The electrochemical engineering research group is affiliated with the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of South Carolina. The Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of South Carolina occupies about one third of the new (1987), 220,000 square foot Swearingen Engineering Center. More than half of this space is associated with the Center of Electrochemical Engineering.
      This state of the art building is fully equipped for modern chemical engineering research in multi disciplinary areas. The research in my group primarily focusses on issues related to electrochemical engineering. The facilities here can be broadly grouped into three categories, namely (i) Fuel Cell Lab, (ii) Corrosion and Electroplating Lab and (iii) Battery Testing and Characterization Lab.

  Fuel Cell Lab

We have fuel cell test stations, which can be used for characterizing membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). The electrochemical tests are carried out using the existing potentiostat/galvanostats (PAR Model 273 coupled with PS/2 computer), frequency analyzers and Arbin and Bitrode cycling systems with total of 95 channels. Material synthesis and characterization equipment include a VTI Corporation Integrated Micro balance System, Perkin Elmer 7 Series DSC and TGA, a Microemetrics BET surface area/pore volume analyzer, an AES High Gradient Magnetic Field Generation System, a Vacuum Atmospheres controlled atmosphere glove boxes, a Lingberg 51700 high temperature programmable furnace, a Linberg high temperature programmable tube furnace, an Orion EA 940 multi-probe pH/ISE meter, a Perkin Elmer 3920 Gas Chromatograph with TCD and FID capabilities, and an HP 3395 Integrator; a Tylan, eight-unit Mass flow Control System.

   Corrosion Testing

This laboratory is set up to develop novel methods to enhance the life of structural concrete. Corrosion of reinforcement steel in concrete has been the primary cause of the failure of common structures such as bridges. As part of the protection strategy novel inhibitors are being developed to prevent the corrosion of the steel rebars.

   Electroplating

At the Department of Chemical Engineering we have been developing several novel coatings to replace cadmium deposits currently used in the U.S. Army and Navy. The objective is to develop environmentally benign and mechanically superior replacements for cadmium coatings to prevent corrosion of steel. Ternary Zn-Ni-X (X=P, SiO2, Ce, Mo) alloys with better corrosion resistant characteristics than Zn-Ni alloy and Cd are currently being developed for ONR in our laboratory.

   Battery Testing

The demand for portable appliances and non-conventional sources of energy has led to an unprecedented rise in the production of rechargeable batteries. This laboratory is set up to study the performance of two battery systems which have attracted tremendous attention recently namely Lithium Ion and Nickel Metal Hydride.
       Conventional battery systems (Lead acid, Ni-Zn, Ni-Fe, and Ni-Cd) do not address important issues needed for electronic appliances such as long life, low weight, the use of nontoxic materials and high power. In the last decade focus has shifted to a new class of cells known as Li ion batteries. This laboratory is set up to synthesize different chemicals, which can be used as battery electrodes for Li-ion cells.
        The Battery Testing Laboratory is also focussed on testing Li-ion cells. Apart from consumer electronics, these batteries are used in U.S. satellites, Hubble space telescope and other aerospace applications. This testing facility is state-of-the-art and is exactly similar to those used in battery industry. Current focus is on studying the capacity fade of Li-ion cells for National Reconnaissance Office.