Optimizing Catalyst Performance in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stacks through Increasing Cell
Abstract
We are seeking funds for a proton-exchange-membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack testing system containing a high-power PEM fuel cell tes,t station and a PEMFC stack. This system will complement with our existing strength in nanomaterial synthesis and their applications, in electrocatalysis (mostly related to sustainable energy technologies), and enable us to conduct direct, efficient, and comprehens,ive evaluation of our ongoing new materials for their practically relevant performance in PEMFC stack. It will significantly facilit,ate our ongoing research on Advanced Highly Efficient Fuel Cells Based on Designer Catalysts, which is supported by the Office of,Naval Research.PEMFCs efficiently generate electricity without combustion and resemble key elements of a broad portfolio for buildin,g a sustainable clean energy economy. The fuel cell industry has witnessed tremendous growth within the past decade. Despite the gre,at market growth, the broad dissemination of PEMFCs into the enormous transportation market is still limited by the high cost origin,ated from the high loading of platinum group metals (PGM) for fuel cell reactions. Therefore, translating the state-of-the-art catal,ysts developed in laboratories into PEMFCs would greatly improve energy efficiencies and reduce PGM usage associated costs. With ONR, support, the UCLA group has developed various designer nanocatalysts for the PEMFC cathode oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) with muc,h higher activity and stability than the commercial ones, some of which even set the record of activities for ORR catalysts. Moreove,r, these designer catalysts have been incorporated into membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) showing exceptional performance meeting, all DOE set targets for high-performance and low cost PEMFCs for light duty vehicles. However, the state-of-the-art ORR catalysts,tested in MEA come with inherent limitations as the set of engineering issues the catalysts face may differ in a more realistic PEM,stack. Evaluating the catalyst performance in realistic working environment in PEMFC stacks is critical for the practical disseminat,ion of these high-performing PEMFCs. Hence we propose to acquire PEMFC stack test system, including a high power PEMFC test station,and a PEM stack, to incorporate, evaluate and optimize the state-of-the-art catalyst system in practical working environment for bro,ad dissemination of high-performance and low-cost PEMFCs. Through the evaluation and translation process from bench-to-production, g,raduate students and postdoctoral researchers will have the unique opportunities to engage in technical development, market analysis,, and communication with industrial partners, which can prepare them to become future STEM leaders and entrepreneurs. This acquisiti,on will also be a wonderful educational tool to engage students in the studies of sustainable energy technologies in realistically r,elevant conditions, and to engage them in research activities that aim for industrial instrumentation and operations. The proposed s,tudies based on PEMFC stack test station open new opportunities for systematic studies and design of biomaterial, soft materials and, composites that closely correlate to real function conditions. The outcome has the potential to generate new avenues in scientific,discoveries and technological applications and can impact broad future technologies relevant to DoD missions ranging from nanoscale,catalysis, biotechnology to renewable energy, novel electronics and sensors.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212297
Entities
People
- Yu Huang
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of California, Los Angeles