Education

TU Delft student wins Shell Bachelor Master Prize

TU Delft electrical engineering master’s student Zaid Thanawala was awarded the 2014 Shell Bachelor Master Prize.
In a ceremony at Wageningen University and Research Center, the Indian national received the award for Best Master’s Thesis and the Public Prize for his research on hydrogen production with the use of solar light.

“It feels great to have won the Shell Master Award,” Thanawala said. “The award not only reflects on my personal achievements but also highlights the type of research activities that are being carried out at TU Delft.

Each year, Shell invites bachelor’s and master’s students from the Netherlands’ four technical universities (TU Delft, TU Eindhoven, University of Twente and Wageningen UR) to enter their research in the competition. The aim is to encourage young engineers to explore much-needed, sustainable technological solutions concerning the provision of energy, food and water. “To be able to continue to meet the future energy demand, we will need both the diversity of ideas, and the creativity and quality of innovations,” said Shell Chief Technology Officer Yuri Sebregts in an official press statement. This year, the awards committee praised Thanawala for his relevant technological contribution and his strong, innovative leadership.

Sustainable device
Focusing on the efficient storage of electricity produced by renewable resources, Thanawala developed a sustainable, silicon-based photo-electrochemical device that generates hydrogen when illuminated and immersed in water. The hydrogen can either be converted into natural gas or used as a long term, seasonal storage option. Resulting in a 12.3% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency (as opposed to the desired 10% target), Thanawala’s silicon-based solar cell is a testament to the effectiveness of using solar-based devices in hydrogen conversion.

“Personally, I am glad that my research got the credit it deserved“, says Thanawala. “ I spent a year working on my master’s thesis and to get this award means a lot to me.” Following his success, he hopes to gain relevant work experience before returning to India to start his own company and plans to focus on the development and installation of distributed renewable energy systems. 

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