 |
|
Latest fuel cell material advance overcomes low humidity conductivity problem
September 11, 2006Fuel cells have been a workable technology for decades - but expensive and lacking in infrastructure. In recent years, researchers have addressed durability, manufacturability, and conductivity challenges in alternative proton exchange membrane (PEM) materials for fuel cells - bringing the hydrogen-based energy source closer to reality.
James McGrath, University Distinguished Professor of Chemistry with the Macromolecules and Interfaces Institute at Virginia Tech, will announce his research group's latest development, a PEM material that retains conductivity during low humidity, during his plenary lecture at the Challenges for the Hydrogen Economy symposium during the 232nd National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) on September 10-14 in San Francisco.
The efficiency of the exchange process depends upon water, so efficiency - measured as proton conductivity - goes down as humidity goes down. "Up to now, a lot of water has been needed to assist the proton transfer process," said McGrath. "But, in the desert, that is pretty inefficient." McGrath, chemical engineering Professor Don Baird, and their students demonstrated a method for creating a material with improved conductivity even at lower humidity. The U.S. Department of Energy awarded McGrath and Baird's groups $1.5 million over five years to advance the research.
Instead of stirring two kinds of reactive monomers, or small molecules, together to form a new random copolymer, the new material links blocks of two different short polymers in sequences. For example, he would link polymer W (loves water) and polymer d (dry but strong) into a chain this way: WWWWWdddddddWWWWWdddddddd.
The researchers can link a 10- to 50-unit block of a polymer containing acidic groups (SO3H) that like water (hydrophilic) to an equally long block of a polymer that has mechanical strength, thermal stability, and endurance, but hates water (hydrophobic). The chains self-assemble into flexible thin films. Under an atomic force microscope, the film's swirling surface looks like a fingerprint, with light ridges and dark channels. It turns out that the soft hydrophilic polymer forms the dark channels where water is easily absorbed so that the entire film - or proton exchange membrane (PEM) - has an affinity for water transport that is two to three times higher than the present commercially available PEM.
In addition to making PEM materials with better qualities, another goal of the research is to make PEM materials that can be easily manufactured. The self-assembling nature of the block copolymer material into a nanocomposite film is an important attribute. In addition, Baird is working on processing the film from powders using a reverse roll coater, equipment commonly available in the coatings industry but not yet being used to produce PEM material. McGrath will present the paper, "Progress in alternate proton exchange membrane materials for fuel cells (Fuel 3)," at 10:15 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, in the Golden Ballroom of the Sheraton Palace.
Virginia Tech
Fuel Cell Current Events and Fuel Cell News RSSToward home-brewed electricity with 'personalized solar energy'
New scientific discoveries are moving society toward the era of "personalized solar energy," in which the focus of electricity production shifts from huge central generating stations to individuals in their own homes and communities.
U of C chemists discover recipe to design a better type of fuel cell
Fuel cells are often touted as one method to help decrease society's addiction to fossil fuels. But there is still a lot of work to be done before fuel cells will be ready for mass market to be used in transportation, home heating and portable power for emergencies.
Ion Tiger fuel cell unmanned air vehicle completes 23-hour flight
The Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL's) Ion Tiger, a hydrogen-powered fuel cell unmanned air vehicle (UAV), has flown 23 hours and 17 minutes, setting an unofficial flight endurance record for a fuel-cell powered flight.
Smaller isn't always better: Catalyst simulations could lower fuel cell cost
Imagine a car that runs on hydrogen from solar power and produces water instead of carbon emissions. While vehicles like this won't be on the market anytime soon, University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers are making incremental but important strides in the fuel cell technology that could make clean cars a reality.
SRI to present hydrogen fuel safety research results at 2009 International Conference
SRI International, an independent nonprofit research and development organization, announced today it will present new research identifying methods for designing safer structures in the future for hydrogen fueled vehicles, at the upcoming International Conference on Hydrogen Safety, Sept. 16 - 18, in Ajaccio-Corsica, France.
Making more efficient fuel cells
Bacteria that generate significant amounts of electricity could be used in microbial fuel cells to provide power in remote environments or to convert waste to electricity.
Hydrogen Storage Gets New Hope
A new method for "recycling" hydrogen-containing fuel materials could open the door to economically viable hydrogen-based vehicles.
Growth Spurts: Berkeley Lab Researchers Record First Real-Time Direct Observations of Nanocrystal Growth in Solution
The veil is being lifted from the once unseen world of molecular activity. Not so long ago only the final products were visible and scientists were forced to gauge the processes behind those products by ensemble averages of many molecules.
Wastewater produces electricity and desalinates water
A process that cleans wastewater and generates electricity can also remove 90 percent of salt from brackish water or seawater, according to an international team of researchers from China and the U.S.
NRL's XFC UAS achieves flight endurance milestone
The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has completed a successful flight test of the fuel cell powered XFC (eXperimental Fuel Cell) unmanned aerial system (UAS).
