45
New
Proton Exchange Membranes with Improved Methanol Permeability for Direct
Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) Applications--Nanosonic,
Inc., P.O. Box 618, Christiansburg, VA 24068;
540-953-1785, www.nanosonic.com
Dr.
Jeffrey B. Mecham, Principal Investigator,
Dr.
Richard O. Claus, Business Official,
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG02-03ER83728
Amount:
$750,000
Current membrane technology needs to be improved if direct
methanol fuel cells (DMFC) are to be used to power electronic devices.
Polymer electrolyte/proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems
represent an environmentally friendly power source for a wide range of
applications – transportation, stationary power generation, and consumer
electronics. This project will
develop and commercialize ion-conducting thermally stable polymers for use as
high-temperature, proton-exchange-membrane/membrane-electrode-assembly (PEM/MEA)
materials with low methanol permeability as components of DMFC.
In Phase I, sulfonated ion-conducting sites were introduced via direct
polymerization, allowing control of both their location and concentration.
The research showed not only that the materials could be synthesized, but
also that they exceed the conductivity and methanol permeability performance of
perfluorinated sulfonic acid Nafion materials at or above room temperature.
Phase II will optimize the design and fabrication of membrane electrode
assemblies (MEAs) using an inkjet deposition technique to control the location,
thickness, and porosity of the electrode nanocomposites on to the proton
exchange membrane.
Commercial
Applications and Other Benefits as
described by awardee: New
low cost and high performance membrane materials would allow the PEM fuel cell
concept to be extended to other applications where output stability may be a
major concern: e.g., portable remote
power or regenerative fuel cells. In
addition, the technology could find use as part of a computing power system,
where system downtime is unacceptable.