Multidisciplinary research into linking renewable energy with utilising atmospheric carbon dioxide and with water desalination
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Surrey
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
The applicant is an experienced energy researcher with particular expertise in polymer electrolytes and fuel cell testing using combined d.c. and a.c. electrochemical methods. He has made a major contribution to the establishment of enviable facilities at Surrey for energy research. The anion-exchange ionomers and membranes developed by the applicant have led to a significant increase in the (international) profile of anion-exchange membrane based energy systems. Important breakthroughs include novel alkaline polymers (membranes and ionomers) with high ionic conductivities (some developments deemed highly significant and led to the filing of a Patent). The applicant will use this opportunity to develop a broad range of interrelated disruptive technologies, to establish a focused portfolio of protected intellectual property and to further stimulate team-working between local, national, and international researchers in the associated fields; this is to draw together complimentary strands in disparate areas in a coherent manner where the commonalities are not readily obvious (a step-change move away from research that is targeted on a limited area).The proposed research (managed risk profile) is focused at the highlighted research theme of Energy (renewable generation) and fully addresses the training and supply of skilled people agenda. The background research will be to continue development of novel materials (including polymer electrolyte materials, ionomers and hybrid proton-/anion- membrane systems) for clean energy generation and storage (e.g. fuel cells and redox flow batteries). However, the principal aim of the Fellowship is to extend the above technologies and link them to water technologies and the utilisation of atmospheric CO2 [this latter is highly speculative but will address the grand challenge of utilising CO2 in synthesis and transforming the chemicals industry].The first specific work package will be to investigate low temperature metal-free carbonate-conducting anion-exchange membrane systems: Utilisation of these carbonate-containing AAEMs in fuel cells with hydrogen fuelled anodes and air/CO2 mixed feed cathodes can set up a carbonate cycle, where the CO2 is effectively pumped from the cathode to the anode to form a potentially useful carbon dioxide/hydrogen mixture for chemical synthesis [with concomitant generation of electricity]. This approach has a high impact potential, that is timely due to the only recently developed (by the applicant) high performance anion-exchange ionomeric materials; it is initially aimed at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1 - 4 in the innovation pipeline. The second specific research focus (targeted at TRLs 1 - 5) is to directly link energy technologies (biological and chemical) to water technologies by: (1) extending the biological fuel cell technologies and knowledge being developed in the Supergen programme [led by Surrey] to self powering desalination systems; and (2) by applying current membranes to, and developing new biofouling resistant electrolyte membranes for, reverse electrodialysis systems. The first involves three chamber cells containing both anion- and cation-exchange systems that can be used for desalination of aqueous salt solutions using biological catalysts and organic waste water streams to self power the systems and where the waste water is also treated with potentially zero grid electricity consumption. The second involves reverse electrodialysis where gradients in salinity are directly utilised to generate renewable electricity (i.e. UK electricity potential where river, brackish and sea waters meet).The research will also benefit from already established UK-China collaborations (resulting from an EPSRC funded Interact grant in 2006) and a newly established cross-disciplinary collaboration with the Department of Physics at the Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur, India.
