Ahmed Ibrahim

Centre for Doctoral Training Doctoral Researcher

Address 

School of Chemical Engineering
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
B15 2TT
United Kingdom

Email

AXI763@student.bham.ac.uk

Lead Supervisor

Dr Ahmad El-Kharouf    

Research Summary                                                                           

Ahmed joined the Centre for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research in September 2017 as part of the CDT. Prior to this, he graduated from University College London in July 2015 with a masters degree in Chemical Engineering.

The aim of his current research is to investigate promising filler materials for multilayer membranes for intermediate temperature PEMFCs.

He is funded through the EPSRC CDT  in Fuel Cells and their fuels: EP/L015749/1.

Qualifications

MEng Chemical Engineering, University College London, 2015.

Biography

Ahmed graduated from his MEng degree in 2015. During his final year thesis, he worked on implementing capillaries within the serpentine flow plate of a nature inspired fuel cell to alleviate flooding and mass transport losses.

Research

Ahmed’s area of research focuses specifically on the membrane development of Intermediate temperature PEMFCs that operate at 100-120°C, compared to the conventional 80°C. An increase in operating temperature improves reaction kinetics, reduces poisoning, enhances heat rejection and simplifies the cooling system of the fuel cell. However, current membranes that are dependent on water content for proton conductivity cannot perform at IT temperatures due to increased water evaporation rate and enhanced degradation. Therefore, multi-layered or composite blend membranes are being developed and optimised for the operation at intermediate temperature conditions. Material characterisation, degradation, tensile tests, in situ and ex situ testing will be employed. 

 

Other activities

  

Publications