Instruments
We design and build most of our operando cells and test stations ourselves, from the reactor up. Our students learn the mechanical, electrical and thermal design of their own set-ups.
Designed and built in the lab. A two-chamber cell that combines high-temperature electrochemistry (two- or three-electrode) with Raman spectroscopy, optical imaging, impedance and online mass spectrometry at 800 °C, and can reach 1000 °C.
kW-scale test station with our own current collectors, end plates and flow and thermal management, for 2 × 2 cm² and 10 × 10 cm² electrodes (a TRL 5 test bench).
Tests button cells and membrane electrode assemblies from 500 to 800 °C with online mass spectrometry, in two- or three-electrode mode.
Online mass spectrometry and gas chromatography for gaseous products and transient mass dynamics.
Multichannel potentiostats, a high-current potentiostat with impedance to 10 MHz, and membrane testing.
Solid-state synthesis, tube sealing, metal joining (welding), fire polishing and micro-reactor building.
Built in the lab for oxygen evolution and reduction studies. Images the active surface, locates where bubbles form and captures short-lived intermediates such as M–OOH under bias, at variable temperature.
An ultrasensitive micro-reactor for TPR/TPO under controlled flow, coupled to a mass spectrometer, with a Raman-coupled version.
Controlled temperature and humidity set-up for ionic conductivity of polymer membranes, coupled to a Raman spectrometer.
A hot press and processes to make catalyst-coated membranes and membrane electrode assemblies, including for CO2/H2O solid oxide electrolysers.
RDE and RRDE (PINE) to quantify product yields, such as H2O2 in oxygen reduction.
First-principles calculations of reaction energies and bonding (VASP, COHP) on catalytic surfaces.
