The HOPE Group
The Future is Now – HydrOgen Production from the Earth’s subsurface (HOPE)
The HOPE Group · Principal Investigator
Dr. Qingwang Yuan
Associate Professor · Penn State University
Quentin E. and Louise L. Wood University Endowed Faculty Fellowship in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering
Affiliate Researcher at The Institute of Energy and the Environment (IEE)
Advancing energy science and engineering through subsurface hydrogen production, carbon mineralization, and enhanced energy recovery.
The HOPE Group · Penn State University
01 / Research Areas
Research Areas
Hydrogen production from the Earth’s subsurface is the central focus of The HOPE Group.
Carbon-zero
In-situ Hydrogen Production from Petroleum Reservoirs
- In-situ electromagnetic-assisted catalytic heating (inventor)
- In-situ combustion gasification (ISCG)
Carbon-free
Natural & Stimulated Geological Hydrogen (GeoH2) Production
- Natural hydrogen production
- Stimulated GeoH2 production from subsurface iron-rich rock formations
Carbon-negative
GeoH2 Production with CO₂ Sequestration
Hydrogen production from iron-rich rock formations coupled with CO₂ mineralization.
Energy recovery
Enhanced Geothermal and Oil Recovery
- Enhanced geothermal recovery
- Enhanced oil recovery
Carbon storage
CO₂ geological storage
CO₂ storage in subsurface formations.
02 / Professional Experience
Professional Experience
Associate Professor
- Quentin E. and Louise L. Wood University Endowed Faculty Fellowship in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering
- Affiliate Researcher at The Institute of Energy and the Environment (IEE)
Co-Founder & President
Assistant Professor
- Awarded tenure in Feb 2026 and approved for promotion to Associate Professor effective Sep 1, 2026
- George F. and Joan Watford Energy Professorship · Oct 2025 – Aug 2026
- Matejek Family Faculty Fellow · Jan 2020 – Oct 2025
Postdoctoral Fellow
Postdoctoral Fellow
Reservoir Engineer
03 / Education
Education
2015
Ph.D.
University of Calgary
2010
M.Sc.
China University of Petroleum (East China)
2007
B.Sc.
China University of Petroleum (East China)
2007
B.B.A.
China University of Petroleum (East China)
04 / Teaching
Teaching
Courses taught at Texas Tech University.
PETR 5307
Enhanced Oil Recovery
Graduate level
Spring 2020 – 2026
PETR 4324
Data Analytics in Petroleum Engineering
Undergraduate level
Fall 2020 – 2025
05 / Awards & Recognition
Awards & Recognition
Emerging Inventor of the Year
SPE Regional Reservoir Description and Dynamics Award
The Daneshy International Award for Best Invention on Energy Transition
InterPore–PoreLab Award for Young Researchers
Mitacs Award for Outstanding Innovation – Postdoctoral
Best Paper Award
Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering Graduate Award
Graduate Excellence Scholarship
Dr. Roger Butler Memorial Graduate Scholarship
Hydrogen production from the Earth’s subsurface.