SBIR Phase II: Segmented Proton Exchange Membranes with Edge Seals for Compact Fuel Cell Electrode Structures

这个小型企业创新研究第二阶段项目将展示高能量密度质子交换膜（PEM）燃料电池的实用且具有成本效益的设计。 所采取的方法将利用互穿聚合物网络（IPN）处理膜，如第一阶段所示，以创建具有增强强度和所需离子，反应物和水传输特性的区域，用于可行的分段燃料，能够在便携式应用中与环境扩散氧气一起操作。 一个系统的建模程序将开发，以产生最佳的，热和液压稳定的分段燃料电池设计，特定的电极阵列，给定的电压和功率要求。本研究将考虑尺寸/重量的权衡，为开发安全、耐用、节能的便携式消费和工业用燃料电池提供支持。基于PEM的燃料电池是一种成熟的技术，它利用了非常简单的化学过程，GES IPN改进膜的引入将使设计人员在生产满足便携式计算机、工具、通信、医疗和工业设备需求的燃料电池方面具有更大的灵活性。

This Small Business Innovative Research Phase II project will demonstrate practical and cost-effective designs for a high energy density Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell. The approach taken will utilize the treatment of membranes with Interpenetrating Polymer Networks (IPN), as demonstrated in Phase I, to create regions with enhanced strength and the desired ionic, reactant and water transport properties for a viable Segmented Fuel capable of operating with ambient diffused oxygen for portable applications. A systematic modeling procedure will be developed to generate optimal, thermally and hydraulically stable segmented fuel cell designs, with specific electrode arrays, given voltage, and power requirements. Size/weight trade-offs will be considered.The work supports the effort to develop fuel cells for portable consumer and industrial power which is safe, durable and energy efficient. PEM based fuel cells are a mature technology which takes advantage of very simple chemistry and the introduction of the GES IPN-improved membranes will permit designers greater flexibility in producing fuel cells which meet the needs for portable computers, tools, communication, medical and industrial equipment.