Abstract—The American Society for Engineering Education
administers a postdoctoral fellowship program supported by the National Science Foundation, encouraging PhD recipients to conduct research in small businesses for 1-2 years. This is a relatively new and unique program where the fellow gains valuable hands-on industry experience while simultaneously small companies enjoy PhD-level work at an affordable cost. To date, the official website is the sole source of public information about this program, with very few first-hand experiences described. This paper summarizes the research and professional activities of a postdoctoral fellow working for Proton OnSite, a leader proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis systems. The information will help graduate students make educated career decisions.
Index Terms—electrochemical devices, multidisciplinary engineering, small business, women in engineering.
I. INTRODUCTION ndustrial positions constitute a small percentage of the postdoctoral workforce. A 2008 NSF InfoBrief estimated
8% of engineering postdocs worked in for-profit or nonprofit companies or organizations.1 While data on industrial postdocs is scarce, the experience offers a variety of potential benefits including exposure to team-oriented and collaborative environments, access to industry contacts and resources, and the opportunity to gain managerial experience.2 In addition, industry postdoctoral positions come with financial benefits, sometimes including bonuses and stock options. While many of the above can also be attained in academia, postdoctoral positions in industry are often an overlooked option.
The American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) have created a program to support postdoctoral training in small businesses.3 Companies with active Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards are eligible to participate. Fellows
Manuscript received February 18, 2014. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant # IIP-1059286 to the American Society for Engineering Education.
K. E. Ayers is with Proton OnSite, 10 Technology Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492 USA. Phone: 203-678-2190; fax: 866-472-9542; e-mail: [email protected].
J. N. Renner is with Proton OnSite, 10 Technology Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492 USA. E-mail: [email protected].
write research proposals for the small business to review before accepting them into the program. Companies benefit financially, paying only a modest amount toward the fellow’s stipend and for a small administrative fee, while fellows have the opportunity to participate in industrial research. Fellows are assigned a mentor at the company, and semi-annual reporting is required throughout the fellowship to document progress made toward project goals.
The program offers many special advantages. Fellows come with their own funding, which can allow them some freedom to explore their own research topics and learn techniques in a new field. Additionally, the required mentorship ensures fellows are getting adequate support, while simultaneously ensuring that the company expectations are satisfied. Finally, because the fellow is in a smaller company, they have the opportunity to be a part of different aspects of the business, including but not limited to manufacturing, quality control, sales, business development, and customer service.
One of the program goals is to recruit postdoctoral candidates from underrepresented groups to work in small businesses.3 Minority groups are underrepresented in postdoctoral positions,4 and women are underrepresented in industry management positions.5 This article outlines the experience of one female postdoctoral fellow working for Proton OnSite, located in Wallingford, CT. Proton OnSite is the world leader in proton exchange membrane (PEM)-based electrolysis systems, and is well-established in the marketplace for industrial applications. Postdoctoral activities including research, mentoring, management, proposal writing and networking are described. The information will provide context for the type of experience that can be gained in an industry postdoctoral position, and will better equip students to make career decisions upon graduating.
II. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The research fellow was given the opportunity to be highly involved with catalyst studies at Proton OnSite as well as proof-of-concept experiments to support proposal writing activities. A summary of the major results from these activities is presented below.
A. Catalyst Fundamentals The fellow worked with the production team to audit the
catalyst processing techniques at Proton OnSite and identify
Exploring Electrochemical Technology: A Perspective on the ASEE/NSF Small Business Postdoctoral Research Diversity Fellowship
Julie N. Renner and Kathy E. Ayers
I
important parameters. It was hypothesized thacharge had a significant impact on the charresulting material. A simple and inexpensivewas employed to screen surface charge.6 Expthe extreme cases, it was found that catalystlarge basic shift in pH also resulted in diffeand processing behavior compared to catalyshift (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1. Mass titration curves showing extremes of catalys Based on these results, a technique was exthe charge on the catalyst particles. A catalbase contamination was subjected to an acrinsed. Titrations of the treated lot indicatedcould be changed and the processing becontrolled. In a separate experiment, Brunau(BET) analysis indicated that after the accatalyst had a negligible decrease in surfac5%).
Scanning electron microscope (SEM) imagthe base contaminated catalyst, and of thtreated with acid (Fig. 2). Both samples werwith the same protocol. Fine particles are racid treatment.
Fig. 2. SEM images showing fine catalyst particle streatment and larger particles after acid treatment (right,
The performance of a membrane electrode
manufactured with acid treated catalyst was cm2 test cell at 50°C and compared to Proto(Fig. 3). The results indicate that the peraffected by the acid treatment of the catalyst.
