Title: Engineering Porous Materials for Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage.

Speaker: Antoni Forner-Cuenca (TU/e, Dept. of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, group Electrochemical Porous Materials & Interfaces, group Membrane Materials & Processes)
Time: Jan.23, 2020, 10:00–11:00
Location: Differ, Alexander-zaal

Abstract | Electrochemical processes are poised to play a pivotal role in the evolving global power system because the efficient interconversion of electrical and chemical energy can enable the development of green technologies that support the decarbonization of the electric grid, power the automotive fleet, and offer new opportunities for chemical manufacturing. Porous materials (e.g. electrodes) are central to advanced electrochemical systems as they are responsible for multiple critical functions in the cell related to thermodynamics, kinetics, and transport. They provide surfaces for electrochemical reactions, conduct electrons and heat, and distribute fluids. Thus, their design governs the performance, durability, and consequently, the cost of these systems. In this seminar, I will present my recent research efforts to develop advanced porous materials for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) and redox flow batteries (RFBs). First, I will discuss the fabrication, characterization, and performance of novel gas diffusion layer materials with patterned wettability to optimize the water and gas transport in PEFCs. Then, I will discuss my current efforts to develop advanced electrodes for nonaqueous RFB through understanding the role of electrode microstructure and surface chemistry.

Bio | Dr. Antoni (Toni) Forner-Cuenca recently started his appointment as Assistant Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology. Prior to that, Toni was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology under Prof. Fikile R. Brushett, where he focused on developing advanced porous electrodes for redox flow batteries. Toni received his Ph.D. from ETH Zürich (Switzerland) in 2016 where he worked with Dr. Pierre Boillat and Prof. Thomas J. Schmidt on developing novel gas diffusion layers with patterned wettability for advanced water management strategies in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Toni has been the recipient of the ETH Zurich Medal 2017, the Electrochemical Society Energy Technology Graduate Student Award 2017, and the Swiss National Science Foundational Postdoctoral Mobility Fellowship.

The CCER seminars are aimed at researchers interested in computational approaches to (energy) research. The seminar is small-scale, typically 15 participants, and interactive, offering lots of room for discussion. If you don't have access to the DIFFER building but would like to attend, just This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Title: Fusion plasma turbulence simulation with neural network surrogate models

Speaker: Jonathan Citrin (DIFFER)
Time: Dec. 19, 2019, 10:00–11:00
Location: Differ, Alexander-zaal

Abstract
Plasma energy losses due to turbulent transport is one of the limiting factors for achieving viable fusion energy. Reactor design and plasma scenario optimisation demands both accurate and tractable predictive turbulence calculations.

Title: Modelling plasma and neutral gas dynamics in tokamak divertors and linear divertor simulators

Speaker: Egbert Westerhof (DIFFER)
Time: Nov 28, 2019, 10:00–11:00
Location: Differ, Alexander-zaal

Abstract
In any fusion energy reactor the hot plasma from the core of the reactor, where the fusion reactions occur, must be cooled down before it comes into contact with the reactor wall. In a magnetic confinement fusion reactor like a tokamak, the plasma flowing along the magnetic field lines outside the so-called ‘last-closed-flux-surface’ is diverted towards target plates well separated from the main plasma. Such a magnetic topology is called a divertor and allows to localize the plasma material interaction to a region where it can be controlled in order to prevent wall materials from entering the core plasma. In this presentation I will address the modelling of the plasma and neutral gas dynamics in tokamak divertors and in linear divertor simulators. I will present some of the main research and development issues that are being addressed for the design of a viable fusion energy reactor.

The CCER seminars are aimed at researchers interested in computational approaches to (energy) research. The seminar is small-scale, typically 15 participants, and interactive, offering lots of room for discussion. If you don't have access to the DIFFER building but would like to attend, just This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Title: More of the old and on with the new
Two experimental indicators from Shell for future energy computational research

Speaker: Mike Golombok (Shell, TU/e-ME)
Time: Nov 21, 2019, 10:00–11:00
Location: Differ, Alexander-zaal

Abstract
Numerical work normally models hypotheses and makes predictions which can be experimentally tested. In this seminar I will present two Shell projects where experimental observations suggest industrial potential and where computational modelling would help focus these observations on practical implementation for issues such as scale-up and process control. These examples are taken from the ‘old’ hydrocarbon and ‘new’ energy transition worlds.

Old world: Mobilising heavy oils
I will discuss the use of near critical water to crack and reduce viscosity of both ‘old’ bituminous oils and ‘young’ not yet ‘cooked’ oils. I will describe how modelling here will greatly reduce the requirement for unwieldy experimentation.

New world: Metal powders
These represent a new dense energy candidate for addressing problems of intermittency and storage when using renewable energy. Their implementation in existing infrastructure however, requires considerable reverse engineering of properties of a fuel which are completely unknown for the purposes of extended continuous burning.

Mike Golombok comes from Scotland. He has a BSc from University of Glasgow and a PhD from University of Toronto. He joined Shell in 1985. He did 15 years in refining and chemicals, 18 years in exploration and production and is currently in New Energy. Since 2006 he is a part-time professor at TU Eindhoven in mechanical engineering.

The CCER seminars are aimed at researchers interested in computational approaches to (energy) research. The seminar is small-scale, typically 15 participants, and interactive, offering lots of room for discussion. If you don't have access to the DIFFER building but would like to attend, just This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..