Prof. Shen Dillon | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Event Date:
February 26, 2015 – 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Location:
Burson 115
Event Date:
February 26, 2015 – 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Location:
Burson 115
Ph.D Nanoscale Science
Seminar Series
Spring 2015
Prof. Shen Dillon
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
“In-situ Characterization of Reaction Mechanisms and Degradation Processes in Energy Conversion and Storage Systems”
Abstract:
Developing new paradigms for energy generation, storage, distribution, and utilization is amongst the most challenging problems facing this generation. Several major visions exist for sustainable energy generation and utilization, including; renewably generated and stored electricity and the conversion of green or renewable energy sources into fuels. System cost and efficiency impose major barriers on alternatives to fossil fuels for electricity generation and transportation. Key to developing energy storage and conversion systems with low cost, long cycle life, high efficiency, and high energy density is the need for fundamental insights into nanoscale processes associated with chemical and electrochemical reactions. For example, local strain gradients due to lithium insertion can govern mechanical degradation of electrode materials, and interfacial reactions between electrodes and liquid electrolyte can drive capacity fade. Appropriately characterizing such phenomena requires in-situ and in-operando probes with appropriate spatial and temporal resolution. Electron microscopy provides high spatial resolution and reasonable temporal resolution, and the introduction of environmental cells enables access to a rich variety of chemical and electrochemical systems. This talk will describe our contributions to the development of environmental electron microscopy and its application to understanding reaction and degradation processes in electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems. Specifically, the presentation focuses on our contributions to characterizing local strain effects in high capacity Li-ion anode materials during cycling and the nucleation and growth of electrolytic H2 gas.
Bio:
Dr. Shen J. Dillon is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He received his B.S. and Ph.D in Materials Science and Engineering from Lehigh University in 2007. He worked as a Research Associate at Carnegie Mellon University and a Visiting Research Scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He joined the faculty at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2009. He is the author of over 40 journal articles, was a recipient of the 2011 Department of Energy Early Career Award, and the 2013 National Science Foundation CAREER Award.
Thursday, February 26, 2015 @ 3:30 PM in Burson 115
Coffee & soft drinks served at 3:15 PM