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[February 2004]
Collaboration for Fuel Cell Challenge
The US Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and NASA's Glenn Research Center have agreed to collaborate in solving one of the toughest technical challenges to the development of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The research organisations have signed a Space Act Agreement to team up in the development of sealing technologies for the stacks of SOFCs.
SOFC stacks consist of a group of thin ceramic cells separated by gas seals between which electricity is generated through a combustion-free electrochemical process. PNNL Fuel Cell Development Director Prabahakar Singh explained: "The gas separation seals used between the individual cells prevents fuels and oxidants from intermixing. Robust seal materials and engineered architectures are essential to ensure a long-term stable operation of SOFCs".
"Our objective is to develop composite materials and designs that will improve the strength and fracture toughness of composite glass and glass-ceramic based seals," said Ajay Misra, chief of the NASA Glenn Ceramics Branch. "The seals must stand up to the extremes of pressure, temperature and other environmental conditions that occur during extended operation."
Prabahakar Singh added: "The arrangement complements PNNL's work in glass seals and NASA's expertise in glass and glass-ceramic composites. While each organization will continue to maintain its own research program, participants will jointly identify, prioritize, develop and test new fuel cell seal technologies."
ENDS