Debra R. Rolison

Debra R. Rolison is a physical chemist at the Naval Research Laboratory, where she is a head of the Advanced Electrochemical Materials section. Rolison's research involves the design, synthesis, and characterization of multi-functional nanostructures and ultra porous materials for rate-critical applications such as catalysis and energy storage.[1] She is the 112th recipient of the William H. Nichols Medal Award.[2]

Life and education

Rolison was born in Iowa. She moved to south Florida in 1968 where she attended high school. She received her B.S. from Florida Atlantic University in 1975, where she was a Faculty Scholar between 1972 and 1975.

She received her PhD from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1980.

Research and career

2-D structure of a zeolite lattice
3-D structure of a zeolite lattice

Rolison began her work at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in 1980 immediately after finishing her PhD. She started the Advanced Electrochemical Materials section at the NRL in 1999.[3] She is the author of over 200 articles and holds 24 patents.[4]

Zeolite modified electrodes and electrode modified zeolites

Rolison is known for her research on the modification of electrode surfaces with Zeolites.[5] "Zeolite modified electrodes" are ordinary electrodes coated with a layer of zeolite/polymer composite that excludes particles based on size, shape, and charge. "Electrode-modified zeolites" are synthesized with electroactive transition metal ions or complexes trapped within the lattice "cages" of the zeolite.[6] The "metalated" zeolite is either pressed into a zeolite/polymer composite and used as a solid electrode, or a slurry is dispersed in an electrochemical cell.[7] The metal ions within the zeolite lattice provide redox sites for electrochemical reactions, while the zeolite lattice excludes particles based on size, shape, and charge.[6][8]

dendrite formation in zinc batteries

Zinc-air rechargeable battery

Rolison's latest accomplishment is the invention of a zinc-air rechargeable battery with "energy/power performance that meet[s] or exceed[s] state-of-the-art Li-ion batteries".[9] According to Rolison's paper, "interparticle connectivity is lost in powder-composite electrodes leading to regions of high local current density and dendrite formation".[10] While simple zinc-air batteries use a zinc oxide "powder-composite" anode, Rolison's battery uses a zinc "sponge" which preserves interparticle connectivity and maintains a uniform current distribution within the 3D structure of the anode, thereby preventing the regions of locals current density which promote dendrite formation.[11]

Awards and Prizes

References

  1. ^ "Dr. Debra Rolison Receives Dual Honors for Advancements in Chemistry - U.S. Naval Research Laboratory". www.nrl.navy.mil. 2012-03-30. Retrieved 2017-06-07.
  2. ^ a b "2018 William H. Nichols Award Symposium". www.newyorkacs.org. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
  3. ^ "Google Books". books.google.com. Retrieved 2017-06-07.
  4. ^ "Rolison Bio" (PDF).
  5. ^ "NRL's Debra Rolison Honored with ACS Award in the Chemistry of Materials - U.S. Naval Research Laboratory". www.nrl.navy.mil. July 2011. Retrieved 2017-06-07.
  6. ^ a b Rolison, Debra R. (1990-07-01). "Zeolite-modified electrodes and electrode-modified zeolites". Chemical Reviews. 90 (5): 867–878. doi:10.1021/cr00103a011. ISSN 0009-2665.
  7. ^ Rolison, Debra R. (1994). "The intersection of electrochemistry with zeolite science". In J.C. Jansen; M. Stöcker; H. G. Karge; J. Weitkamp (eds.). Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis. Advanced Zeolite Science and Applications. Vol. 85. Elsevier. pp. 543–586. doi:10.1016/s0167-2991(08)60778-8. ISBN 9780444820013.
  8. ^ Rolison, Debra R.; Nowak, Robert J.; Welsh, Timothy A.; Murray, Catherine G. (1991-01-01). "Analytical implications of zeolites in overlayers at electrodes". Talanta. 38 (1): 27–35. doi:10.1016/0039-9140(91)80006-l. PMID 18965102.
  9. ^ Jacoby, Mitch. "Zinc sponge protects rechargeable battery | May 1, 2017 Issue - Vol. 95 Issue 18 | Chemical & Engineering News". cen.acs.org. Retrieved 2017-06-07.
  10. ^ Parker, Joseph F.; Chervin, Christopher N.; Pala, Irina R.; Machler, Meinrad; Burz, Michael F.; Long, Jeffrey W.; Rolison, Debra R. (2017-04-28). "Rechargeable nickel–3D zinc batteries: An energy-dense, safer alternative to lithium-ion". Science. 356 (6336): 415–418. Bibcode:2017Sci...356..415P. doi:10.1126/science.aak9991. ISSN 0036-8075. PMID 28450638.
  11. ^ Long, Jeffrey W.; Dunn, Bruce; Rolison, Debra R.; White, Henry S. (2004-10-01). "Three-Dimensional Battery Architectures". Chemical Reviews. 104 (10): 4463–4492. doi:10.1021/cr020740l. ISSN 0009-2665. PMID 15669159.
  12. ^ "Elected Fellows". AAAS - The World's Largest General Scientific Society. 2016-10-21. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
  13. ^ "2008 MRS Fellows". www.mrs.org. Archived from the original on 2019-07-08. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
  14. ^ "ACS Award in the Chemistry of Materials - American Chemical Society". American Chemical Society. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
  15. ^ "Hillebrand". Chemical Society of Washington. Archived from the original on 2011-03-06. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
  16. ^ Kounaves, Samuel. "Awards Information - Charles N. Reilley, Y.I., and Travel". electroanalytical.org. Archived from the original on 2018-04-03. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
  17. ^ "Electrochemistry". ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry. Archived from the original on 2018-04-03. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
  18. ^ Information, This story was written by Navy Office of. "Department of the Navy Recognizes Top Scientists and Engineers with Dr. Delores M. Etter Awards". Retrieved 2018-04-03.