Planned Impact
A direct output of the proposed programme (4 - 5 year window) will be highly skilled researchers who will have developed multidisciplinary skills and will have experienced a broad range of technological fields that are important to the building of sustainable societies. The above assists towards the assurance of the trained people pipeline needed to service the highly skilled, high technology jobs required by the below industries; the broader energy and environmental sectors are predicted to generate a large number of jobs in the medium - long term. Commercial beneficiaries of the research (wealth generation in 2 - 25 years) will be companies in the UK and worldwide in, or part of the supply chain for, the distributed and centralised energy, water, carbon capture and waste treatment sectors. More specifically, in the 5 - 10 year window, UK industry will directly benefit if the outcomes of the research lead to more developed and focussed academic-industry collaborations (Technology Strategy Board / Knowledge Transfer Partnerships -> Energy Technology Institute / Carbon Trust). On successful commercialisation, society will ultimately benefit (25 - 50 year longer term), as breakthroughs in the proposed technology sectors will have positive impacts on quality of life and energy security. The research programme will introduce a new collaboration with AirFuel Synthesis Ltd, over and above established collaborations associated with the applicant's current research consortia (including Supergen) and programmes. The applicant is well renowned for the development of electrochemical systems containing anion-exchange polymer electrolytes. Further successful advocacy is demonstrated as the applicant's publications, from the above TSB and EPSRC funded research, has led to worldwide interest in the field. The applicant's work on alkaline anion-exchange membranes has already featured in the trade, local and national press as well as EPSRC's Spotlight (Spring 2005) and as a front page news story on the Royal Society of Chemistry's webpage (Feb 2007). For maximum impact, a national workshop encompassing the clean energy and water technologies will be organised and held at Surrey. Academic participants, industrial parties, research councils, TSB, CT, ETI representatives and policymakers will all be invited. This workshop will stimulate new links between the UK's water treatment - clean energy sectors. The results generated from the research will be disseminated at international and UK conferences and meetings, which attract a mixture of participants from academia, government agencies, and industry. The results will also be directly or indirectly fed back into EPSRC funded/managed UK consortia [e.g. Supergen]. Surrey has already started to develop a portfolio of protected IP around alkaline membranes and ionomers. There is already a major effort to produce substantial commercial impact from the research on H2/air anion-exchange membrane fuel cells using a Carbon Trust funding mechanism: A consortium involving Surrey, Imperial College London, and CMR Fuel Cells UK Ltd. has been shortlisted for full proposal submission in this polymer fuel cell challenge with the aim to move the technology from the University Laboratory through to commercialisation. The management of any background and foreground IP will be in consultation with the University's highly successful Research and Enterprise Support Office (see news articles on Surrey Satellite Technology for evidence of excellence). The University of Surrey was awarded a 3.85m Knowledge Transfer Account by the EPSRC, which started on 01 October 2009; the aim is to maximise impact from Surrey's EPSRC-funded research and is especially timely for early research breakthroughs during the proposed Fellowship. Water and Clean Energy are now University of Surrey strategic areas for research and are being well supported (politically and logistically).
Organisations
- University of Surrey (Lead Research Organisation)
- CellEra (Collaboration)
- University of Stuttgart (Collaboration)
- AFC Energy Ltd (Collaboration)
- Wuhan University (Collaboration)
- General Research Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals (GRINM) (Collaboration)
- Eindhoven University of Technology (Collaboration)
- University of Connecticut (Collaboration)
- Ruhr University Bochum (Collaboration)
- Colorado School of Mines (Collaboration)
- Autonomous University of Madrid (Collaboration)
- University of Science and Technology of China USTC (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
John Varcoe (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Bance-Soualhi R
(2021)
Radiation-grafted anion-exchange membranes for reverse electrodialysis: a comparison of N , N , N ', N '-tetramethylhexane-1,6-diamine crosslinking (amination stage) and divinylbenzene crosslinking (grafting stage)
in Journal of Materials Chemistry A
De Namor A
(2015)
