Participants: J. Boerio, J. Cuppolleti , J. Dong, R. Govind, J. Heikenfeld, R. Manglik, S. Son, V. Shanov, M. Shulz, R. Singh, J. Fried, A. Angelopoulos

Fuel cells are important for the production of electricity directly from a variety of fuels without adversely affecting the environment. Two types of fuel cells are most promising for cost-effective production of electricity. The first (PEM or polymeric electrolyte membrane) uses a polymeric membrane for hydrogen transport and operates at lower temperatures of ~50-60°C and the second (SOFC or solid oxide fuel cell) utilizes a ceramic membrane and operates at much higher temperatures of ~800°C. Alkaline fuel cells use metals as the source of energy, compared to hydrogen for PEM fuel cells. Both fuel cell systems require innovations for reliable and cost effective operation. The objectives of the proposed researches in this thrust area addresses some of the critical technology needs as follows.

• Development of innovative electrodes, electrolyte, and sealing technologies/materials and their synthesis for a SOFC with efficient operation at lower temperatures of 500-650°C.
• Novel electrode and membrane materials based on functionalized nanotubes and self-assembled proton exchange membranes for low temperature fuel cells.
• Thermal and water management in fuel cells to control and enhance the heat, mass and volatile species transport utilizing micro-channel forced convective heat/mass transfer, two-phase flows, and interfacial phenomena.
• Development of nanoparticle electrodes for the alkaline fuel cells and optimization of the metal for maximum power density.