David A. Cullen

Research Statement

AI generated · 10h ago

David A. Cullen's indexed work centers on the structure–property relationships that govern durability in electrochemical energy devices. His most-cited first-author study, the role of fuel cells in heavy-duty transportation, maps the performance and infrastructure challenges facing zero-emission trucking. As senior author, he has examined how ink and spray variables shape catalyst layers, electrolyzer performance, and durability, and used scanning transmission electron microscopy to image thin ionomer layers in fuel cell electrodes. A recurring thread is degradation: cerium oxide nanoparticles as mitigation agents in perfluorosulfonic acid membranes, and automated analytical electron microscopy for tracking nanoparticle degradation across fuel cell electrodes. Beyond these lead roles, Cullen contributed as a middle author to high-impact consortium studies, including work on atomically dispersed manganese catalysts for oxygen reduction in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells and direct atomic-level insight into the active sites of a PGM-free ORR catalyst, alongside collaborators such as Mauricio Terrones. No software, datasets, patents, or grants are indexed beyond his publications. Taken together, the named works trace a consistent arc: from nanoscale imaging of catalyst and membrane degradation toward the design and durability of next-generation electrocatalyst systems.

Most Cited Works

Direct atomic-level insight into the active sites of a high-performance PGM-free ORR catalyst

Hoon T Chung, David A Cullen, Drew Higgins, Brian T Sneed, Edward F Holby, Karren L More, Piotr Zelenay

Science2017

1,687Citations

Electrochemical ammonia synthesis via nitrate reduction on Fe single atom catalyst

Zhen-Yu Wu, Mohammadreza Karamad, Xue Yong, Qizheng Huang, David A Cullen, Peng Zhu, Chuan Xia, Qunfeng Xiao, Mohsen Shakouri,

Research Areas

Electrocatalysts for Energy ConversionFuel Cells and Related MaterialsCatalytic Processes in Materials ScienceTransport and Logistics InnovationsAdvancements in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Affiliations & Education

Education

2010–2015
Arizona State University(US)
PhD · Materials Science and Technology
2003–2005
Brigham Young University(US)
Physics

Employment

2010–present· now
Oak Ridge National Laboratory(US)
Materials Science and Technology Division

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