‘09-10, organized by the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (NUS) Graduate Students’ Association, 28 – 29 January 2010.
“Commercialising Materials in a Market Focused on Solution Sets: Ups and Downs”, NUS Enterprise Seminar, 10 December 2009.
“Excerpts from a Technology Roadmap for Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability”, joint ESI-ISEAS Seminar, 7 December 2009.
“Where should Smart Money be going? Thought Joggers for EVs” at the session on “Standards, Trends and Where the Smart Money is Investing”, Plug-in Singapore 2009, 20 November 2009.
“The New Energy Future: Technology, Efficiency, Security – What else?” at “Shell-ESI Energy Dialogue: Towards a New Energy Future – How will Technology, Efficiency and Security Shape it?”, 17 November 2009.
“Applications of Energy/Environmental Innovations in Ports and the Maritime Industry: Some Learnings from the US (Civilian and Military)” at the “Maritime Clean Energy and Environmental Technology Industry Workshop” organized by the Nanyang Executive Centre, NTU, 27 July 2009.
“Some Innovations from a Work in Progress: A Technology Roadmap for Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability”, National Sustainability Conference of NUS, 20-22 February 2009.
“US Energy Policy and Business Opportunities: Unified Utilities, Efficiency Systems and DC Networks”, joint ESI-ISEAS seminar, 19 February 2009.
“Pursuing Efficiency-driven Solutions for Environmental Sustainability”, Professional Sharing Series of Singapore Environment Institute, 11 December 2008.
“Crafting a Technology Roadmap Towards Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability in Singapore: Beginning the Journey”, ISEAS seminar, 9 December 2008.
“Why Energy Storage?”, 2008 IEEE International Conference on Sustainable Energy Technologies, 25 November 2008.
“Energy Security, Environmental Sustainability, and Economic Development: Opportunities for Island Economies” at Socio Economic & Environmental Research Institute seminar, Penang, Malaysia, 10 November 2008.
“Microgrids: Opportunities for Island Economies”, A*STAR – UK Energy Workshop, 6 November 2008.
“Some Learnings on Energy Security & Environmental Sustainability”, Asian Youth Energy Summit, 30 October 2008.