In the pursuit of innovation, the spirit of trial and error endures, shaping the evolution of groundbreaking inventions that redefine our world. Thomas Edison’s relentless experimentation with thousands of materials before perfecting the tungsten filament for the lightbulb stands as a testament to this enduring ethos. Today, this ethos persists, propelling modern engineers towards a deeper comprehension of the fundamental principles governing material performance, a prerequisite for designing superior materials that meet stringent product specifications.
A recent publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on August 13th, led by researchers from the University of Delaware, Northwestern University, and industry collaborators, marks a significant stride in elucidating the intricate pathways through which electrons navigate conductive components within complex fluids known as slurries, prevalent in electrochemical devices like batteries and energy storage technologies.
The collaborative study, spearheaded by Norman Wagner, the Unidel Robert L. Pigford Chair in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Delaware, alongside Jeffrey Richards, an assistant professor of chemical and biological engineering at Northwestern University, sheds light on the critical junctures where electrons hop between conductive particles in these materials, offering fresh insights to enhance this essential process.
Key contributors to the research include Julie Hipp, a doctoral alumna from the University of Delaware, now a senior scientist at Procter and Gamble, and Paolo Ramos, formerly of Northwestern University and currently at L’Oreal. Qingsong Liu, a doctoral candidate at Northwestern University, also played a pivotal role in advancing this collaborative effort.
Wagner emphasizes that achieving optimal device performance transcends mere formulation chemistry, necessitating a profound understanding of how electrical conductivity evolves during the processing and manufacturing of slurry materials.
In the realm of electrochemical devices, such as batteries, the performance intricately hinges on the material’s composition and the manufacturing techniques employed in its fabrication. Analogous to a fleet of racecars on a track, each with its unique build and assembly, the details of how battery components come together significantly influence their collective performance. Conductive carbon black, commonly utilized in batteries and various electrochemical devices, exemplifies this intricate interplay of material structure and processing.
The research team’s meticulous blend of experimentation and advanced theoretical modeling unveils a universal roadmap for comprehending the conductivity dynamics of flowing slurries, contingent upon the chemical constituents and processing methodologies employed. This blueprint not only offers insights into material design but also equips engineers with the tools to predict and optimize the performance of electrochemical devices at the outset.
Looking ahead, the implications of this research extend to refining the formulation and processing strategies for emerging electrochemical energy storage technologies and water deionization methodologies. Wagner underscores the pivotal role of processing in enhancing the efficiency of devices like electrolyzers, critical for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen components, underscoring the profound impact of precise material processing on device performance.
In conclusion, this collaborative endeavor not only deepens our understanding of electron mobility in conductive slurries but also paves the way for a more systematic approach to material design, fostering advancements in electrochemical devices and heralding a new era of innovation in energy storage and beyond.