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 New Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell Can Operate at Lower Temperatures
Publication Date:17-January-2007
10:30 PM US Eastern Timezone 
Source:Asia Pulse
TOKYO--A joint Japanese research group from the Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology has developed a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) that can operate with high efficiency at relatively low temperatures of around 500-650 C.

The lower operating temperatures reduces the need for insulating materials and enables the periphery to be made from metal instead of ceramic, thereby lowering costs.

The prototype cell has a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter of 3mm and an electricity-generating part that is 3cm long. Using hydrogen as the fuel, the cell can generate 1.06 watt per square centimeter of electrode when heated to some 500-650 C. In comparison, conventional SOFCs need to be heated to some 800 C to operate with this kind of efficiency.

The achievement is thanks to the development of an improved type of air electrode that is made from nanoparticles of silver attached to a porous ceramic. This new air electrode has greater ability to decompose oxygen into oxygen radicals and electrons even at lower temperatures.

More electricity can be generated by simply stacking more cells. The research group aims to develop a practical version that can be used as a distributed power source for homes.

(Nikkei)

(C) 2007 Asia Pulse Pte Ltd
 
 

 
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