A ditopic calix[4]pyrrole amide derivative: highlighting the importance of fundamental studies and the use of NaPh 4 B as additive in the design and applications of mercury( ii ) ion selective electrodes
in Journal of Materials Chemistry A
Deavin O
(2012)
Anion-exchange membranes for alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells: comparison of pendent benzyltrimethylammonium- and benzylmethylimidazolium-head-groups
in Energy & Environmental Science
Germer W
(2014)
International experts meet in Germany to discuss trends in anion exchange membranes
in Fuel Cells Bulletin
Hillman D
(2013)
The reaction between Nafion sulfonyl fluoride precursor membrane and 1,4-dimethylpiperazine does not yield reliable anion-exchange membranes
in J. Mater. Chem. A
Jiang D
(2014)
Paradox phenomena of proton exchange membrane fuel cells operating under dead-end anode mode
in Journal of Power Sources
Katzfuß A
(2014)
Methylated polybenzimidazole and its application as a blend component in covalently cross-linked anion-exchange membranes for DMFC
in Journal of Membrane Science
Lin X
(2012)
Alkali resistant and conductive guanidinium-based anion-exchange membranes for alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells
in Journal of Power Sources
Description | Anion-exchange membranes with pendant imidazolium groups were found to be less stable than the commonly encountered (benchmark) benzyltrimethylammonium anion-exchange groups (and contrary to many reports in the literature). We are recommending that this avenue should not be pursued for materials for solid alkaline fuel cells or electrolysers. However, this class of anion-exchange membranes will be useful for technologies such as Reverse Electrodialysis. A big problem with the use of anion-exchange polymer electrolytes and membranes in solid alkaline fuel cells (also known as alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells, APEFC, and alkaline membrane fuel cellss) and solid alkaline electrolysers is that the anion-exchange functionality in the polymer electrolytes is unstable to the hydroxide anions present in such fuel cells. A finding of this grant is that there is a dramatic increase in stability of quaternary ammonium anion-exchange groups in anion-exchange membranes when an alkyloxy spacer chain is located between the ammonium group and the benzene ring. This involved a collaborative effort involving the PI and postdoc on this grant (as well as the postdoc on grant EP/H025340/1) and Prof Xu's team in the University of Science and Technology of China (Hefei, P. R. China). This concept was taken forward as part of EPSRC grant EP/M005933/1 (Temperature and Alkali Stable Polymer Electrolytes for Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide Alkaline Electrolysers: 2014 - 2017) and grant EP/M014371/1 (Fuel Cell Technologies for an Ammonia Economy: 2015 - 2019) in order to develop highly alkaline stable radiation-grafted anion-exchange membranes containing these spacer groups. Progress has been made (along with advice from a commercial polymer material company) regarding the radiation-grafting onto polymer powders rather than polymer films: this is to produce soluble anion-exchange polymer electrolytes (anion-exchange ionomers) to be incorporated into the catalytic electrodes of electrochemical energy devices. This has now been achieved. This concept was taken forward as part of EPSRC grants EP/M005933/1 and EP/M014371/1). A series of radiation-grafted cation-exchange membranes for Reverse Electrodialysis Cells (Salinity Gradient Power) were also developed. A new multi-university EPSRC proposal is currently being formulated for the continued development of these and new electrolyte membranes (both cation- and anion-exchange) for a substantial research project in Reverse Electrodialysis. It was also found that the radiation-grafted anion-exchange membranes produced have exceptionally high ionic conductivities of 0.1 Siemens per centimetre or higher (in atmospheres of relative humidity of more than 85%) and this is due to the previously unknown phase segregated morphology exhibited by these membranes and that the membranes' ionic pathways are very straight (tortuosity values close to 1). A major conclusion of this grant is that radiation-grafted anion-exchange membranes can have very high conductivities (contrary to prior wisdom) in many ion forms and that they solve one of the two major problems with the application of anion-exchange membranes in alkaline electrochemical technologies (the other major problem where more progress is required is the alkaline stability problem discussed above). The anion-exchange polymer electrolyte materials being produced have also been tested in polymer-based electrolysers for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to added value chemicals: this was achieved as part of a collaboration with the University of Connecticut (USA) [multiple publications resulted with world-record anion-exchange membrane fuel cell performances]. Other findings include: Advanced development of techniques for the routine characterisation of ion-exchange membranes for electrochemical energy technologies including: ion-exchange capacity titrations, ionic conductivities, permselectivities, and Raman microscopy (this experience was important regarding the development of an EPSRC Equipment project for a SE Regional Raman Microscopy Facility to be hosted in the Department of Chemistry, University of Surrey [EPSRC EP/M022749/1 - Twitter #SurreyRaman]). We have also developed the capability of synthesising inorganic oxides for use as electrocatalysts in alkaline media. |
