Catalyzing Material Discovery Through Electrochemical and Porosity Analysis
Abstract
The abstract is publically releasable Organic, heterogeneous, and biofilm membranes are ubiquitous materials with applications ranging from high performance matrix composites to separations membranes and battery electrolytes. These innovative constructs address many of our nationÕs critical technological challenges including defense systems, sensors, personal protection and armor, energy devices, vehicle components, and water security. This potential impact is attributed to the careful design, characterization, and modeling of the materialsÕ properties and performance. Our multifaceted research efforts are aimed at engineering novel composites that enable a nanoscale understanding of composite matrix failure modes, and designing new materials, systems, and membranes that improve the energy landscape and access to clean water; thus, developing a thorough understanding of the electrochemical and surface characteristics of these materials is critical for success. Mechanoresponsive composites, battery separators, and microbial fuel cells each requires a detailed time-resolved map of the conductivity, porosity, and topography to establish detailed structure-property-performance relationships. Moreover, analyzing the effects of environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, and submersion in aqueous solutions on model development and performance prediction requires experimental characterization tools that can perform electrochemical testing on the materials under such conditions. Therefore, improving materials for mechanoresponsive fatigue detection, battery electrolytes, sensors, and innovative energy and clean water production necessitates detailed characterization of surface features and electrochemical testing, and the information gathered will enable advanced designs of next generation materials and their implementation. We propose to acquire instrumentation for analyzing the spatial and in-plane electrochemical behavior as well as the porosity and surface area of membrane-format materials. This is a critical gap in our ability to characterize polymer matrix composites, anode- respiring bacteria, microbial fuel cells, and membranes for battery applications. This instrumentation complements our existing capabilities within the research programs supported by the ARO, AFOSR, and ONR at Arizona State University, specifically gas adsorption porosimeters, through-plane conductivity impedance spectrometers, and a variety of electrochemical characterization tools. The proposed instrumentation will be placed into The Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, the shared Adaptive Intelligent Materials & Systems (AIMS) Center characterization facility, and the Membrane and Energy Laboratory, which will enable access to all co-PIs. Graduate student researchers, undergraduate researchers, and postdoctoral fellows will have hands-on access to the instrumentation. With this instrument, future peer-reviewed publications will more accurately reflect the spatially-resolved electrochemical properties and bulk and surface features.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 16, 2018
- Source ID
- W911NF1710250
Entities
People
- Matthew D. Green
Organizations
- Arizona State University
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army