|
Loughborough University |
|
|
Areas of Interest:
SOFC membranes
Activity and
Expertise:
IPTME
has two activities in the solid oxide fuel cell area. The first is based in the
Polymer Research Group within
the department and is focused on the production of thin ceramic membranes from
ceramic-filled polymer compounds whilst the second is based in the Ceramics Research Group and is
based on the development of nanoinks for the screen
printing of nanostructured patterns on zirconia substrates. The latter is part
of a much larger activity associated with the development of nanostructured
ceramics for a wide range of different applications.
Credentials:
The
Polymer Research Group has nine academic staff whose
interests cover a range of topics from heterogeneous polymer systems (including
filled polymers and polymer nanocomposites, blends, IPNs and structured latexes), structure-property-processing
relations, PVC, polyurethanes, orientation in polymers, flame retardant
polymers, adhesives, recycling and rubber-to-metal bonding. The work on SOFC
membranes is mainly involved with exploiting the use of filled polymers and
involved designing them specifically for the purpose of achieving thin ceramic membranes.
The Ceramic Research Group is the smallest
of the research groups in IPTME, having 3 academic staff whose interests are
all connected with ceramic processing. Focusing mainly on the processing of
electroceramics, structural advanced ceramics and composites, there is also a
small amount of work on bioceramics and traditional,
clay-based ceramics. The research ranges from blue-skies to highly
industrially-focused and a major new focus in research years has been the
development of nanostructured ceramics.
Related grants include:
·
Production of thin ceramic
membranes from ceramic-filled polymer compounds: EPSRC
Grant No. GR/R29864/01 – complete; assessment “Tending to
outstanding”.
·
Suspension based fabrication of nanostructured
ceramics for engineering applications: EPSRC Grant No. GR/S84477/01 – due to
start
·
Development of nanostructured inks for screen
printing SOFCs: Rolls Royce funding – due to start
Fuel cell and/or Hydrogen courses and modules offered:
None
currently.
Contact: IPTME Research Co-ordinator: Prof. Jon Binner
Email: J.Binner@lboro.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1509 223162
Address: IPTME,
Website: The work by the Polymer Research Group may be found
at: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/iptme/research/polymers/Report%20to%20EPSRC%20edited1.htm.
The work by the Ceramics Research Group has yet to appear on this website.