Project description
Light could boost ion transport in fuel cells and batteries
Fast ion conductors are fundamental to the operation of solid oxide fuel cells, solid oxide electrolyser cells and batteries. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the OPTICS project will investigate whether light can boost ion transport in technologically relevant oxide-ion conductors (O-ion, H-ion and Li-ion). The project will use tracer diffusion measurements on epitaxial thin films, as well as simulations on the micro and macro scales to identify the mechanisms that underlie photon–ion interactions. Light-driven ion transport could lead to a new class of fuel cells, electrolysers and batteries.
Objective
Ionic conducting materials form the basis of solid oxide fuel cells, solid oxide electrolyser cells, and batteries, which form a key component of the EU Energy 2050 long-term strategy. There is a need to develop faster ionic conductors, however progress has been slow. Recently, several studies have demonstrated photo-enhanced iodine-ion diffusion as well as suggested interactions between photons and oxygen-ion defects in oxide materials may be possible. The proposed research plan, OPTICS, aims to address the question: Can changes in ion transport be enhanced in technologically relevant ionically conducting oxides (O-ion, H-ion, and Li-ion) by light illumination?
There are challenges in studying these effects using conventional methods. Namely, absorption only occurring at the surface in thick samples, artefacts in conductivity measurements stemming from photocurrents and electrode effects, and difficulties understanding the mechanisms due to the indirect nature of photon-ion interactions. In OPTICS, these challenges will be overcome employing isotopic tracer diffusion measurements on epitaxial thin films carried out in tandem with atomistic and continuum simulations to identify the underlying mechanisms. Combining the Host’s (Prof. Roger De Souza) expertise in tracer diffusion and atomistic modelling with the Applicants experience with optical measurements on epitaxial films, photo-enhanced ionic diffusion will be studied experimentally and computationally in the bulk, at surfaces, and at interfaces of nanostructured materials. Light-enhanced ionic transport has the potential, though OPTICS, to lead to substantial improvements in technologically relevant ionic conductors leading to a new class of photo-ionic fuel cells, electrolysers, and batteries.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences optics
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels fuel cells
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
52062 Aachen
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.