Hydrodynamic flows are sometimes stable but often unstable. This lies in an inherent stability to sustain flows against small perturbations. Such stability problem expands to electrically conducting fluids in electric fields. Coupling the basic concepts in continuum electromechanics and hydrodynamic stability, this electrohydrodynamic (EHD) instability in those systems. Recently, a new example of EHD stability was uncovered on ion exchange membranes, i.e., electroconvection (EC). Selective ion flux through the membranes drives the strong depletion of co-ions, generating unstable charge separation layers and vortical flows. We are interested in the underlying physics of this field-induced hydrodynamic instability (i.e., EC) and their board applications in desalination, flow battery, water electrolysis. By leveraging fundamental understanding along with novel flow visualization techniques, we can significantly enhance EC controllability for high-efficient desalination, water electrolyzer, and dendrite control in flow batteries.

Related Projects:

■ 2022-2024 전기수력학적와류제어기반유체역학적전극-전해질계면덴드라이트제어기술개발, 중견신진연계, NRF

■ 2019-2022 이온교환막위에서발생하는전기수력학적유동불안정성의해석, 제어및그응용, 우수신진연구, NRF

■ 2022-2023 PEM 수전해시스템내전기화학반응및버블 growth 가시화기술개발, 현대NGV

■ 2021-2022 스핀세정공정내박막유동특성규명을위한요소기술개발, SEMES

■ 2019-2020 실시간가시화가가능한액상실런트누유테스트플랫폼개발, 현대NGV