Overview
Impedance spectroscopy is an extremely powerful non-destructive investigative technique that can obtain essential information about interfacial and bulk material parameters through the use of low energy, time varying electrical excitation. When applied to an electrochemical system, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) can provide information on reaction parameters, corrosion rates, oxide characteristics and integrity, surface porosity, coating integrity, mass transport, and many other electrode/interface characteristics. EIS is possibly one of the most powerful methods available in electrochemistry today and is utilized in research and development in essentially every technical sector, e.g., transportation and infrastructure, batteries and fuel cells, medicine, among many others. However, effective utilization of this method has been hindered by the lack of a comprehensive and cohesive explanation of the theory, measurement, and analysis techniques. This course on EIS has been developed to fill this void.
This short course, now in its 22nd year, was first taught in 1988 in Charlottesville, Virginia. It has recently had the tremendous fortune of moving to the vibrant and technologically rich city of Houston, Texas. Please read more about our course on this website, or contact us either by e-mail or telephone.
Course Objective
The objective of this short course is to provide a working knowledge of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. This will include a discussion of the theory of EIS, its application, and most importantly, hands-on laboratory experience. All attendees will use EIS to measure corrosion rates, characterize a metal oxide, examine the effectiveness of a corrosion inhibitor, and determine battery performance. In addition, the attendee will learn methods of data presentation, data interpretation and analysis, and model fitting both in the classroom and in the laboratory. The attendee will become familiar with commercial hardware and software for experimental control, data analysis, and model fitting. Since it is intended for all participants to use the equipment in the laboratory session, the class size is limited to 32 students.
Who Should Attend?
The course is designed for scientists and engineers from industry, government, and academia who have had no prior experience with EIS. However, since the range of information presented is from an introductory to advanced level, this course will also be of interest to those who already have experience with EIS and wish to learn and discuss more advanced topics. An understanding of basic chemistry and physics is requisite, and an understanding of basic electrochemistry will be beneficial.
Course Organizer
Ray Taylor is the EIS course organizer. He is a Professor of Biomaterials at the University of Texas Health Science Center. He has a PhD in materials science and an MS in biomedical engineering and has research interests in corrosion, corrosion mitigation, and biomaterials. His broad educational and research background allow him to see many of the common themes that are experienced in interfacial and materials studies.
Lecturers
Rudy Buchheit: Professor , The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Francesco Contu: Instructor, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX
Martin Kendig: Consultant, Thousand Oaks, CA
David Loveday: Gamry Instruments, Warminster, PA
Robert Spotnitz: President, Battery Design Company, Pleasanton, CA
Ray Taylor: Professor, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX
Tuition and Fees
Fee and Enrollment: $1850 includes class materials, daily lunches, refreshment breaks, welcome reception, and the cookout. Meals not specifically mentioned will be extra. The inclusion of hands-on laboratory sessions requires the enrollment be limited to 32 people. Please complete the registration form.
Registration Deadline: TBA
Refunds: Cancellations made after April 1 will not be refunded. However, an alternate participant may be substituted. Cancellations made after March 15 but before April 1 will be refunded less $175 for processing.
Course Schedule
The following is a typical lecture schedule. Please note that exact topics and times may vary.
Sunday - April 15, 2012
| 3:00 pm | Hotel Check-in |
| 6:00 pm | Welcome reception |
Monday – April 16, 2012
| 7:00 am | Breakfast |
| 8:30 | Welcome and opening remarks – S.R. Taylor |
| 9:00 | Technical perspective – S.R. Taylor |
| 9:30 | Impedance concepts/equivalent circuits – S.R. Taylor |
| 10:00 | Break |
| 10:15 | Impedance concepts/equivalent circuits – continued |
| 11:15 | Introduction to analysis of impedance data, methods of data presentation – S.R. Taylor |
| 12:00 pm | Welcome and opening remarks – S.R. Taylor |
| 1:30 | Technical perspective – S.R. Taylor |
| 3:00 | Break for the day |
Tuesday - April 17, 2012
| 7:00 am | Breakfast |
| 8:30 | Distributed elements, porous electrodes – S.R. Taylor |
| 10:00 | Break |
| 10:15 | Deconvolution/CNLS Fitting – S.R. Taylor |
| 12:00 | Lunch |
| 1:15 pm | Fitting software demonstrations – David Loveday |
| 2:00 | Introduction to Laboratories #1 and #2 |
| 2:15 | Laboratory #1 |
| 3:00 | Break |
| 3:15 | Laboratory #2 |
| 5:30 | End of lab session |
| 7:00 | Beer and bull session |
Wednesday - April 18, 2012
| 7:00 am | Breakfast |
| 8:30 | Corrosion rates of bare metals – R.G. Buchheit |
| 10:00 | Break |
| 10:15 | Low conductivity environments, breakdown of passive films – R.G. Buchheit |
| 12:00 | Lunch |
| 1:15 pm | Coatings for corrosion control – S.R. Taylor |
| 2:30 | Introduction to Laboratories #3 and #4 |
| 2:45 | Laboratory #3 |
| 3:30 | Break |
| 3:45 | Laboratory #4 |
| 5:30 | End of lab session |
| 7:00 | Beer and bull session |
Thursday – April 19, 2012
| 7:00 am | Breakfast |
| 8:30 | Batteries and energy conversion devices – B. Spotnitz |
| 10:00 | Break |
| 10:15 | Batteries and energy conversion devices – B. Spotnitz |
| 12:00 | Lunch |
| 1:00 pm | Corrosion inhibitors – M.W. Kendig |
| 2:00 | Introduction to Laboratories #3 and #4 |
| 2:45 | Special topics, Panel discussion – all lecturers |
| 5:00 | End of discussion |
| 6:30 | Cook out |
Friday - April 20, 2012
| 7:00 am | Breakfast |
| 8:30 | Introduction to Laboratories #5 and #6 |
| 9:00 | Laboratory #5 |
| 10:00 | Break |
| 10:15 | Laboratory #6 |
| 11:30 pm | Wrap–up |
| 12:00 | Adjourn |
General Information
Location: Classes and laboratory sessions will be held at the Crowne Plaza (at Reliant Stadium) located at 8686 Kirby, Houston, TX 77054.
Lodging: Lodging is available at the Crowne Plaza. A special rate of $99.00 per night has been arranged for those registering before April 1, 2012. Please identify the EIS Course when making your reservation to receive this special rate.
Crowne Plaza
8686 Kirby, Houston, TX 77054
(800) 627 - 6461
The Crown Plaza is located in southwest Houston near the Reliant Stadium. This newly renovated hotel offers airport transportation, 355 guest rooms with cable TV and data port phones, swimming pool and fitness center, and complimentary shuttle to the Galleria and downtown area.
Travel: Houston is easily accessible via air travel through Hobby Airport or George Bush International Airport.
Attractions: Houston, the 4th largest city in the US, has internationally acclaimed museums, universities, and medical centers. It is the home of the Rockets, Astros, Texans, and Dynamo athletic teams, as well as world class shopping and restaurants.
