Energy Storage, Fuel cells & Hydrogen

A Novel Architecture for Micro Fuel Cells

Moghaddam S., Pengwang E., Lin K., Masel R.I., Shannon M.A., UIUC, US

We report, for the first time, development of a fully integrated millimeter-scale (331 mm3) fuel cell-based power generator with a completely passive control system. Fabrication of this unique power source was enabled through development of [...]

High lithium ion storage capacity of CO annealed titania nanotube arrays

Liu D., Zhang Y., Cao G., University of Washington, US

Highly ordered titania nanotube (TNT) arrays were fabricated by anodic oxidation of titanium foil followed by CO annealing. The lithium-ion intercalation capacities of the as-prepared sample was studied and found to be improved a lot [...]

Promoting the activity of LiFePO4 (olivine) cathode of Li-ion battery by supramolecular complexes with single walled carbon nanotubes

Kavan L., Exnar I., Graetzel M., J. Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry, CZ

The amphiphilic Ru-bipyridine complex, NaRu(4-carboxylic acid-4’-carboxylate-2, 2’bipyridine)(4,4’-dinonyl-2,2’bipyridine)(NCS)2 can be used as a surfactant for solubilization of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in acetonitrile-t-butanol mixture. The Ru-complex represents a redox functionality of 3.5 V vs. Li/Li+, [...]

Nickel oxide hollow nano-fiber electrodes for electrochemical capacitors

Machida S., Tsutsumi H., Yamaguchi University, JP

Morphology of electroactive materials in electrodes affects their electrochemical performance and capacity of energy storage devices. New architectures (3D) for electrodes and cells will overcome the traditional electrodes’ problems. However, preparation of 3D electrodes needs [...]

Phase Stabilized and Enhanced PtCu3/C oxygen reduction electrocatalysts via Au galvanic displacement

Liu Z., Huang D., Koh S., Yu C., More K.L., Allard Jr. L.F., Strasser P., University of Houston, US

We reported here that the enhanced electrocatalytic oxygen reduction activity of PtCu3/C catalysts was stabilized using Au galvanic displacement of Cu in PtCu3/C. The results showed that mass activities decreased by 24 and 29%, and [...]

Energy-efficient electrochemical CO2 capture from the atmosphere

Eisaman M.D., Schwartz D.E., Amic S., Larner D., Zesch J., Littau K., Palo Alto Research Center, US

In this contribution, we report on the experimental demonstration of a continuously operating modified fuel cell capable of capturing CO2 at atmospheric concentrations with record efficiency. The atmosphere provides O2 and CO2 at the cathode, [...]

A Novel Anode Electrode for Direct Borohydride Fuel Cell

Kim K-J, Bernas R., Miley G.H., Luo N., Yang X., University of Illinois, US

As part of the development of a portable fuel cell using direct sodium Borohydride fuel, deposition methods of the catalysis on the diffusion layer have been studied. In earlier studies catalyst deposition onto a porous [...]

A Computational Study to Overcome Mass Transfer Limit in Microfluidic Fuel Cell

Wilburn T., Zhou D., California State Univeristy, Sacramento, US

Membraneless micro fuel cells shown in Fig. 1[1] have eliminated some technical issues related to membrane-based fuel cells such as dry-out at anode and flooding at cathode. However, performance of membraneless micro fuel cell using [...]

Nanoengineering of a New Generation Proton Exchange Membrane for Micro Fuel Cells

Moghaddam S., Masel R., Shannon M., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, US

We report development of the first viable silicon-based proton exchange membrane (PEM). This was achieved through self-assembly of 3-mercaptopropyl-trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) molecules inside extremely high aspect ratio torturous silicon nanopores. This development can greatly benefit the [...]

Expermental Study of Hydrogen in Internal Combustion Engines

Albayrak Çeper B., Berat Birsen E., Orhan Akansu S., Kahraman N., Erciyes University, TR

In this study, the engine performance, power, efficiency, specific fuel consumption and variation of pressure in the cylinder have been investigated in case of the use of hydrogen fuels in internal combustion engines, and compared [...]

Engineering High Surface Area Catalysts for Clean Tech Applications

McIlroy D.N., Corti G., Cantrell T., Beaux M., Prakash T., Norton M.G., Washington State University, US

Since catalytic performance is a limiting factor for many essential elements of the hydrogen economy, the need for improved catalysts is great. One-dimensional (1D) nanomaterials are ideal catalysts because of their large surface area to [...]

Plasma Torch Process for Hydrogen Production at Small Distributed Stations

Miley G.H., Gough W.C., Leon H., University of Illinois, US

Small distributed hydrogen generating stations have been proposed. However, they are generally assumed to use water electrolysis units or various gas reforming processes. In this study we examine an alternate approach using the exhaust plasma [...]

Silica Nanosprings – A Novel Nanostructured Material for Hydrogen Storage

Norton M.G., McIlroy D.N., Corti G., Miller M.A., Washington State University, US

Hydrogen storage for transportation applications remains a challenge. Current approaches are still short of published goals, in particular in being able to operate at acceptable temperatures. Physisorption, or non-dissociative approaches, where the hydrogen is stored [...]

Hydrogen-Steel Compatibility Research at NIST-Boulder

Siewert T.A., Slifka A.J., McColskey J.D., Lasseigne A.N., Nanninga N.E., Levi Y., NIST, US

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is establishing a new national test facility in Boulder, Colorado to evaluate the mechanical properties of materials proposed to store, transport, and distribute hydrogen fuels. Many of [...]

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