Poster competition winners – H2FC Supergen Research Conference
Our 2020 Annual Poster Competition took place at the H2FC Supergen Research Conference on Monday 17 February 2020.
The competition was judged by Stuart Hawksworth (HSE), Graham Smith (National Physical Laboratory), Christian Walter (Sunfire), John Irvine (University of St Andrews) and Michael Hirscher (Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems). There was great contenders for the prize.
After some debate and deliberation, we are pleased to announce and congratulate our two winners, Dr Shrikant Kawale from Imperial College London and Leonidas Bekris from the University of Newcastle.
We interviewed both winners about their work.
Dr Shrikant Kawale
Dr Shrikant Kawale has been working as a postdoctoral research associate (PDRA) within the Elecrochemical Engineering Group based in department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College.
Can you explain in simple words what your poster is about?
The poster is about Robocasting 3D printing technique which is based on principles of additive manufacturing and its application in developing energy devices. Working on an EU sp
onsored Marie Curie Individual Fellowship project at Imperial I have successfully fabricated novel 3D structures of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) electrodes and electrolytes. These 3D devices demonstrate better performance over conventionally prepared planar geometries, as they mainly benefit from higher reactive surface areas, better interfaces and innovative channels for electrons, ions and gas flow.
Why is the research important now?
My work is timely and important since it enables me to re-imagine fabrication techniques for energy storage and conversion devices. Preparing innovative shaped 3D electrochemical devices like SOFCs, batteries, supercapacitor will open a new avenue of research to figure out how they can be used in a variety of applications such as portable, wearable electronics with higher energy density. It also pushes the envelope in terms of scientific advancements by providing deeper insight into their chemically active surface areas, especially at electrode-electrolyte interfaces.
What could this research lead to?
This technique can be practically applied to make devices for different applications in hydrogen storage, photovoltaics, medical industry and so on. These applications, in general, benefit from inherent higher surface areas and can help making greener, cleaner transportation that are more energy efficient.
Additive manufacturing based 3D printed Solid Oxide Fuel Cells – Shrikant Kawale, Imperial College London
Leonidas Bekris
Leonidas Bekris is a PhD Candidate at Newcastle University.
Can you explain in simple words what your poster is about?
This study focuses on the design, characterisation and testing of a new class of materials applied for methane reforming via Chemical Looping (CL) which is an attractive alternative technology that can produce hydrogen/ syngas production with high process efficiency.
Why is the research important now?
Research on the development of novel active materials and new technologies will allow us to rethink how we carry out traditional catalytic processes and enable us to produce hydrogen with higher process efficiency. This can lead to improved utilisation of resources and reduction of the carbon and energy footprint of hydrogen production.
What could this research lead to?
The outcomes of this study provide valuable insight on the performance of exsolved systems and open new possibilities for the application of redox exsolution for the design of active and robust materials and catalysts that can revolutionise a plethora of energy related applications. In addition, the development of such materials will lead to the industrial implementation of Chemical Looping where it’s advantages can be exploited for the cleaner and less energy intensive production of hydrogen.
Perovskites decorated with exsolved Ni nanoparticles applied for methane conversion to hydrogen and syngas – Leonidas Bekris, University of Nottingham