Materials for Energy (M2i, 2020)

** This event took place already ** Presentations are availbe in a below (Pdf files) ** 

This means that, for the second time, the annual 4TU.HTM symposium 'Dutch Materials' - as held in 2016, 2017 & 2018 - will be part of the M2i conference Meeting Materials.

In 2019, 4TU.HTM has been organizing two sessions on Education in Materials Science at the M2i Meeting Materials 2019 conference.

At the public oline M2i Meeting Materials conference 2020, 4TU.HTM will organize a session on Materials for Energy.

Materials for Energy

Aim

The aim of this session is to bring together scientists with interest and expertise on materials for energy, for an exchange of ideas and observations. With this session, we emphasise the importance of materials for the development of sustainable energy conversion and storage. The focus of the presentations is on materials for solar and wind energy, materials for hydrogen storage and batteries and materials for CO₂ conversion.

Confirmed speakers

Dr. Monica Morales-Masis

Inorganic Materials Science, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, UTwente
15 December 2020, 10.00 AM, Session 5a

Title: Vacuum-deposited halide perovskites and broadband transparent conductive oxides for photovoltaics - Abstract  (Pdf file)

Presentation
The slides of the presentation are available here (Pdf file).

Abstract
Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) has offered unique options for the development of complex oxides growth, allowing multi-compound deposition independent of the relative volatility of the elements and ultimate control of interfaces. In this presentation we discuss the rather unexplored but great potential of PLD for: 1. The implementation of broadband transparent electrodes on top of sensitive solar cell absorbers. 2. The single-source deposition of halide perovskite thin films for solar cells and beyond.

In the first part of the presentation we discuss recent developments and application of high-performance TCOs, with a special focus on Zr-doped indium oxide (IZrO), a promising broadband transparent and conducting oxide for perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells [1-3]. We demonstrate PLD-grown IZrO rear electrode on semitransparent halide perovskite solar cells resulting in reduced damage of sensitive electron transport layers and an improved stabilized efficiency of 15.1%. In the second part, we discuss the recent progress on the growth of hybrid and inorganic halide perovskites by PLD with focus on target preparation and optimization of PLD parameters to achieve optimum control on polymorph formation and optical properties[4]. All these are important steps forward in the controlled growth and future scalability of optoelectronic materials for efficient devices such as solar cells and LEDs.[5]

References

1. E. Aydin, M. De Bastiani, …Y. Smirnov, M.Morales-Masis,…S. De Wolf, “Zr-Doped Indium Oxide (IZRO) Transparent Electrodes for Perovskite-Based Tandem Solar Cells,” Adv. Funct. Mater., vol. 3, 2019.
2. M. Morales-Masis et al., ‚Highly Conductive and Broadband Transparent Zr-Doped In2O3 as Front Electrode for Solar Cells’’. IEEE J. Photovoltaics, vol. 8, no. 5, 2018.
3. Y. Smirnov, R. Kuik, L. Schmengler,….M.Morales-Masis, ‘’Scalable Pulsed Laser Deposition of Transparent Rear Electrode for Perovskite Solar Cells”, Under review
4. VM Kiyek, YA Birkhölzer, Y Smirnov, …, M.Morales-Masis, “Single‐Source, Solvent‐Free, Room Temperature Deposition of Black γ‐CsSnI3 Films”, Adv. Mat. Interfaces, vol 7, 2020.
5. T. Soto-Montero, W. Soltanpoor, M. Morales-Masis ‘’Pressing Challenges of Halide Perovskite Thin Film Growth”, Invited Perspective, APL Materials, 2020.

Dr. Amarante Böttger

Materials Science and Engineering, 3mE, TU Delft
15 December 2020, 10.20 AM, Session 5a

Title: Hydrogen as an energy carrier: a materials perspective

Presentation
The slides of the presentation are available here (Pdf file).

Abstract
Using hydrogen as an energy carrier is an attractive alternative to fossil fuels. Hydrogen has a high energy content per mass, can be produced in many ways and is a suitable means to store and transport energy. Today however still 95% of the hydrogen produced is from fossil fuels. The most cost-effective production of hydrogen is through the water-gas shift reaction of natural gas. Using metal-membrane reactors makes this process energy-efficient, and by combining it with CO₂-capture greenhouse gas emission is prevented. To obtain suitable and stable membranes, Pd-based alloys with appropriate composition and microstructure are designed. Also in H-sensors and storage the interaction of hydrogen with Pd plays a key role.  Various aspects of H-metal interaction will be discussed in relation to a (partially) hydrogen-based economy.

