Teaching electrochemistry and student participation in the development of sustainable electricity generation/storage devices at the Institute of Chemistry of the University of Tartu

Abstract

AbstractResearch-based education is a long-standing tradition at the University of Tartu (UT). Basic knowledge of electrochemistry and the principles of developing electrochemical devices have been taught and implemented at UT since 1960. For instance, during then, self-made alkaline electrolysers were used to generate hydrogen. The hydrogen was further purified and used to saturate aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes. The fundamental electrochemical research has formed a solid background on which the development of supercapacitors and Na+-ion or Li+-ion batteries is based today. Since 1991, the Ph.D., MSc and undergraduate students have investigated the properties of high surface–area carbon materials in non-aqueous electrolytes to develop energy conversion and storage devices with high energy and power density. Moreover, porous thin-film complex metal hydride–based hydrogen storage devices are also under study. The research of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) began at the UT in 2001 and 2010, respectively. Based on the collected knowledge, a sustainable green electricity and hydrogen generation-storage complex (GEHGSC) was constructed, consisting of solar cells and fuel cells for electricity generation, batteries for storage and electrolysers for hydrogen generation. The main aim of GEHGSC is to educate students, young scientists and local authorities specialized in sustainable energy technologies and applied electrochemistry. Electrolyzed hydrogen has been used for experimental testing of SOFC and PEMFC, produced at the Institute of Chemistry. The 300 bar hydrogen compressor has been installed, and thereafter, the PEMFC-powered self-driving car Iseauto, completed by contract for Auve Tech OÜ, has been fuelled with hydrogen produced by GEHGSC.