SBIR Phase I: Development of a High Manufacturing Rate and Low Cost Membrane and Electrode Assembly for PEM Fuel Cells

第一阶段SBIR计划将研究和开发一种在燃料电池膜和电极组件（MEA）上沉积催化剂的新工艺。所提出的用于生产可靠的MEA的方法有利于使用工业上熟悉的制造工具进行大批量制造。除了高速率生产能力之外，所提出的工艺优化了电极/催化剂结构，使我们能够减少催化剂负载，从而进一步降低MEA成本。该计划将演示操作燃料电池堆的过程，并评估在更大规模上使用该过程的经济性。 质子交换膜燃料电池是一种很有前途的能源，用于汽车与住宅，固定，和便携式电源应用。

This Phase I SBIR program will investigate and develop a new process for depositing catalysts on fuel cell membrane and electrode assemblies (MEAs). The proposed process for producing reliable MEAs is conducive to high volume manufacturing using fabrication tools familiar to industry. In addition to high rate production capability, the proposed process optimizes the electrode/catalyst structure allowing us to reduce the catalyst loading that further reduces the MEA cost. This program will demonstrate the process in operating fuel cell stacks and evaluate the economics of employing the process on a larger scale. The proton exchange membrane fuel cell is a promising power source for vehicles with residential, stationary, and portable power applications.