Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
In a world driven by innovation and the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions, a remarkable contender emerges on the horizon, captivating the minds of scientists, engineers, and visionaries alike. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs), with their awe-inspiring potential, beckon humanity toward a future where the boundaries of energy production are shattered, replaced by an era of efficient, clean, and limitless power.
SOFCs are electrochemical devices that convert the chemical energy of a fuel, typically hydrogen, into electricity without combustion, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Oxygen ion-conducting SOFCs necessitate higher operating temperatures considering the increased energy barrier associated with the migration of vacancies within the structure. The current research efforts are shifted to proton-conducting SOFCs where the smaller atomic size of protons facilitates easy proton conduction in perovskite-type SOFC electrolytes.
Our research focuses on developing an optimized electrode-electrolyte interface that facilitates efficient ion migration, thereby enhancing the ionic conductivity of SOFCs. This advancement aims to enable the operation of SOFCs at lower temperatures while simultaneously improving the durability and longevity of the cells.
Friction Stir Channeling
Friction Stir Channeling (FSC) is an extension of Friction Stir Processes where integral channels are fabricated in complex geometries including serpentine profiles. Furthermore, the higher surface roughness of FSC channels enables better cooling performance compared to conventional channels. Channels fabrication in copper is fascinating as the copper heat transfer rate can be significantly enhanced considering its higher thermal conductivity.
We fabricated a wide range of defect-free channels (channel-width from 1 µm to 12 µm and channel-height from 1 µm to 5 µm) in aluminum and copper alloys. The channel sustainability under actual application conditions is ensured by mechanical and bending tests. We explored different tools design to analyze their role in channel shape, size, and geometry. Our findings are significant to build cost-effective heat sinks with complex integrities and enhanced heat transfer performance.
Academic Research Projects
Center-line Segregation in Twin-roll Cast Aluminum Alloys
Twin roll casting is a continuous casting process employed for non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, copper, and their alloys to produce thin metal strips or foils directly from molten metal. During solidification, second-phase particles are commonly segregated primarily in the central region. This phenomenon has a significant influence on the formation of pinholes. In our study, microstructural analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of homogenization on the shape and size of segregated particles.
Aerodynamic Analysis of Wind Turbine Blade
Lift and drag components at different angles of attack had been experimentally determined in horizontal axis wind turbine blades. We NACA 2415 blade prototype and experiments were performed in the laboratory-scale wind tunnel.
Research Glimpse
Randomly oriented grains in solid-state sintered solid oxide fuel cell electrolytes
Microstructural variation at the advancing side - nugget interface in FSC channels
10 mm and 12 mm wide integral channels fabricated in aluminum using Friction Stir Channeling
Crack-initiation and propagation in FSC channels
Research Talk
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Fabricating Integral Channels in Copper using Friction Stir Channeling: Study of Microstructural and Mechanical Properties: Presented at GSC@GCoE Webinar Series on October 5, 2023
Publications
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Patel, S., Mukhopadhyay, J. (2019). Effect of Homogenization on Al-Fe-Si Centerline Segregation of Twin-Roll Cast Aluminum Alloy AA 8011. In: Chesonis, C. (eds) Light Metals 2019. The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05864-7_44
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Mahesh, V. P., Patel, S., Gumaste, A., & Arora, A. (2021). Joining of polymer matrix composites through friction stir processes. Encyclopedia of Materials: Composites, Elsevier, 2021, Pages 352-379, ISBN 9780128197318, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-819724-0.00063-X
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Patel, S., Mukhopadhyay, J. (2022). Characterization of Second Phase Particles in Twin-Roll Cast Aluminum Alloy AA 8011. In: TMS 2022 151st Annual Meeting & Exhibition Supplemental Proceedings. The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92381-5_93
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Patel, S., Liu, F., Ding, H., Duan, C., & Ghamarian, I. (2023). On proton conduction mechanism for electrolyte materials in solid oxide fuel cells. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.11.012