Low-Pt electrocatalysts for PEM fuel cell cathodes
Oxide- and phosphate-based electrocatalysts are being developed as low-cost, high-durability alternatives to the state-of-the-art carbon-supported Pt clusters for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathodes of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The activities of the catalysts are characterized with rotating disk electrode (RDE) and rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) voltammetry, and spectroscopies including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The catalysts are also cast into membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and tested as fuel cells.

Sulfur-tolerant catalysts for fuel cells
Conventional PEM fuel cell catalysts are susceptible to poisoning from ppb of sulfur in the air and fuel stream. We are developing electrochemical methods to study the electrocatalytic mechanisms of sulfur poisoning on conventional platinum catalysts using them to make poisoned catalysts withstand naval environments. The mechanisms of sulfur-poisoning are studied on the conventional platinum catalysts for PEM fuel cells using as RDE and RRDE voltammetry and also in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies. The phosphate and oxide catalysts above are studied for their SO₂ tolerance in air. We also study alternative membranes. X-ray absorption spectroscopy is used for additional chemical insights.

Fuel cell powered unmanned air vehicle
NRL is developing a new fuel cell powered unmanned air vehicle capable of 24hr missions for persistent surveillance and sensing. This work is in collaboration with NRL Code 5712.

Battery materials development
New cathode and anode materials for Li-ion batteries are being developed with the help of first principles theory (density functional theory) in collaboration with NRL Code 6930. The theory is used to predict materials properties, and the materials are synthesized in the lab and demonstrated in small batteries.

Micro microbial fuel cell
We are developing miniature power sources that harvest energy from the natural environment through microbial metabolism of indigenous nutrients. These miniature microbial fuel cells have demonstrated high power per cross-sectional area and device volume under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Further work is focused on creating long-endurance biofilms of specialized bacteria through novel electrode treatments. The end goal of the program is to develop versatile, long-lasting power sources that can be used in various underwater applications including sensor nodes and unmanned underwater vehicles.

Biological Laser Direct Write
We are investigating novel additive methods to directly deposit micro- and nano-patterns of biological and inorganic materials onto relevant substrates and devices. Experiments utilizing biological printing involve the formation of microarrays and microstructures of living cells or active biomolecules for both sensing and tissue engineering applications.

Nanoscale Biological Electron Transfer
We are investigating how metal reducing bacteria interact with their environment on the nanoscale. These microorganisms are capable of performing both direct (membrane and/or nanowire assisted) and indirect (mediated via redox active molecules) extracellular electron transfer to soluble and insoluble electron acceptors. When a biofilm of these microorganisms is maintained on an electrode, current and power can be harvested from their metabolism, making these studies potentially relevant for powering underwater autonomous systems or nanoscale electronics. A range of nano-analytical equipment is used to image nano-filaments (scanning electron microscopy (SEM), environmental SEM, atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM)), and characterize their electron transfer (nanoprobe, conducting AFM, nanoelectrode arrays).

Waste to Fuels
The objective of this program is to increase primary paraffin aviation fuel components (linear and branched alkanes with carbon lengths between C8-C18) and lubricants from naval waste (food, feces, greywater) using microbial pre-treatment in addition to a rapid and efficient electric pyrolysis procedure. The success of this project will ultimately result in a method to reduce 70% of the bulk aqueous and solid waste volume stored and transported for disposal from both ship and land-based installation, while yielding a 15% increase in paraffin JP-5 fuel components and lubricants generated on-site.

Development of Selective Carbon Monoxide (CO) Preferential Oxidation Catalysts
Our primary objective is to develop novel room temperature, selective halogenated organometallic metal complexes for gases in typical reformate gas mixtures (CO, CO₂, N₂, H₂, H₂O(gas)). These catalysts will ultimately be used to scrub or harvest CO from complex reformates, leading to the direct conversion of CO into electricity. These catalysts and their eventual integration into their own fuel cell/scrubbing system will increase the efficiency, selectivity, sustainability and power output from the reforming process by:

1. Increasing the selectivity for carbon monoxide in the presence of hydrogen at room temperature by decreasing the electron density on the catalytic metal center,
2. Generate electricity from the reaction of carbon monoxide with the conducting polymer catalyst by immobilization on conductive carbon supports, and
3. Purify hydrogen fuel streams from sources as impure as biomass to methane at room temperature.

