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"Dr. Moller's research involves the exploration of molecular transport
and morphology in hydrated polymer membranes for fuel cells. His work
is accomplished with molecular dynamics simulations. He has developed
scripts to model the proton hopping among hydronium and water molecules
for the purpose of accurately predicting membrane system conductivity
and has analyzed nanoscale kinetics and ordering."
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Description of Research
This research responds to a critical need for a fundamental
understanding of atomic-level transport in polymer electrolyte fuel
cell membranes. The success of this project will be measured by the
guidance it provides to the selection of the next generation of fuel
cell membrane materials.
One objective is to explore the factors that enhance proton diffusion
across the membrane. These include membrane pore size, polymer degree
of sulfonation, and energy barriers to proton hopping. A second
objective is to explore the factors that strengthen the hydrated
membrane. These include pressure, temperature, humidity, and mechanical
strain.
It is expected that these efforts will lead to the discovery of ways to
enhance fuel cell membrane conductivity and strength. Progress in these
areas is essential for making fuel cells viable alternatives to
traditional power sources. This work has been performed in
collaboration with researchers at the Air Force Materials Laboratory.
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| Presentations |
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Cox, J.; Wandstradt, M.; Spendel, W.; Templated Nanoscale Sol-Gel Films
as Modifiers for Amperoimetric Detector; ElectroAnalytical Conference
ENSCPB, France June 11-15 (2006)
Spendel, W. U., Pacey, G. E., Microwave Fabrication Nanotechnology Road
to Complex Structures; 4th International Microwaves in Chemistry
Conference, March 8 - 11, 2006, Orlando FL.
Heuser, J. A., Spendel, W. U., Pacey, G. E. Microwave Control of Iron
Oxide Particle Syntheses; 4th International Microwaves in Chemistry
Conference, March 8 - 11, 2006, Orlando FL.
Heuser, J. A.; Taulbee, A. R.; Spendel, W. U.; Pacey, G. E.; Terahertz
(THz) Spectroscopic Investigation of Alkyl Halides, Pittsburgh
Conference May 12 - 16, 2006 Orlando FL.
Pisarenko, A.; Spendel, W. U.; Pacey, G. E.; Thin Film Nanoparticle
Optical Detection Pittsburgh Conference May 12 - 16, 2006 Orlando FL.
Wolfgang U. Spendel, S. D. Puckett, James A. Cox, Gilbert E. Pacey,
"Mesoporous Thin film Electrocatalytic Polyoxometalate Electrode For
Sensor and Catalysis Applications", Pittsburgh Conference, Orlando FL,
February 2005.
Dorota Kowalska, Wolfgang U. Spendel, Gilbert E. Pacey, "Potential
Switchable Smart Electrode Surface", Pittsburgh Conference, Orlando FL,
February 2005.
Justin A. Heuser, Wolfgang U. Spendel, Gilbert E. Pacey, "Terahertz
(THz) Spectroscopic Determination of Water Bonding in Zeolites",
Pittsburgh Conference, Orlando FL, February 2005
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| Funding |
$100.000 Grant from the State of Ohio
Nanomaterials in our Environment
$100.000 Grant from the State of Ohio
Nanomaterials in our Environment
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| Publications |
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Keith, J.; Hess, L.C.; Spendel, W. U.; Cox, J.A.; and Pacey, G.E., "The
Investigation of the Behavior of a Long Period Grating Sensor with a
Copper Sensitive Coating Fabricated by Layer-by-layer Electrostatic
Adsorption", Talanta, 2006, 70, 818-822.
Burns, C.; Spendel, W. U.; Puckett, S.; Pacey, G. E.; Solution ionic
strength effect on gold
nanoparticle solution color transition; Talanta (2006), 69(4), 873-876.
S.D. Puckett, J.A. Heuser, J.D. Keith, W.U. Spendel, and G.E. Pacey,
"Interaction of Ozone with Gold Nanoparticles", Talanta (2005), 66(5),
1242 - 1246.
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