Transportation Fuel Cell Research

Northern Illinois University (NIU) in collaboration with the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) will conduct comprehensive research to further advance fuel cell technology and to develop educational/awareness programs for preparing a skilled workforce to meet the demands of this emerging technology. This effort focuses on the development of improved, less expensive materials (electrolytes, fuel and air electro catalysts and electrodes, and interconnect/bipolar plates), as well as balance-of-plants components for fuel, air, heat, and water management at the scales needed in automotive and other applications. The proposed research effort is designed to develop, characterize, and test nano-catalysts for efficient reduction of oxygen and oxidation of hydrogen at the electrode surfaces; to synthesize and characterize new solid electrolyte materials; to better understand the transport properties of ions across the membranes; and to design new fuel cells through both simulation and experimental approaches. In the educational element of this effort, NIU will offer an undergraduate/graduate course in fuel cells. The proposed course will be developed and will offer a biweekly seminar for upper class undergraduate and graduate students to produce properly trained scientists and engineers.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Program Information: National Fuel Cell Bus Program, Engineering of Rolling Stock and Equipment - Bus

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $1489575.00
• Sponsor Organizations:

  Federal Transit Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Ricketson, Sean

• Performing Organizations:

  Northern Illinois University

  ,    
• Principal Investigators:

  Vohra, Promod

• Start Date: 20090421
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 20090225
• Source Data: RiP Project 34672

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternate fuels; Education and training; Electrolytes; Fuel cells; Hydrogen; Oxygen; Pollutants; Technological innovations
• Subject Areas: Education and Training; Energy; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I15: Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01486807
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Department of Transportation
• Files: RIP
• Created Date: Jul 18 2013 1:00AM