Energy Storage
Energy storage, mobile or static, will be a large focus of the energy future. Energy storage will be an enabling technology for: future electric transportation systems, the integration of renewable energy onto the grid, a key feature of strategies for dealing with local or regional load fluctuations from coal fired power stations, and for storing unused energy from "always-on" nuclear power plants. The development of systems that will store energy so that it can be accessed rapidly, reliably and repeatedly will be a priority.
Case Western Reserve University has a well earned reputation for its energy related research in electrochemistry (particularly in the area of fuel cells) and, with the right strategic regional and national partnerships the Great Lakes Energy Institute will become an international center for energy storage research, design, technology development and storage system deployment.
Key Faculty Contacts
J. Iwan D. Alexander
Faculty Director, Great Lakes Energy Institute
Professor, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Email iwan.alexander@case.edu or call (216)-368-6045.
Daniel Scherson
Director, Ernest B. Yeager Center for Electrochemical Sciences
Charles F. Mabery Professor of Research in Chemistry, Department of Chemistry
Email daniel.scherson@case.edu or call (216)-368-5186.
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Research Projects
Electrochemistry:
With three research centers at CWRU dedicated to energy related electrochemical research (the Case Advanced Power Institute and the Yeager Center for Electrochemistry), Great Lakes Energy Institute has the potential to provide a foundation for energy storage research that is second to none. CWRU is already home to [over 20] inter-disciplinary investigators that possess fundamental understandings of the chemical and physical processes involved in interactions among various states of matter--crystalline and amorphous solids, polymers, and organic liquids--that comprise various energy storage technologies. Whether traditional electrochemical components - such as the electrodes and electrolytes - or through the integration of peripheral and enabling technologies - such as the conductive additives, binders, current collectors and separators - the energy storage researchers and their external collaborators can work together to develop and prove out next generation solutions.
Materials Science:
Materials research is ubiquitous at CWRU, with departments of materials science and engineering and macromolecular science and engineering. Together with colleagues from the departments of chemical engineering, physics, chemistry and mechanical engineering CWRU researchers are engaged in investigations involving materials ranging from metallic, polymeric, ceramic, carbon and other materials. Research capabilities to address challenges related to energy density, charge-discharge rate, degradation, thermal management and safety are well established. Furthermore, our leading edge research is accelerated by additional world-class facilities as Case's Center for Layered Polymeric Systems and the Swagelok Center for Surface Analysis and Materials where investigators (and partners) can characterize and design new materials.
Sensors and Controls:
CWRU researchers in sensor systems and controls are well positioned to develop power electronics, sensing and control systems as part of an integrated systems approach to research and applications development.
Thermal and Mechanical Engineering (Compressed air storage and thermal management):
Research capability in thermal engineering at CWRU is strong. Already active in thermal management of fuel cell devices, spacecraft systems and materials processing, CWRU researchers in thermal engineering have capability and opportunity to support integrated research projects in electrochemical storage and can also pursue opportunities in thermal energy storage. Expertise relevant to mechanical energy storage (such as compressed air, hydrogen and flywheels) is also present on campus and at off-campus research centers such as the National Center for Space Exploration Research collocated at NASA Glenn Research Center.
Battery Safety:
CWRU has extensive experience in flammability testing, fire extinguishment and has active research programs across a broad range of combustion activities. Materials testing labs deal with fatigue and fracture issues and are relevant to high-pressure applications.