CARES Researcher Lek Hong Lim (Lex) at King’s College, Cambridge
As a researcher in the SM3 project, I work on making techno-economic assessments easier for the chemical industry to evaluate the feasibility of adopting novel processes and new technologies. Current assessments are often limited, among many other factors, by the scope of data available, a user’s experience in the field, and general assumptions.
My role in SM3 is to develop an automated process design and cost estimation workflow that can be scaled up for industrial applications beyond the laboratory environment. By reducing the guesswork needed during the stage of preliminary estimation, we can provide more accurate technical and economic analyses when comparing new technologies.
Lex (right) with a team member of the Energy Reactions and Carriers (ERC) Group in their lab at Cambridge.
Since SM3 is a research collaboration, I had the opportunity to visit the University of Cambridge for 3 weeks for an experience that has been both enriching and meaningful, professionally and personally.
During my time there, I met with Assoc. Prof. Ewa Marek, one of the principal investigators of SM3, along with her team in the Energy Reactions and Carriers (ERC) Group. It was valuable to see first-hand the processes that they are pioneering and understanding the operation and challenges at the lab-scale.
Being able to exchange ideas and approaches in person has really sharpened my understanding of how our research can move forward.
Lex exploring the ERC Group’s lab in Cambridge.
Another highlight of the trip was attending a networking event hosted by Zuzanna Kosobudzka, a PhD student in ERC. The event brought together entrepreneurs and investors, which I find to be particularly impactful considering how commercialisation can bring academic research and innovation to life. It was encouraging to see such a proactive approach to bridging research and industries.
Overall, the visit allowed me to deepen connections with our collaborators, gain new perspectives, and reflect on the broader impact of our work. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be part of a project that brings together researchers from Singapore and Cambridge to tackle important challenges in sustainable chemical engineering.
Lex’s research is supported by the National Research Foundation, Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore under its Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) programme.
