Biography
Dr. Liang An
Dr. Liang An
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong (China)
Title: Energizing Fuel Cells with an Electrically Rechargeable Liquid Fuel
Abstract: 
Direct liquid fuel cells with their high energy density and facile liquid fuel storage have received ever-increasing attention worldwide. However, the application of these liquid fuels, due to their poor reactivity, not only needs noble metal catalysts for liquid fuel oxidation reactions but also generates seriously limited power density and energy efficiency at room temperature. Here, we propose a novel direct liquid e-fuel cell concept consisting of a catalyst-free graphite-felt anode and a conventional oxygen cathode separated by a proton exchange membrane. By feeding the e-fuel solution as fuel and the pure oxygen as oxidant, this e-fuel cell is demonstrated to deliver an open-circuit voltage of 1.23 V, a maximum current density of 750 mA cm-2, a peak power density of 293 mW cm-2 and an energy efficiency of 42.3 % at room temperature. Such a substantial improvement in the power density and energy efficiency makes this technology closer to reality, particularly in the fuel cell electric vehicle industry.
Biography: 
Dr. Liang An received his PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. He is currently an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He has authored more than 100 journal papers and edited two energy-related books. His research interests include advanced energy conversion and storage technologies, such as fuel cells and batteries.