CBE Seminar Series: Ankur Gupta

Electrochemical capacitors hold promise for applications demanding high power density. However, our understanding of electrolyte transport within these devices remains limited. Existing models often make inaccurate predictions by neglecting confinement effects and the interplay between the electrical double layer (EDL) and redox reactions. We address these shortcomings by presenting a two-pronged approach: (i) Comprehensive Theoretical Framework: We develop a comprehensive theoretical framework for predicting double-layer charging within intricate networks of long pores, applicable within the Debye-Hückel limit. This framework allows us to simulate electrolyte transport in thousands of pores simultaneously. (ii) Fully Resolved EDL-Redox Coupling: We incorporate a complete description of EDL-redox coupling, leading to more accurate current voltage relationships. To validate our approach, we rigorously compare our predictions with direct numerical simulations across diverse geometries and EDL-redox conditions. This work bridges a critical knowledge gap, paving the way for the rational design of next-generation electrochemical capacitors.

The seminar will also touch upon our research group’s efforts on diffusiophoresis-enhanced Turing patterns and self-diffusiophoretic propulsion, exploring their potential applications in the design of future lab-on-a-chip technologies.