Strathcona Library | Energy Talks

ENERGY TALKS 2025

This speaker series focuses on multidisciplinary research that develops the energy technologies of today and the near future, integrates them into today’s infrastructure, and examines possible consequences for our society, economy, and environment. Energy Talks provides an opportunity for you to engage with researchers and learn more about their work.

New Frontiers: Dive Into Hydrogen And Fuel Cells For A Changing Energy System
Date: Wednesday, May 21
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Strathcona Branch – Edmonton Public Library, Program Room
8331 104 ST NW
Online registration required.

Visit https://epl.bibliocommons.com/events/6716c170c0afa82800b77e36

This talk delves into the role of hydrogen in the energy cycle and examines different types of fuel cells, with a focus on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) and their advantages. We will explore the working principles of fuel cells and discuss the commercialization of SOFC technology, highlighting key challenges, historical developments, and future prospects. This talk will also present some of the key achievements by the research conducted at the University of Alberta in the past decade, introducing new frontiers with SOFC technologies.

SPEAKERS:
Speaker 1: Dr. Mahdi Shahbakhti is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta in Canada and also an Adjunct Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MichiganTechnological University in the US. He is the Director of Energy Mechatronics Laboratory (EML) that focuses on research and development including energy systems, controls and artificial intelligence. He has led international, national, and Alberta-based research programs for developing innovative technologies with applications in combined heat and power (CHP), alternative vehicles, and smart buildings. His work has attracted over $7M as the principal investigator and his work has been cited from more than 45 countries in the world for the research results that are documented in about 250 peer reviewed publications.

Speaker 2: Dr. Masood Fakouri Hasanabadi is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Alberta, working in Dr. Mehdi Shahbakhti’s group since 2023 on the fabrication and testing of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). He earned his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Sharif University of Technology in 2018 and conducted most of his PhD numerical and experimental work at Forschungszentrum Jülich. Since beginning his master’s in 2011, he has been involved in research on various SOFCs stack components, including seals, metallic interconnects, and cells. His work on modifying chemical composition, applying novel coatings, and optimizing designs has contributed to enhancing their mechanical and chemical properties, as well as thermal stability.