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Ion-Conducting Oxide Ceramic Materials for Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells Using Novel Low Cost Combustion Chemical Vapor Deposition--MicroCoating Technologies, Inc., 3901 Green Industrial Way, Chamblee, GA 30341; 770-457-8400
Dr. Girish N. Deshpande, Principal Investigator
Mr. Jerome J. Schmitt, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-99ER82830
Amount: $100,000
In comparison to conventional methods of energy production, the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) offers higher energy conversion efficiency, compact design, and lower production of pollutants. However, for the existing thin-film SOFC processes, the expense of the required chemical precursors and equipment is high. Widespread commercialization will require a fabrication process to deposit low-cost, high-quality sofc thin films without complex post-deposition treatment/sintering. This project will develop a Combustion Chemical Vapor Deposition (ccvd) process to fabricate the solid-oxide fuel cell by depositing high quality, dense, thin layers of ionic-conducting oxide ceramic membrane electrolyte onto porous substrates. The resulting thin film will be pinhole-free and gas-tight, and will have high oxygen transport rates. Fuel cells with power density greater than 2 w/cm2 will be demonstrated. Phase I will develop a prototype ccvd system for producing the thin, supported sofc membrane electrolyte. Coupon-sized ionic conducting membrane electrolyte samples will be prepared and tested for ionic conductivity using complex impedance analysis. A small high-temperature test fuel cell will be to measure specimen performance.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The new fuel cell electrolyte materials should improve fabrication, efficiencies, transport rates, and lifetimes while lowering overall costs to dramatically enhance the widespread use of fuel cells in the commercial sector. Successful development should result in vehicles that achieve three times better fuel economy and emit practically no pollution.