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High-Temperature-Stable
Membrane Electrode Assemblies for Fuel Cells Fabricated via Ink Jet Deposition--Nanosonic,
Inc.,
Dr. Jeffrey B. Mecham, Principal
Investigator, jbmecham@nanosonic.com
Dr. Richard O. Claus, Business
Official, roclaus@nanosonic.com
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-03ER83728
Amount:
$99,999
This project
will develop and commercialize ion-conducting thermally stable polymers for use
as high-temperature proton exchange membrane/membrane electrode assemblies (PEM/MEA)
materials. The materials will have
low methanol permeability to allow their use as components of direct methanol
fuel cells (DMFC). Sulfonated
ion-conducting sites will be introduced via direct polymerization, allowing
control of both their location and concentration.
The new materials will be much less costly than fluoropolymers, and they
will be synthesized from commercially available starting materials.
Phase I will synthesize and evaluate a series of sulfonated poly (arylene
ether sulfone) based PEM/MEAs with improved methanol permeability and high
conductivity capabilities. The
feasibility of using these new sulfonated poly (arylene ether sulfone) copolymer
films as new PEM materials for use in DMFCs will be demonstrated.
Commercial
Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee:
Polymer electrolyte/proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems are
an environmentally friendly power source for a wide range of applications that
include transportation (cars and buses), stationary (home) power generation, and
consumer electronics (computers and phones). However,
they require a cumbersome pressurized vessel for hydrogen storage.
In comparison, DMFCs would need simply a liquid storage vessel, which,
depending on power output requirements, could be quite small.
Other electronic applications, where portability may be a major concern,
include portable soldier power and the powering of laptop computers with
extended lifetimes.