Objectif
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology is expected to play a major role in future sustainable energy strategies. However, there are still major technological challenges concerning cell lifetime and systems costs, both of which need to be improved by factors 5 to 20. In view of the latter the goals of the project are to:
1. improve the durability of SOFC stacks by supplying a broad understanding of degradation processes in steady-state and transient operation;
2. understand the behavior of oxygen reduction and incorporation at the cathode and its link to segregation in order to achieve high power density SOFC cells; 3. guide the search and design of novel cathode materials and optimization of microstructures.
During this proposal I wish to develop coupled atomistic-continuum framework in order to model SOFC cathodes. The framework couples concurrently continuum computations within materials bulk with Kinetic Monte Carlo method at interfaces between different phases and it has the speed of continuum computations and the accuracy of kinetic modeling. Since atomistic simulation of realistically sized cathodes will be possible, significant insights on the behavior of oxygen reduction, its link with segregation and time dependent degradation phenomena are expected. A key element of this proposal is the close interaction between modelers, experimentalists and industrial partners. The new insight will be used for computer-based optimization of cell efficiency and durability. This grant will employ a team leader, one PhD student, one part time advanced undergraduate and it will be integrated with classwork. The project will be partially funded (about 60%) by the U. Heidelberg.
Champ scientifique
Appel à propositions
FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG
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Régime de financement
MC-IRG - International Re-integration Grants (IRG)Coordinateur
69117 Heidelberg
Allemagne