 Thomas A. Zawodzinski
Ph.D. 'Spectroscopic and NMR studies of ambient
temperature ionic liquids.'
B. A. in Chemistry and Cell/Molecular Biology, both SUNY/Buffalo
F. Alex Nason Professor of Engineering
Ohio Eminent Scholar in Fuel Cells
Director, Case Advanced Power Institute
email: taz5@case.edu
office: A.W. Smith, Room 124A
tel: (216) 368-5547
Focus
One major focus is on the fundamental science and application of fuel cells. Research there includes efforts related to the understanding and development of high temperature membranes for fuel cells as well as on electrocatalysis and durability issues in fuel cells. My research group is broadly interested in employing functional chemical systems for devices and in probing mass transport issues in practical systems using NMR methods.
Research
The following are some of the research activities that I have been involved in during the past ten years and that I expect to get going at CWRU.
- Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells:
Comprehensive program on polymer electrolyte and direct methanol fuel cells; Experimental work on transport in ionomeric materials; present emphasis on electrolytes and electrodes for high temperature (T>100C) PEM fuel cells.
- Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium Batteries
Transport in lithium conducting electrolytes, featuring Electrophoretic NMR Methods.
- Composite Electrodes for Energy Conversion and Storage Devices
Studies seeking to understand fundamental aspects of composite electrodes.
- Electrochemical Sensors for Chemical Agents
Project aimed at developing new types of electrochemical sensors for detection of chemical agents, especially for 'first responders.'
- Fundamental Studies of Transport Processes in Proton-Conducting Polymer Electrolytes
Fundamental aspects of proton conduction and coupled processes in fuel cell membranes. Work involves combined theoretical and experimental work. Computation from ab initio electronic structure calculations up to statistical mechanical models is used to understand transport in Nafion and related membranes. Very high frequency dielectric studies are applied to these membranes.
- Biosensors/Bioreactors:
Research and development of enzyme-based electrochemical sensors, including development of novel electrode structures; application of biosensors to study metabolic rates of mammalian tumor cells, development of ultramicroelectrode biosensors for application in physiological studies; ongoing development of biosensors for chemical and biological warfare agents; NMR imaging of transport in Hollow Fiber Bioreactors.
- Multifunctional Self-assembled Monolayers:
Multifunctional self-assembled monolayers containing several intercommunicating components, including electron-transfer mediators and biomolecules; studies of factors affecting rates of electron transfer between biomolecules and electrodes or mediators; understanding self-assembly; scanning force microscopy on patterned SAM samples--understanding tip/sample interactions, surface segregation effects in SAMs. Later studies focused on using self-assembly methods to prepare devices.
- Artificial Muscles
Project aimed at understanding and developing new types of contractile and flexural artificial muscles based on polymer electrolytes.
Selected Publications
Xie J, More KL, Zawodzinski TA, et al., "Porosimetry of MEAs made by 'Thin film decal' method and its effect on, performance of PEFCs", J ELECTROCHEM SOC 151 (11): A1841-A1846 2004
Whittingham MS, Savinell RF, Zawodzinski T, "Introduction: Batteries and fuel cells", CHEM REV 104 (10): 4243-4244 OCT 2004
Xie J, Garzon F, Zawodzinski T, et al., "Ionomer segregation in composite MEAs and its effect on polymer electrolyte fuel cell performance", J ELECTROCHEM SOC 151 (7): A1084-A1093 200
Kim YS, Wang F, Hickner M, et al., "Effect of acidification treatment and morphological stability of sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) copolymer proton-exchange membranes for fuel-cell use above 100 degrees C", J POLYM SCI POL PHYS 41 (22): 2816-2828 NOV 15 2003
Bender G, Zawodzinski TA , Saab AP, "Fabrication of high precision PEFC membrane electrode assemblies", J POWER SOURCES 124 (1): 114-117 OCT 1 2003
Bender G, Wilson MS, Zawodzinski TA, "Further refinements in the segmented cell approach to diagnosing performance in polymer electrolyte fuel cells", J POWER SOURCES 123 (2): 163-171 SEP 20 2003
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