Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (Reno, NV) announced significant advancements in the company's solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) development program. According to Altair President William Long, gas-channeling features have now been incorporated into the all-ceramic solid-state fuel core structure allowing movement of air, fuel and exhaust gases to and from individual cells. Additionally, the density of the electrolyte has been increased to the 92-to-95-percent range, further enhancing cell performance.
To date, as many as 12 single layers, alternating electrode-electrolyte-electrode, were monolithically formed into an all-ceramic core structure. This compares to three SOFC cores in one solid-state structure. No degradation of core structure materials from thermal cycling (heating and cooling) has been observed to date.
“The program has moved along more quickly than anticipated,” reported Long. “We have scheduled testing 'light off' for the near future. This series of tests will utilize a working bench-scale fuel cell made entirely from Altair produced nanomaterials. The test apparatus is near completion at Altair.”
