1999 SMALL FUEL CELLS(sm) and Battery Technologies for use in Portable Applications

Type Documentation ISBN 1-59430-059-3 Publication Date April, 1999 Number of Pages 372 List Price 99.00 Availability In Stock

RELATED TITLES 2000 SMALL FUEL CELLS(sm) and Battery Technologies - 2nd Annual International Conference for use in Portable Applications

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Overview

Table of Contents

Materials

New Electrode Materials for Ambient Fuel Cell Operation
Emory S. DeCastro, Ph.D., General Manager, E-TEK, Inc. and Los Alamos National Laboratory

Operation of small fuel cells at ambient conditions poses special challenges in the design of electrode backings or diffusers. We will present cathode performance data on a new electrode designed for unpressurized air feeds. We will also discuss cost reduction through the automated production of the electrode.

Effective Selection and Use of Advanced Membrane Electrode Power Assemblies
Jeff Kolde, Associate, W.L. Gore and Association

Portable Power PEM fuel cell applications require high power density operation under ambient hydrogen/air operating conditions. W.L. Gore and Assoc. Inc. has developed power assemblies which are well suited for such applications, building on the strengths of thin composite membranes and advanced low loading electrodes.

Application Priced PEM Fuel Cell Technology Using a New Generation of Specially Developed Materials
Glenn Doell, VP, Marketing & Business Development, DAIS

Fuel cell technology has not yet achieved widespread use for reasons that have included costs of the electro-active materials � which in turn directly affect the stack designs and materials. In developing its patented new membranes, MEA�s and stack designs, Dais examined each element of the technology from a variety of perspectives, i.e. function, cost, material availability, etc. Dais� approach has yielded new highly functional �applications priced materials� and stack materials/designs which form the basis for a cost-effective PEM fuel cell generator product line.

Microtechnology Based Fuel Reforming for Portable Power Applications
Kevin Drost, Co-Manager, Energy and Chemical Systems Miniaturization Initiative, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Recent research at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and elsewhere has confirmed that very high rates of heat and mass transfer can be attained in microstructures. By exploiting these phenomena, PNNL has been able to radically reduce the size of components needed to perform reforming of liquid hydrocarbon fuels. Based on results to date, it appears to be technically feasible to reform liquid hydrocarbon fuel for a 10 We fuel cell in a device that has a volume of 1 cubic inch. Given the high energy density of liquid hydrocarbon fuels, this opens the possibility of an extremely long life energy source for portable power applications.

Metal Hydride Storage for Portable Power
Krishna Sapru, Director, Thermal Hydride Products, Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.

Metal Hydrides provide an attractive method of storing hydrogen fuel for PEM fuel cells, especially for portable consumer applications where safety and convenience are important . This paper will present some results in terms of gravimetric and volumetric capacity, cycle life, and other features for prototype Metal Hydride Storage Systems (MHSS) being developed for use with small PEM fuel cells.

Fuel Processing Technology for Premium Power Fuel Cell Systems
Robert Derby, Epyx

Heretofore there has been a significant level of uncertainty regarding the realism of the concept of fuel cell power systems in the low capacity range of interest operating on hydrocarbon fuels. The primary reason for this uncertainty has been a lack of a fuel processing technology capable of operation in this low capacity range while still maintaining acceptable cost, size, and efficiency characteristics. Over the last year, Epyx, the ADL subsidiary company focused on the commercialization of fuel processors, has miniaturized its hybrid partial oxidation reformer technology (H-POX) to capacities as low as 100 Watts within a configuration about the size of a coffee can, which is by far the smallest complete fuel processing system ever made. The unit includes a reforming zone, shift reactors, and all heat exchangers within a tightly integrated package.

Fuel Cell Development

Compact Fuel Cells for Portable Applications
Arthur Kaufman, Vice President, Research and Development, H Power

Portable applications require power sources with varying degrees of compactness and light weight. H Power has applied its proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology in applications such as variable-message signs, powered briefcases, and demonstration power sources that simulate military primary battery packs. Further progress in miniaturization of this technology will result in substantial utilization within portable electronic devices.

