ADVANCEMENT IN FUEL CELLS
Professor Andrew B Bocarsly,
Princeton University
DATE: Thursday, March 25th, 2004
LOCATION: Washington Group International; Carnegie Center, 510 Carnegie Center
Boulevard – https://www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/pcnjpes/images/map.raytheon.gif
Princeton, New Jersey.
Information: Ed Sproles 609-844-0473
For
some background on Prof Bocarsly's work, see his website: www.princeton.edu/~abbgroup
Abstract
Fuel
cell development both in industry and via government support is currently
focused on bringing this technology to the automotive marketplace. The
hydrogen/oxygen proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, a low temperature
cell, presently operating in the 60-80?C range has been identified as the cell
of choice for this application. However, these cells are subject to poisoning
by the presence of trace amounts of carbon monoxide (~10ppm) in the hydrogen
fuel stream. In addition, managing the water content of the cell has proven
difficult.
One
solution to these problems is the implementation of a PEM cell that operates in
the "high temperature regime" (i.e. from 120-150?C). The currently
employed perfluoronated sulfonated ionomer membranes such as Nafion have
difficulty retaining water in this temperature range, thereby degrading their
proton transport properties. We have found however, that modest pressurization
of the cell in conjunction with the use of a composite membrane formed from the
addition of a metal oxide to a Nafion matrix allows for reproducible, stable
cell operation up to ~145?C. An approach that takes into account both the
materials aspects of fuel cells and the reactor engineering of such cells is
producing promising cell designs that appear pragmatic.
Although
high temperature operation alleviates many of the current obstacles related to
implementation of a fuel cell technology, introduction of fuel cell power
plants represents a systems problem. Although receiving far less attention, the
method of producing and storing hydrogen, especially for a mobile fuel cell,
needs to be addressed. New chemical approaches to this problems and intrinsic
materials limitations will be considered.
Biography
Andrew
Bocarsly received his Ph.D. in 1980 from M.I.T. He has been a member of the
Princeton University, Chemistry Department faculty for twenty-four years.
Professor Bocarsly has published over 150 papers in peer reviewed journals and
co-authored three patents. Presently, he co-directs Princeton's Fuel Cell
Laboratory with Professor J. Benziger. Research in this laboratory is focused
on the chemistry and engineering associated with the development of high
temperature (i.e. above the normal boiling point of water) proton exchange
membrane fuel cells. Such cells have potential applications in mobile devices
ranging from lab top computers to automobiles and transportation systems.
Bocarsly's research interests are centered around next generation materials for
fuel cell and electrochemical applications. Currently his research group
focuses on enhanced performance membrane materials and improved
electrocatalysts.
Professor
Bocarsly serves as a consultant and contractor to various fuel cell related
companies including United Technologies Fuel Cell and Millennium Cell. He has
received the Sigma Xi (Princeton Section) Science Educator Award, the American
Chemical Society-Exxon Solid State Chemistry award, and has served as the
electrochemistry editor for Methods in Materials Research: A Current Protocols
Publication