Faculty Spotlights

Chao-Yang Wang

Chao-Yang Wang

Professor Chao-Yang Wang is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering and he is the director of Electrochemical Engine Center (ECEC). The mission of the ECEC is to conduct interdisciplinary research on fuel cells and advanced batteries for electric propulsion, stationary power generation and portable electronics. Dr. Wang mentions "there are applications for fuel cells power levels from milliwatts to megawatts." Large stationary power supplies can be used in residential areas and provide distributed energy for a stable power grid. Micro fuel cells are of strong interest for mobile phones where battery life is a major issue.

Critical issues to make fuel cells a commercial reality are related to lifetime and performance. Dr. Wang has an extensive research program in modeling, design, fabrication, diagnostics and system integration of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC), direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC), and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). The picture below shows the current distribution in a 5-channel, fuel/air cross-flow solid oxide fuel cell (electrolyte-supported type).

current distribution (in A/m2) in a cross-flow, electrolyte-supported SOFC
Current distribution (in A/m2) in a cross-flow, electrolyte-supported SOFC.

In addition, his modeling work is rather unique in the fact that he uses a parallel array of computer processors to model a three-dimensional fuel cell stack. Each computer processor simulates a cell within the stack.

Prof. Wang teaches an advanced fuel cell course: ME 597 entitled "Electrochemical Engine Fundamentals" which encompasses electrochemical principles, mass transport, systems, and materials. He sees fuel cells as a multidisciplinary research endeavor for chemists, engineers, and materials scientists. Within the materials community there are challenges for ceramics, metals and polymers. Developing new oxygen ion conductors that operate at temperatures below 700°C can enhance the performance of solid oxide fuel cells. In addition, he sees that further development of processes such as nanoparticulate synthesis and tape casting will be required to create thinner electrolyte and electrode layers with lower defects and lower precious metal loading. The latter is particularly important for polymer membranes. New materials processes must also be developed for better dispersion of platinum catalyst nanoparticles. Corrosion resistant metals and coatings at low cost are important for long-term fuel cell operation.