An Electrochemomechanical Theory and Its Application to Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

这个项目的最终目标是了解离子固体如何对电、电化学和机械载荷的组合做出反应。为了实现这一目标，这项研究分为四个部分：(1)发展和验证离子固体中电化学反应和机械应力之间的相互作用的科学理论；(2)开发一种数值方法来求解新理论中的非线性方程；(3)更好地了解离子固体中空洞和裂纹等微观缺陷附近的电化学和热机械应力之间的耦合；以及(4)对新理论进行实验验证。离子固体通常用于制造电解液-固体氧化物燃料电池的关键成分。固体氧化物燃料电池是一种将氢气转化为电能而不会释放有害污染的电化学装置。它被认为是未来最有前途的绿色能源转换技术之一。然而，要使固体氧化物燃料电池商业化，必须充分了解电解液在机械和电化学联合载荷下的断裂失效。本课题的研究就是为了满足这种需求。除了对科学和工程做出贡献外，研究活动还将对学生的教育产生更广泛的影响。教育计划的关键方面包括将研究成果整合到现有课程中，让本科生参与工程研究，将不同学科的研究生研究联系起来，以及让代表不足的群体的学生参与工程研究。

The ultimate goal of this project is to understand how ionic solids respond to the combined electrical, electrochemical and mechanical loadings. To achieve this, the research is organized into four components: (1) to develop and validate a scientific theory that account for the interaction between electrochemical reactions and mechanical stresses in ionic solids, (2) to develop a numerical method for solving the nonlinear equations in the new theory, (3) to gain better understanding of the coupling between electrochemistry and thermomechanical stresses in ionic solids near microscopic defects such as voids and crack, and (4) to conduct experimental validation of the new theory.Ionic solids such as yttria-stabilized zirconia and gadolinium-doped ceria are commonly used to make electrolyte - a key component in solid oxide fuel cells. Solid oxide fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts hydrogen into electricity without releasing harmful pollution. It is considered as one of the most promising green energy conversion technologies of the future. However, to make solid oxide fuel cell commercially variable, fracture failure of the electrolyte under combined mechanical and electrochemical loadings must be fully understood. This research is to meet such need. Besides contributing to science and engineering, the research activities will also have a broader impact on educating students. Key aspects of the educational plan include integrating research results into existing courses, involving undergraduates in engineering research, bridging graduate research across different disciplines, and engaging students from underrepresented groups in engineering research.