Dr. Marc Dhallé

Energy, Materials & Systems, UTwente
15 December 2020, 10.35 AM, Session 5a

Title: Power-dense superconducting generators for wind convertors

Presentation
The slides of the presentation are available here (Pdf file).

Abstract
The presentation aims to show how advances in materials science and in cryogenic technology have enabled superconductivity to contribute solutions in the domain of sustainable conversion and use of energy. The main driver behind the adoption of superconductors into these areas is the increase in power density that accompanies the significantly enhanced current- and magnetic flux density offered by these materials. This in turn enables smaller and/or lighter devices with a significantly reduced footprint.

The case used to illustrate this trend is the H2020 project EcoSwing, in which the worlds’ first full-size superconducting generator for a wind converter was successfully designed, manufactured and operated in the field. Several challenges to the adoption of superconducting technology in a wind turbine were perceived prior to the project, essentially centered either on the maturity of the materials production or on the compatibility of cryogenic technology with a demanding operational environment. The talk discusses how these challenges were addressed and how both superconducting materials and cryogenic technology were demonstrated to be sufficiently mature to cope with them.

References

• https://ecoswing.eu/
• A. Bergen et al. “Design and in-field testing of the world's first ReBCO rotor for a 3.6 MW wind generator”, Supercond. Sci. Technol. 32 (2019).
• X. Song et al. “Commissioning of the World's First Full-Scale MW-Class Superconducting Generator on a Direct Drive Wind Turbine”, IEEE Trans. on Energy Conversion 35 (2020).
• A. Bergen, “Conduction-cooled ReBCO coils for a wind converter”, PhD thesis Univ. Twente (2020)

Dr. Antoni Forner Cuenca

Membrane Materials and Processes, TU/e
15 December 2020, 11.20 AM, Session 5b

Title: Bottom-up design of electrodes for redox flow batteries

Presentation
The slides of the presentation are available here (Pdf file).

Abstract
Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are promising rechargeable electrochemical devices for grid-scale energy storage, but further cost reductions are needed for widespread implementation. While research efforts have primarily focused on molecular discovery, there has been significantly less attention paid to the engineering aspects (i.e. transport phenomena, reactor design) of the battery. Of particular importance are the porous electrodes used in the electrochemical stack, which are typically made of carbon fibers arranged in various structures. Today’s electrodes largely draw from the fuel cell material set, but, within a RFB, the porous electrode must perform a number of different roles including providing active surfaces for electrochemical reactions, facilitating uniform liquid electrolyte distribution, and supporting low pressure drops.  In this talk, I will discuss our efforts to understand the role of electrode microstructure on the performance of RFBs using experimental techniques and simulations. Finally, I will discuss alternative approaches to bottom-up engineer porous electrodes with controlled microstructures. 

Dr. Ruud Kortlever

Large-Scale Energy Storage, 3mE, TU Delft 
15 December 2020, 11.35 AM, Session 5b

Kortlever Group
Electrocatalysis for Energy Storage and Conversion

Title: Electrocatalytic materials for CO₂ conversion to fuels and bulk chemicals

Presentation
The slides of the presentation are available here (Pdf file).

Abstract
Increasing CO₂ concentrations in the atmosphere are an issue of global concern, as CO₂ is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect. Electrocatalytic reactions provide an unique approach to utilize renewable electricity to produce renewable fuels and bulk chemicals for the chemical industry. For instance, the electrochemical reduction of CO₂ can utilize CO₂ as a carbon feedstock to produce commodity chemicals or fuels. However, the lack of stable electrocatalysts that can selectively and energy efficiently produce commercially interesting chemicals is holding back the large-scale deployment of this technology. In this talk I will provide an overview of our group’s activities on the development of more efficient electrocatalytic materials for CO₂ conversion. I will highlight recent examples of bimetallic and carbon-based electrocatalytic materials for the electrochemical reduction of CO₂ to valuable products.

Register here

Other session topics

• Durability & Reliability of Structures
• Tribology
• Additive Manufacturing & Metals
• Qualify & Hechting

Meeting Materials is free of charge and open for everyone who is interested in materials development. The conference is an opportunity to learn about the latest insights and developments in the field of innovative and smart materials, along with ways in which these materials can stimulate economic progress and a sustainable society. This day is co-organised with 4TU.HTM and supported by the Bond voor Materialenkennis (BvM).

Website: Materials Innovation Institute (M2i)