Researchers in the Michigan State University College of Engineering have received a grant of $694,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy, funds that will be used to develop the technology needed to improve solid oxide fuel cells.
SOFCs are a promising green energy technology offering high efficiencies in chemical-to-electricity conversion, the ability to both store and produce energy, and a possible path to transition from today’s hydrocarbon-based economy to a CO2-neutral economy running on hydrogen or biofuels.
First, however, researchers have to tackle one of its greatest commercialization obstacles – a lack of durable, impermeable sealing materials to hold it all together.
The MSU team will use the grant to design new brazing alloys. Brazing is a metal-joining process similar to soldering, except the temperatures used to melt the filler metal are higher.
“Our goal is to create brazed solid oxide fuel cells that can withstand both 40,000 hours of operation at 750 degrees Celsius and rapid thermal cycling between 750 degrees Celsius and room temperature,” said Jason Nicholas, assistant professor of chemical engineering and materials science.
The researchers said the new brazes would solve long-term metal degradation issues encountered with traditional silver-based SOFC brazes. It also could extend the lifetime of solid oxide fuel cells, as well as reduce materials costs by reducing the need for precious metals like silver.
Other team members include Yue Qi, associate professor, and Thomas Bieler, professor, both in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science.