Metal Alloy/Vulcan Carbon Nanocomposites of Controlled Alloy Stoichiometry Prepared from Single-Source Molecular Precursers as DMFC Anode Catalysts
Dr. Charles M. Lukehart, Professor of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University

Presentation will focus on research in which new methods for preparing highly active anode catalysts for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are being developed. DMFCs are widely regarded as good candidates for portable, high-power fuel cell applications. Also featured will be the recent announcement of rapid synthesis of such catalysts using microwave heating.

Recent Advances in Direct Methanol Fuel Cells for Portable Power Applications
S.R. Narayanan, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology

The direct methanol fuel cell is based on the electro-oxidation of a liquid feed of an aqueous feed of methanol in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. Several advances in this fuel technology have occurred in the last few years at JPL under DARPA funding. As a result, power density, efficiency and life characteristics are now attractive for portable power applications. In cooperation with JPL, Giner Inc. is fabricating a compact lightweight fuel cell stack for use in battery replacement and other applications. The presentation will describe the status of the technology, identify key issues for portable power systems and offer possible solutions. Some examples of the lightweight hardware will be presented.

Simple, Rugged and Reliable Fuel Cells for Use in Portable Applications
Dr. Mark Daugherty, Chief Scientist, DCH Technology

DCH Technology is commercializing simple, low cost, fuel cells based on a design developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Radial unit cell geometry allows an unobstructed periphery, minimum diffusion path lengths, a single tie bolt, and symmetry of components. This configuration retains water and prevents the fuel cell from drying out, resulting in reliable operation that is inherently self-regulating.

Hybrid Fuel Cell/Battery Performance
Dr. Henry W. Brandhorst, Director, Space Power Institute, Auburn University

A small fuel cell (10-20 Watt) has been combined with a 12 V battery to study the hybrid system performance under a range of operating conditions. The fuel cell operates on hydrogen from a hydride storage system. The battery is placed in parallel with the fuel cell through electronics that control the re-charging of the battery. The battery meets the peak requirements and the fuel cell is used to recharge the battery. Performance of this hybrid system for a variety of loads and peak power requirements will be discussed.

Developing Primary Zinc-Air Batteries for Portable Devices
Dennis Sieminski, Technical Marketing Manager, AERN Energy Resources, Inc.

The primary zinc-air couple has a long list of attributes that make it ideal for portable devices. However, it has been precluded from consideration because of one problem, the severe life-limiting effects associated with exposure to the atmosphere. The development of Diffusion Air Manager technology offers an effective solution. This battery option and its application to portable products are examined.

Actual Applications

Micro-Fuel Cells for Cellular Phones
Robert Hockaday, President, Energy Related Devices, Inc.

Smaller, Lighter, Simpler, Cleaner, and Less Expensive. This is the mantra we have used to design a micro-fuel cell to match the demands of the cellular phone market. The integrated design utilizes vacuum thin film deposition techniques to coat patterned porous plastic membranes for roll-to-roll manufacturing and is fueled with alcohols.

Next Generation Power Solutions for Mobile Phones
Chris Turner, Ericsson Mobile Phones

Ericsson, a worldwide leading manufacturer of mobile phones, provides its perspective on various power solutions, from the current Nickel Metal Hydride and Lithium Ion batteries, to advanced solutions such as Polymer Lithium Ion, Lithium Metal, and Fuel Cells, as well as alternative methods for power management. Also addressed will be environmental issues, anticipated directions for development, and a view into the future.

Battery Availability � A True Measure of Mobile Computing Productivity
Deepak Swamy, Technology Strategist, Dell

This presentation examines the various elements of the battery/power subsystem design in a notebook computing platform that contribute to end user experience today and outlines the challenges for the future. It introduces the concept of Battery Availability per pound and clearly demonstrates the robustness of this metric as a true, accurate measure of mobile productivity. Representation of battery sub-system performance in a manner that is more representative of the end-user experience and educating the customer base on the merits of this perspective is going to be of increasing importance. In concluding, this presentation will also review technology futures and barriers for entry into the PC industry and outline the key elements of successfully bringing any new battery technology in volume into a mobile computing platform.