More Fuel Cell Current Events and Fuel Cell News Articles
 |
Fuel Cell Fundamentals by Ryan O'Hayre (Author), Whitney Colella (Author), Suk-Won Cha (Author), Fritz B. Prinz (Author) As the search for alternative fuels heats up, no topic is hotter than fuel cells. Filling a glaring gap in the literature, Fuel Cell Fundamentals, Second Edition gives advanced undergraduate and beginning level graduate students an important introduction to the basic science and engineering behind fuel cell technology. Emphasizing the foundational scientific principles that apply to any fuel cell type or technology, the text provides straightforward descriptions of how fuel cells work, why they offer the potential for high efficiency, and how their unique advantages can best be used. Designed to be accessible to fuel cell beginners, the text is suitable for any engineering or science major with a background in calculus, basic physics, and elementary thermodynamics. This new edition... |
 |
RCi 2151AS Aluminum Fuel Cell With Sending Unit, Natural Aluminum Color, 15 Gallon, 18L x 20W x 10H by RCi |
 |
Designing and Building Fuel Cells by Colleen Spiegel (Author) Acquire an All-in-One Toolkit for Expertly Designing, Modeling, and Constructing High-Performance Fuel Cells Designing and Building Fuel Cells equips you with a hands-on guide for the design, modeling, and construction of fuel cells that perform as well or better than some of the best fuel cells on the market today. Filled with over 120 illustrations and schematics of fuel cells and components, this “one-stop” guide covers fuel cell applications…fuels and the hydrogen economy…fuel cell chemistry, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry…fuel cell modeling, materials, and system design…fuel types, delivery, and processing…fuel cell operating conditions…fuel cell characterization…and much more. Authoritative and practical, Designing and Building... |
 |
Fuel Cell Projects for the Evil Genius by Gavin Harper (Author) FUEL YOUR EVIL URGES WHILE YOU BUILD GREEN ENERGY PROJECTS! Go green as you amass power! Fuel Cell Projects for the Evil Genius broadens your knowledge of this important, rapidly developing technology and shows you how to build practical, environmentally conscious projects using the three most popular and widely accessible fuel cells! In Fuel Cell Projects for the Evil Genius, high-tech guru Gavin Harper gives you everything you need to conduct practical experiments and build energizing fuel cell projects. You'll find complete, easy-to-follow plans that feature clear diagrams and schematics, as well as: Instructions for fascinating sustainable energy projects, complete with 180 how-to illustrations Explanations of how fuel cells work and why the... |
|
|
RCi 2040A Aluminum Fuel Cell, Natural Aluminum Color, 4 Gallon, 10L x 12W x 8H by RCi |
 |
Thames & Kosmos Fuel Cell Car and Experiment Kit by Thames & Kosmos Winner of Parents Choice Silver Award Jump-start the hydrogen economy! Build a model car that operates with water! Use solar energy to separate water into hydrogen & oxygen. Plug in the motor & the fuel cell uses these gases to produce electricity and - Zip! your vehicle takes off! The only by-product is clean water. Learn about fuel cells, solar cells & electrolysis. 30 experiments to do by yourself, in a classroom or with friends! Ages 12+ |
 |
Fuel Cells: From Fundamentals to Applications by Supramaniam Srinivasan (Author) This is a concise source of the basic electrochemical principles and the engineering aspects involved in the development and commercialization of fuel cells. It provides a lucid description of the applications and techno-economic assessment of fuel cell technologies along with an in-depth discussion of conventional and novel approaches for generating energy. The first part covers the electrode kinetics and electrocatalysis of charge-transfer reactions, and leading electrochemical technologies with focus on relevance to fuel cells. The second part addresses the governing principles of fuel cells, electrocatalysis of fuel cell reactions and experimental techniques pertinent to fuel cell research and development. The third part is devoted to modeling of fuel cell systems and a... |
 |
Fuel Cell Systems Explained (Second Edition) by James Larminie (Author), Andrew Dicks (Author) Building on the success of the first edition Fuel Cell Systems Explained presents a balanced introduction to this growing area. "In summary, an altogether satisfying book that puts within its covers the academic tools necessary for explaining fuel cell systems on a multidisciplinary basis." Power Engineering Journal "An excellent book….well written and produced." Journal of Power and Energy Fully revised and updated, the second edition: Provides an essential guide to the principles, design and application of fuel cell systems. Includes full and updated coverage of fuel processing and hydrogen generation and storage systems. Presents a full and clear explanation of the operation of all the major fuel cell types, and an introduction to... |
 |
Genesis Hydrogen Generator Complete Kit by Hydrogen-Water-Cars.com Here is a hydrogen generator built in its simplest form, taken and expanded from the Water4Gas technology. The Genesis is designed for those who want to get their feet wet and start improving on fuel economy without spending a lot of money to get results. The unit is self-contained and is quite simple to install and operate. We have hundreds of success stories and our customers love our technical help. We are not afraid to answerer our phones here at Hydrogen Water Cars. All of our generators are built with 316L stainless steel, this includes the washers and nuts and this will save you money in the long run as you will not see corrosion. We use quality components and craftsmanship so we can stand behind our products. You can feel comfortable purchasing from Hydrogen-Water-Carsdotcom, we... |
 |
PEM Fuel Cell Modeling and Simulation Using Matlab by Colleen Spiegel (Author) Although, the basic concept of a fuel cell is quite simple, creating new designs and optimizing their performance takes serious work and a mastery of several technical areas. PEM Fuel Cell Modeling and Simulation Using Matlab, provides design engineers and researchers with a valuable tool for understanding and overcoming barriers to designing and building the next generation of PEM Fuel Cells. With this book, engineers can test components and verify designs in the development phase, saving both time and money. Easy to read and understand, this book provides design and modelling tips for fuel cell components such as: modelling proton exchange structure, catalyst layers, gas diffusion, fuel distribution structures, fuel cell stacks and fuel cell plant. This book includes design... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |