Fuel cell filtration research earns grad student national presentation award

Isabella Kotsol (right) with Godwin Severa at the American Filtration and Separations Society Conference.

At the American Filtration and Separations Society Conference last month, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa graduate student Isabella Kotsol earned a scholarship and poster presentation award. Kotsol presented research to develop specialized materials for use in air filters for hydrogen fuel cells. 

Hydrogen fuel cells generate power from a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, and produce only electricity, heat, and water, making this a critical technology in the transition to clean energy. Typically the oxygen used is from atmospheric air. However, air pollutants like sulfur dioxide can enter the fuel cell and damage crucial components, so a way to mitigate sulfur dioxide contamination through air filtration is necessary. 

Working with Godwin Severa, assistant researcher at the Hawai‘i Institute of Natural Energy (HNEI) in the UH Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), Kotsol’s research focuses on a filtration material made of activated carbon that has been coated in chemicals called ionic liquids, which have a high capacity for absorbing sulfur dioxide from the air. 

“The findings of my research showed that the ionic liquid-coated activated carbon materials performed better than previously reported materials for sulfur dioxide filtration,” said Kotsol, who is pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and expects to graduate in December 2023. 

Kotsol presented research among the 12 graduate student presenters from universities across the country. The presentations were judged by industry professionals in the filtrations and separations field. 

“I had a great experience talking to the conference attendees about my research, but also had the chance to learn about the type of work they do, which I found insightful,” said Kotsol. “I even met some industrial professionals who did related work and they gave me great feedback and ideas for my project.”

“As a soon-to-be graduating master’s degree student, the opportunity to attend this conference and network with the people who work in the field of my research was particularly valuable,” said Kotsol, who is part of the Department of Mechanical Engineering’s accelerated Bachelor’s and Master’s program. “I am starting to think about what I will do after graduation and being able to talk to and exchange information with a variety of professionals has definitely broadened my ideas and access to opportunities in the research field, something I would not have had without the conference experience.”