Drew Higgins

Background

About Drew Higgins

Research focuses on nanomaterial catalyst synthesis for electrochemical energy conversion and storage technologies, such as fuel cells or electrolyzers. Nanomaterial catalysts are synthesized, characterized and evaluated for electrochemical activity towards small molecule conversions, focusing on the use of environmentally abundant molecules as reactants (i.e, O2, N2, H2O, CO2) to produce fuels, chemicals and fertilizers. Catalyst structure-property-performance relationships are established through extensive spectroscopic and microscopic nanomaterial characterization using advanced techniques available at McMaster University, including at the state-of-the-art Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy facilities. Best in class nanomaterial catalysts are integrated into working electrochemical device prototypes that are engineered for performance validation and demonstration. Ongoing projects include catalyst and electrode development for electrochemical reduction of CO2 into fuels and chemicals, electrochemical oxygen reduction for fuel cells, electrochemical water splitting for clean hydrogen production and selective electrochemical oxidation of hydrocarbons. Specialties: Fuel cells, nanotechnology, batteries, electrocatalysis, materials characterization, electrode design, electrochemistry, oxygen reduction, electrochemical co2 reduction, co2 utilization