Carbonized plant materials for microbial fuel cell
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Carbonized plant materials for microbial fuel cell
Thu, 24/09/2015 - 14:00 to 15:00
Location:
Speaker:
Professor Michael Leung
Affiliation:
School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong
Synopsis:
Effective use of natural materials to fabricate porous carbonaceous structures for anodes of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) has a high potential for substantial cost reduction in MFC. In this study, three kinds of plant materials, i.e. king mushroom, wild mushroom and corn stem, were investigated for fabrication of conductive electrode materials by simple carbonization procedures. The electrochemical and bioelectrochemical accessibilities of the carbonized electrodes were evaluated by impedance, cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques in order to study the electron transfer rate (Kapp), charge transfer resistances, oxidative current density and bioelectroactive moieties. The porous architecture, high electron transfer rate and high electroactive biofilm growth are attributes that qualify natural-material carbon anodes as low-cost alternative for MFC.
Biography:
Professor Michael Leung is the Associate Dean and Professor of School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong. He is also the Director of Ability R&D Energy Research Centre (AERC). Prof. Leung started his academic career as a Lecturer in the Department of Manufacturing Engineering and Engineering Management at the City University of Hong Kong in 2000. In 2002, Dr. Leung joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Hong Kong as a Research Assistant Professor; and in 2006 became an Assistant Professor. In 2010, he joined the City University of Hong Kong again in the School of Energy and Environment (SEE). Prof. Leung is also a Past Chairman of the Energy Institute (Hong Kong Branch), a Member of the HKSAR Energy Advisory Committee, a Chartered Engineer, and a Registered Professional Engineer.
Prof. Leung's main research interests are solar photocatalysis, fuel-cell electrochemistry, hydrogen production, carbon management, carbon capture and storage, advanced refrigeration and air-conditioning. Since 2002, he has totally received HK$16M+ research funding as a PI from ITF, RGC, ECF & WWGF, SDF, industrial sponsorships, university internal grants, donations, etc. He has published 100+ journal papers, 60+ conference papers, 14 books/book chapters, and 4 patents.