Exploitation Route | The finding will be useful to both academic and non-academic researchers with interests in highly conductive anion-exchange polymer electrolytes that will be used in technologies involving alkaline and non-alkaline environments. |
Sectors | Chemicals Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Energy Environment |
Description | Fuel cell-related anion-exchange membrane findings being used by a UK fuel cell developer who is planning to launch a range of technologies in the next few years (2020 - 2022). CO2 utilisation findings help lead to Surrey being part of a TRL 3 - 5 EU Horizon 2020 consortium SELECTCO2 Selective Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to High Value Chemicals (Jan 2020 - Dec 2022). This involves an EU company which may assist with commercial exploitation of Surrey's IP. This EU project employs (as a postdoctoral researcher) one of the PhD students who worked on this EPSRC Fellowship grant. Cation-exchange membrane developments from this grant have been ported into EPSRC REDAEM Anion-Exchange Membranes for Reverse Electrodialysis project (Oct 2018-Sept 2021), which again involves a EU commercial entity which may assist with commercial exploitation of Surrey's IP. |
First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
Sector | Chemicals,Energy,Environment |
Impact Types | Cultural Societal Economic |
Description | A collaborative project to enable the development of high performance anion-exchange membrane fuel cells that do not contain any platinum. |
Amount | £11,860 (GBP) |
Funding ID | IES\R3\170134 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2018 |
End | 02/2020 |
Description | Fuel Cell Technologies for an Ammonia Economy (Supergen H2 and Fuel Cell Challenge Call) |
Amount | £381,469 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/M014371/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2015 |
End | 03/2019 |
Description | High Spec Raman Spectrometer Regional Facility (Equipment Business Case) |
Amount | £350,780 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/M022749/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2015 |
End | 08/2018 |
Description | IBTI CLUB AWARD: A study of metagenomics-informed biochemical functionality of microbial fuel cells using DDGS as a substrate |
Amount | £616,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/J01916X/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2012 |
End | 10/2015 |
Description | Journal Grant for International Authors: John Varcoe to visit collaborator at Wuhan University (P R China) |
Amount | £1,956 (GBP) |
Organisation | Royal Society of Chemistry |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2014 |
End | 05/2014 |
Description | REDAEM: Anion-Exchange Membranes for Reverse Electrodialysis |
Amount | £779,015 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/R044163/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2018 |
End | 09/2021 |
Description | SELECTCO2: selective Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to High Value Chemicals |
Amount | € 3,971,832 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 851441 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 01/2020 |
End | 12/2022 |
Description | Temperature and Alkali Stable Polymer Electrolytes for Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide Alkaline Electrolysers. |
Amount | £353,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/M005933/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2014 |
End | 12/2017 |
Description | Collaboration with AFC Energy |
Organisation | AFC Energy Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Supply of anion-exchange membranes and ionomers to AFC Energy |
Collaborator Contribution | Testing of Surrey materials in AFC Energy small alkaline fuel cell test set-ups. |
Impact | AFC Energy and Surrey have signed a non-exclusive agreement. Two Innovate UK applications submitted (2017 and 2018): Both unsuccessful so a consultancy agreement is currently being discussed and planned to move things forward. AFC Energy employed a the PDRA from grant EP/M005933/1 in Jan 2018. She was helping AFC Energy take Surrey's current AEM technologies forward and trying to integrate into their systems for a future commercialisation opportunity. She has now moved back to Spain working as a Business Consultant. AFC Energy are fully funding a PhD student (part time 2019 - 2025). See further funding. Again, this is to help commercialisation of Surrey's AEM technologies. AFC to provide letter of support for an EPSRC proposal that was submitted in early 2019 (EP/T009233/1): very generous support including hosting the PCRA for 6 months at the end of the project to try and commercialise what is developed in the project. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Collaboration with Cellera (Israel-based alkaline membrane fuel cell company) |
