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UD researchers will work with DuPont and Ion Power to improve fuel cell economics
President George W. Bush announced a hydrogen fuel cell initiative during a speech in February 2003 and budgeted $1.2 billion over the next five years to kick-start the program. The initial grants are now being awarded by the Department of Energy, and Delaware’s Congressional delegation announced July 24 that two state corporations, Ion Power and DuPont, have been funded. Through a $2.5 million grant, Ion Power of Bear will partner with UD’s Department of Chemical Engineering and DuPont to develop technology for the recycling or remanufacturing of catalyst-coated fuel cell membranes and processing components, which make use of the precious metal platinum and the expensive polymer Nafion. DuPont will receive $7 million in a separate grant to develop the technology for a 40,000-hour Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) stack. The technology will be used to reinforce fuel cells and make them more capable of withstanding higher temperatures, traits required for increased power and efficiency. The two companies and UD were among 13 businesses and educational institutions in 12 states to receive funds for research in advanced fuel cell technology for vehicles, buildings and other applications. The UD team includes Norman Wagner, professor of chemical engineering and a researcher in the Center for Molecular and Engineering Thermodynamics; Brian Willis, assistant professor of chemical engineering; and Jingguang Chen, professor of chemical engineering and director of the Center for Catalytic Science and Technology. “Hydrogen fuel cells are very environmentally clean and very energy efficient compared with internal combustion engines,” Chen said. “The major problem is that they are expensive because they rely on platinum electrodes and Nafion, which is a high priced polymer.” Working with Ion Power and DuPont, the UD scientists will develop technologies to recover both platinum and Nafion from deactivated fuel cells. “If fuel cells catch on, we will be using larger quantities of precious metals,” Willis said. “Through this project, we will have in place the technology to recover and recycle them, thus making the fuel cells more cost-effective.” “We will establish this capability by combining the forces of two internationally renowned research centers in thermodynamics and catalytic science here at the University of Delaware,” Wagner said. Wagner said UD researchers are working in a number of areas related to fuel cell technology beyond the project recently funded by the federal government and hopes the funding will catalyze the establishment of a center for fuel cell research and development on campus. He said UD research is under way in four key areas: the development of alternative catalysts that would move away from reliance on precious metals; membrane performance alternatives that would seek polymers less expensive than Nafion; hydrogen storage because mobility is critical if fuel cells are to be effective vehicle power plants; and hydrogen production. Wagner said that as one of the leading chemical engineering programs in the nation, UD has been able to attract top-level doctoral candidates. With the support of federal funds in fuel cell research, he said those students would be well prepared for careers in fuel cell research and technology. Chen added the state is home to several companies with interest in fuel cell technologies, including DuPont, W.L. Gore & Associates and Ion Power. He said it is hoped the federal funding, combined with corporate interest and UD’s expertise, will create an atmosphere in which Delaware is able to establish itself a leader in the field in the northeast corridor. In announcing the funds, U.S. Rep. Michael N. Castle said, “Delaware companies continue to be leaders in renewable energy. I have been a strong supporter of federal funding for renewable energy research, and I am pleased to see Delaware companies benefit from this commitment.” Castle added that fuel cell technology holds “the greatest promise to power important aspects of our daily lives with clean energy. Energy efficiency and energy conservation programs are a critical element to our environmental and economic well-being. Additionally, this research and development is vital in reducing America's dependence on fossil fuels and foreign oil.” “These grants will help Delaware solidify its status as being at the forefront of developing cutting-edge, alternative energy sources,” U.S. Sen. Thomas R. Carper said. “Developing effective fuel cell technology will benefit the state and the nation economically, while helping us make the jump to clean energy sources.” “I have no doubt that the work being done at Ion Power will revolutionize the energy industry as we know it,” U.S. Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. added. “This is truly cutting-edge technology with dual benefits—it is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.” Article by Neil Thomas Photo by Duane Perry |
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