Fuel Cell
Fuel Cells and Nanotechnology
How can nanotechnology improve fuel cells?
Catalysts are used with fuels such as hydrogen or methanol to produce hydrogen ions. Platinum, which is very expensive, is the catalyst typically used in this process. Companies are using nanoparticles of platinum to reduce the amount of platinum needed, or using nanoparticles of other materials to replace platinum entirely and thereby lower costs.
Fuel cells contain membranes that allow hydrogen ions to pass through the cell but do not allow other atoms or ions, such as oxygen, to pass through. Companies are using nanotechnology to create more efficient membranes; this will allow them to build lighter weight and longer lasting fuel cells.
Small fuel cells are being developed that can be used to replace batteries in handheld devices such as PDAs or laptop computers. Most companies working on this type of fuel cell are using methanol as a fuel and are calling them DMFC's, which stands for direct methanol fuel cell. DMFC's are designed to last longer than conventional batteries. In addition, rather than plugging your device into an electrical outlet and waiting for the battery to recharge, with a DMFC you simply insert a new cartridge of methanol into the device and you're ready to go.
Fuel cells that can replace batteries in electric cars are also under development. Hydrogen is the fuel most researchers propose for use in fuel cell powered cars. In addition to the improvements to catalysts and membranes discussed above, it is necessary to develop a lightweight and safe hydrogen fuel tank to hold the fuel and build a network of refueling stations. To build these tanks, researchers are trying to develop lightweight nanomaterials that will absorb the hydrogen and only release it when needed. The Department of Energy is estimating that widespread usage of hydrogen powered cars will not occur until approximately 2020.
Fuel Cells: Nanotechnology Applications
Nano-engineered hydrocarbon membranes allow more efficient fuel cells
Increasing catalyst surface area and efficiency by depositing platinum on porous alumina
Replacing platinum catalysts with less expensive nanomaterials
Using hydrogen fuel cells to power cars
Fuel Cells: Nanotechnology Company Directory
| Company | Product |
Advantage |
| PolyFuel | Engineered hydrocarbon membranes | Improved performance over conventional membranes |
| QuantumSphere | Non-platinum catalyst | Reduces cost |
| Solid oxide fuel cell that uses propane as a fuel | Reduces size and weight | |
| MTI Micro | DMFC's | Minimizes moving parts, reduces cost, size and weight |
| Medis | Direct Liquid Fuel Cells (DLFC) with simplified internal structure | Reduces cost |
| UltraCell | DMFC's that uses an extra catalyst to convert methanol to hydrogen before reaching the core of the fuel cell | Increases power density and cell voltage |
| EDC Ovonics | Hydrogen fuel tanks using metal hydrides as the storage media | Reduce size, weight and pressure for storing hydrogen |
| Unidym | Carbon nanotube based electrodes | Improve efficiency of fuel cells by reducing resistive and mass transfer losses |
Fuel Cell Resources
Hydrogen, Fuel Cells & Infrastructure Technologies Program at DOE
National Hydrogen Energy Roadmap
National Fuel Cell Research Center
California Fuel Cell Partnership
Listing of Hydrogen Fueling Station Location Worldwide
Other Energy Related Pages
- Home
- Nanotechnology Introduction
- Nanotech Applications:
- Medicine
- Air Quality
- Water Quality
- Energy
- Electronics
- Space
- Food
- Consumer Products
- Chemical Sensors
- Molecular Manufacturing
- MEMS
- Nanotech Companies
- Nanotech Jobs
- Nanotech Articles
- Nanotech Research
- Nanotech Resources
- Lesson Plan
- About Us
- Disclaimer
