Project Title:

Near-Ambient Solid-Polymer Fuel Cell

92-1-10.11-9450                                                     NASW-4788
Near-Ambient Solid-Polymer Fuel Cell
EIC Laboratories, Inc.
111 Downey Street
Norwood, MA  02062
Gerhard L. Holleck                                   (617-769-9450)

Abstract:

     All fuel cells, particularly polymer-electrolyte-membrane
fuel cells, are extremely attractive for space and earth
applications because of their high-energy conversion efficiency.
This project will develop a solid polymer fuel cell that can
efficiently operate at near-ambient temperatures without ancillary
components for humidification and/or pressurization of the fuel or
oxidant gases. This fuel cell will be made with a novel,
integrated-catalyst, proton-exchange polymer unit that has no
interfacial barriers so that water diffusion from the cathode to
the anode will not be impeded. The catalysts for both electrodes
will be electro-precipitated in a highly dispersed form within the
proton exchange membrane in close proximity to the gas-polymer
interface. This fuel cell will offer significant gains in weight
and volume power density. It will reduce complexity and make fuel
cells attractive for smaller and portable power supplies which at
present, is not feasible because the fuel cell stack is a vital
but only small part of the total system.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Applications:  Near-ambient, solid-polymer
fuel cells extend fuel cell technology to small units making it
suitable for remote distributed power, marine power, power tools,
computers, video cameras, rovers, and automated sampling
equipment.

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