This project focuses on the design and analysis of electrocatalytic reactor cells for CO₂ reduction and related electrochemical transformations. The project addresses the reactor as a coupled system, integrating electrocatalyst structure, cell architecture, and operating dynamics. The researcher will work on reactor concepts beyond static operation, exploring dynamic modes, intensified configurations, and structure-controlled electrodes. Activities include defining design requirements, translating electrochemical kinetics and transport phenomena into reactor-level models, and assessing how flow fields, electrode architecture, membranes, and operating conditions shape local reaction environments. The project emphasizes engineering metrics—current density, selectivity, stability, energy efficiency, and scalability—rather than material performance alone. Outcomes include design guidelines for electrocatalytic cells and quantitative frameworks to support sizing and scale-up of intensified electrochemical reactors. The internship offers exposure to electrocatalysis, reactor engineering, and system-level thinking, preparing the intern to work at the interface of materials, electrochemistry, and chemical reaction engineering.

► Conceptual electrocatalytic reactor cell designs with defined operating windows ► Reactor-level models linking kinetics, transport, and cell architecture ► Quantitative assessment of performance metrics under dynamic and intensified operation ► Design guidelines supporting reactor sizing and potentially scale-up