Yushan Yan
Yushan Yan's high-tech research on fuel cells and zeolite thin films could have a huge positive impact on clean energy and the environment.
A Greener Future
As our world becomes increasingly interested in clean, renewable energy sources, Yushan Yan, Professor & Chair of Chemical & Environmental Engineering at UC Riverside, is doing innovative research with fuel cells and zeolite thin films, both of which could potentially have a very beneficial impact on the environment.
Yan’s work at UC Riverside has caught the attention of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Defense and other industry leaders.
A cheaper and safer alternative
In the movie “Erin Brockovich”, hexavalent chromium played the villain, causing severe problems in the drinking water supply of a small California community. Hexavalent chromium is a carcinogen, meaning it is an agent directly involved in the occurrence of cancer.
Currently, commercial aircraft can count 75% of their weight from aluminum alloys. While aluminum alloys have great mechanical properties and are light, they are very prone to corrosion. Hexavalent chromium is currently used to fight corrosion in aluminum alloys. Yan is currently focused on the use of zeolites, porous crystals composed of silicon dioxide and aluminum oxide, as a corrosion resistant coating for aluminum alloys. Yan’s research has discovered zeolite thin films that will be cheap and durable, and could eventually replace the current hexavalent chromium-based coating.
“The elimination of hexavalent chromium will help fight health issues as well as help stop the contamination of ground water sources,” Yan said.
His research on these thin films has led him to also discover a use for the zeolites as insulators in future-generation computer chips and as a water separator in space stations.
A path towards clean, renewable energy
Yan has also been directing his research towards renewable energy sources, specifically in looking at fuel cells.
A fuel cell is a device that uses hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, similar to a battery that has the ability to be recharged while running lights, engines and electrical appliances. Fuel cell systems produce highly efficient, zero emission electrical energy. Ideally, chemicals continuously flow through the cells, making it a constant energy source. The possible uses for the fuel cells Yan is researching include powering automobiles, homes, and portable electronics.
“Currently, the real barriers to commercialization of fuel cells are cost and durability. Our research aims to reduce the costs and improve the durability of the catalysts and the membranes,” Yan said.
Making an impact in the world
Yan is excited by the possibility of seeing his research have a real impact. “My goal in research is to develop simple and innovative technologies that will solve some real, significant problems facing society today,” Yan said.
The research Yan is doing would not be possible without the on going support of UC Riverside.
“UCR's aspiration to become a world class research institution has provided a really encouraging environment for performing cutting edge research,” Yan said.
