The goal of the Energy Systems Design Laboratory is to develop, via experimental analysis and mathematical modelling, a fundamental understanding of mass, charge, and reactive transport in mechanical and electrochemical energy systems that can minimize environmental and socio-political impact while maintaining reliability, durability, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. To achieve this goal, we use the following approach:
- fabricate and characterize, via ex-situ and in-situ testing, the energy system;
- develop mathematical models of the energy system, using fluid mechanics, mass transport in porous media, charge transport and electrochemistry;
- develop optimization formulations for the design of the energy system; and
- fabricate and test the computationally optimized energy systems.
Research on energy systems fabrication, characterization, analysis and design, such as fuel cells, electrolyzers and flywheels.
Fabrication, characterization and testing of polymer electrolyte fuel cells, characterization of porosity and pore-size distribution of porous media via mercy intrusion porosimetry, measurement of gas permeability and molecular diffusivity of porous media samples
- Automotive
- Clean technology
- Education
- Energy (renewable and fossil)
- Environmental technologies and related services
Specialized Labs and Equipment
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Name of specialized lab |
Name of equipment |
Description of function |
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Energy Systems Design Laboratory |
Quantachrome PoreMaster 33 mercury intrusion porosimeter |
Measures porosity and pore-size distribution |
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In-house gas permeabilty and diffusivity setup |
Measures gas permeability and diffusivity |
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Two fuel cell test stations (Scribner 850e Multi-Range Fuel Cell Test System ) |
Measures fuel cell performance (iV-curve), EIS and CV. |
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Potentiostat (Princeton Applied Research VersaSTAT4) |
Electrochemical applications; fuel cell development, EIS and CV. |
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Environmental chamber for test from -40C to 100C (Cincinnati Sub-Zero) |
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Private and Public Sector Research Partners
- Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation Corp.