Research Overview
Our key research platform focuses on fuel cell technologies using high energy environmentally friendly fuels such as hydrogen, hydrogen peroxide and bio-fuels. These fuels offer solutions to major energy related issues the US is currently facing: climate change, dependence on oil imports, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, etc. The objectives and goals of this research program are to:
- Develop nano-structured and cost-effective electro-catalysts (anode and cathode) for fuel cells
- Improve fuel-to-electricity conversion performance
- Enhance fuel cells electrodes stability and durability
- Make fuel cell technologies cost effective
What is a fuel cell?
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that directly produces electrical energy out of chemical energy stored in a fuel. It consists of an electrolyte medium sandwiched between an anode and a cathode that catalytically enhanced oxidation and reduction reactions at their interface, respectively. Since the energy conversion process takes place electrochemically, no combustion is involved. As results, the process is clean and more efficient at fuel conversion to end-use energy. Moreover, unlike batteries, the fuel cell is expected to generate electrical power as long as fuel is supplied. The diagram below illustrates the operating mechanism of hydrogen fuel cell which will not increase environmental contaminants as used batteries will.
Fuel cells offer alternative solutions to traditional energy sources among which we can list the followings:
- More efficient fuel-to-electricity conversion
- Utilization of by-product heat, enhancing the overall energy efficiency
- Independence from traditional energy sources
- High quality DC power and unlimited runtime
- The absence of combustion in the energy conversion process results in carbon emission-free energy system
Fuel cells are reliable and their energy output can be enhanced by increasing the number of unit cells
© Delaware State University |
|
1. Hydrogen fuel and oxygen (air) are fed into the anode
and cathode of the fuel cell, respectively.
2. Aided by a catalyst, hydrogen molecules split into
electrons and protons. The protons pass into an electrolyte,
sandwiched between the cathode and the anode.
3. Electrons travel through an external circuit producing
electricity.
4. Electrons get back to the cathode, to combine with the
protons and oxygen molecules to form water.
Research scientists at CEREI are actively investigating advanced catalysts
to optimize fuel cell energy efficiency.
