GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Under the provisions of the regulations for the degree

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

on Wednesday, June 8, 2016

3:00 PM
in MRDC 4211

will be held the

DISSERTATION PROPOSAL DEFENSE

for

Ben deGlee

"Structure-Property Relationships in Low Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Catalysts and Anode-Catalyst Interfaces"

Committee Members:

Prof. Meilin Liu, Advisor, MSE

Prof. Dong Qin, MSE

Prof. Preet Singh, MSE

Prof. Lawrence Bottomley, CHEM

Prof. Joseph Sadighi, CHEM

Abstract:

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) offer a clean and efficient way to produce energy, but several technical challenges remain before this technology can replace modern combustion engines and gas-fired plants. Operating temperatures remain too high for many applications and can increase cost, limiting use of SOFCs in the current energy market. New designs must also be able to operate on traditional fuels, such as Natural Gas (Methane), due to the current lack of a developed Hydrogen infrastructure. These challenges require material solutions.

In the proposed work, operando spectroscopy will be used in conjunction with electrochemical and material characterization techniques to study new SOFC architectures designed to operate on methane below 600 °C. These devices include number of different reactions and materials working in concert, and therefore special attention is given to the interfaces present. By identifying the relationships between catalyst processing, structure, properties, and performance, this work will enable the rational design of SOFC catalysts and engineered