Dr Jennifer Johnstone-Hack

School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering

Lecturer in Sustainable Materials

Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow

Profile photo of Jennifer Hack
Profile picture of Profile photo of Jennifer Hack
j.johnstone-hack@sheffield.ac.uk

Full contact details

Dr Jennifer Johnstone-Hack
School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering
Sir Robert Hadfield Building
Mappin Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD
Profile

I joined the department in 2023 as a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow. I completed my PhD at University College London in 2021 working on fuel cell characterisation. After several years working on battery technologies, first through an EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowship studying zinc-air batteries, followed by a Project Lead role on the Faraday Institution's LiSTAR project, I joined the School of CMBE to focus on hydrogen and electrochemical device research.

My research interests surround the complex relationship between materials morphology, performance and degradation in electrochemical devices. My fellowship will use 4D imaging methods, including X-ray and neutron CT, to study morphology evolution in electrolysers and will translate the insights gained into designing new structures for various electrolyser components, including the catalyst layer and porous transport layer. I also aim to develop robust processes for imaging and analysing all types of electrochemical devices, including electrolysers, batteries and fuel cells.

Research interests

Electrochemical devices, like electrolysers and batteries, are used for converting and storing green energy. They have layered material structures, and the key reactions happen at hidden interfaces between these layers. My research uses 3D tomographic imaging methods, to 'see inside' these devices while they are operating and failing. Computed tomography, or CT, is the same process used in a hospital CT-scan, e.g. if you'd broken a bone.

We aim to use the knowledge gained by looking at failure as it’s occurring, to design new, optimised materials structures. These new structures would enable devices with longer lifetimes and higher performance.

Key research interests:

  • 4D imaging methods, including X-ray and neutron CT, in both the research laboratory and at national facilities.
  • Study of failure mechanisms in electrochemical devices, in particular electrolysers and fuel cells.
  • Understanding how materials morphology influences device performance and failure.
  • Proposing and designing new porous media architectures for improved performance and/or durability properties.
Publications

Journal articles

Conference proceedings papers

  • Hack J, Meyer Q, Iacoviello F, Cullen P, Mansor N, Shearing P, Brandon N & Brett D (2017) A MULTI-SCALE APPROACH TO POLYMER ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELL CHARACTERISATION. EFC 2017 - Proceedings of the 7th European Fuel Cell Piero Lunghi Conference (pp 235-236) RIS download Bibtex download
Teaching activities

MAT61021: Energy Generation and Storage