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Microtubular solid oxide fuel cells Finally In MicroScale

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FIMS (Microtubular solid oxide fuel cells Finally In MicroScale)

Okres sprawozdawczy: 2021-08-01 do 2023-07-31

Reducing losses in energy conversion is one of the most challenging tasks of the society, as to this day, most fuels are burned in combustion engines with low efficiency. Increasing energy conversion efficiency has direct positive impact on lowering environmental pollution and contributing to sustainable use of natural resources – both immensely important problems in modern day society. Resource efficiency and reduced burden on environment have also been identified as critical components of future EU economy (e.g. The European Green Deal).
Fuel cells hold great promise for the long waited revolution in efficient energy conversion. Although efficient solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are available, their widespread dissemination into portable devices is severely hindered by lack of durability, slow start up times and high cost. To overcome these problems, tubular instead of planar systems are proposed. The disadvantage of macroscale tubular configurations is their low power output per volume. However, tubular geometries are principally easier to miniaturize and provide use convenience not available on planar fuel cell systems.
This project aims to demonstrate SOFC based on smallest microtubes made of metal oxide materials (yttria stabilized zirconia – YSZ). Material precursors developed by researchers at the Institute of Physics, University of Tartu are optimized for making uniform metal oxide microtubes with approximately 100 micron diameter and 10 micron wall thickness. These optical quality microtubes are characterized to reveal their mechanical and electrochemical properties. Covered with suitable electrode materials, fuel cell element based on single microtube and multiple microtubes (a fuel cell stack) are constructed and tested to validate in the laboratory the technology that would allow to build the world’s smallest solid oxide fuel cell.
Systematic study of the precursor material along with optimization for YSZ microtube fabrication was carried out. Using this optimized precursor material and custom-built experimental extrusion apparatus, YSZ microtubes were prepared and characterized. Since YSZ is an excellent electrolyte material for SOFCs, these tubes were covered with anode and cathode electrodes on the inside and outside. This single microtube based SOFC was tested and characterized. A concept of a fuel cell stack based on multiple YSZ microtube elements was developed that will give the basis for further development of world’s smallest microtubular SOFCs.
The results of this project were communicated at scientific conferences, trade fairs, start-up festivals and other events within EU aimed at various stakeholders and general public. Scientific articles and a patent application based on the project results are being published. The work on microtubular SOFCs will continue in a University of Tartu spin-off company to develop game-changing fuel cells suitable for use in various portable and mobile applications, led by the MSCA fellow.
The metal oxide YSZ microtube electrolytes studied in this project have unique size and mechanical strength. The fact that electrodes can be deposited on the inner and outer surfaces of the electrolyte tubes is astonishing and ground-breaking. Microtubular SOFCs have never before been demonstrated on such small diameter tubes, which open the door for SOFC miniaturization developments as significant as scaling down the size of the transistor a few decades ago. Commercialization and further development of this technology is already underway by the project team. The importance of fuel cells as efficient and convenient sources of electric energy is already recognized and seen as part of sustainable and resilient energy future, with reduced emissions and better use of resources. The technology studied in this project opens new use cases and potential market opportunities for fuel cell technology, especially in the domains of portable and mobile devices, either smaller or larger, ranging from IoT sensor networks to high-speed trains.
Metal oxide microtube for solid oxide fuel cell