The impact of the research includes screening technique which prevents catsuboptimal surface charge from enteringpipeline. This research also demonstrated cocharge for future processing needs.
at catalyst surface racteristics of the e titration method ploring effects of ts which caused a erent morphology yst with an acidic
st surface charge.
xplored to control lyst lot with high cid treatment and d that the charge havior could be
uer-Emmett-Teller cid treatment the e area (less than
ges were taken of he same catalyst e dried and sifted reduced after the
ize (left) before acid same magnification).
assembly (MEA) evaluated in a 25
on’s baseline data rformance is not
an inexpensive talyst lots with the processing
ontrol the surface
Fig. 3. Polarization curves showing that acaffect initial performance compared to Proton
B. Electrodes for Low-Cost, Alka(AEM)-based Water Electrolysis Over the past decade it has b
exchange membranes (AEMs) canelectrolyte, enabling AEM fuel cCompared to PEMs, the technologAEMs are advantageous because materials of construction, 2) they wider array of low-cost catalysexperience, AEM materials are stithan PEM membranes of similar thimore robust to normal processing therefore thinner membranes can bdistinct cost advantages, efficiencyhaving intrinsically lower ion condumitigated. It is for these reasonincluded in Proton’s technology road
Currently, there are no viable albased catalysts in PEM-based electra variety of academic partners (for of Technology and Northeastern UAEM technology and appropriate caactivity and stability, electrode strare all still active areas of research. heat tolerance than PEM materialpressing to make MEAs will not wohad the opportunity to independexplore a solution-based metal depobased electrolysis, which does not or pressing. To Proton’s knowledgetechnique has been explored for this
Cobalt-based catalyst was direcdiffusion layers (GDLs) to make(GDEs). These GDE samples werewith a standard noble metal electroconducted at 50°C in an anode feenoble metal electrode showed simithe standard noble metal electrodeconcept for the deposition technique
cid treatment of catalyst does not n’s baseline.
aline Exchange Membrane
been realized that anion n be used as a solid state cells and other devices.7 gy is less developed, but they 1) enable low-cost
allow the utilization of a sts, and 3) in Proton’s iffer and easier to handle ickness. This makes AEMs than PEM materials, and
be used. Because of these y penalties due to AEMs uctivity are expected to be ns AEM development is dmap. ternatives to noble metal-rolysis. Proton works with example, Illinois Institute
University) who investigate atalysts. However, catalyst ructure and manufacturing Since AEMs have a lower
ls, traditional heating and ork. In this work, the fellow dently conceptualize and osition technique for AEM-
require excessive heating, e, this is the first time this s specific application. ctly plated on anode gas gas diffusion electrodes
e built in a 5 cm2 test cell lysis cathode. Testing was
ed configuration. The non-ilar initial performance to e, demonstrating proof-of-e (Fig. 4).
Fig. 4. Cobalt-based anodes have performance similbaseline.
Scanning electron microscope (SEM) imag
the cobalt-based electrodes (Fig. 5). EDS wascertain the chemical nature of the catalyst. a hexagonal crystal structure, characteristic odispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed distinc
Fig. 5. SEM image showing the hexagonal crystal strucatalyst. This research shows a feasible pathway fomanufacturing, using inexpensive catalyst work has been included in proposals aiming technology.
C. Low-Cost Alkaline Exchange MembraneElectrochemical Ammonia Production The Haber–Bosch process is the main ro
(NH3) production, combining nitrogen (N2) w(H2). The strong triple bond and unreactivcontributes to a low equilibrium conversionrequirement of high pressure (150–300 temperature (400°–500°C) to form NH3. energy intensive, and typically uses either coas the energy and hydrogen feed stock. In adcost for Haber-Bosch ammonia producprohibitive for small, point-of-use plants incrconsumed and related greenhouse gas emissio
Electrochemical production of ammonia hbecause it decreases the need for pressureallows oxidation and reduction reactions enabling a wider range of chemistries and selective catalysts for each reaction. Thchemistries and catalysts may eliminate the n
lar to the noble metal
ges were taken of was employed to The results show
of cobalt. Energy-ct cobalt peaks.
ucture of cobalt-based
or AEM electrode materials. This
to advance AEM
e (AEM)-based
oute for ammonia with hydrogen gas ve nature of N2
n (~15%) and the atm) and high This process is
oal or natural gas ddition, the capital ction plants is easing the energy
ons via shipping. has many benefits e and heat,8 and to be separated, potentially more
his flexibility in need to use highly
purified inlet streams, potentially asource. In addition, because electrreactions, integration with renewawind or solar) becomes more plausib
There are several papers inproduction of ammonia.9 PEMs are been recently incorporated into synthesis devices.10 However, the reand can be partly attributed to the nOne problem with using PEM-baenvironment limits durable catalyst metals. In addition, ammonia is a wethat it readily reacts with acidic meconductivity and speculatively, memAEMs have been successfully demcells,11 but there is no significant utilization for ammonia synthesis allowed access to multiple expexploratory work to take place ammonia production cell is feasible.
