Technology Available for Licensing

Case 12526

Interconnected, 3-Dimensional Fuel Cell Design Prepared by Direct-Ink-Writing

Keywords:

3D fuel cell, solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), chemical energy

Applications:

Increase efficiency and decrease losses in electrochemical fuel cell.

Problem:

Low volumetric efficiency, difficult assembly and high losses in conventional fuel cell design.

Technology:

The invention describes a novel fuel cell design that uses a combined Direct-Ink-Writing (DIW)-CVD process forming an interconnected, 3-dimentional network to potentially overcome the limitations of the conventional tubular design, namely its low volumetric efficiency, difficult assembly and high losses. Each tube in the multi-tube SOFC device is prepared by layer-by-layer deposition of polymer precursor, mixed electronic-ionic conducting (MIEC) cathode material, solid electrolyte material, and cermet anode layer. A calcination step for polymer removal is performed, followed by gas supply of air and fuel to the respective electrodes.

Advantages:

• Enhance surface-to-volume ratio
• One single manufacturing step
• Interconnected tube network is created in-situ
• Minimum losses in the electrolyte

Inventors:

• Prof. Harry L. Tuller (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, MIT)
• Kathy Sahner (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, MIT)

Intellectual Property:

U.S. Patent Number 7,727,650, issued June 1, 2010

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