Available Technology
Robust thin film solid oxide fuel cell
Technology:
Solid oxide fuel cell
Markets Addressed
A surge in energy consumption of portable electronic devices has increased interest in fuel cells as alternitave mobile power sources. Fuel cells provide higher total energy for a given size or weight than batteries and unlike batteries can be replenished instantaneously. This portable fuel cell market is estimated to hit $1 billion dollars globally in the next 5-7 years.
Innovations and Advantages
Among the major fuel cell chemistries, Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) are considered most desirable due to their high energy conversion efficiency, fuel flexibility, and contaminant tolerance. Conventional solid oxide fuel cells operate at 800°C - 1000°C, requiring expensive non-corrosive materials. The technology developed in the Ramanathan Lab allow SOFCs to operate at low temperatures of 450°C - 550°C (and potentially lower), providing efficiency gains while allowing use of lower cost materials and simpler packaging. The technology captured here allows for easy fabrication of electrodes using industry standard silicon wafers and commonplace micro-fabrication techniques. The thin nature of the electrodes also allows for potential gains in volumetric power density at both small and large scale.
Progress to-date:
• Demonstrated highest power density to date among thin film micro solid oxide fuel cells with oxide cathodes (in the 150mW/cm2 range), targeting 300-500 mW/cm2 at 400-500°C range and below
• Demonstrated largest mechanically stable fuel cell area among thin film micro-SOFCs
• Demonstrated highest total power output from single thin film fuel cell area
• Demonstrated robust fabrication process (>90% yield)
Additional Information
Intellectual Property Status:
This IP portfolio brings the high energy efficiency of solid oxide fuel cell chemistry to a broader range of applications due to characteristics such as low operating temperature, use of inexpensive materials, small form factor, and potential for scalability to larger sizes. The portfolio is covered under Harvard Cases:
• 3201 - Robust Thin Film Fuel Cells
12/567,615 – Filed: 09/25/09
• 3348 - Conducting supports for micro-solid oxide fuel cells
61/420,319 converted to PCT/US11/49812 – Filed: 08/31/11
• 3166 - Synthesis of thin film cermet electrodes for fuel cells
13/145,342 – Filed: 07/20/11
• 3390 - Electric field-triggered metal-insulator transition in vanadium oxide thin film devices
12/626,865 – Filed: 11/27/09
Tweet
Inventor(s):
Johnson, Alexander C.
Ramanathan, Shriram
Categories:
For further information, please contact:
Sam Liss, Director of Business Development
(617) 495-4371
Reference Harvard Case #3201