Day 2 :
Keynote Forum
Bin Zhu
Hubei University, China
Keynote: Semiconductor and Semiconductor-ionic materials for new generation fuel cells
Biography:
Bin Zhu, PhD, PhD Adviser to KTH Fuel cell and solar cell group Chair professor in China University of Geoscience and Hubei University appointed by Hubei 100 overseas talent program Visiting professor position appointed by Loughborough University, UK. One of the most cited scholars in China (Energy sector) for 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 (Elsevier). Guest professor for University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Tianjin University and Southeast University Coordinator for EC-China NANOCOFC (Nanocomposites for advanced fuel cell) research network.
Abstract:
Currently two research fields are strongly correlated from semiconductor and ionic materials (SIMs), semiconductor physics and ionics, which have created three in one electrolyte-free fuel cell technology and science because one SIM can integrate fuel cell all functions of anode, electrolyte and cathode. Some SIMs has shown properties as analogs of topological insulators. Semiconductor electronic band can induce ionic conducting properties and ionic defects can also make band structure changes. Therefore, the electrons and ions are strongly correlated resulting in superionic conduction and new material properties. The crosslink approaches from electrons and ions based on extensive experimental discoveries have made a strong indication for a promising research frontier: Semiconductor-ionics (Semionics). In a brief, Semionics studies the ionic properties and transport phenomena in semiconductors. It gives a new scientific thinking and idea to a combination of SIMs based on a fact: large numbers of the TMs (insulators and semi-metals) have been discovered to be compatible to the semiconductor-ionic devices, e.g. electrolyte (layer)-free fuel cell (EFFC) or semiconductor-ionic fuel cells (SIFCs). These novel functional materials and devices can be defined today as the third route of the electrochem-physical fuel-to-electricity power generation, which is between Grove 1939 electrochemical fuel cell and Watt (1776)-Siemens (1866) heat machine dynamo electro-mechanical power generation. The latter results in today industrialization and civilization but the fuel cell is still challenging for commercialization. Our route is design by Physics for the fuel-power generation by combining fuel cell advantages as a new way. The semiconductor ion properties and transport and energy band play a key role by integrating electrocatalyst function, in which Physics and Physical methodology play a central role. We are working on both theoretical approaches and experiments to develop and establish a new discipline on Semionics and SIMs for advanced energy applications.
Keynote Forum
Muhammad Afzal
KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
Keynote: Novel electrolyte-layer free fuel cell technology as an alternative of conventional fuel cell technology
Biography:
Muhammad Afzal obtained his M.Sc in Applied Physics from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden in 2013 and is continuing PhD in Energy Technology. Today he is an emerging well known scientist in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell and Electrolyte-layer Free Fuel Cell (EFFC) and Manager for Advanced Fuel Cell and Solar Cell Group at KTH under the leadership of Professor Bin Zhu. He is an international referee for International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, J. Phys Chem B & C, J. Scanning, Electrochimica Acta, Advaced Energy Materials, Journal of Power Sources, Recent Patents on Nanotechnolgy, etc and the Editorial Board Member of several International Journals. He has published more than 20 papers in refereed international journals and more than 10 contributions in conferences.
Abstract:
Energy has been one of the top challenges to the world for several decades. Energy technologies producing pollution cause global
warming and have forced the policy makers to focus on alternate energy technologies which can be environment friendly. Considering several renewable energy conversion technologies, fuel cell is one of the most efficient technologies to supply green energy for stationary and automotive applications. Among many fuel cell families, solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is very attractive because of its potential advantages including fuel flexibility and use of non-noble metals for electrode reactions. However, conventional SOFC with high operating temperatures (750-1000°C) faces problems of materials degradation, materials selection and result in high operational and capital costs. In such a situation, lowering of SOFC operational temperature has been a main objective for last two decades. To reach
this goal, materials having sufficient ionic conductivity and corresponding electrodes catalytic activities at low temperatures are required. Currently, three in one based electrolyte-layer free fuel cell (EFFC) technology has been investigated as an alternative of conventional fuel cell. Three in one is a mixture of semiconductor and ionic materials with specific combinations which can induce ion conducting properties and changes in band structure resulting in fast charge transfer and redox processes for electrochemical catalyst functions. EFFC devices have demonstrated 500-1000 mW/cm2 results below 600°C. Upper hand of new technology is that it is easy to fabricate and handle during device operation. This invention has made promising applications for new generation fuel and solar energy conversions.
Break: Networking & Refreshments 11:00-11:20 @ Foyer