Research
My research is organized around four interconnected themes spanning transport physics, operando characterization, device performance, and material design.
Heterogeneous Transport in Porous Energy Materials
Investigating how pore structure, wettability, and operating conditions govern multiphase transport across length scales in fuel cells, electrolyzers, and batteries.
Porous materials underpin many electrochemical energy technologies, yet transport within them is inherently heterogeneous and difficult to predict. My work investigates how pore structure, wettability, and operating conditions govern multiphase transport across length scales, with a particular focus on fuel cells, electrolyzers, and batteries. By combining experiments and quantitative analysis, I aim to uncover transport mechanisms that directly impact device performance.
Selected publications
- Formation of Liquid Water Pathways in PEM Fuel Cells J. Electrochem. Soc., 2020 DOI ↗
- Graded microporous layers for enhanced capillary-driven liquid water removal Adv. Mater. Interfaces, 2019 DOI ↗
- Hydrophilic microporous layer coatings for PEM fuel cells J. Power Sources, 2018 DOI ↗
Operando Tomography & Advanced Characterization
Developing operando X-ray and neutron tomography to directly visualize structure, transport, and degradation inside working energy devices.
I develop and apply operando X-ray and neutron tomography techniques to directly visualize structure, transport, and degradation inside working energy devices. This includes multimodal and time-resolved imaging under realistic operating conditions, enabled by close collaboration with synchrotron and neutron facilities. These tools provide otherwise inaccessible insight into how devices function internally.
Selected publications
- Simultaneous multi-material operando tomography of electrochemical devices Sci. Adv., 2023 DOI ↗
- Quantifying spatiotemporal heterogeneity via operando correlative neutron and X-ray tomography Adv. Funct. Mat., 2025 DOI ↗
- Synchrotron X-ray radiography for measuring liquid water in PEM fuel cells J. Electrochem. Soc., 2016 DOI ↗
Microstructure-driven Performance & Failure
Connecting microstructural changes to measurable performance losses and failure modes across batteries, fuel cells, and electrolyzers.
Electrochemical device performance and lifetime are tightly linked to evolving microstructure. My research connects microstructural changes, such as deformation and phase redistribution, to measurable performance losses and failure modes. This structure-to-function perspective enables targeted diagnosis of degradation mechanisms across batteries, fuel cells, and electrolyzers.
Selected publications
- Effect of microstructure on cycling behaviour of Li-In alloy anodes for solid-state batteries ACS Energy Lett., 2024 DOI ↗
- Degradation Characteristics of Electrospun Gas Diffusion Layers ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2021 DOI ↗
- Microporous layer degradation in PEM fuel cells J. Electrochem. Soc., 2018 DOI ↗
Data- & Physics-informed Material Design
Using experimental data and physical understanding to guide the design of porous layers, electrode architectures, and composite materials.
Insights from operando characterization and transport physics can be translated into improved material architectures. I use experimental data and physical understanding to guide the design of porous layers, electrode architectures, and composite materials for enhanced performance and durability. This work bridges fundamental understanding with practical device-level innovation.
Selected publications
- Designing catalyst layer morphology for high performance water electrolysis Cell Rep. Phys. Sci., 2023 DOI ↗
- Designing Tailored Gas Diffusion Layers with Pore Size Gradients via Electrospinning ACS Appl. Energy Mater., 2020 DOI ↗
- Determining local transport properties via pore network modeling J. Power Sources, 2023 DOI ↗