Organisation | CellEra |
Country | Israel |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Cellera has supplied electrode samples for testing at Surrey Surrey has supplied anion-exchange membranes and polymer powders for testing at Cellera |
Collaborator Contribution | CellEra is undertaking extensive fuel cell testing of Surrey membranes and dispersible ionomers. |
Impact | Joint publications envisaged. In discussions regarding EU funding opportunities (along with Next Energy and DLR in Germany) |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Collaboration with Ruhr Universitat (Bochum, Germany) |
Organisation | Ruhr University Bochum |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have supplied some anion-exchange membranes to be evaluated in their electrolyser systems. We are to test their alkaline solid electrolytes in our fuel cell systems. |
Collaborator Contribution | Testing of Surrey membranes in small alkaline electrolyser systems. Supply of solid alkaline electrolytes for evaluation in Surrey fuel cell test stations. |
Impact | None so far, but we are looking at a joint paper or two. We are also discussing possible joint EU project opportunities. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Collaboration with Universidad Autónoma de Madrid |
Organisation | Autonomous University of Madrid |
Department | Department of Applied Physical Chemistry |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Hosted UAM students and postdocs for joint reserch projects at Surrey. |
Collaborator Contribution | Paid for some of the costs for student and postdoc visits to Surrey. |
Impact | A. L. Gonçalves Biancolli, D. Herranz, L. Wang, G. Stehlikova, R. Bance-Soualhi, J. Ponce-Gonzalez, P. Ocon, E. A. Ticianelli, D. K. Whelligan, J. R. Varcoe, E. I. Santiago, "ETFE-based anion-exchange membrane ionomer powders for alkaline membrane fuel cells: a first performance comparison of head-group chemistry", J. Mater. Chem. A, 6, 24330 (2018). L. Wang, E. Magliocca, E. L. Cunningham, W. E. Mustain, S. D. Poynton, R. Escudero-Cid, M. M. Nasef, J. Ponce-Gonzalez, R. Bance-Souahli, R. C. T. Slade, D. K. Whelligan, J. R. Varcoe, "An optimised synthesis of high performance radiation-grafted anion-exchange membranes", Green Chem., 19, 831-843 (2017). S. D. Poynton, R. C. T. Slade, T. Omasta, W. E. Mustain, R. Escudero Cid, P. Ocón, J. R. Varcoe, "Preparation of radiation-grafted powders for use as anion exchange ionomers in alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells", J. Mater. Chem. A, 2, 5124 (2014). |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Collaboration with Wuhan University |
Organisation | Wuhan University |
Country | China |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Supplied polymer electrolyte membranes and powders to Wuhan University for testing in their fuel cell systems with their ionomers. |
Collaborator Contribution | Testing Surrey membranes in their alkaline fuel cell systems. Obtained Chinese funding to allow John Varcoe (Fellow) to visit Wuhan in 2015. |
Impact | J. Ponce-Gonzalez, D. K. Whelligan, L. Wang, R. Bance-Soualhi, Y. Wang, Y. Peng, H. Peng, D. C. Apperley, H. N. Sarode, T. P. Pandey, A. G. Divekar, S. Seifert, A. M. Herring, L. Zhuang, J. R. Varcoe, "High performance aliphatic-heterocyclic benzyl-quaternary ammonium radiation-grafted anion-exchange membranes", Energy Environ. Sci., 9, 3724 (2016). J. R. Varcoe, P. Atanassov, D. R. Dekel, A. M. Herring, M. A. Hickner, P. A. Kohl, A. R. Kucernak, W. E. Mustain, K. Nijmeijer, K. Scott, T. Xu, L. Zhuang, "Anion-exchange membranes in electrochemical energy systems", Energy Environ. Sci., 7, 3135 (2014). |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Collaboration with the Eindhoven University of Technology (Netherlands) |
Organisation | Eindhoven University of Technology |
Department | Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry |
Country | Netherlands |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Joint EPSRC grant awarded (EP/R044163/1). Supply of Surrey materials expected in 2019-2021 |
Collaborator Contribution | To test Surrey materials in reverse electrodialysis. This group formally at University of Twente. |
Impact | J. R. Varcoe, P. Atanassov, D. R. Dekel, A. M. Herring, M. A. Hickner, P. A. Kohl, A. R. Kucernak, W. E. Mustain, K. Nijmeijer, K. Scott, T. Xu, L. Zhuang, "Anion-exchange membranes in electrochemical energy systems", Energy Environ. Sci., 7, 3135 (2014). Joint EPSRC grant awarded (EP/R044163/1 ): REDAEM: Anion-Exchange Membranes for Reverse Electrodialysis (Duration Oct 2018 - Sept 2021 Value £430k to Surrey): A 3-partner consortium led by Surrey. Joint papers planned. |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Collaboration with the General Research Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals (Beijing, China) |
