CBE Seminar: Diagnostics of Materials and Design in Electrochemical Devices

Abstract: Fuel cell and electrolysis technologies are key solutions to future energy sustainability. Our research efforts at UC Merced are focusing on fundamental electrochemical study for applications such as low-temperature PEM and AEM fuel cell and electrolyzer. In my presentation, I will introduce my research activities in the following four areas: 1) electrocatalytic materials and design, 2) MEA design, processing and integration, 3) fuel cell testing and characterization and 4) electrochemical cell diagnostics and modeling. In addition, I will discuss how in-situ and ex-situ diagnostics tools can be integrated into electrochemical research throughout my research career for thermal and electrochemical devices.

Bio: Po-Ya Abel Chuang is an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UC Merced. His research interests include PEMFC, AEMFC, water electrolysis, thermal management, loop heat pipe, two-phase heat transfer and fluid flow, and porous material. Chuang received his bachelor's and master's degrees in aerospace engineering from the National Cheng-Kung University in Taiwan. In 2003, he received his doctorate in mechanical engineering from Penn State University. In 2004, Chuang led research projects at Penn State as a postdoctoral scholar to study water distribution in a PEM fuel cell using neutron radiography sponsored by General Motors and Toyota Motors. Between 2005 and 2011, Chuang worked at the fuel cell laboratory at General Motors leading efforts in material development, cell integration and stack diagnostic. Between 2007 and 2011, Chuang was the team leader at GM responsible for diffusion media and membrane electrode assembly development. After 2011, he has been dedicated to his electrochemical research in academia. He has more than 50 combined journal publications and international patents and has also given more than 80 invited talks in international workshops and conferences including Gordon Fuel Cell Conference in Rhode Island, Tianda International Fuel Cell Workshop in Tianjin, Canada-U.S. Fuel Cell Modeling and Characterization Workshop in Canada, etc. Chuang has also received multiple awards including KIT International Excellence Fellow, Hellman Fellow, UC Merced Distinguished Graduate Teaching/Mentoring award and Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching award, Purdue University Discovery Park Research Fellowship, and honorary member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society and Phi-Tau-Phi Scholastic Honor Society.

Host: Plamen Atanassov