Thank you for your interest in the Center
for Electrochemical Science & Engineering at The University of
Virginia. We encourage you to explore this web site and learn more
about us and what we have to offer.
The Center for Electrochemical Science
and Engineering (CESE) at the University of Virginia is built on the
foundation of the Applied Electrochemistry Laboratories, a highly
successful organized research unit since 1974. In 1986, the Virginia
Center For Innovative Technology identified the Center as a
Technology Development Center. CESE is a multi-disciplinary research
effort which includes activities in the Departments of Materials
Science and Engineering, and Chemical Engineering, as well as
interactions with Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and
Physics. It is one of the nation's leading research groups of its
kind.
The CESE addresses a technologically
critical field. It encompasses the broad field of electrochemical
science and engineering which affects the performance and
reliability of most products manufactured in the world today.
Corrosion, an electrochemical process,
has a massive economic impact. Studies show that the annual cost of
corrosion to the U.S. economy is on the order of $200 billion.
Everyday examples include the corrosion of reinforcing bars in
concrete for bridges and roadways as well as deterioration of metal
structures in chemical and nuclear plants. Corrosion also has an
impact in electric power generation, heat exchangers for
refrigeration, shipping industries, food processing, transportation,
packaging and assembly of electronic components, space exploration,
and national defense.
Electrochemical reactions and
phenomena are utilized in the purification and refining of metals,
in the electrolytic production of commodity chemicals, in the
conversion of chemical energy to electrical power in batteries and
fuel cells, in the processing of materials for microelectronic
devices, and in the use of electrodes to sense or monitor chemical
species, and evaluate structural damage. Electrochemical operations
encompass 1/9 of the American chemical process industry.
Electrochemical production of chlorine and aluminum in themselves
consume over 5 percent of the electrical power generated in the
United States.
A major aspect of the Center is its
graduate education function. Masters and doctoral degree programs
are an integral part of the Center's research effort to provide
graduate engineers with skills required to address the needs of
industry. Select undergraduates are invited to become involved in
Center research programs as research assistants. The research work
performed often serves as the basis for the senior thesis required
of U.Va. engineering students.
Support for the establishment of the
Center for Electrochemical Science and Engineering has been provided
by CIT, as well as industrial and federal grants. In addition, the
School of Engineering and Applied Science has committed funding and
space to the Center.
Visitors to the Center for
Electrochemical Science and Engineering are welcome.
For additional information concerning
the Center or to arrange a visit, please contact our
Co-Directors:
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions
about our department.
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