Research Topics
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) Automotive Fuel Cells
Novel Membranes
Novel Gas Diffusion Layers
Novel bipolar plate designs
Durability studies of membranes under hygrothermal cycling
Development of mechanistic models for membrane durability
Modeling of membranes for freeze tolerance
Simultaneous optical and neutron visualization of operating PEM fuel cells
XPS investigation of catalyst degradation during fuel cell operation
Complete fuel cell system modeling and simulation
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC) Fuel Cells for Portable Power
Novel catalysts
Novel membranes
Novel porous metal flow fields
Novel control strategies for peak performance
Methanol transport and reaction kinetics in DMFCs
Fuel Cell Vehicle Modeling, Design, and Demonstration
The UD Fuel Cell Bus Program
A Matlab/Simulink model for fuel cell hybrid vehicle design
A cell voltage monitoring system for real time fuel cell stack diagnostic tool
Supersonic variable flow ejector for energy efficient hydrogen circulation
Real time data acquisition and analysis
PAST AND CURRENT PROJECTS
Novel PEM membranes for improved freeze-tolerance
Effect of cyclical hygrothermal loading on polymer fuel cell membranes
Mechanics of freeze-thaw in polymer fuel cell membranes
Novel Tungsten Carbide catalysts to replace Platinum in DMFC applications
Novel corrosion resistant catalyst supports based on TiO2 and carbon nanotubes
Nano-engineered electrodes for PEM fuel cells
Novel metallic GDLs for improved durability and performance
Materials development for thin film solid oxide fuel cells
Water management: simultaneous optical and neutron imaging of operations PEM fuel cells
Degradation studies of the catalyst layer using XPS
Optimal methanol feed concentration in DMFCs using cell voltage as feedback
Genetic algorithms coupled with computational models of PEM fuel cells for rapid design optimization
Synthesis and evaluation of electrocatalysts for fuel cells and hydrogen production
In-house fuel cell fabrication and extensive testing facilities
SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, NMR, EIS, and other mechanical and thermal characterization facilities
Matlab/Simulink fuel cell bus simulator for cost effective hybrid design studies
Cell voltage monitoring system for real time fuel cell stack diagnostics
Renewable methods for hydrogen production based on thermochemical, photoelectrochemical and biological
water splitting
Novel solid-state materials for hydrogen storage with high gravimetric efficiency
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are well known electrochemical devices that directly convert the
chemical energy of a wide variety of fuels (H2, CO, hydrocarbons, alcohols, etc.) into electricity. Regarding
their geometry, microtubular SOFCs (mSOFCs) are more appropriate for portable applications, as they present
rapid start-up times, easy sealings and strong resistance to thermal cycling. They can be also used in reverse
mode to produce hydrogen by steam electrolysis, or syngas by the coelectrolysis of steam and CO2. In addition,
microtubular cells can be used as catalytic membranes combining reaction and separation in the same unit. This
configuration presents potential benefits such as increased reaction rate, selectivity, yield, etc. and can be
coupled for a wide range of reactions.
The present research topic aims to cover all different aspects related to microtubular ceramic cells,
including for example the development of innovative fabrication methods, the integration of novel materials
(electrodes, ionic/protonic conductors, current collectors, etc.) into microtubular SOFC devices, design of
stacks, use of alternative fuels, modelling (thermos-mechanical, multiscale, CFD, etc.), or economic analysis of
mSOFC systems. Special focus will be given on improving the electrochemical performance and assuring a long
term stability of the cells, for all the aforementioned applications i.e. fuel cell, electrolysis, coelectrolysis and
membrane reactors.
https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/4962/microtubular-ceramic-fuel-cells
Fuel cells face significant challenges before they will find common acceptance; namely, cost,
durability, and the lack of a hydrogen infrastructure. Fuel cell components are expensive today although mass
production will reduce costs in the future. The search for new, less expensive, more durable materials is an
active research area. DOE targets for performance, power density, efficiency, transient response, and durability
also represent stiff challenges for research. Apart from the fuel cell, the technology for producing, storing,
transporting, and dispensing hydrogen safely in large quantities also needs to be developed in parallel.
http://sites.udel.edu/cfcr/research-topics/
