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Mechanical Engineering MS Thesis Defense by Mr. Nasim Anjum

When: Tuesday, July 7, 2020
12:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Where: > See description for location
Description: Mechanical Engineering MS Thesis Defense by Mr. Nasim Anjum

DATE:
July 7, 2020

TIME:
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

LOCATION:
Zoom Conference Link: https://umassd.zoom.us/j/91082321887

TOPIC:
Composite-based Flexible Supercapacitors for Wearable Applications

ABSTRACT:
Flexible and wearable electronics are becoming increasingly popular nowadays. Flexible energy storage devices like flexible supercapacitors can serve as the power source for next-generation wearables to offer flexibility and safety that current batteries lack. The thesis aims to develop safe, mechanically durable, and flexible supercapacitors using hydrogel polymer electrolytes and carbon-based flexible electrodes.

The first part of the thesis studies the processing and performance improvement of the hydrogel polymer electrolytes. We found that both ionic conductivity and interfacial capacitance of such electrolytes can be modulated by exposing them to different humidity. Orders of magnitude increase in ionic conductivity was observed when samples were treated at high humidity. We applied high-humidity treatment to flexible supercapacitor prototypes and achieved significant increases in both energy density and power density.

The second part of the thesis presents the design and testing of a highly durable supercapacitor. We modeled the flexible supercapacitors as laminate composites, in which the polymer electrolytes are matrix and electrode materials are fillers. We adjusted structures and compositions of fillers to simultaneously optimize the flexibility, strength, and energy storage capacity of the device. The prototype supercapacitor showed an aerial capacitance of over 40 mF/cm2 with thickness and flexibility comparable to wearable fabrics. Moreover, the device is foldable, machine-washable, and durable under repeated bending and pressing.

ADVISOR:
Dr. Caiwei Shen, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, UMassD

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Dr. Vijaya Chalivendra, Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Graduate Program Director, UMassD
Dr. Jun Li, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, UMassD

Open to the public. All MNE students are encouraged to attend.

For more information, please contact Dr. Caiwei Shen (cshen2@umassd.edu, 508-999-8449).
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