SBIR-STTR Award

The proposed project will develop a direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) system based on our recent research breakthroughs in non-platinum catalysts, alkaline ionomers, and anion-exchange-membranes. The AEM-DEFC system will have several advantages, including (1) non-Pt catalysts with ethanol tolerance can be used in the cathodes of the DEFCs; (2) concentrated ethanol solutions can be used in the DEFCs; (3) higher power capacity and better durability than the PEM-DMFC system. US Military Forces have great needs for long lasting power sources and the proposed DEFC technology has several advantages for military applications, including lower weight, better safety, shorter down time (no recharging time, unlike secondary batteries), and lower heat signature (as compared to combustion engines). It also overcomes most of the difficulties of the existing PEM-DMFC technologies.

Keywords:
Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell System; Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell; Anion-Exchange Membranes; Anion Ionomer Binders; Catalysts for Ethanol Oxidation Reaction; Catalysts for Oxy

Fuel cell technology as a clean and efficient energy source has several advantages for military applications, including lower weight, better safety, shorter down time (no recharge time, unlike secondary batteries), and lower heat signature (as compared to combustion engines). Ethanol has the advantage of being nontoxic and less flammable, which are attractive features for both military and commercial applications. Ethanol oxidation reactions are more facile in alkaline media than in acid media. During the Phase I research, the proposed research work was successfully carried out by Tremont Technology LLC and its partners (Ovonic Fuel Cells, IUPUI, WSU and GTI). Phase I project demonstrated the performance of materials (anode and cathode catalysts and membranes) exceeding the targeted power density in direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs). The objective of the Phase II project is to continue developing a DEFC system based on the PI?s research breakthroughs before and during Phase I in the development of AEM-DEFC materials, including thermally, chemically, and mechanically stable AEMs, alkaline ionomer binders, and a series of new proprietary non-Pt catalysts, and produce a prototype ready for commercialization and scaled up production.

Keywords:
Power Source, Anion-Exchange-Membrane Fuel Cells, Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells, Portable, Catalyst, Membrane, Mea, Fuel Cell Stack ---------- Fuel cell as a clean and efficient energy source has several advantages for military applications, including lower weight, better safety, shorter down time (no recharge time), and lower heat signature. Ethanol not only has a 33% higher energy density than methanol, but also has the advantage of being nontoxic and less flammable. Additionally, ethanol can be produced by fermentation of locally sourced biomass, which will reduce need to transport fuels in combat fields. Both oxygen oxidation reaction (ORR) and ethanol oxidation reactions (EOR) are more facile in alkaline than in acid media, making possible the use of non-precious metals as effective catalysts in alkaline media and reducing the cost of fuel cells. Through executing SBIR Phase I&II projects, we have successfully carried out our proposed work and developed very promising catalysts for ORR and EOR in alkaline media. Furthermore, composite membranes with improved fuel crossover capacity were developed. The direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) using the developed catalysts and membranes achieved peak power densities as high as those with state-of-the-art PEM-DMFCs using Pt-based catalysts. In this subsequent Phase II SBIR project we propose to develop DEFC prototypes and explore the transition/commercialization path of the developed products.