Organisation | General Research Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals (GRINM) |
Country | China |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Signed an intent to collaborate with the General Research Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals (Beijing, China) on 18/10/2013. Includes an exchange of Surrey membranes for GRINM catalysts. |
Collaborator Contribution | Supplied catalyst to Surrey for evaluation. |
Impact | Joint paper: D. Jiang, R. Zeng, S. Wang, L. Jiang, J. R. Varcoe, "Paradox phenomena of proton exchange membrane fuel cells operating under dead-end anode mode", J. Power Sources, 265, 45 (2014). |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Colloboration with Colorado School of Mines (Golden, CO, USA) |
Organisation | Colorado School of Mines |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Membrane supply and CSM conducting experiments on membranes |
Collaborator Contribution | Extensive specialist testing of Surrey membranes and ionomers (DSC, dielectric, IR microscopy, SAXS, specialist NMR) |
Impact | Joint papers: J. Ponce-Gonzalez, D. K. Whelligan, L. Wang, R. Bance-Soualhi, Y. Wang, Y. Peng, H. Peng, D. C. Apperley, H. N. Sarode, T. P. Pandey, A. G. Divekar, S. Seifert, A. M. Herring, L. Zhuang, J. R. Varcoe, "High performance aliphatic-heterocyclic benzyl-quaternary ammonium radiation-grafted anion-exchange membranes", Energy Environ. Sci., 9, 3724 (2016). M. A. Vandiver, B. R. Caire, J. R. Carver, K. Waldrop, M. R. Hibbs, J. R. Varcoe, A. M. Herring, M. W. Liberatore, "Mechanical characterization of anion exchange membranes by extensional rheology under controlled hydration", J. Electrochem. Soc., 161, H677 (2014). J. R. Varcoe, P. Atanassov, D. R. Dekel, A. M. Herring, M. A. Hickner, P. A. Kohl, A. R. Kucernak, W. E. Mustain, K. Nijmeijer, K. Scott, T. Xu, L. Zhuang, "Anion-exchange membranes in electrochemical energy systems", Energy Environ. Sci., 7, 3135 (2014). T. P. Pandey, A. M. Maes, H. N. Sarode, B. D Peters, S. Lavinia, Ki Vezzu, Y. Yang, S. Poynton, J. R. Varcoe, S. Seifert, M. Liberatore, V. Di Noto, A. Herring, "Interplay between water uptake, ion interactions, and conductivity in an e-beam grafted poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) anion exchange membrane", Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 17, 4367 (2015). |
Start Year | 2011 |
Description | University of Surrey - University of Connecticut (USA) |
Organisation | University of Connecticut |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Development of low temperature carbonate fuel cells containing anion-exchange membranes. Materials exchange; Planned future researcher exchange; Testing UConn catalysts in Surrey fuel cell systems |
Collaborator Contribution | Testing of Surrey materials in fuel cells and electrochemical devices for the electroreduction of carbon dioxide. |
Impact | Prof Mustain (lead collaborator at the University of Connecticut) has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and will be working at Surrey for 4 months in 2016. L. Wang, E. Magliocca, E. L. Cunningham, W. E. Mustain, S. D. Poynton, R. Escudero-Cid, M. M. Nasef, J. Ponce-Gonzalez, R. Bance-Souahli, R. C. T. Slade, D. K. Whelligan, J. R. Varcoe, "An optimised synthesis of high performance radiation-grafted anion-exchange membranes", Green Chem., 19, 831-843 (2017). J. R. Varcoe, P. Atanassov, D. R. Dekel, A. M. Herring, M. A. Hickner, P. A. Kohl, A. R. Kucernak, W. E. Mustain, K. Nijmeijer, K. Scott, T. Xu, L. Zhuang, "Anion-exchange membranes in electrochemical energy systems", Energy Environ. Sci., 7, 3135 (2014). |
Start Year | 2011 |
Description | University of Surrey - University of Science and Technology of China (Hefei, PR China) |
Organisation | University of Science and Technology of China USTC |
Country | China |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Developing new membrane chemistries for alkaline anion-exchange membrane fuel cells. Exchange of materials. Testing of USTC Hefei membranes in Surrey Fuel Cell Test Stations |
Collaborator Contribution | Supply of USTC Hefei membranes to test in Surrey Fuel Cell Test Stations |
