36
Low-Temperature,
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Cathode Development--Ceramatec, Inc., 2425 South 900 West, Salt Lake
City, UT 84119;
801-978-2152
Dr. S. Elango Elangovan,
Principal Investigator, elango@ceramatec.com
Dr.
Micheal Keene, Business Official, njeebe@ceramatec.com
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG03-02ER83384
Amount:
$99,694
The performance of the cathode is the largest hurdle to the
full realization of low temperature solid oxide fuel cells. This project will
develop cathode materials with improved properties that are necessary for high
performance at low temperatures. The
approach will use materials and processes that enhance the interfacial reaction
rates that largely control low temperature performance of cathodes. In Phase I,
the feasibility of selected materials and fabrication process for the cathode
will be evaluated at a fuel cell operating temperature of 700°C.
The materials selection will be based on evaluating the electrocatalytic
property of the material for oxygen reduction at the lower temperatures. The
feasibility of the cathode will be verified using single cell tests. Phase II will optimize the fabrication technique of the selected cathode
and culminate in the demonstration of a nominally 500 W fuel cell stack operating at or below 700°C.
Commercial
Applications and Other Benefits as
described by the awardee: The new
cathode should significantly enhance the commercial prospects of the solid oxide
fuel cells in small (<10 kilowatts) and medium (<200 kilowatts) power
applications where cost goals are difficult to meet with present technology. The
cathode should also function efficiently in electrochemical oxygen separation
technology for small scale point of use oxygen production at a commercial target
cost.