Speaker: Dr. Martin Edwards, University of Arkansas
Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 4:15 – 5:15 PM
Location: Science Engineering Hall (SCEN 403)
Title: Mathematics meets electrochemistry
Abstract: Electrochemistry is the synergistic coupling of electrical and chemical phenomena. In some electrochemical systems, such as batteries, chemical energy drives electrical processes, while in others, electrical energy is used to drive desirable chemical processes, such as the extraction of metal from ore or the synthesis of pharmaceuticals. We can use the electrical current to measure chemical systems, such as for the glucose biosensor used by those suffering from diabetes. In all electrochemical systems, the electrical current is directly proportional to the rate of the electrochemical reaction, which provides an easily accessible route to quantitatively measure and manipulate chemical systems. However, interpretation of such experiments requires relating the measured/controlled scalar quantity (current or voltage) and the 3d distribution of ion concentrations and electric fields in the physicochemical system. This can be achieved by quantitative modelling incorporating mass transport, electrical fields, with appropriate boundary conditions. Such modelling may employ continuum PDEs (systems containing large numbers of molecules) or random walks/statistical descriptions (one or few entities are considered). When stochastic physical phenomena are present, e.g., nucleation, a statistical approach must also be considered. The rich coupling of physics in electrochemical systems gives rise to a range of surprising behaviors and rich opportunities for mathematical analysis. In this talk, I will introduce the concepts of electrochemistry through examples from my laboratory. I will introduce both theoretical models (numerical simulation, analytical solution, statistical results) and experimental data and include both solved systems and open problems where mathematical insights are welcome.
Short Bio: Martin Edwards joined the University of Arkansas an assistant professor of chemistry in 2020. Previously, he was a research professor in the group of Henry White (Utah). Martin received his MMath followed by a MSc and PhD in interdisciplinary science (supervisor P. Unwin), all from the University of Warwick, UK. He followed this with postdoctoral research in the groups of Gabriel Gomila (IBEC, Barcelona), Mark Wightman (UNC). His diverse research interests in electrochemistry are driven by desire to cultivate a fundamental understanding of interfacial processes occurring at the micro- and nanoscale. Using an approach that combines physical and analytical measurements with modeling (mathematical/statistical/numerical), he has tackled problems in areas ranging from neuroscience and nanoparticles through nanobubbles. His research involves the development of novel instrumentation and experiments. He was the 2020 recipient of the Royce Murray Young Investigator award from the Society of Electroanalytical Chemistry (SEAC).
Recent Comments