This is a past event.

Materials Science and Engineering Seminar

Hanrui Su

PhD Candidate, Materials Science and Engineering
Michigan Technological University

1:25–1:45 p.m.

Abstract

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is a promising energy conversion system due to its high energy efficiency and fuel flexibility. The recent trend for SOFC development is to lower the operating temperature to minimize material degradation and enable the use of less expensive materials. The main challenges for low-temperature SOFCs with hydrocarbon fuels are the polarization losses caused by the temperature drop and carbon deposition. To solve these issues, we demonstrated a new type of fuel cell, carbonate-superstructured solid fuel cell (CSSFC), in which in situ generation of superstructured-carbonate in the porous samarium-doped ceria layer creates a unique electrolyte with ultrahigh total conductivity of 0.17 S cm^-1 at 550°C. The CSSFC achieves unprecedented high open circuit voltages (1.041 at 550°C) with methane fuel. Furthermore, the CSSFC exhibits a high peak power density of 215 mW cm^-2 with dry methane fuel at 550°C, which is higher than all reported values of electrolyte-supported SOFCs. This provides a new approach for the development of efficient solid fuel cells.

Bio

Hanrui Su started a PhD program in Environmental Engineering at MTU under the guidance of Dr. Yun Hang Hu in the fall of 2019. He received a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in environmental science and engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China in 2019 and 2016. His research focuses on environmental pollution control technology and fuel cells.