New pathways in electrochemical energy conversion

可再生能源稀少且断断续续，除了少数例外，它们只能发电。我们不能大量储存电力，而且储存或产生足够的电力来驱动长途旅行（航空、货运、海运、铁路等）是具有挑战性的。更重要的是，将任何能源转化为电力都是直截了当的，但很难将电力转化为化学品或燃料。这种不对称是我们当前能源系统的缺陷之一，必须通过下一代电化学能量转换装置来解决。******目前，电化学装置（燃料电池、电解槽）受限于反应和降解速率，以及电极界面处材料（如催化剂）的成本和可制造性。本提案将研究这些界面上的电荷、质量和热输运现象。在过去的六年中，开发了几种实验技术和平台，包括设计实验，电容测量和电化学阻抗谱。*** ***提出的研究的一个新颖方面包括将特征良好的拓扑等效电极（以补充商业材料和架构）。这种方法将物理模型与模型系统中的结构、组成和拓扑信息以及现实条件下的细胞性能联系起来。在以前的努力中，至少缺少了其中一个要素。******预期的突破包括：i)改善润湿性和毛细现象理论的新证据ii)电极结构和燃料电池功能之间的确定性联系iii)新型电化学装置的规定性设计。除燃料电池外，该研究成果还适用于电气化器、自清洁表面、液体透镜、芯片实验室系统和智能膜。******该研究计划将在电化学、氢技术、实验设计、纳米技术、热量和质量传输以及燃料电池设计等领域培养一名博士后、四名研究生和五名本科生。这些领域需要的技能可以转移到对加拿大具有战略重要性的许多行业（碳捕获和利用、能源储存和低碳运输）。

Renewable energy sources are sparse and intermittent, and with a few exceptions, they can only generate electricity. We cannot store electricity in large quantities, and it is challenging to store or generate enough electricity to power long-range travel (air, freight, marine, rail, etc.) More importantly, the conversion of any energy source intro electricity is straightforward, but is difficult to convert electricity into chemicals or fuels. This asymmetry is one of the defining deficiencies of our current energy system: one that must be resolved by the next generation of electrochemical energy conversion devices.******Currently, electrochemical devices (fuel cells, electroayzers) are limited by the reaction and degradation rates, as well as the cost and manufacturability of materials (e.g., catalysts) at electrode interfaces. The present proposal will investigate the charge-, mass-, and heat-transport phenomena at these interfaces. Several experimental techniques and platforms developed in the last six years, including designed experiments, capacitance measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.*** ***A novel aspect of the proposed research consists of incorporating well-characterized topological equivalents for electrodes (to complement commercial materials and architectures). This approach will link physical models to the structure, composition and topological information in model systems, and to cell performance under realistic conditions. At least one of these elements has been missing in previous efforts.******The expected breakthroughs include: i) new evidence to improve theories for wettability and capillary phenomena ii) deterministic links between electrode structure and fuel cell function(s), and iii) prescriptive designs for a new class of electrochemical devices. Beyond fuel cells, the research outcomes are applicable to electroayzers, self-cleaning surfaces, liquid lenses, lab-on-a-chip systems, and smart membranes.******The research program will train one postdoctoral fellow, four graduate students and five undergraduate students in the areas of electrochemistry, hydrogen technology, design of experiments, nanotechnology, heat and mass transport, and fuel cell design. These areas require skills that are transferrable to many industries in areas of strategic importance for Canada (carbon capture and utilization, energy storage, and low-carbon transportation.)