Aim for the TopUniversity Project
NationalCentralUniversity – "Environment and Energy"
Principal Investigator: LIU, Gin-Rong
I. Analysis and Evaluation of the Key Field
(1) Current Achievements and Features
Inter-university cooperation in this field involved joint research by teams from four universities in the University System of Taiwan (UST). Intra-university cooperation within National Central University (NCU) involved the Center for Space and Remote Sensing Research (CSRSR), the Research Center for Hazard Mitigation and Prevention (HMPRC), the Research Center for Adaptive Data Analysis (RCADA), the GPS Science and Application Research Center (GPSARC), the Center for Environmental Studies (ENVC), the Center for Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering (CBB), the College of Earth Sciences, the College of Engineering, the College of Science and the College of Electrical Engineering. The environmental energy research team was formed through the effective integration of the above faculties with the goal of engaging in pioneering research. The CSRSR is the only national research center in Taiwan to operate and maintain a resource satellite ground station. In the engineering domain, innovations in photo-realistic 3D digital cities and 3D spatial analysis were achieved. There was also a link to the landslide disaster database for developing risk assessment technology. In remote sensing technologies, outstanding results were achieved from the development of various technologies in atmospheric, hydrological and earth sciences as well as spatial information. The HMPRC has now mastered disaster prevention and risk assessment techniques while the Center for Bridge Engineering Research (CBER) has the most comprehensive bridge database in Taiwan. The RCADA is a relatively new organization but has already become a center for world-class research under the leadership of academician Norden E. Huang. The GPSARC manages research and planning applications for data from Formosat-3 as well as collaboration with top foreign research organizations. The ENVC successfully integrated greenhouse gas monitoring instruments into the planes of China Airlines and the ships of Evergreen Marine as part of an international greenhouse gas monitoring program. The research and education efforts of the NCU College of Earth Science encompass the space, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere and the lithosphere. It is one of the best and most unique faculties in Taiwan in terms of scale, depth, scope and ability. Earth Science has frequently published researches of the 921 Earthquake in top journals. The unique studies on earthquakesource-rupture mechanics and earthquake precursors such as ionosphere anomalies have applications in earthquake disaster prevention. Radar research in atmospheric science as well as atmosphere-ocean modeling in ocean science has produced significant results as well. Due to the support of the College of Engineering, the College of Electrical Engineering and the CBB over the past few years, the NCU Center for Energy Research (CER) has now established an exceptional research foundation and has undertaken many important National Science Technology Programs (NSTP) on energy, National Science Council (NSC) University-Industry Projects and Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) Academic Technology Development Programs (TDP). Unique world-leading research has now been carried out into clean coal technology, CO2 sequestration, transportation efficiency and energy storage, low-carbon energy sources (wind power and biomass energy), and micro grids. The NCU Lulin Observatory is currently working with the University of Hawaii on the Pan-STARRS project that will be the largest international astronomical survey project within the next few years. It is also involved with exo-planet science and exploration projects as well, giving the observatory one of the most diverse and extensive research portfolios in the international academic community. As for the field of space science, NCU has established solid foundations in various areas ranging from scientific instruments and payload development to the exploration and research of the space environment and Sun-Earth connection. Many of our research topics have established international reputation and acclaim.
(2) Current Leadership Status in Taiwan and Internationally
The NCU CSRSR is a pioneer and the leader in remote sensing in Taiwan with many outstanding accomplishments in satellite technology. It is also one of Asia-Pacific's leaders in remote sensing research. The director of the RCADA is academicianNorden Huang. Huang is an internationally renowned researcher with many world-leading research accomplishments to his name. The HMPRC's urban disaster prevention and risk evaluation technology as well as the bridge inspection technology developed by the CBER both pioneered research in Taiwan and were recognized as outstanding NSTP - Network Communications projects. In the field of earthquake science, earthquake source studies and deep drilling have produced exceptional publications on source-ruptureprocesses and earthquake precursors that have been applied in earthquake disaster prevention. Landslide and debris flow researches have now led to the best potential analysis, monitoring and damage evaluation system in Taiwan. In atmospheric science, radar research and assimilation simulation are now capable of predicting quantitative precipitation with high accuracy. In the application of Formosat data we now have an R&D capability that is up to date with the latest international developments. In ocean science, continuous improvements have been made in atmosphere-ocean interaction and marine-river pollution models. We are now one of the top UST universities and a world-class institution in terms of the number and quality of papers published, the number of patents held or issued, the breadth and depth of services and science education offered, as well as in terms of our contribution to the nation and society. In carbon reduction and energy, the NCU CER has established a solid research foundation over the past few years and secured numerous NSTP. The teams working on clean coal, CO2 capture & reuse and CO2 sequestration are all carrying out pioneering research in Taiwan. We are also a leader in high-temperature scrubbing technology for gasification power generation systems. We also work closely with the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER). In energy-saving and storage, we have solid research teams in green transportation, transportation management technology, lithium battery technology, hydrogen storage technology, energy storage materials and fuel cells. Industry-university partnerships have also been established with key industry operators in Taiwan. The NCU in particular is the only organization in Taiwan with a long history of investing in lithium battery technology and has made many important international contributions. For metal hydrogen storage, we have developed and patented the technology for mass producing high-purity hydrogen storage alloys in Taiwan and overseas. Micro grid technology will enable distributed power generation using renewable energy sources. Micro grids can also operate independently to ensure that critical applications remain unaffected by mass outages, greatly improving energy efficiency. The NCU is now the lead institution for research into national smart grid and micro grid systems. The NCU Graduate Institute of Astronomy is now the most important astronomical research institute among universities in Taiwan due to the size and number of international projects at the Lulin Observatory. Caltech is already planning to establish a close long-term partnership with NCU due to Taiwan's technological and future potential. The "Thirty Meter Telescope" (TMT) which is now planned for completion within ten yearsis to be a window of opportunity.In the field of space science, NCU has been the sole leader in space education and research in Taiwan for many years. Extensive experience and exceptional research results have been acquired in various areas ranging from space instrumentation, sounding rocket experiments, satellite missions and observations, monitoring and modeling the Earth’s plasma environment. Several of the research topics are highly competitive and internationally well-known.