An AEM-based ammonia producbuilt for proof-of-concept experimschematic of the electrochemical cehumidified nitrogen gas. The N2 athe feed stream combine with electrhydroxide ions (OH-) and ammonidevice is the AEM which selectiveanode where the ions form oxygenresult is an ammonia enriched samount of N2 and H2O. Electrolwhich were neither selective to amstability but served as a proof-of-con
Fig. 6. Schematic for AEM-based ammonia p Polarization data showed current
lower than the water electrolysis initial performance test (Fig. 7). ammonia production is occurring. Dwas apparent with the earliest performance, and an increase in actithe cell is operated. Samples takenperiod and after several hours of opammonia content using a colorimshows that the AEM-based technoloammonia (Fig. 8).
allowing air to be the N2 ricity is used to drive the able energy sources (e.g. ble. nvolving electrochemical well-established and have a number of ammonia
eported performance is low need for selective catalysts. sed devices is the acidic options to expensive noble eak base, and it is expected embranes to reduce proton mbrane lifetime. Recently, onstrated in ammonia fuel published work on AEM to date. The fellowship
erts in cell design and proving an AEM-based
. tion cell was designed and
ments. Fig. 6 shows the ell. The feed gas stream is and water (H2O) present in rons at the cathode to form ia. The key enabler in the ely conducts OH- to the n (O2) and H2O. The end stream depleted of small ysis catalysts were used,
mmonia nor optimized for ncept demonstration.
production cell.
was achieved at potentials theoretical voltage in the
This is evidence that Degradation of performance
curve having the best ivation energy occurring as n during the initial testing peration were analyzed for
metric assay.12 The assay ogy is capable of producing
Fig. 7. Polarization data of an AEM-based ammonia pro The results not only show that the no
technology is credible, but also provide dirdevelopment activities. The data indicatefficiency needs to be improved and a mostable catalyst is required on the ammonia pthe cell.
Fig. 8. Ammonia produced in AEM-based electrochemic
These results have supported multiple proproof-of-concept for a new and promising eledesign for ammonia production, as well asfuture development activities.
III. SMALL BUSINESS EXPERIEN
A. Proposal and Report Writing The above results were included in mult
proposals where the technical write up was spfellow. The mentor provided feedback and scproposal writing effort. Through this efforthad the opportunity to interact with acadeorganize the scope and technical objectives This allowed the fellow to have guidance frwho have had experience and success in prop
oduction cell.
ovel AEM-based rection for future te that faradaic ore selective and production side of
cal cell.
oposals, showing, ectrochemical cell s a direction for
NCES
tiple SBIR/STTR pearheaded by the caffolding for the t, the fellow also emic partners to of the proposals.
rom professionals osal writing.
The fellow also supported goverfor multiple SBIR projects. Thisproviding the company with project but also exposing the fellow to multamount of time.
B. Small Business Upper ManageIn the first year of the fellows
organized one-on-one interviews withe upper management at Protinterviews, the research fellow learnwas at the company. The fellowdetailed questions about the importahow the role was executed, what etheir career, and if they had any aeffort has fostered a greater underbusiness operates and how each parthe overall vision.
C. Project Management and TeamThe research mentor encouraged
Project Manager role in a Phase INational Labs which investigatmanufacturing and core-shell catametal content by an order of magnmembrane (PEM)-based water efellow’s responsibilities includedinvestigators at Brookhaven, managtasks, organizing team meetings aengineers to achieve the milestoresearch fellow was also encourageto meet the collaborators, and attenestablish a network.
