SPECIAL NOTICE
A -- TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Gradient Porous Composite Membrane for Fuel Cell Applications
- Notice Date
- 7/25/2006
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 238990
— All Other Specialty Trade Contractors
- Contracting Office
- Department of Energy, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (DOE Contractor), Industrial Partnerships & Commercialization, 7000 East Avenue L-795, Livermore, CA, 94550
- ZIP Code
- 94550
- Solicitation Number
- Reference-Number-fbo137-06
- Response Due
- 8/25/2006
- Archive Date
- 8/28/2006
- Description
- TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Gradient Porous Composite Membrane for Fuel Cell Applications Opportunity: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the University of California under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to jointly research, develop and commercialize a novel composite membrane electrolyte and membrane electrode assembly technology for fuel cells. LLNL, in collaboration with a team of Russian scientists, is seeking an industrial partner to participate in a GIPP sponsored program to develop and commercialize the new membrane technology. LLNL proposes to work with Russian scientists who have demonstrated the key polymer chemistry and composition makeup of the membrane technology and a U.S. Company to develop the new membrane technology for commercialization within the fuel cell industry. Background: Present proton conducting membranes and membrane electrode assemblies fall short of DOE requirements for performance, operating temperature, water/humidity requirements, and cost to meet long term objectives for automotive and stationary fuel cell power systems. Commercially available proton conducting membranes representing the industry standard remain expensive, require humidification, and have limited performance for temperatures >80?C. Description: The heart of current polymer electrolyte fuel cells are the membrane electrode assemblies (MEA), which are composed of (i) an ionomer polymer membrane which serves as a proton-conductor and separator in the cell; (ii) noble metal catalysts, which are typically applied as an ink to the ionomer membrane and/or (iii) the gas diffusion material which is in contact with the membrane or membrane?s catalyst layer. The novel ionomer membranes are based on composite materials of Co- or polyheteroarylenes with gradient-porous oxide (titania, silica, alumina, zirconia, for example) matrixes. Compared to existing commercial membranes the new ionomer membranes exhibit high ionic conductivity and chemical stability along with reduction in hydrogen crossover. These materials potentially offer advantages that include reduced hydrogen and oxygen crossover, improved dimensional satiability as films and water management, good ionic conductivities at low water retention compared to the industry standard. These attributes should result in improved performance as well as higher thermal and chemical resistance. The novel membrane structure also has advantages over the standard composite laminate structure. The gradient porous membrane structure overcomes performance problems typical of composite materials: 1) template synthesis, and 2) physical integrity under extreme operating conditions. The gradient porous membrane consists of a porous composite which becomes the support for the ionomer that is embedded within the porous matrix from a gel formulation. The porous matrix serves to stabilize the polymer ion conducting membrane both mechanically and chemically, and further provides a high surface area catalyst and electrode support for the membrane electrode assembly. Advantages: The new technology is most advantageous where the performance and cost become critical factors. The new proton conducting membranes promise increased protonic conductivity with less water requirements, improved performance and stability above 120?C, improved mechanical, thermal, and chemicalstability, and reduced cost of production. Commercialization of this new membrane, and MEA technology could provide improved ionic conductivity and range of operation for all applications, and ultimately reduction of component count for fuel cell designs. Potential Applications: The gradient porous composite membrane will find application for a range of fuel cell technologies for portable, automotive, and stationary fuel cell power systems. The features and benefits detailed below for these applications. Features/Benefits: 1) Increased ionic conductivity/Higher power density, reduced surface area, stack size 2) Lower water retention/Increased temperature range (>120?C) Reduced swelling, better mechanical stability 3) Gradient porous composite support structure/Improved mechanical stability, reduced component count Development Status: Present testing has demonstrated improved ionic conductivity of the new membrane composition in comparison to the industry standard. Membrane electrode assemblies have been tested under various conditions to demonstrate competitive performance at room temperatures. LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information. Please visit the IPAC website at http://www.llnl.gov/IPandC/workwithus/partneringprocess.php for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process. Note: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's Gradient porous composite membranes for fuel cells should provide a written statement of interest, which includes the following: 1.Company Name and address. 2. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact. 3.A description of corporate expertise and facilities relevant to commercializing this technology. Written responses should be directed to: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Industrial Partnerships and Commercialization P.O. Box 808, L-795 Livermore, CA 94551-0808 Attention: FBO 137-06 Please provide your written statement within thirty (30) days from the date this announcement is published to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's fuel cell membrane technology.
- Record
- SN01097079-W 20060727/060725220312 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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