Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

<p><strong>Summary </strong></p> <p>Loschmidt Cell Gas Diffusivity Measurement System for Micro/Nano-structured Porous Media<br /> <br /> In-depth understanding of transport phenomena in micro-/nano-structured porous materials provides design tools and the knowledge that can transform our energy conversion and storage industry. Such emerging materials have novel applications in PEM fuel cells, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, adsorption cooling systems, insulation materials and filtration systems to name a few. The applicant has established a successful research program, in close collaboration with a number of industrial partners, e.g., i) Automotive Fuel Cell Corporation Technology (AFCC), under an NSERC CRD project, with a focus on the thermal, mechanical and mass transport properties of fuel cell porous layers and gas diffusion layers; ii) Cool-It Hi-way systems, under the Automotive Partnership Canada (APC) program, to develop a waste-heat driven adsorption cooling system for service vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, all of which require accurate diffusivity and permeability measurement capability of thin porous materials. <br /> The requested instrument is a specially modified and automated Loschmidt cell system specifically for gas diffusivity and permeability measurements on thin porous films. The proposed system consists of two temperature-controlled chambers filled with different gases (oxygen and nitrogen), separated by the sample and a valve. When the valve is opened, oxygen diffusion through the sample is determined through measurement of changes in gas concentration in the mixture. As oxygen detection is highly sensitive to pressure and temperature, both of them are controlled and monitored in each chamber. To reduce testing time, the instrument has a multi-sample stage, and software for automated measurement and calibration. <br /> <br /> The equipment requested will support the research of many students in the applicant&rsquo;s labs. The measurement of gas diffusivity in micro-/nano-structured porous materials is of great value to the emerging sustainable energy conversion technology and will contribute to innovations of economic value to Canada. Development of the targeted technology will reduce Canada&rsquo;s carbon footprint and transform our automotive and energy industries.</p>