Søren Bredmose Simonsen
Senior Researcher
Department of Energy Conversion and Storage
Fysikvej
Building 310 Room 420
2800 Kgs. Lyngby
Danmark
Catalysis Nanomaterials TEM X-ray tomography
As Associate Professor at DTU Energy, I analyze energy related materials such as fuels cells, electrolysis cells, batteries, solar cells by using x-ray CT and TEM with an emphasis on in situ methods. In my ERC starting grant project, HEIST I focus on the development of a new in situ method combining Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with high-temperature electrochemical investigations of model solid oxide electrolysis cells. More generally, I am working on transforming x-ray CT scanners and electron microscopes into electrochemical labs where model fuel and electrolysis cells are operated during structural and compositional analysis. I am building my own group with a focus on the development of such methods to be applied on materials for technologies within sustainable energy. My background regarding in situ TEM started, during my master and PhD project which were carried out in collaboration with the company Haldor Topsøe A/S. Both projects focused on applying environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM) to solve fundamental issues related to catalytic cleaning of diesel exhaust gasses. After the PhD I broadened my competences within the area of catalysis synthesis and testing as postdoc at DTU CASE and in collaboration with the company Amminex A/S. After my first postdoc position I further broadened my competences within materials for energy conversion and storage and by starting to work with lab-scale x-ray CT methods. So far, I have been working with various experimental methods including catalyst preparation (incipient wetness impregnation, co-precipitation, physical vapor deposition) and catalyst testing and characterization (TEM, STEM, EDS, EELS, SEM, STM, AFM, XRD, XRF, X-ray CT, XPS, ellipsometry). My strongest competences are within material characterization by using in situ TEM and in situ x-ray CT methods. I have experience with clean room work. Along my scientific career I have been involved in outreach activities to explain, communicate and disseminate science to the society at large.