(3) Important Contributions to Industry and the Social Development of the Country
Accomplishments in this domain include: the development of a unique geological and slope hazard alert system; the development of a 3D geo-information architecture for urban hazard mitigation; the development of advanced algorithms for retrieving aerosol and ocean-atmosphere parameters that has been applied to the analysis and prediction of hazardous weather systems; GPS-related research that has been applied to improve global and regional weather assimilation analysis/forecasting, enhancing the capacity for meteorological disaster prevention. Ionosphere parameters from Formosat-3 have also been used to construct a time-space model of electron density irregularities in the ionosphere to safeguard the quality of satellite communication, positioning and navigation. We set up the first mobile dual polarimetric Doppler weather radar in Taiwan that can be used for predicting regional quantitative precipitation in the field to help with disaster and flood prevention. Our research into earthquake monitoring has been very successful. Papers on earthquake source-rupture mechanics in particular have been published in Nature making us one of the leading international institutions in earthquake source research. Researches into ‘full-waveform simulation’ of strong ground motions and detailed mapping of active faults have generated the best earthquake disaster prevention data in Taiwan. The data can also be used as a basis for earthquake damage evaluation projections. Researches into earthquake precursors such as ionosphere anomalies and changes in the gravity/magnetism systems can now be used to provide better early warning for earthquakes. The completion of a comprehensive national landslide and debris flow database has enabled early warning of landslides and damage assessment. The bridge management system allows all old bridges in Taiwan to be sorted in terms of repair priority. A real-time rainfall and water level alert mechanism will also provide early warning for bridges in need of repair and be of tremendous benefit to national planning and people's livelihoods. In carbon reduction and energy technology, we are working in support of the NSTP-Energy Clean Coal Master Project. Expected contributions include the development of clean coal and carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology together with practical industry partnerships. Development is now under way on low-carbon transportation systems and corresponding energy storage technology. The development of the micro grid system along with low-carbon energy sources such as wind power and biomass-energy will be used to establish industry-university partnerships and to become the national benchmark for energy R&D. The development of carbon reduction-related industries will generate economic and industrial benefits, allow a leading carbon reduction technology center to be established and achieve international competitiveness. Important progress has been made in astronomical observation, solar system research, the analysis of scientific data from space missions and the development of scientific instrumentation. Advanced data analysis and numerical simulation is now being systematically carried out as part of astronomical research at the NCU in the Pan-STARRS project. Space science/technology is an important national policy and the NCU team plays a key role in executing the Taiwanese space program. Key contributions have been made and will continue to be made in every area from the development of space instrumentation to the execution of scientific missions and the study of solar-terrestrial interaction as well as the cultivation of talent.
(4)The Major Differences or Breakthroughs enabled by the previous phase of “Plan for DevelopingTopUniversities and ResearchCenters”
This domain was formed as a response to global climate change with environmental protection and energy development being the key fields in this phase. The foundation was based on previous accomplishments from the NCU's project phase 1 "Earth System Science and Environmental Technology" and the acquisition of large-scale facilities that were then integrated with low-carbon energy research. Key objectives were the utilization of Earth monitoring, the acquisition of environmental change and disaster prevention data as well as the development of new energy technologies to provide a basis for research into earthquakes, debris flows, extreme weather, global warming and the development of renewable energy sources. An effort was also made to achieve breakthroughs in a real-time response system for disaster prevention, homegrown energy-saving and carbon reduction technologies as well as sea-land-air interaction methods. During project phase 1, the Chelungpu Fault Drilling Project aimed to provide a complete picture of earthquake source rupture from the 921 Earthquake. Of particular importance were the establishment of control parameters used for earthquake source dynamics studies over the world. Research into ionosphere anomalies as an earthquake precursor has now been accepted by the international scientific community. Project phase 1 has not only successfully achieved a breakthrough in international cooperation by establishing close ties with many well-known international research organizations, but has also would leadto a long-term partnership with Caltech, one of the leading astronomical institutions in the US. This particular breakthrough has paved the way for Taiwanese astronomers' participation in the 30-Meter Telescope (TMT) project. In space science and technology, we have set up the first plasma chamber and photometer laboratory in Taiwan for simulating the space environment and the development of scientific payloads. Efforts to promote international cooperation have also been successful in securing the joint US-Taiwan COSMIC satellite program, a joint Taiwan-Russia satellite, and Taiwan-Japan cooperation in launching space probes.
