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Published November 25, 2003 | public
Journal Article

Fuel Cell Materials and Components

Abstract

Fuel cells offer the possibility of zero-emissions electricity generation and increased energy security. We review here the current status of solid oxide (SOFC) and polymer electrolyte membrane (PEMFC) fuel cells. Such solid electrolyte systems obviate the need to contain corrosive liquids and are thus preferred by many developers over alkali, phosphoric acid or molten carbonate fuel cells. Dramatic improvements in power densities have been achieved in both SOFC and PEMFC systems through reduction of the electrolyte thickness and architectural control of the composite electrodes. Current efforts are aimed at reducing SOFC costs by lowering operating temperatures to 500–800 °C, and reducing PEMFC system complexity be developing 'water-free' membranes which can also be operated at temperatures slightly above 100 °C.

Additional Information

Copyright © 2003 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Accepted 31 August 2003. Available online 14 October 2003. The electron micrograph shown in Fig. 3(a) was provided by Dr. Zongping Shao, post-doctoral scholar in the author's laboratory and funded by DARPA, Microsystems Technology Office. Additional financial support was provided by the Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The Golden Jubilee Issue. Selected topics in Materials Science and Engineering: Past, Present and Future.

Additional details

Created:
August 22, 2023
Modified:
October 25, 2023