Project description
Tiny tubes support advances in clean energy from hydrocarbons
Solid oxide fuels cells (SOFCs) convert the chemical energy in hydrogen-rich fuels to electrical energy without the combustion process. They are an important ally in efforts to reduce emissions and mitigate global climate change. Both tubular and planar fuel cell stack geometries exist. Microtubular SOFCs pioneered in the 1990s have tubes on the scale of millimetres, making them more compact and lightweight and speeding start-up. To overcome current challenges, tube diameters must be reduced to less than a tenth of existing ones. The EU-funded FIMS project is developing innovative manufacturing methods and optical inspection techniques that will lead to the demonstration of a pilot microtubular SOFC stack that will make the grade.
Objective
A breakthrough in economically viable efficient energy conversion has been long waited, with fuel cell technology being a promising candidate. Recently, tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) have received increased attention due to possibility to shorten start-up times, reduce material losses and lower costs of fuel cells. In order to reach sufficient volumetric power density, decrease working temperature and reduce costs, the diameter of the SOFC tubes has to be reduced at least an order of magnitude, compared to state of the art (at or above 1 mm). In the recent years, the hosting group of the project has demonstrated fabrication of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) microtubes with diameters <100 µm and tested their viability for use as an electrolyte in microtubular SOFCs. The FIMS project is focused on innovative development of controllable YSZ microtube fabrication methods and subsequent use of the microtubes in construction of a SOFC stack to prove commercial potential. A method for fabrication of optical quality fluorescent microtubes with controlled dimensions (diameter <100 µm, wall thickness 5-10 µm) and facile structural defect detection with optical techniques will be realized. Porous electrode deposition on the microtubes will be refined and a microtubular electrolyte supported pilot SOFC stack will be constructed and characterized. The target of FIMS is to promote transfer of knowledge through training and career development of the Fellow in the multidisciplinary field of SOFC technology, in order to re-enforce professional maturity and independence of the Fellow. Two secondments – academic and industrial – further improve the training and collaboration network of a young scientist. The project will have positive impact on the Fellow's career progress towards becoming a leading researcher, and supports enhancement of environmental protection and sustainable resource use.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels fuel cells
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels energy conversion
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
51005 TARTU
Estonia
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.