| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/I036338/1 |
| Title: |
Performance Optimization of IT-SOFCs by Inkjet Printing on Porous Metal Substrates (JETCELL) |
| Principal Investigator: |
Kumar, Professor RV |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Materials Science & Metallurgy |
| Organisation: |
University of Cambridge |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research |
| Starts: |
01 November 2011 |
Ends: |
31 March 2015 |
Value (£): |
386,638
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
In this collaborative project our aim is to develop metal supported Intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFC) by implementation of ink-jet printing technology in order to create the architecture of a fuel cell based on most up to date materials to achieve substantial progress on issues related to cost reduction, degradation processes, durability and reliability. The current SOFCs operate at nearly 1000C, at this high temperature material challenges are demanding leading to degradation and poor perfromance. Combined with relatively high costs, the number of SOFC shipments in 2009 are less than 1000! By targeting development at low temperatures and low cost methods using inkjet printing and introducing in-situ on board diagnosticd in an operating fuell cell, this consortium consisting of two research groups in University of Cambridge (Materials Chemistry and Electroceramics) from the UK and NFTDC in Hyderabad, and RTM Nagpur University from India, we intend to apply our research towards making fuel cell prototype. We have established close contacts with SMEs in both the UK and in India so that we can seek their advice, procure their expertise and technologies and involve them towards the end of the project with a view to transfer technology and accelerate deployment.
While India and UK may not be unique in this quest, there is a strong emphasis in both these countries towards "energy sustainability" and "environmental protection". Large scale application of fuel cells technology offer "clean and green power" system with scalable global business. Both India and the UK are striving to scientific and technological leadership in this area. Energy sustainability is key to economic prosperity in both countries and innovative approaches from collaboration between forward looking partners within a sound consortium stands a good chance of providing knowledge that can contribute to step-change in the UK-India relationship in this scientific field and beyond.
In a PhD project at Cambridge under the supervision of Dr Kumar, metal supported, tubular architecture single fuel cells and 10W and 50W demo stacks have been investigated in collaboration with HCl Ltd., which has fabricated, installed and demonstrated 2x1kW stacks in Thailand. In another ongoing PhD project under the joint supervision of Drs Glowacki and Kumar, planar fuel cell elements are being developed by using ink-jet printing of electrodes and electrolytes, including densification of electrolyte with novel sintering aids. Previously they have jointly developed protocols for making inks and sols for various coating processes.
Expertise in synthesis of electrodes and electrolytes are available with the teams in India and in the UK. At RTM Nagpur University, Professor Bhogha has developed novel oxide based cathode materials for intermediate temperature fuel cells operation. In a current PhD project under his supervision, preparation and characterization of Cu-cermets has been investigated as potential anode materials for IT-SOFC. The investigations on cathode and anode materials are focussed on development of novel materials to establish structure-property correlation, and evaluation
of basic electrochemical processes.
Dr Bala at NFTDC, has been in the forefront of synthesis and fabrication methods for ceramics, fine chemicals and nanomaterials, composites and hydrogen storage. NFTDC have a team of dedicated scientists and technologists with expertise in developing demonstrator units and prototypes in many high-tech areas. The NFTDC team has rendered complete working prototypes and also continued pilot production of many system level solutions such as high efficiency motors, aerospace components, pilot plants for speciality alloys, end to end solutions for bio medical components. In the energy sector, NFTDC is presently engaged in solar thermal technology demonstration platforms and in waste heat to vehicle cabin cooling products.
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.cam.ac.uk |