Impact | NSFC joint grant awarded (NSFC grant 21720102003). Joint papers published: J. Zhang, Y. He, K. Zhang, X. Liang, R. Bance-Soualhi, Y. Zhu, X. Ge, M. A. Shehzad, W. Yu, Z. Ge, L. Wu, J. R. Varcoe, T. W. Xu, "Cation-dipole interaction that creates ordered ion channels in an anion exchange membrane for fast OH- conduction", AIChE J., 67, e17133 (2021). X. Liang, M. A. Shehzad, Y. Zhu, L. Wang, X. Ge, J. Zhang, Z. Yang, L. Wu, J. R. Varcoe, T. Xu, "Ionomer Cross-linking Immobilization of Catalyst Nanoparticles for High Performance Alkaline Membrane Fuel Cell", Chemistry of Materials, 31, 7812 (2019).Y. Zhu, L. Ding, X. Liang, M. A. Shehzad, L. Wang, X. Ge, Y. He, L. Wu, J. R. Varcoe, T. Xu, "Beneficial use of rotatable-spacer side-chains in alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cells" Energy Environ. Sci., 11, 3472 (2018). L. Wu, Q. Pan, J. R. Varcoe, D. Zhou, J. Ran, Z. Yang, T. Xu, "Thermal Crosslinking of an Alkaline Anion Exchange Membrane Bearing Unsaturated Side Chains", J. Membr. Sci., 490, 1 (2015). X. Lin, X. Liang, S. D. Poynton, J. R. Varcoe, A. Ong, J. Ran, Y. Li, Q. Li, T. Xu, "Alkaline anion exchange membranes containing pendant benzimidazolium groups for alkaline fuel cells", J. Membr. Sci., 443, 193 (2013). X. Lin, J. R. Varcoe, S. D. Poynton, X. Liang, A. Ong, J. Ran, Y. Li, T. Xu, "Alkaline polymer electrolytes containing pendant dimethylimidazolium groups for alkaline membrane fuel cells", J. Mater. Chem. A, 1, 7262 (2013). X. Lin, Y. Liu, S. D. Poynton, A. Ong, J. R. Varcoe, L. Wu, Y. Li, X. Liang, Q. Li, T. Xu, "Cross-linked anion exchange membranes for alkaline fuel cells synthesized using a solvent free strategy", J. Power Sources, 233, 259 (2013). Z. Zhang, L. Wu, J. Varcoe, C. Li, A. Ong, S. Poynton, T. Xu, "Aromatic polyelectrolytes via polyacylation of pre-quaternized monomers for alkaline fuel cells.", J. Mater. Chem. A, 1, 2595 (2013). X. Lin, L. Wu, Y. Liu, A. L. Ong, S. D. Poynton, J. R. Varcoe, T. Xu, "Alkali resistant and conductive guanidinium-based anion-exchange membranes for alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells", J. Power Sources, 217, 373 (2012). J. Ran, L. Wu, J. R. Varcoe, A. L. Ong, S. D. Poynton, T. Xu, "Development of imidazolium-type alkaline anion exchange membranes for fuel cell application", J. Membr. Sci., 415-416, 242 (2012). Y. Wu, C. Wu, J. R. Varcoe, S. D. Poynton, T. Xu, Y. Fu, "Novel silica/poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) hybrid anion exchange membranes for alkaline fuel cells: effect of silica content and the single cell performance", J. Power Sources, 195, 3069 (2010). |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | University of Surrey - University of Stuttgart |
Organisation | University of Stuttgart |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Materials exchange Paid for John Varcoe's fliight and hotel to visit Uni Stuttgart Anika Katfuss visit to Surrey to test her materials in our lab (19-23 March 2012) |
Collaborator Contribution | Supply of materials to Surrey (ion-exchange membranes). |
Impact | Joint paper published: A. Katzfuss, S. D. Poynton, J. R. Varcoe, V. Gogel, U. Storr, J. Kerres, "Methylated polybenzimidazole and its application as a blend component in covalently cross-linked anion-exchange membranes for DMFC", J. Membr. Sci., 465, 129 (2014). |
Start Year | 2011 |
Description | Alkaline Membrane Fuel Cells |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Prentation to University of Newcastle departmental colloquia (Chemical and Process Engineering). Working towards a future grant (funded - EP/M005933/1 - Temperature and Alkali Stable Polymer Electrolytes for Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide Alkaline Electrolysers - Duration 08/12/2014 - 07/12/2017 Value £353k (80% FEC). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | Alkaline Membrane Fuel Cells |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Talk given at the Department of Chemical, Materials and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Connecticut 24 May 2012. More deeper collaboration between Surrey and UConn |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | Hosted Workshop: Anion-exchange membranes for energy generation technologies |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | workshop facilitator |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The PI organised a workshop (with invited delegates) on 25 - 26th July 2013 [hosted at the University of Surrey] to discuss anion-exchange membranes in various clean water and energy generation technologies. The funding was provided by: The UK's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC grants EP/I004882/1 and EP/H025340/1), the University of Surrey's Institute of Advanced Studies, the Research Council UK's Energy Programme's Supergen Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research Hub (EPSRC grant EP/J016454/1), the Royal Society of Chemistry (Energy and Environmental Science), Caltest Instruments Ltd. (UK), Alvatek Ltd. (UK), Solartron Analytical UK (Ametek), and Prof Andrew Herring (Colorado School of Mines). Since 2003, the Department of Chemistry, University of Surrey has been looking at anion-exchange membrane in electrochemical energy technologies. To mark the 10th year of these efforts, Surrey hosted a 2 day workshop to establish a consensus of the state-of-the-art. Select and renowned researchers from around the world [industrial and academic] were invited to participate. The workshop will also look at suitable next steps along with establishing new international collaborations in the field. An invited 56 page review published: J. R. Varcoe, P. Atanassov, D. R. Dekel, A. M. Herring, M. A. Hickner, P. A. Kohl, A. R. Kucernak, W. E. Mustain, K. Nijmeijer, K. Scott, T. Xu, L. Zhuang, "Anion-exchange membranes in electrochemical energy systems", Energy Environ. Sci. 7, 3135 (2014) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
