PLATFORM: Materials for High Temperature Fuel Cell Technology

Completed

Hydrogen and Fuel Cells(Fuel Cells)

Basic and strategic applied research

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry)

Not Cross-cutting

Professor J Irvine
Chemistry
University of St Andrews

Standard

EPSRC

01 January 2004

31 December 2007

48 months

£430,908

Energy

Scotland

Electronic Materials -- Physical Sciences

Professor J Irvine, Chemistry, University of St Andrews

This proposal seeks to provide funding for basic research in the St Andrews' fuel cell programme. This will underpin current studies and lead into further developments towards commercialisation of our technologies. The work will comprise structural, chemical, thermal and electrochemical characterisation of novel materials. These programmes will entail a broad range of approaches from basic atomic scale characterisation through microstructural control and fabrication to device production and testing We will focus on understanding the role of microstructure and composition in developing efficient fuel electrodes for utilisation in hydrocarbon containing fuels. New characterisation techniques will be developed. We will also focus on the relationships between basic structural and short-range and the oxide ion conduction properties of oxides. Work will continue on developing low temperature thin film supported electrolytes and application of such devices for steam electrolysis, witha view to utilising renewable energy to produce hydrogen. A new initiative working on solid state electrochemical methods and processes for preparing and utilising alternative carriers for clean hydrogen such as ammonia or dimethyl ether will be established

01/01/07