PNNL and NASA team on fuel cell research

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the NASA Glenn Research Center will collaborate in solving one of the toughest technical challenges to the development of advanced solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). The two research organizations have signed a Space Act Agreement to team on the development of sealing technologies for the stacks of SOFCs.

Solid oxide fuel cell stacks consist of a group of thin ceramic cells separated by gas seals between which electricity is generated through a combustion-less electrochemical process. The gas separation seals used between the individual cells prevent fuels and oxidants from intermixing. Robust seal materials and engineered architectures are essential to ensure the long-term stable operation of SOFCs.

"Our objective is to develop composite materials and designs that will improve the strength and fracture toughness of composite glass and glass-ceramic-based seals," said Ajay Misra, chief of NASA Glenn's Ceramics Branch. "The seals must stand up to the extremes of pressure, temperature and other environmental conditions that occur during extended operation."

"The arrangement complements PNNL's work in glass seals and NASA's expertise in glass and glass-ceramic composites," said Prabhakar Singh, who directs fuel cell development efforts at PNNL. "While each organization will continue to maintain its own research program, participants will jointly identify, prioritize, develop and test validate new fuel cell seal technologies."