Semester Projects | Fall 2024

(can be adapted to Bachelor or Master level)

Sample preparation design by finite element method
Available

Sample preparation is important for the success of in-situ biasing experiment that are aimed in understanding on how materials respond to applied voltages. The preparing consists of making a thin lamella from the material of interest on a specialized biasing chip. The aim of the project is to design a sample preparation procedure using finite element methods (FEM), that will be realized afterwards in a real experiment. FEM is a versatile tool for the evaluation of many physical properties. The student will investigate the effect of different design parameters, including sample shape, position as well as the design of the chip. The computations will be executed using the specialized software COMSOL.

Contact: Mr. Pierpaolo Ranieri
 
 
Electrodeposition of catalytic films on microcells
Available

Iridium oxide is a benchmark catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) due to its high activity and stability. Despite extensive research, the precise catalytic mechanism remains to be determined. Operando methods such as liquid-phase electron microscopy (LPTEM) are essential to reveal the details of the catalytic process. However, LPTEM imposes certain limitations on the samples used. Therefore, this project aims to optimize the electrochemical deposition conditions of iridium oxide on planar microelectrodes using chronopotentiometry. This will be followed by assessing the electrochemical properties of the catalyst employing cyclic voltammetry and studying the sample’s morphology using scanning electron microscopy.

Contact: Ms. Elizaveta Shcherbacheva
 
 
Studying electrochemical behavior of Cu nanocatalysts during CO2 electroreduction reaction in microcells
Reserved

Liquid-phase electron microscopy allows real-time monitoring of the structural and morphological evolution of catalysts under reaction conditions. Accurate interpretation of in situ data requires a series of benchtop and ex situ control experiments. This project aims to investigate the electrochemical behavior of Cu nanocatalysts using techniques such as linear sweep voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry to verify the accuracy of in situ TEM experimental data. Previous hands-on experience with electrochemical techniques is preferred for this project.

Contact: Ms. Saltanat Toleukhanova