MICRO-FUEL CELLS Sandia National Laboratories is applying a broad experience in materials and catalysis and unique engineering capabilities to develop novel materials for macro-fuel cells and is pioneering the development of silicon-based micro-fuel cells for microelectronics applications. Supporting this effort are Sandia National Laboratories' Integrated Materials Research Laboratory, Compound Semiconductor Research Laboratory, Microelectronics Development Laboratory, and micro-machining and semiconductor fabrication processes and facilities. Sandia National Laboratories is also developing capability for small (50W) fuel cell testing and demonstration in customer applications. Important applications include: Engineered materials for conventional fuel cells for transportation and power generation including: PEM fuel cells: electrocatalysts for oxygen electroreduction, organic/inorganic proton conductors, porous carbons, planning stages for advanced manufacturing thrust. Phosphoric Acid fuel cells: carbon coatings. Solid oxide fuel cells: metal/ceramic joining. Micro-fuel cells using silicon-based semiconductor technology for portable electronics, microelectronic devices, MicroChemLab, power source replacement for batteries, and biomedical/implantable devices. Potential Benefits New materials for conventional fuel cells that can reduce cost and increase operating efficiency. Capability to package an on-chip power source (micro-fuel cell) for microelectronics applications which are expected to replace batteries while providing reliable, less costly power generation and, where desired, rechargeable electrochemical power and disposable integrated power sources. The ability to produce micro-fuel cells using microfabrication techniques versus the conventional pressed carbon approach is expected to yield similar cost/performance benefits experienced by the semiconductor industry. Demonstrated Achievements A novel gas diffusion electrode structure with new membrane support structures has been developed and validated utilizing the silicon-based microfabrication technology developed and pioneered at Sandia National Laboratories. Follow-up This proprietary Sandia capability may be applied to solve challenging problems in the field of polymer and other organic sciences. Sandia has the flexibility to form specific teams of technical experts from any or all of the above capabilities to focus expertise on specific technical challenges. We are interested in making this technology available to companies responsive to partnering with Sandia to develop near/term and/or future applications via licensing or cooperative development agreements. For further information, please respond by mail or fax to Joanne Trujillo no later than December 22, 1998 at: Sandia National Laboratories, MS 1380, P. O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1380. Fax: (505) 843-4163. Please indicate the date and title of this CBD notice. E-MAIL: Joanne Trujillo, jmtruji@sandia.gov. Posted 12/08/98 (W-SN278410).

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0522 19981210\SP-0030.MSC)