Harnessing energy from low-cost and highly efficient fuel cells to power mobile devices and commercial transportation will provide a critical source of clean energy and reduce the global carbon footprint. Brad Easton, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science, leads Ontario Tech University's Electrochemical Materials Lab where his research group prepares and characterizes new materials with primary applications in electrochemical systems. A materials electrochemist, he develops new materials and compounds that display notable electrochemical properties and tests them for energy conversion and storage applications, such as fuel cells or capacitors, or for electrochemical sensing, which determines the presence and concentration of certain compounds. His latest research focuses on the study and enhancement of sulfonated silica-based ceramic carbon electrodes (SS-CCE), a new, low-cost fuel cell electrode technology that performs extremely well in dry conditions, compared to conventional fuel cell materials. His novel approach will lead to the development of higher-performing and lower-cost fuel cells, enabling Canada to meet its clean energy needs. Driven by the science of discovery, Dr. Easton's research group has developed real-world and real-time diagnostic measurements to better understand how electrode materials are breaking down, while avoiding subsequent expensive and difficult measurements. A key area of his research examines new fuel cell electrode structures. Within these structures, a polymer is used to provide ionic conductivity and also serves as an electrode binder. However, the current polymer does not operate effectively under all environmental conditions. Dr. Easton has developed a low-cost material that can be operated under dry conditions and has essentially zero loss in performance. His research also investigates ways to improve the stability of fuel cells in mobile power systems which typically perform optimally when first used; however, cell performance degrades over time. Dr. Easton earned his Bachelor of Science and his Doctorate in Chemistry from the Memorial University of Newfoundland. He joined Ontario Tech University as an Assistant Professor in 2006, following the completion of two NSERC post-doctoral fellowships at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia, and at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.