New Advance for Alkaline Fuel Cells

New Advance for Alkaline Fuel Cells

New Advance for Alkaline Fuel Cells


Work by Clark School Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE) graduate student Yanting Luo and former ChBE assistant research scientist Juchen Guo could improve the performance and cost of low-temperature fuel cells. The work recently was featured on the cover of Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics.

Luo, advised by ChBE assistant professor and University of Maryland Energy Research Center member Chunsheng Wang, synthesized a new polymer designed for use as the solid alkaline polymer electrolyte (APE) in alkaline fuel cells (AFC). AFCs are an alternative to the proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Like PEMFCs, AFCs can operate at relatively low temperatures, making them suitable for use in transportation and electronics.

AFCs have existed in various forms since the 1930s. While more efficient and lower in cost than PEMFCs, as well as capable of generating heat and drinking water as by-products, they require pure compressed oxygen and hydrogen to work and to prevent degradation if exposed to carbon dioxide. As a result, their use has often been restricted to sealed environments, including spacecraft. Luo says the development of a solid APE to replace the liquid electrolyte has inspired a "revived interest" in producing AFCs for the consumer market. Creating a more durable solid electrolyte with a high power output for AFCs is a key step in their commercialization process.

Using a technique called "miniemulsion copolymerization," Luo and her colleagues created an APE that could be tuned (adjusted and controlled) for ideal mechanical properties and conductivity during the manufacturing process.

Read the full story on the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering web site.

Related Articles:
Want Fuel Cells? Think Outside the Hydrogen Tank
New Solid-State Sodium Battery Offers Energy Density Comparable to Li-Ion
Wachsman lab develops highest oxygen-ion conductivity material
Two UMD Companies listed in America’s top Greentech companies of 2025
ION Storage Systems Continues March Toward Commercialization
UMD prominently showcased at ARPA-E summit
University of Maryland patents highlight energy technology
Ion Storage Systems names new CEO
Mtech Ventures company spotlight: Alchemity
Former MEI2 energy seed grant discusses 3D printing of advanced ceramics

January 19, 2012


Prev   Next

Current Headlines

From the Chesapeake Bay to Deep Space: Innovating for the Public Good

BIOE Assistant Professor Receives Five-Year NIH Award to Advance Living Material Research

Maryland Engineers Design Photonic Hardware for Next-Generation Data Storage

Plenary Speakers Announced for IIR Conference on Thermophysical Properties and Transfer Processes of Refrigerants

Reflecting on a Successful 2024–25 Academic Year

New Solid-State Sodium Battery Offers Energy Density Comparable to Li-Ion

MRC Symposium Showcases Advances in Robotics and AI

New Faculty Spotlight: Nan Xu

News Resources

Return to Newsroom

Search News

Archived News

Events Resources

Events Calendar