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Interdisciplinary Materials Research
Research Experience for Undergraduates

 

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       Development of improved cathode materials for solid oxide fuel cells 

                                                        Rasit Koc

The objective of this research is to introduce the undergraduate students to advanced materials based on perovskites, which are used to fabricate components for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and sensors. Perovskite-type oxides of the ABO3 structure (A=La, Ba, Sr, Ca and B=Cr, Mn, Co, Fe) are known to be refractory and possess high electrical conductivity at elevated temperatures. Rare earth chromites of the perovskite structure are stable in both oxidizing and reducing conditions at high temperatures (>1000°C). They have been successfully used in various applications including high temperature electrodes, heating elements and in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). The REU students will gain hands-on experience on the preparation, fabrication and properties of these advanced materials and the effects of chemistry, structure, processing, and microstructure on these materials. They will be gaining the basic knowledge of the functions of advanced materials in energy systems.