Prof. Jo-Shu Chang  

Challenges and Opportunities in Microalgae-Based Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) for Producing Biofuels and Biobased Products

Jo-Shu Chang

Chair Professor and Vice President

Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung 407, Taiwan

Research Center for Smart Sustainable Circular Economy, Tunghai University, Taichung 407, Taiwan

The global industry urgently requires sustainable solutions to achieve carbon neutrality. Microalgae-based carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technology presents a promising pathway for reducing CO₂ emissions while producing biofuels - such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) - and bio-based products, including chemicals and materials. This approach leverages the unique ability of microalgae to capture CO₂ from flue gases or directly from the atmosphere, converting it into valuable biomass. Strains with high lipid or carbohydrate content enable efficient production of SAF, bioethanol, butanol, and biohydrogen, while those rich in proteins or pigments can be utilized for nutraceuticals, animal feed, food ingredients, and fertilizers. Taiwan’s favorable environmental conditions support large-scale microalgal cultivation, employing advanced photobioreactors and open-pond systems to achieve biomass yields of up to 1,000 tons per hectare annually. Despite the potential, challenges remain in reducing cultivation costs, improving strain resilience, and scaling up production. However, advancements in bioprocessing, wastewater integration, and government support are driving progress. With rising demand for SAF and continuous innovation, microalgae-based biofuels and bio-based products hold significant promise for achieving a carbon-neutral industry and economy.

Dr. Jo-Shu Chang

Vice President, Tunghai University

Chair Professor, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering

Tunghai University, Taichung 407, Taiwan

+886-4-23590121 ext. 33000 (Tel), +886-4-23509125 (Fax)

Chair Professor Emeritus, Department of Chemical Engineering

National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, TAIWAN

+886-6-2757575 ext. 62651 (Tel), +886-6-2357146 (Fax)

                                                                                  changjs@mail.ncku.edu.tw or changjs1129@gmail.com 

Educational Qualifications

· Ph.D. in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering (1993) University of California, Irvine, CA, USA

· M.S. in Chemical Engineering (1987) University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA

· B.S. in Chemical Engineering (1983) Tunghai University, Taiwan

Professional Experiences and Services

· Vice President, Tunghai University, Taiwan (Since February 1, 2022)

·     Director, Research Center for Smart Sustainable Circular Economy, Tunghai University, Taiwan (Since August 1, 2020)

·     Dean, College of Engineering, Tunghai University, Taiwan (August 1, 2019 to January 31, 2022)

·     Chair Professor, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Tunghai University, Taiwan (Since August 1, 2019)

·     Honorable Chair Professor, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan (Since 2022)

·     Honorable Chair Professor, Yuan Ze University, Taiwan (Since 2022)

·     Director, Research Center for Circular Economy, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan (January, 2018-July 2019)

·     President, Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering Society, Taiwan (2019.8-2022.7)

·     Honorable Chair Professor, Tunghai University, Taiwan (Since 2018)

·     University Chair Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan (Since January 2016)

·     Deputy Director. Research Center for Energy Technology and Strategy, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan (February 2016 to July 2019)

·     Deputy Director, Center for Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan (May 2009 to January 2015)

·     Adjunct Researcher, Metal Industries Research & Development Center (Since 2017)

·     Visiting Professor, Kobe University, Japan (2016-2018)

·     Adjunct Professor, Harbin Institute of Technology, China (Since 2012)

·     Adjunct Professor, Chongqing University, China (Since 2015)

· Distinguished Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan (Since August 2006)

· Professor, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University (Since Aug. 2001)

· Professor, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Feng Chia University, Taiwan (1998 to 2001) 

· Associate Professor, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Feng Chia University, Taiwan (1993 to 1998)

·     Executive Board, Asian Federation of Biotechnology (AFOB) (2016.10-2020.9)

·     Member of Executive committee, Taiwan Society of Biomass Energy (Since 2016\)

·     Member of Steering Committee APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Research Network for Advanced Biohydrogen Technology (Since February 2010)

·     Advisory Board member of OMEGA Global Initiative (OGI) (Since 2017)

Journal Editorial Services

· Editor, Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering (Elsevier; IF=3.185) (Since 2011)

·     Editor, Journal of the Chinese Institute of Engineers (Elsevier; IF=1.107) (Since 2020)

·     Associate Editor, Bioresource Technology (Elsevier; IF=11.889) (Since 2016)

·     Associate Editor, Biochemical Engineering Journal (Elsevier; IF=4.446) (Since 2014)

·     Associate Editor, Biotechnology for Biofuels (Springer Nature; IF= 7.670) (Since 2015)

·     Guest Editor, Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers (IF= 5.477) (2016-2017; 2021-2022; 2023-2024)

·     Guest Editor, Bioresource Technology (Elsevier; IF= 11.889) (2011, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)

