MechE Colloquium: From Double-Layer Physics to kW-Scale Reactors: Predictive Modelling and Field Demonstrations of (Photo)-Electrochemical Systems
Event details
| Date | 04.11.2025 |
| Hour | 12:00 › 13:00 |
| Speaker | Prof. Sophia Haussener, Laboratory of Renewable Energy Science and Engineering, STI, EPFL |
| Location | Online |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
| Event Language | English |
Abstract: The transition to a sustainable energy economy and chemical industry depends on (photo)-electrochemical routes for water splitting and CO₂ reduction, which can convert renewable electricity and sunlight into energy-dense fuels and value-added chemicals. Achieving efficient, durable, and scalable implementation of these processes requires a quantitative understanding of the coupled charge, mass, and heat transport phenomena that govern their performance across multiple length scales. I will present a multiscale modelling framework that bridges molecular-level interfacial physics with continuum-scale device operation in electrochemical CO₂ reduction. Starting from atomistic and double-layer descriptions [1, 2], extending through mesoscale transport in porous electrodes [2, 3], and ending in volume-averaged continuum models [4], I will illustrate how each level of description captures essential physical behavior. This framework enables predictive linking of local electrochemical microenvironments to macroscopic activity, selectivity, and efficiency. Building on this foundation, I will discuss the integration of electrochemical systems with semiconductors to realize photo-electrochemical devices capable of large production rates while maintaining high solar-to-fuel efficiencies [5]. I will further discuss how these types of concentrated photo-electrochemical systems can be scaled to the kilowatt scale [6]. I will discuss innovation in design, operation and application that could make such systems competive. The last part of the talk will addess lifetime and stability, a critical aspect of photo-electrochemical systems. I will conclude by highlighting ongoing advances in understanding and mitigating degradation phenomena.
[1] F. Lorenzutti, R. Seemakurthi, E. Johnson, S. Morandi, P. Nikacevic, N. Lopez, S. Haussener, Nature Catalysis, 2025, 10.1038/s41929-025-01399-2.
[2] E. Johnson, E. Boutin, S. Liu, S. Haussener, EES Catalysis, 2023, 10.1039/D3EY00122A.
[3] S. Suter. S. Haussener, Energy Environmental Science, 2019, 10.1039/C9EE00656G.
[4] V. Agarwal, S. Haussener, Communications Chemistry, 2024, 10.1038/s42004-024-01122-5.
[5] E. Boutin, M. Patel, E. Kecsenovity; S. Suter; C. Janáky, S. Haussener, Advanced Energy Materials, 2022, 10.1002/aenm.202200585.
[6] I. Holmes-Gentle, S. Tembhurne, S. Suter, S. Haussener, Nature Energy, 2023, 10.1038/s41560-023-01247-2.
Biography: Sophia Haussener is an Associate Professor heading the Laboratory of Renewable Energy Science and Engineering at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). She received her PhD (2010) in Mechanical Engineering from ETH Zurich. Between 2011 and 2012, she was a postdoctoral researcher at the Joint Center of Artificial Photosynthesis (JCAP) and the Energy Environmental Technology Division of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), before joining EPFL as Assistant Professor in 2013. She is a member of EPFL’s research award commission and of EPFL’s Academic Strategic Committee. She has published over 150 articles in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings, and 2 books. She has been awarded the ETH medal (2011), the Dimitris N. Chorafas Foundation award (2011), the ABB Forschungspreis (2012), a Starting Grant of the Swiss National Science Foundation (2014), the Prix Zonta (2015), the Global Change Award (2017), the Raymond Viskanta Award on Radiative Transfer (2019), and the Yellott award (2024). In 2024, she has been named one of Cell Press’ 50 Scientist that inspire. She is a co-founder of the startup SoHHytec aiming at commercializing photoelectrochemical hydrogen production.
[1] F. Lorenzutti, R. Seemakurthi, E. Johnson, S. Morandi, P. Nikacevic, N. Lopez, S. Haussener, Nature Catalysis, 2025, 10.1038/s41929-025-01399-2.
[2] E. Johnson, E. Boutin, S. Liu, S. Haussener, EES Catalysis, 2023, 10.1039/D3EY00122A.
[3] S. Suter. S. Haussener, Energy Environmental Science, 2019, 10.1039/C9EE00656G.
[4] V. Agarwal, S. Haussener, Communications Chemistry, 2024, 10.1038/s42004-024-01122-5.
[5] E. Boutin, M. Patel, E. Kecsenovity; S. Suter; C. Janáky, S. Haussener, Advanced Energy Materials, 2022, 10.1002/aenm.202200585.
[6] I. Holmes-Gentle, S. Tembhurne, S. Suter, S. Haussener, Nature Energy, 2023, 10.1038/s41560-023-01247-2.
Biography: Sophia Haussener is an Associate Professor heading the Laboratory of Renewable Energy Science and Engineering at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). She received her PhD (2010) in Mechanical Engineering from ETH Zurich. Between 2011 and 2012, she was a postdoctoral researcher at the Joint Center of Artificial Photosynthesis (JCAP) and the Energy Environmental Technology Division of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), before joining EPFL as Assistant Professor in 2013. She is a member of EPFL’s research award commission and of EPFL’s Academic Strategic Committee. She has published over 150 articles in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings, and 2 books. She has been awarded the ETH medal (2011), the Dimitris N. Chorafas Foundation award (2011), the ABB Forschungspreis (2012), a Starting Grant of the Swiss National Science Foundation (2014), the Prix Zonta (2015), the Global Change Award (2017), the Raymond Viskanta Award on Radiative Transfer (2019), and the Yellott award (2024). In 2024, she has been named one of Cell Press’ 50 Scientist that inspire. She is a co-founder of the startup SoHHytec aiming at commercializing photoelectrochemical hydrogen production.
Practical information
- General public
- Free