Advancements in Planar Proton-Conducting Electrochemical Cells through Thermal Stress Regulation

Advancements in Planar Proton-Conducting Electrochemical Cells through Thermal Stress Regulation INNOVATION SPOTLIGHT Enhanced thermal cycling tolerance and structural integrity, enabling scalable production of high-performance proton-conducting electrochemical cells for diverse clean energy applications.

Overview: The quest for efficient and sustainable energy conversion technologies is more pressing than ever as the world transitions to a low-carbon economy. Proton-conducting ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) are at the forefront of this shift, offering a promising avenue for clean energy generation and storage. However, the scaling and commercialization of PCECs have been hindered by challenges such as deformation and micro-defects arising from conventional fabrication processes. These issues stem from the asymmetric distribution of thermal stresses, impacting the cells' performance and durability.

Description: This invention introduces a novel fabrication strategy designed to overcome the limitations faced by current PCEC manufacturing techniques. The core of the technology lies in employing a symmetric electrolyte as a thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) buffer or counter layer during the half-cell fabrication process. This approach aims to compensate for the TEC mismatches between different cell components, addressing the root cause of mechanical stress build-up, deformation, and micro-defects.

Benefits:

Improved Uniformity and Integrity: By balancing thermal stresses, the technology ensures a higher uniformity and structural integrity of PCECs, reducing the risk of performance degradation over time.

Enhanced Thermal Cycling Tolerance: The use of a symmetric electrolyte layer significantly improves the cells' durability against thermal cycling, a critical factor for their long-term operation and reliability.

Scalability: Demonstrated success in fabricating anode-supported PCECs with sizes up to 10×10 cm² paves the way for scalng up production without compromising on performance.

Applications:

Electricity Generation: Utilization in power generation systems to provide clean and efficient energy.

Hydrogen Production: Adoption in hydrogen production equipment, supporting the growth of the hydrogen economy.

Fuel Cell Vehicles: Application in the transportation sector, particularly for fuel cell vehicles.

Chemical and Materials Production: Use in the chemical industry for sustainable production of chemicals and materials.

Development Status:

TRL 4 IP Status:

Provisional Patent 63/602,818 INL Tech Partnerships: Your Gateway to Innovation INL offers strategic access to proprietary technology, enhancing small business growth and contributing to economic and public advancement. We cater licensing terms to each business we work with, ensuring mutually beneficial agreements. Engage with our diverse technology offers to propel your company forward. Learn more about our licensing opportunities and the support we provide at https://inl.gov/technology-deployment/.