(5)Description of the Current Status of the Existing Resources in the ResearchCenter and Allocation of All Funding Sources
The NCU CSRSR receives approximately NT$170 million in research funding each year from the NSC, the National Space Organization (NSPO), and in income from technical and data services, other cooperation programs and international cooperation. The NCU College of Earth Science, the ENVC and the GPSARC receive between NT$30 ~ 40 Million in funding each year from the NSPO to promote data applications associated with Formosat-3. The Central Weather Bureau (CWB) also provides NT$10 ~ 20 million in funding each year to promote earthquake reporting, weather radar observation and data assimilation, and development of coupled atmosphere-ocean climate models. The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) contributes NT$10 ~ 20 Million a year towards the operation of the Lulin Atmospheric Background Station as well as scientific research into Dongsha Island air quality and atmospheric monitoring. The Ministry of Interior provided NT$40 ~ 60 million for three successive years to fund continental shelf surveys establishing the national maritime border. The ITRI and Taipower have for many years provided tens of millions of dollars each year to evaluate nuclear waste disposal sites and R&D into CO2 geological sequestration technology. Central Geological Survey (CGA) has a long-term contract with the NCU to establish a landslide/debris flow database and incident model simulation to provide a model for landslide disaster prevention. The NSC provides the NCU College of Earth Science with over NT$150 million in research funding every year, with a particular emphasis on large-scale joint international projects such as the Chelungpu Fault Drilling Project (TCDP) and Taiwan Integrated Geodynamics Research (TAIGER). In energy, the main sources of funding were large-scale projects from the NSC, MOEA and industry-university cooperation. Over NT$100 million of funding was secured over the past year with NSTP-Energy providing significant resources for carbon reduction and energy research. The NCU Graduate Institute of Astronomy (ASTRO) receives approximately NT$30 million in NSC funding each year. The funds mainly goto the Lulin Observatory's 40cm and1-meter telescopes, the ALMA project, the Pan-STARRS project, the optics lab and the international planetary space exploration project team. The 2-meter telescope has received NT$95 Million in funding over 5 years. The NCU Graduate Institute of Space Science (GISS) receives on average over NT$30 million in research grants from the NSC and NSPO each year for research relating to space science and satellite payloads.
(6)Analyses of the Current Statuses of Research Centers in the Same Field and Plans for Future Development for the ResearchCenter
The NCU is the leader in environmental researches in Taiwan. Our ability to monitor the Earth's environment and research capabilities are unmatched by any other university in Taiwan. Future research developments will focus mainly on global change and new energy development as well as space/astronomical science and technology. Plans for future development: Future developments in this field will continue to build on the progress made by the NCU during project phase 1 in Earth sciences, space science and astronomy. The concept of sustainable development will also be incorporated as well. The integration of research into sustainable environments and energy will hopefully provide an in-depth understanding of the environment and help with its protection. This program will set up an integrated platform for environmental monitoring and disaster prevention technology so the carbon reduction & energy technology complement and the global change & Earth monitoring component can complement each other. On the international front, we carried out a comparison with three international teams involved in similar research: TokyoUniversity, the Tokyo Institute of Technology and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany. As TokyoUniversity is ranked very highly in the field of Earth science, its scale and R&D performance in environmental monitoring and disaster prevention can be considered a benchmark for this field. Tokyo Tech is one of the top institutions in Earth science as well, but its effort in environmental remote sensing is limited in scale so in this field we may be able to catch up quickly. Tokyo Tech also has an energy research team of around 42 researchers studying topics such as emerging energy sources (fuel cells, solar cells, biomass-energy), nuclear energy, energy systems and energy materials. Karlsruhe boasts nearly 300 researchers and scientists involved with energy and their research covers a broader range of topics such as renewable energy, nuclear fusion, nuclear safety, energy conversion efficiency and energy system analysis. The NCU team is ranked behind the Japanese and German teams in these sub-fields but they can serve as an example that we can learn from. In energy however the teams' publications in major journals show that each team has its own strengths so it may be possible to take the lead with a determined effort. As compared to other energy and environment centre, our team however has the uniqueness in the field of space/astronomical science and technology which is international well known and has the excellence in many of the scientific topics.