We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

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October 9, 2012

Speaker: Jennie Eastcott, Materials Science PhD candidate

Title: Electrochemical Studies of Ceramic Carbon Electrodes Prepared with Sulfonated Organosilane Precursors

Abstract: Fuel cells are energy conversion devices which have the potential to replace current technologies used to power vehicles, laptops, and mobile devices. Ceramic carbon electrodes (CCEs) are prospective candidates for electrode materials in proton exchange membrane fuel cells due to their high surface area, water retention properties, and durability. To maintain proton conductivity in the catalyst layer, CCEs have been prepared from a mixture of sulfonated and non-sulfonated organosilane precursors combined with carbon-supported platinum catalyst. Incorporating small amounts of sulfonated silane in the CCE structure can facilitate profound enhancement of catalytic activity and proton conductivity. To evaluate a new electrode material for practical use, stability and durability must be considered. Our CCE cathode materials appeared to maintain performance and had improved water management capabilities at low relative humidities. An overview of CCE materials characterization, as well as CCE performance and degradation, will be presented.