@article{e309f33da37f4aae999f758ce91efe57,
title = "Kyushu team reports breakthrough PEMFC nanocatalyst method",
abstract = "Researchers at Kyushu University in Japan have developed a new method for creating highly efficient gold nanoparticle catalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. The team showed how wrapping a graphene support in a specially prepared polymer provides an ideal foundation for making uniform, highly active Au nanoparticle catalysts. The oxygen reduction reaction at a fuel cell cathode limits the rate at which electricity can be produced. By wrapping the support in the polybenzimidazole polymer, the researchers successfully developed with Pt, creating a much better support environment for the Au nanoparticles. The catalysts had the lowest over-potential yet reported for this type of reaction.",
author = "Naotoshi Nakashima",
note = "Funding Information: The US Department of Energy has announced the 2016 Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Phase II Release 1 grants, awarded through its Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE). The winners include three projects focused on catalysis for fuel cell and hydrogen production as well as hydrogen contaminants detection, and two projects will investigate surface-functionalised powders for use in solid oxide fuel cells. The funding awards, worth approximately $1 million each, are for: • Southwest Sciences in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which aims to develop a laser-based instrument for the detection of hydrogen contaminants at hydrogen refueling stations, to prevent fouling of vehicular fuel cells. • PH Matter in Columbus, Ohio will demonstrate low-cost stationary energy storage applications, by improving the components of regenerative fuel cell systems. • Proton OnSite in Connecticut will work towards commercialising the first alkaline membrane-based water electrolysis product, through the use of high-efficiency, non-noble metal electrocatalysts and other advanced, low-cost materials. • Sonata in Bethel, Connecticut will investigate how to dramatically increase SOFC performance and reliability by using advanced manufacturing techniques to develop novel surface-functionalised powders. • Structured Materials Industries in Piscataway, New Jersey will develop fluidised-bed production of surface functionalised powders for SOFC cathodes with greater efficiency, improved reliability, and lower overall costs. These awards follow the recent announcement of SBIR/STTR Phase I Release 1 Awards, including four projects at NanoSonic, NEI Corporation, Amsen Technologies, and Giner focused on durable and inexpensive polymer electrolyte membranes [ FCB , February 2016, p11]. DOE is also funding seven small and mid-sized fuel cell companies, through its new Small Business Vouchers (SBV) pilot initiative, to work in collaboration with various national laboratories [ see item below ]. DOE Fuel Cell Technologies Office: http://tinyurl.com/doe-fcto DOE Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program: http://energy.gov/eere/transportation/hydrogen-and-fuel-cells Southwest Sciences: www.swsciences.com PH Matter: www.phmatter.com Proton OnSite: www.ProtonOnSite.com Structured Materials Industries: www.structuredmaterials.com ",
year = "2016",
month = apr,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1016/S1464-2859(16)30091-8",
language = "English",
volume = "2016",
pages = "10--11",
journal = "Fuel Cells Bulletin",
issn = "1464-2859",
publisher = "Elsevier BV",
number = "4",
}
