Peter H. Aurora

Ph.D. Candidate
B.S.: Mechanical Engineering 2000, National University of Engineering, Lima-Peru
M.S.Eng.: Energy Engineering 2003, University of Massachusetts

paurora@umich.edu

Hydrogen is considered as an ideal fuel for the future. Hydrogen fuel can be produced using renewable resources and then used in a fuel cell to produce electricity, and thus its life cycle is environmental friendly. Solar and wind energies are the two major sources of renewable energy and they are also promising sources for clean hydrogen production. Solar-hydrogen or hydrogen generated from water using solar energy is a leading candidate for a renewable and environmental safe energy carrier.

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water decomposition using solar energy is the most promising method for the generation of hydrogen. The key element in a PEC device is the photoelectrode (PE), which currently needs further development to enhance its performance and achieve levels required for commercialization. My research is aimed towards to advance the development of stable and more efficient photoelectrochemical hydrogen production systems.

SEM micrograph of Titanium dioxide nanotubes fabricated by anodization of Titanium foil (Top view), calcined at 500C for 3 hours in air

TEM micrograph of Gold loaded on Titanium dioxide nanotubes