"Multi-scale Modelling Enhancing Fuel Cell Design” presented by Prof. Kui Jiao (Tianjin University)

TMU’s Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Mechatronics Engineering welcomes all students and faculty to join a special department seminar featuring professor Kui Jiao from Tianjin University. 

Dr. Jiao is a globally recognized leader in the field of green energy conversion technologies, including fuel cells, electrolysis cells, batteries, thermoelectric generators, turbocharger compressors, combustion engines and other energy conversion technologies.

Presentation abstract

Fuel cell is a key technology to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. However, experimental development of fuel cells is confronted with substantial challenges, including high development costs, extended development durations, and difficulties in addressing complex operation conditions and processes. Simulation technology, distinguished by its high flexibility and efficiency, enables the elucidation of underlying mechanisms and provides design guidance. 

Therefore, we developed an electrochemical thermophysics simulator (ETSim) that integrated multi-scale models for fuel cell electrodes, single cells, stacks, and systems. Using ETSim, we proposed optimized designs for fuel cells that achieved high power density and low Pt loading.

About the speaker

Dr. Kui Jiao is a chair professor of the State Key Laboratory of Engines, the executive dean of the School of Energy, and the executive director of the National Industry Education Platform for Energy Storage at Tianjin University, China. 

He received his PhD degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Waterloo, Canada, in 2011. His research interests include fuel cells, electrolysis cells, batteries, thermoelectric generators, turbocharger compressors, combustion engines and other energy conversion technologies. He has published several books and more than 200 papers in highly reputed international journals, including Nature, Joule, EES, PECS, etc. He served as the Chair for several international conferences, such as the International Conference on Energy and AI. 

He also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Energy and AI, Associate Editor of the International Journal of Green Energy, and as an editorial board member of several journals such as Science Bulletin, IEEE TTE and eTransportation. He is the chair of the Energy Storage Division of the International Association for Green Energy and the Energy Storage Technology Division of the Chinese Society for Internal Combustion Engines, and a Fellows of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), the Institution of Engineering and Technology (FIET), and the Chinese Society for Internal Combustion Engines. He was a Member of The Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering (CSME). In 2023, he assisted as a committee member in organizing a Symposium on Advanced Energy Systems (SAES) at the annual CSME Congress. He was awarded the China Youth Science and Technology Award and other prestigious national and international awards.