URL | http://www.ias.surrey.ac.uk/workshops/membranes/report.php |
Description | Ion-Exchange Membranes for Electrochemcial Clean Energy Systems |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Invited talk on clean energy systems to students at Brookhaven College (DCCC) in Dallas, TX on 7th Nov 2013. International Outreach To highlight the quality of UK HE. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Latest developments in radiation-grafted anion-exchange polymer electrolytes for application in alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells (CARISMA 2014, Cape Town) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | paper presentation |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Talked sparked Q&A. This talk let to the discussions that led to the work on Muons and SANS (at ISIS, RAL, UK). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.carisma2014.com/ |
Description | Membranes for electrochemcial clean energy: The latest development at Surrey |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
Results and Impact | Invited talk (travel paid for by hosts) at the General Research Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals (Beijing China) 18 Oct 2013. A joint paper (more planned). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Overview of UK Energy Landscape |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Presentation given twice at Chulalongkorn University and Mahidol University (Bangkok, Thailand). To highlight the quality of UK Science and Energy Research |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | Radiation-Grafted Anion-Exchange Polymer Electrolytes for Clean Energy Applications (Invited Lecture - Electrochemical Society Meeting Glasgow July 2015) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | keynote/invited speaker |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Talk sparked Q&A. Increased international awareness of current EPSRC programmes: EP/M014371/1 Fuel Cell Technologies for an Ammonia Economy, EP/M005933/1 Temperature and Alkali Stable Polymer Electrolytes for Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide Alkaline Electrolysers, and EP/M022749/1 High Spec Raman Spectrometer Regional Facility. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.electrochem.org/meetings/satellite/glasgow/speakers/ |
Description | Radiation-grafted polymer electrolyte materials for electrochemical energy technologies (18th Chinese Electrochemical Society Meeting) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | paper presentation |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Talk sparked questions. Possible UK-China joint applications to the Royal Society International Exchange Scheme. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Radiation-grafted polymer electrolyte materials for electrochemical energy technologies (invited departmental colloquia) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Talk sparked Q&A None to date |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Radiation-grafted polymer electrolytes for electrochemical energy technologies (Invited Talk - 7th International Fuel Cell Workshop, Kofu Japan) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | keynote/invited speaker |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Talk sparked Q&A. Nothing to date. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://fc-nano.yamanashi.ac.jp/english/ifcw/index2015.html |
Description | Radiation-grafted polymer electrolytes for electrochemical energy technologies (invited Talk EMEA 2015) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | workshop facilitator |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Involved in expert panel session and presented a talk. Stimulated Q&A Invited back to give a follow up talk in EMEA 2016. Also invited to be a guest editor of a special journal edition for the outputs of the EMEA 2016 meeting. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.next-energy.de/emea2015.html |
Description | Talk at Simon Fraser University Aug 2014: Anion-exchange polymer electrolytse research ay Surrey |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Talk of Surrey's latest research into alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Discussions on the future exchange of materials. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Wuhan Uni Talk April 2014: Anion-exchange polymer electrolyte research at Surrey |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Talk at Wuhan University on Surrey's research and Wuhan-Surrey joint work to date (as part of declared collaboration). Joint publications envisaged. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |