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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/L85299/01
Title: JREI:INVESTIGATION OF HYDROGENATION PROPERTIES SURFACE MODIFIED METAL HYDRIDE RECHARGEABLE BATTERY ALLOY
Principal Investigator: Harris, Professor IR
Other Investigators:
Farr, Dr P Williams, Dr AJ
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Hiden Analytical Ltd Johnson Matthey
Department: Metallurgy and Materials
Organisation: University of Birmingham
Scheme: JREI
Starts: 29 May 1998 Ends: 28 May 1999 Value (£): 50,072
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Energy Storage Instrumentation Eng. & Dev.
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
For a metal or alloy to be useful as a hydrogen storage material it must satisfy various criteria. The material must be capable of storing large quantities of hydrogen within the metal lattice, have the ability to absorb and desorb hydrogen at high kinetic rates and have high oxidation (or poisoning) resistance over many absorption/desorption cycles. Metal Hydrides based on AB5 systems (e.g. La Ni5 ) fulfil most of these requirements and are ideal as rechargeable battery alloy, as they provide a source of hydrogen ions when in solution. However, the problem with these alloys is the rapid oxidation of the metal in alkaline battery environment. The investigation will assess the surface modification of metal hydrides by various metals with a view to improving these storage properties, with particular emphasis on maintaining the surface activity in order to prolong the lifetime of the cell. These alloys have further applications as they can be a source of gaseous hydrogen for fuel cell technology and also for engines which use hydrogen as the combusting fuel. To assess the hydrogenation properties this proposal is requesting assistance in purchasing a Precision Microbalance which will provide essential information on the metal hydrides under investigation.
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Organisation Website: http://www.bham.ac.uk