Academic report by Dr. Roswitha Zeis from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and Helmholtz Research Center, Germany
April 23rd, 2018, the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, College of Power Engineering invited Dr. Roswitha Zeis to give a report on “Characterization of Carbon Felt Electrodes for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries” at conference room 303. Dr. Roswitha Zeis has been the principle investigator of the Helmholtz Young Investigator Group “investigation of over potentials in the High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells” at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Since 2012. Her current research aims at developing and characterizing high temperature proton exchange member fuel cells and vanadium redox flow batteries with improved performance and reliability using novel electrolytes, catalysts, and membrane.
At the beginning, Dr. Biao Zhang gave a brief introduction about Dr. Roswitha Zeis and expressed his warm welcome and thanks.
Dr. Roswitha Zeis covered the principle of Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFBs), the micro-CT characterization of carbon felt electrode material, and the pore-network simulation and transport phenomena in her academic report. First, Dr. Roswitha Zeis described her own study experiences and the unique German culture, which raised students' interests. She also listed several opportunities that can support Chinese students and young faculties to study at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Then she presented the energy loss of VRFBs, the benefit to use micro-CT to characterize the electrode material, and the significance of pore-network modeling to obtain the transport phenomena.
Dr. Roswitha Zeis's academic report was lively and fascinating. In the discussion session, many teachers and students discussed the effect of mixed wettability on reactant saturation and the effectiveness of pore-network modelling with Dr. Roswitha Zeis. The questions and answers were quite inspiring.
After that, Prof. Xun Zhu awarded an honorary medal to Dr. Roswitha Zeis, which represent the sincere thanks from the Key Laboratory of Low-Grade Energy Utilization Technologies & Systems, Ministry of Education.
Authors: Rui Qi, Ai-ping Mu, Jinling Wen Photographer: Yi-ming Lai
