Real-time 3D imaging for clean electrochemical energy conversion

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Reducing carbon emissions, mitigating anthropogenic climate change, and achieving geopolitical energy equality hinge on efficiently storing and generating clean power. In order to eliminate energy waste, we must store energy when it can be harnessed or produced cheaply and distribute the energy efficiently and cleanly when it is needed. Electrochemical energy conversion, through devices such as fuel cells and electrolyzers, is vital for efficiently using and distributing the world's energy resources. However, despite this progress, fuel cell and hydrogen costs still remain obstacles to their widespread adoption, and the ineffective management of heat and mass transport at the microscale and nanoscale are barriers to the next generation designs that are so vitally needed to address the global energy challenge. The proposed equipment will enable the real-time, three-dimensional X-ray imaging of operating electrochemical cells, and this will result in new insight into the microscale interactions between gases, liquids, and solids that ultimately govern the performance of clean electrochemical energy conversion technologies. This equipment will also be used to develop and characterize surface engineered polymer foam adsorbents for removal of emulsified oil from contaminated waters, such as oil sands process water or accidental oil spills. Informed by these 3D X-ray images, we will develop new materials that will allow us to maximize the impact of renewable energy sources and green materials, and thereby enable a sustainable future. The requested equipment is the Bruker SkyScan 1174 µCT. This equipment will facilitate the three-dimensional imaging of operating cells directly in our home lab throughout the year, without requiring the use of a synchrotron X-ray or neutron imaging facility (which typically comes from competitive beam time applications and 6-month to 1-year waiting times). Material-performance relationships currently represent a key knowledge gap, and the proposed research will accelerate the pace of our electrochemical cell and material development advancements. The relationships between porous materials and mass transport is vital for designing tailored materials for more efficient and cost-effective electrochemical devices and engineered materials. Through our work with this new equipment, we will deliver environmental benefits to Canadians by enabling on-demand clean energy and energy storage and economic benefits from our ongoing work with Canadian industry operating in the highly competitive, and rapidly growing, global clean energy market.