Energy Applications

About

RESEARCH GOALS · Achieving rational design of materials/structures with unique functionalities for efficient energy storage/conversion · Understanding the effect of structure, composition, morphology, and defects on electrical, chemical, catalytic, and electrochemical properties of ionic and electronic conductors ACTIVITIES & INTERESTS · Synthesis and fabrication, in situ characterization, and multi-scale modeling of membranes, thin films, and nanostructured electrodes with heterogeneous surfaces and interfaces · Developing new strategies and novel materials for efficient and cost-effective chemical and energy transformation SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS (SOFCs) New Sulfur- and Coking-Resistant Materials for SOFCs Technology ID: 4673 · New anode with high sulfur and coking resistance using barium zirconate-cerate co-doped with ytttrium and ytterbium material—BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3–δ (BZCYYb) · Very high ionic conductivity below 750 °C, enabling low-temperature fabrication of high-power SOFCs · No observable change in power output when fuel switched to one contaminated with 50 ppm H2S · Very effective for in situ reformation of hydrocarbons, which should help inhibit coking · Displayed impressive power output and superior tolerance to coking and sulfur poisoning · U.S. Patent: 8,932,781 Improved Components to Lower Costs of Intermediate-Temperature SOFCs Technology ID: 7263 · Fuel cell design including an anode with an optimized doped ceria catalyst · Active for wet and dry reforming of methane <500 °C · Demonstrates coking stability after 200 hours of testing in 97% methane and 3% water · Uses high-performance transition metal oxide catalyst that offers ionic and electronic conductivity · Increases the number of interfaces and ionic conductivity at intermediate temperatures · Yields a highly conductive and stable SOFC with potentially a 35% cost reduction Novel Cathode for Durable, High-Performance Intermediate-Temperature SOFCs Technology ID: 7047 · Unique composition and assembly method for high-performance and durable low-temperature SOFCs · Greater interconnectivity of cathode and increased surface area than nanopowder cathode materials, enabling fast electrode reactions at low temperatures · High performance and excellent stability at 450–550 °C using humidified hydrogen in ambient air New SOFC Structure and Materials Technology ID: 6331 · Novel manganese-based catalyst coatings form a very thin (10–50 nm), continuous, and dense film on the surface of the lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite (LSCF) cathode · Demonstrated enhanced electro-catalytic activity and stability in symmetrical and anode-supported cells · Reduction in operating temperatures to £700 °C expected, enabling commercialization feasibility · Uses simple and cost-effective infiltration process to apply the coating · U.S. Patent Application: 20150325860 Faster, Highly Efficient, Stable Cathodes for SOFCs Technology ID: 7256 · Well-designed approach to introducing a thin catalyst on a cathode backbone · Dramatically enhanced oxygen-reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics and stability of current lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite (LSCF) cathodes · Applies an efficient electro-catalyst coating derived from a low-cost, one-step infiltration process · Provides high performance and excellent stability · Facilitates improved SOFC performance across a broad temperature spectrum