Technology Available for Licensing

Case 10188

Novel Air Electrode Designs for Metal-Air Batteries and Fuel Cells

Keywords:

Metal-air battery, fuel cell, air electrode

Applications:

Lithium-based batteries, portable electronic devices

Problem:

Current power outputs and activated life of metal-air system are limited by high polarization of air electrode and poor water management.

Technology:

This research proposes to develop a novel air electrode active layer - noble metal (Pt, Pd, Ru) decorated carbon matte – to decrease the polarization of oxygen reduction, and to design and incorporate a micropump to the air electrode to significantly improve water management and mechanically enhance oxygen flow during electrochemical reaction.

Advantages:

• Prolong the activated life of a zinc air battery and fuel cell to 3 to 6 months
• Significantly improve power densities (up to 100mA/cm2)
• Provide much greater energy than widely used lithium-based devices for portable electronic devices

Inventors:

• Professor Yang Shao-Horn (MIT Mechanical Engineering Department)
• John Paul Kurpiewski (MIT Mechanical Engineering Department)
• Quinn C Horm (MIT Mechanical Engineering Department)

Intellectual Property:

US Patent Number 7,229,944, issued on June 12, 2007

Publications:

N/A

Please contact: Christopher R. Noble MIT Technology Licensing Officer 1 Cambridge Center, Kendall Square, NE18-501 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142-1601

Email: crn@mit.edu Tel: 617-253-6966 Fax: 617–258-6790 Website: http://tlo.mit.edu