Atsushi UrakawaView profile
Professor
Prof. Atsushi Urakawa is a Full Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) . He leads the Urakawa Group , which focuses on developing sustainable heterogeneous catalytic processes with minimal environmental impact. PhD, ETH Zurich (2006) MSc, TU Delft BSc, Kyushu University, Japan His research is centered on heterogeneous catalysis , employing in situ/operando spectroscopy and reaction engineering to understand catalytic mechanisms. Key research themes include CO₂ conversion to chemicals , methane activation , hydrogen production , and environmental catalysis (NOx abatement) . The group also pioneers advanced in situ/operando tools for studying solid-gas and solid-liquid interfaces at the reactor scale. The recent publications reflect a strong focus on CO₂ hydrogenation under high pressure, design of bimetallic and supported catalysts , and mechanistic elucidation using operando techniques. The work bridges fundamental understanding with industrial sustainability. Scientific Awards: Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2016) JSPS Prize (2020) The Japan Academy Medal (2021) Advising: Prof. Urakawa supervises PhD and postdoctoral researchers, including Nat Phongprueksathat , George Tierney , and Gerben-Jan Hooijer . His group collaborates with industrial partners such as Toyota on carbon capture and reduction (CCR) projects. While specific grants are not detailed, his research is clearly supported by high-impact publications and international recognition. Labs & Teams: The Urakawa Group is embedded within the Catalysis Engineering section at TU Delft, fostering interdisciplinary research at the intersection of materials science, catalysis, and process engineering.