Fuel Cell Test Facility
Provides five fuel cell test stations for the evaluation of 1 W to 500 W PEM fuel cells (Scribner). 10 cm² PEM fuel cell are made and assembled in the lab, using a polymer dryer and hot press, and assembled in fuel cell test hardware. Additionally, we have a set up for the analysis of single-cell high temperature fuel cells comprising a PAR 263 with a 10A booster and a 1253 Solartron impedance analyzer.

Fuel Cell System Test Bed
A fuel cell test bed is set up for the characterization of fuel cell systems, e.g., stacks fully integrated into devices. The system performance is monitored and recorded using a LabView code written specifically for the test station. A variety of voltage dividers and Hall Effect current sensors monitor the relative performance of each subsystem in real time. In addition to multiple channel data acquisition, the LabView code and DAQ board allow for control of the system under test, so that simulated load profiles can be preprogrammed and run with consistency from one test to the next.

Battery Test and Fabrication Facility
Li-ion microbatteries can be fully fabricated, tested and packaged in a new Braun Ar-glove box equipped with a furnace, analytical microbalance, and 2 Maacor battery testers with the capability to test 16 batteries simultaneously. The facility is also equipped with a PAR 263 analytical potentiostat and a Solartron 1260 impedance analyzer for the complete electrical characterization of microbatteries and battery materials. Supporting equipment for this facility include another analytical microbalance and a third Maacor battery tester with 8 channels, for testing outside the glove box.

Electrocatalyst Evaluation Stations
The group has 4 analytical potentiostats and rotating disk electrode for the analysis of fuel cell electrocatalysts. Each station is equipped with a thermal controller and glassware. The instrumentation is as follows:

1. Autolab bipotentiostat with a Pine rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE)
2. Autolab potentiostat with an internal impedance analyzer with Pine rotating disk electrode (RDE)
3. Pine biopotentiostat with Pine RDE
4. Pine biopotentiostat with Pine RRDE

Powder X-ray Diffraction (XRD)
Code 6113 maintains a Bruker D-8 power diffractometer with a theta-theta configuration, explicitly designed for the analysis of powdered materials.

Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD)
Code 6113 maintains a Micromeritics AutoChem II 2920 Chemisorption Analyzer used to measure adsorption and desorption processes on catalysts.

Molecular Biology Facility
A full scale molecular biology facility equipped with DNA thermocyclers for conducting polymerase chain reaction, protein/nucleic acid purification system (including radioisotope facility), DNA synthesizer, protein and nucleic acid electrophoresis systems, and multi-scale microbial culturing capability.

Lasers
Several lasers are available for use in conjunction with the mass spectrometric experiments, including Nd:YAG, CO2, nitrogen, Ti:sapphire, and argon ion lasers. A laser-based printing facility is also available for sensing and tissue engineering applications (antibodies, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, tissue scaffolding, etc).

Cell Biology Facility
A full scale tissue culture facility with primary mammalian cell culture, cell lines, and monoclonal isolation and characterization is set up. The facility supports laser cell printing studies for DoD applications including the creation of living 3D microfluidic networks, spinal cord repair studies, and neural engineering. Humidity controlled CO₂ incubators, Class II biohazard hoods, light and epi-fluorescent microscopes, fluorescence in-situ hybridization assay (FISH), video capture and analysis equipment, FACS, BIACORE, and protein purification and identification tools are available.

Laser Direct Write Facility
Code 6113 maintains a complete laser direct write system capable of printing highly diverse materials on the microscale. Capabilities include printing micro-structures and microarrays of battery materials, inorganics, and biologicals such as living bacteria, mammalian cells, functional proteins, tissue and DNA.

Organometallic Synthesis Facility
Code 6113 maintains a Schlenk vacuum line and rotary evaporator for air-free organometallic synthesis. The facility is currently being used to create new selective oxidation catalysts for sensing and fuel cell applications.

General Analytical Services Facility
Code 6113 maintains several analytical stations for diverse molecular analysis. A thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) is maintained with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) capabilities (biofuel analysis). Also a gas chromatography (GC) station is maintained for permanent gas (primarily used for catalysis, biofuel and biological gas analysis) and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME, biodiesel) analysis. A high pressure liquid chromatography station is also maintained with refractive index detection for small molecular analysis (primarily used for biological metabolites and carbohydrates).

Miscellaneous
3 furnaces, 3 analytical balances, 1 centrifuge, 1 optical microscope with digital camera