Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (Reno, NV) announced a successful series of its advanced solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) test demonstrations. The first series of tests of the company's SOFC were held March 28, 2002, and produced electricity. The second series of successful tests were repeated several times and both voltage and current were produced. The Altair SOFC produced enough power to operate an electric motor driving a 6in impeller.
The monolithic fuel cell was stressed through several start-up/shut-down cycles without deterioration in power performance or adverse effects to the structure. The SOFC was operated over a wide temperature range, including peak operating temperatures of over 900 degrees C. Altair believes this test demonstrates that a monolithic fuel cell is feasible and can be fabricated in a single firing. The entire fuel cell was constructed of micron and nano-sized materials produced by Altair scientists, costing less then $20 per kilowatt.
"Altair has convincingly demonstrated that its nanomaterials can solve the classic materials mismatch problem that has been experienced by other fuel cell manufacturers and now will focus its efforts on incorporating catalysts currently being developed by MIT," commented Altair Nanotechnologies President Dr. Rudi Moerck.
