The single crystal of platinum gently hangs atop an electrolyte surface. Electrochemistry is a surface-sensitive field of research, as the composition and atomic arrangement of the electrode drastically affect its properties. Atoms in a single crystal are highly ordered, and we are able to cut and polish a crystal in such a way that we only expose one of the many possible surface arrangements. The single crystal electrode is balanced on the surface of the electrolyte to ensure that only the polished surface is exposed. These experiments give us fundamental information about electrochemical reactions, which are integral to the field of clean energy.
Submission Year:
2017-18
Photographer's affiliation:
Graduate student
Academic areas:
Arts and Science
Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs
Art of Research categories:
Invisible discoveries
Photo:
Categories:
PhD student/candidate
Faculty of Arts and Science
Department of Chemistry
School of Graduate Studies
Materials Discovery and Molecular Design
Sustainability, Environment and Resources
Cleantech
Location of photograph:
Department of Chemistry, Queen's University
Prize name:
Photographer's name:
Derek Esau
Display Photographers Affiltion + Faculty or Department:
PhD Student, Chemistry