·    Guest Editor, Biotechnology Journal (Wiley; IF= 5.726) (2015, 2021-2022)

· Guest Editor, Applied Energy (Elsevier; IF= 11.446) (2011-2012)

· Guest Editor, Biochemical Engineering Journal (Elsevier; IF=4.446) (2012, 2021-2022)

· Guest Editor, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (Elsevier; IF= 7.139) (2006)

· Editorial Board, Bioresource Technology (Elsevier; IF= 11.889) (Since 2011)

· Editorial Board, Enzyme and Microbial Technology (Elsevier; IF= 3.705) (Since 2007)

· Editorial Board, Biotechnology Journal (Wiley; IF=5.726) (Since 2012)

· Editorial Board, Journal Taiwan Inst. Chemical Engineers (Elsevier; IF= 5.477) (Since July 2006)

· Editorial Board, Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A (IF= 0.463) (Since 2015)

· Editorial Board, Bioengineered (Taylor and Francis; IF= 6.832) (Since 2018)

Research Interests

Biochemical Engineering, Biomass Energy and Biofuels, Biorefinery, Microalgae Biotechnology and Engineering, Environmental Biotechnology, Applied Microbiology

Honors and Awards

·     Highly Cited Researcher of Web of Science Group by Clarivate Analytics (2019, 2020, 2021)

·     World's Top 2% Scientists (Stanford University’s List) (2020-2024)

·     Ranked No. 1 in Taiwan in “Biology and Biochemistry” category by Research.com (2021-2024)

·     2024 University Sustainability Award - Outstanding Individual in University Sustainability (2024)

·     Sigma Xi member (2023)

·     Taiwan’s National Innovation Award (2019, 2020, 2022)

· MOST Future Technology Award (2019, 2020, 2022)

· Fellow, Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering Society, Taiwan (2023)

· Fellow, International Bioprocessing Association (IBA) (2018)

· Fellow, American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineers (AIMBE) (2015)

· University Chair Professor, National Cheng Kung University (Since August 2015)

· Distinguished Research Award, NSC/MOST, Taiwan (2008, 2012, 2015)

· Distinguished Professor, National Cheng Kung University (Since August 2006)

· Biotechnology/Biochemical Engineering Medal Award issued by Society of Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering, Taiwan (June 2017)

·     2016 TECO Award (2016)

·     Mr. Kai-Ying Jin Award, Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers (2016)

·     Y.Z. Hsu Chair Professor (2015)

·     K.T. Li Honor Scholar Award (2015)

·     J.D. Ho Distinguished Honor Award (2015)

·     Distinguished Engineering Professor Award, Chinese Society of Engineering (2015)

·     Startups Outstanding Award, Taiwan’s MOST Innovation & Startups Program (FITI) (2019)

·     Startups Potential Award, Taiwan’s MOST Innovation & Startups Program (FITI) (2015, 2016)

· Prof. Y-P Shi Paper Award, Taiwan Inst. of Chemical Engineers (2008)

· Professor J-D Lai Research Award, Taiwan Inst. of Chemical Engineers (2007)

·    Outstanding Scientist Award of the International Forum on Industrial Bioprocesses (2014)

·    Gold medal award, 17th Moscow International Salon of Inventions and Innovation Technologies (Archimedes) (2014)

·    INVENTO Prague 2013 Award (Modular quick extract separation method and device) (2013)

·    ASE Group Outstanding Research Professor Award (2012)

·    Outstanding Paper Award, Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers (2010)

·    Excellent Chemical Engineering Paper Award, Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers (2008)

·    Excellent Research Progress Award, National Cheng Kung University (2007)

Publications Summary

·    Over 750 SCI-indexed journal papers (including 30 ISI Hi-Ci papers)

·     Total citation (Web of Science): 48,751 times (average 64.57 times per paper)

·     Total citation (Google Scholar): 78,348 times; Total citation (Scopus): 59,078 times

·     h-index (Web of Science): 110; h-index (Google Scholar): 146; h-index (Scopus): 124

·     15 book chapters

·    50+ patents; 10+ Technical Transfers

· Published papers in high impact factor or high ranking journals, such as Energy and Environmental Science (IF= 39.714; top 1%), Progress in Energy and Combustion Science [IF= 35.339; top 1%], Trends in Biotechnology (IF= 19.536; top 5%), Biotechnology Advances (IF=17.681; top 5%), Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews (IF= 16.799; top 5%), Chemical Engineering Journal (IF= 16.744; top 5%), Water Research (IF= 13.400; top 1%), Journal of Hazardous Materials (14.224 top 2%), Green Chemistry (IF= 10.182; top 5%), Current Opinion in Biotechnology (IF= 10.279; top 5%), Applied Energy (IF=11.446; top 5%), Bioresource Technology (IF=11.889; top 5%)