In addition, the research fellow multiple teams in a technical suplaboratory experiments, supportinactivities, acting as an academictechnical guidance to engineers. Tbroad technical exposure, while steamwork mentality within the comp
D. Mentoring The research fellow also had th
multiple undergraduate interns witprojects. The fellow was responsibplans for these students, as well asand tracking their progress. The feprogram with the University of CChemical and Biomolecular Engparticipate in defined industry-baseprogram is being piloted this spparticipating. One student is wordeveloping new catalyst characunderstand catalyst processing behabe official company work instrucdeveloped. Another student is desigan electrodeionization unit using Presult of this project will be proincluded in future research proposal
rnment reporting activities s was a synergistic role,
support in a concrete way, iple technologies in a short
ement Exposure ship, the research mentor ith the research fellow and ton OnSite. During the ned what the person’s role
w was encouraged to ask ance of the role, including xperiences helped them in
advice for the fellow. This rstanding of how a small rt of the company fits into
m Building d the fellow to assume a I STTR with Brookhaven tes alternative electrode lysts to reduce the noble nitude in proton exchange
electrolysis. The research d collaborating with the ing and prioritizing project
and providing direction to ones of the project. The ed to travel to Brookhaven nd a symposium to further
was asked to be part of pport role by conducting ng government reporting c liaison, and providing his experience provided a simultaneously building a pany culture.
he opportunity to mentor th industry-based research le for defining the project s managing their activities ellow spearheaded a co-op
Connecticut Department of gineering, where students ed projects for credit. The pring, with two students rking on identifying and cterization techniques to aviors. The end result will ctions for the techniques gning, building and testing
Proton hardware. The end oof-of-concept data to be s or publications.
E. Networking Financial assistance is given to the fellow through the
fellowship program to attend conferences, allowing the fellow to travel at a significantly reduced cost to the company. The fellow was able to meet academic partners who later became collaborators on proposals. Additionally, the fellow interfaced with local universities to understand current research and potential future collaborations, as well as equipment and testing capabilities.
IV. CONCLUSIONS While industry postdocs are relatively rare, this report
demonstrates the experience can include many professional advantages, including the opportunity to conduct cutting edge research, write proposals, manage projects, direct research, obtain valuable contacts, and understand business structure. Postdocs can have a tangible positive impact on companies by supporting manufacturing, and can also have long term impact by developing emerging technologies.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT The authors would like to thank the employees at Proton
OnSite including Chris Capuano, Luke Dalton, Mike Niedzwiecki, Morgan George and Judith Manco for the intellectual discussions. Mike Niedzwiecki specifically obtained the SEM images presented throughout the document.
REFERENCES [1] T. B. Hoffer, K. Grigorian, and E. Hedberg, “Postdoc participation of science, engineering and health doctorate recipients,” NSF Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences InfoBrief NSF 08-307. Arlington, VA: National Science Foundation, March 2008. [2] G. H. W. Wong, “Consider post-doctoral training in industry,” Nat. Biotechnol. vol. 23, pp. 151-152, Jan. 2005. [3] NSF Small Business Postdoctoral Research Diversity Fellowship Program, Administered by: American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). Dec. 04, 2012. Web. Feb. 12, 2014. <http://nsfsbir.asee.org/> [4] P. Einaudi, R. Heuer, and P. Green, “Counts of postdoctoral appointees in science, engineering, and health rise with reporting improvements,” NSF Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences InfoBrief NSF 13-334. Arlington, VA: National Science Foundation, Sept. 2013. [5] A. Sherrill, “Women in management: Female managers’ representation, characteristics, and pay,” United States Government Accountability Office GAO-10-1064T. Sept. 2010. [6] S. Zalac, and N. J. Kallay, “Application of mass titration to the point of zero charge determination,” J. Colloid Interface Sci., vol. 149, pp. 233-240, Jul. 1992. [7] J. R. Varcoe and R. C. T. Slade, "Prospects for alkaline anion-exchange membranes in low temperature fuel cells," Fuel Cells, vol. 5, pp. 187-200, Oct. 2005. [8] V. Kordali, G. Kyriacou and C. Lambrou, "Electrochemical synthesis of ammonia at atmospheric pressure and low temperature in a solid polymer electrolyte cell," Chem.
Commun., vol. 17, pp. 1673-1674, Jul. 2000. [9] I. A. Amar, R. Lan, C. T. G. Petit and S. Tao, "Solid-state electrochemical synthesis of ammonia: a review," J. Solid State Electrochem., vol. 15, pp. 1845-1860, Sept. 2011. [10] R. Lan, J. T. S. Irvine and S. Tao, "Synthesis of ammonia directly from air and water at ambient temperature and pressure," Scientific Reports, vol. 3, pp. 1-7, Jan. 2013. [11] R. Lan, J. T. Irvine and S. Tao, "Ammonia and related chemicals as potential indirect hydrogen storage materials," Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, vol. 37, pp. 1482–1494, Jan. 2012. [12] F. Koroleff, “Determination of nutrients: 2. Ammonia,” in Methods of seawater analysis, K. Grasshoff, Ed. 1976, pp. 126-133.
