NSF Award
9561693
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) fuel cells for applications with the Next Generation of Vehicles (NGV). These fuel cells hold promise of providing power at high energy efficiencies and low pollutant emission rates. Long-term durability, quiet operation, and modular design are other desirable properties that will also be required in NGV power supplies This research explores the possibilities of an improved SPE for hydrocarbon/air fuel cells The project will involve preparation and characterization of a novel form of perfluorinated acid membranes and will demonstrate high temperature operation of SPE fuel cells. An improved high-temperature SPE fuel cell could mean that portable fuel cells may run on unrefined fuels such as methanol and propane. This would contribute to practical fuel cell designs for automotive and other portable power applications.
