Atsushi Urakawa

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.