| 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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