A different approach to fuel cells

24 January 2012

(Odometer: 8,905 miles)

COLLEGE PARK, MD.–Fuel cells are remarkably efficient ways to store and discharge energy, but the word "hydrogen" tends to freak people out, and the hydrogen filling infrastructure just doesn't exist right now.

These PEM (proton exchange membrane) cells are currently on the shelf, as it were, as research and development has shifted toward batteries of all kinds, particularly to power electric vehicles.

More design resources

"These things tend to cycle as far as what's popular and not popular," says materials science Prof. Erich Wachsman with the University of Maryland's Energy Research Center.

Batteries were big in the Clinton Administration and then faded from the funding picture to be replaced by funding for fuel cells for a time. Funding has now, under Steven Chu at the Department of Energy, shifted back to battery technology because there just isn't much of an infrastructure for hydrogen fuel cells.

Splinter cells

There are two approaches to fuel cells–PEM and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). SOFC has incredible energy density and can oxidize almost any fuel source (e.g., diesel, gasoline, natural gas). Its Achilles heel is that it operates at high temperatures–around 800 degrees C. PEM cells operate around 80 degrees C, and that's the reason they're discussed in automotive applications.

But Wachsman and his colleague Kang Taek Lee claim an SOFC breakthrough. They've created a 10 x 10 cm cell that operates at 650 degrees C with three times the power density of an internal combustion engine. Each cell can generate up to 200W, he says.

In a paper published in Science around the time of our visit, Wachsman and his colleagues chart a path to push the operating temperature down to 350 degrees C using different electrolytes.

He talked about the technology in his offices here:

 

Randy Cook January 31, 2012 at 8:58 am

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This sounds like great technology to stretch the US Energy picture. Is there a push to get it developed any time soon?

david.k.hays@faa.gov January 31, 2012 at 10:02 am

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I think you mean oxidize not oxide as used above:  SOFC has incredible energy density and can oxide almost any

Rich January 31, 2012 at 10:57 am

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have now lost my amazingly applicable comments due to this stupid spam-block-captcha idiotic filter refusing to accept entries even with the correct password and the captcha text typed in. after a couple attempts, I am NOT going to attempt typing several paragraphs yet again.
Captcha-blocking FAIL.

Alex Kovnat January 31, 2012 at 11:58 am

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What fuel will this low-temp fuel cell use? Can it use regular unleaded gasoline, low sulfur Diesel fuel, jet fuel, etc? I've read texts about SOFC's such as one written by Subhash C. Singhal and Kevin Kendall, and they write that methane and methanol are the easiest fuels for an SOFC to use, while higher hydrocarbons tend to create problems with coke formation. Has the Wachsman SOFC resolved these issues?

Mannstein January 31, 2012 at 12:38 pm

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This technology would enable a practical electric power plant for propeller driven aircraft.

Sam February 2, 2012 at 8:38 am

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This shows what happens when politicians attempt to control technology growth.  Fuel cells make much more sense than batteries for electric vehicles.  One not two power trains, simplier design and the potential for cheap regenerative braking.

    jeffhre February 6, 2012 at 2:58 am

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    1 Powertrain $32,000, availability and infrastructure 2010 = Nissan Leaf
    2  "Powertrains" $40,000, availability and infrastructure 2010 = Chevrolet Volt
    1  Powertrain ~$50,000, availability projected 2015, infrastructure – nonexistant – fuel costs / mile 2 x gasoline, 5 x electricity = GM, Toyota, Hynudai FC vehicles – projected date of availability and pricing.
    Are the politicians really controlling the growth? Really?

pletchercxu December 18, 2012 at 6:36 pm

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