Jody Druce

Fundamental research in physical chemistry, catalysis, and interface science

Electrocatalyst research and fuel cell catalyst kinetics

Direction of Interface Science Department and catalyst research

A key electrochemical reaction in hydrogen fuel cells where oxygen gains electrons. It is a notoriously sluggish process that requires efficient catalysts.

Analytical techniques that observe catalyst structural and chemical changes during actual operation under applied potential and varying conditions.

The electrical potential applied beyond the thermodynamic requirement, used to drive electrochemical reactions forward. The study shows overpotential is a critical variable that determines which reaction steps become rate-limiting.