Pacific Research Initiative for Sustainable Materials and Electrochemical Systems 2023 (PRISMES23)
Abstract
Under a series of grants from the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the Hawai#i Natural Energy Institute (HNEI) at the University of Hawai#i at M#noa (UH) has conducted research, development, testing, and evaluation across a range of alternative energy technologies. The work proposed in #Pacific Research Initiative for Sustainable Materials and Electrochemical Systems 2023# (PRISMES23) continues many of these efforts, with emphasis on four key technologies with great relevance to ONR#s portfolio: fuel cells, batteries, photovoltaics, and pressurized pyrolysis. The proposed work comprises six major tasks summarized as follows:Task 1: #Program Management and Outreach# funds HNEI management of the in-house research. This task serves to align the various program activities to ensure continued relevance to DOD and other ONR programs.Task 2: #Contaminant Tolerant Fuel Cell Development and Testing# proposes work revolving around the development of technologies aimed at hardening fuel cells foroperation in harsh environments, focusing on gaseous contaminant tolerance improvement. Activities under this task will continue efforts to develop and optimize high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells.Task 3: #Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells# aims to advance the development and characterization of anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs), with a primary focus on evaluating their performance and durability under elevated and high-temperature conditions. Through this investigation, we seek to gain insights into the potential and limitations of this technology for applications relevant to the Department of Defense (DOD).Task 4: #Battery Testing, Characterization, and Modeling # proposes work both at the full-cell and half-cell levels. At the full-cell level, rigorous testing and advanced modeling will be employed to deepen our comprehension of temperature-induced performance limitations in both cold and hot climates. Concurrently, at the half-cell level,focused testing and modeling endeavors will aim to enhance our understanding of how inhomogeneities affect the performance of largeelectrodes. Furthermore, leveraging our diagnostic and prognostic expertise, HNEI will collaborate with NRL-led projects to investigate the effects of temperature gradients on performance and durability.Task 5: #Flexible electronics# continues HNEI#s work on transparent conductive composite (TCC) systems developed under previous ONR awards. In this task, HNEI proposes a novel transparent conductive composite multilayer (TCCM) barrier system where atomically thick metal oxide layers combined with novel composites and microscopic conductive media limit oxygen and moisture diffusion in organic electronic devices (i.e., OLED, OPV) and corrosive metal components (electrodes, metallic parts), while allowing optical transparency and electrical conductivity.Task 6: #Pressurized Pyrolysis#continues work initiated under previous ONR awards. Solid waste and biosolids present management challenges for forward contingency bases and larger scale installations. Environmental impacts may be reduced by converting waste to stabilized solids that can be safely disposed for biological degradation or more readily converted to useful forms of energy. The potential of the constant volumecarbonization process has been explored to support both of these Navy-relevant needs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 08, 2024
- Source ID
- N000142412359
Entities
People
- Nicolas Gaillard
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Hawaiʻi System