Elizabeth Gladstone
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Ibrahim Abdullahi
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Mechanical Engineering / Engineering
Program:
Authors: Elizabeth Gladstone, Ibrahim Abdullahi, David Kwabi
Session: Session 3: 11:00 am – 11: 50 am
Poster: 16
Abstract
With an increase in reliance on wind and solar farms as power supplies, developments in long-term energy storage systems are necessary. Flow cell batteries offer the necessary qualities to be used for large scale storage systems. Current flow cells are made with Vanadium, a high-cost material and only mineable in certain locations. Finding a material with the same characteristics as Vanadium that can be mass produced in a laboratory is the major goal of our research. The issue our research targets is the high charge capacity decay rate of molecules, meaning that the molecules cannot be recharged and are unable to hold as much energy. Michael addition, an irreversible oxidation reaction, commonly happens within the molecules we are studying, which leads to the high decay rate. Our research focuses on the steps of Michael addition and the factors that affect it. Using Uv-vis detection, the absorbance of light through a liquid across the visual and UV light range, we were able to track the concentrations of the products throughout an oxidation reaction involving Michael addition under differing conditions. Using differently weighted water and acid, we were able to discern that the acid is the rate determining factor in the reaction. We are currently testing the reaction under different pH values. This information will allow us to design the flow cell batteries under the best conditions to minimize charge decay due to Michael addition. Understanding how to decrease charge decay will allow for flow cell batteries to be more stable and a more viable option for long-term energy storage systems.
