US – Page 221 – TechConnect Briefs

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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, [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

World’s First Hybrid Tug

Hayman S., Foss Maritime Company, US

The world’s first and only hybrid tugboat was constructed by Foss Maritime and was delivered in December 2008. It will be operated by Foss in San Pedro Harbor starting January 2009. This tug uses a [...]

microGreen Extended Performance Oil Filter

Assion N., Sahoo D., Flamenbaum M., SOMS Technologies LLC, US

By significantly improving the filtration efficiency of a vehicle engine oil filter the use of the engine oil can be greatly extended, reducing motor oil consumption and generation of hazardous waste. This was demonstrated by [...]

IR imaging of soot regeneration on a planar diesel particulate filter

Chen K., Martirosyan K.S., Luss D., University of Houston, US

IR imaging technique was used to identify the dynamic features of the particulate matter regeneration in diesel particulate filter (DPF) that used for reduction of diesel engine exhaust. We report here the results of extensive [...]