Effect of roughness and ultrasonic field on the dynamics of hydrogen bubbles in alkaline water electrolysis

• Grant number: 25/12763-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Transport Phenomena
• Principal Investigator: Elaine Maria Cardoso
• Grantee: João Pedro Bineli Alves
• Supervisor: Reinaldo Rodrigues de Souza
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus Experimental São João da Boa Vista. São João da Boa Vista , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/20956-6 - Dynamics of H2 bubbles based on velocity fields during water electrolysis, BP.IC

Abstract

This research project proposes an investigation into the behavior of hydrogen bubbles generated during the electrolysis of alkaline water, combining variations in electrode roughness, the application of an ultrasonic field, and image analysis using optical flow. The first step will involve preparing electrodes with different roughness profiles and characterizing them by microscopy, to map the possible nucleation sites. Then, the impact of varied ultrasonic frequencies and intensities on bubble growth and detachment dynamics will be evaluated through high-speed filming. An optical flow algorithm will be developed to track trajectories and extract kinematic parameters of the bubbles, allowing the correlation of electrode topography and acoustic field with electrochemical performance. The work will be carried out over three months in collaboration with the IN+ group at Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Lisbon, utilizing the advanced microscopy, electrolysis cells, and high-speed video capture infrastructure available. This international partnership aims to accelerate the development of electrodes optimized for hydrogen production with greater efficiency, thereby contributing to innovations in the field of renewable energy. (AU)