Dr. Chunsheng Wang
Assistant Professor
Research Seminar Series and Placement Coordinator

Contact Info:
Tennessee Tech University
Department of Chemical Engineering
Prescott Hall 309 / Brown Hall 231
1020 Stadium Drive
Box 5013
Cookeville, TN 38505-0001
Phone: (931) 372.3678
Fax (931) 372.6352
E-mail:CSwang@tntech.edu

Dr. Wang's CV (pdf)

Energy Conversion (Fuel cells) and Energy Storage Systems (Rechargeable Batteries and Supercapacitors) • Hydrogen Storage Processes and Materials • Nanomaterials

Education

Honors and Awards

Research Statement

Fuel cells and advanced batteries are the primary research interests of Dr. Wang’s research group. The continuous baseload power output of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC), and alkaline fuel cells is satisfactory, but their response to instantaneous power load requirements may often be insufficient and in need of improvements. Our group is working to incorporate a battery or supercapacitor element into the fuel cell. It is one of our goals to enhance performance by incorporating energy storage materials or using storage electrocatalysts in the electrodes. Such electrode materials should have a high energy storage capacity and fast electrochemical reaction kinetics, and it will be advantageous if they also have good electrocatalytic activity for anodic hydrogen oxidation and cathodic oxygen reduction. In addition, our group is developing polymer/ceramic nanocomposite proton conducting membranes that can operate at temperatures above 100 oC with low methanol permeability, but high proton conductivity. Operation of PEM fuel cells at higher temperatures can alleviate the CO poisoning problem, simplify the water and thermal management subsystems, and increase kinetics of fuel oxidation and oxygen reduction. Our group is collaborating with Dr. Mike Brady at Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL) on developing a nitrided metallic bipolar plate with high thermal and electrical conductivity, good mechanical and chemical stability, and low cost.

Lithium-ion batteries are now widely used in commercial applications such as portable telephones and lap-top computers, in which they are typically operated at moderate temperatures and rates. However, for aerospace applications, good low-temperature performance and high-power density are required. Our group is developing a nano-composite material with nano-size Li-alloy particles finely dispersed in an elastic mixed conductor as an anode, and a polymer-ceramic composite as an electrolyte. These new types of lithium ion battery components show good low-temperature performance and high power density. We are also working on a novel ceramic mats-polymer composite electrolyte with high Li-ion conductivity and low activation energy. This technology was highlighted in a recent NASA Technology Brief [ LEW-17436-1, LEW-17470-1]. For the cathode of Li-ion battery, we are collaborating with T/J Technologies to investigate the fast charge/discharge mechanism of LiFePO 4.

Micro- and nano- technologies such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), nano-electrochemical systems (NEMS), microrobots, microsensors and implantable medical devices require micro-power sources with micro- or nano-dimensions and a high power density. In these cases, the classical concept of an independent, monolithic power source is no longer sufficient to meet the demands of these advanced devices. Instead, directly integrating a microbattery into electronic components on the same chip as a micropower source is required. Our group is collaborating with Dr. Nancy J. Dudney’s group at ORNL to develop an interface-free mico-battery. This interface-free micro/nano-battery has significant promise for size reduction while maintaining excellent electrochemical properties. The interface-free battery structure can also be used in supercapacitors and other kind of batteries which will generate a new generation micro/nano- power source. A provisional patent related to this novel architecture was filed by TTU on April 8, 2005.

Nanomaterials have the potential for wide-ranging industrial, biomedical, and electronic applications. Within the general area of nanomaterials, our group is focused on developing nano-composite materials for electrochemical energy storage (batteries, supercapacitor) and conversion (fuel cells) applications.

Recent Publications

Chunsheng Wang, “The Self-discharge Mechanism of AB 5-Type Electrodes,” Int. Hydrogen Energy, in press, (2005).

Chunsheng Wang, Xiangwu Zhang, A. John Appleby, “Solvent-free composite PEO-ceramic-fiber-mat electrolytes for lithium secondary cells,” Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 152, A205-A209 (2005).

Uday S. Kasavajjula and Chunsheng Wang, "Anode for Li+-ion battery with improved low temperature performance," Indian J. Chem., Sec. A., 44A, 975-982 (2005).

X. W. Zhang, P. K. Patil, Chunsheng Wang, et al, “ Electrochemical Performance of Lithium ion battery, nano-silicon-based, disordered carbon composite anodes with Different Microstructures,” Journal of Power Sources, 125, 206-213 (2004).

Chunsheng Wang, A John Appleby, D. Cocke, “Alkaline Fuel Cell with Intrinsic Energy Storage” Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 151(2), A260-A264 (2004)