Fuel Cells

Introduction
A fuel cell is a power generation device that converts chemical energy into electricity with very high efficiencies and without the undesirable side-effects of combustion, flame, noise or vibration. Fuel cells constitute one of the most promising clean energy technologies currently under development and have recently received dramatically increased research funding in light of concerns about global warming and fossil fuel dependency.  The fuel cell has the potential to serve a wide range of applications, from stationary power to substituting traditional automotive combustion engines, to a means to power laptop computers, cell phones and PDAs.  The worldwide market for the hydrogen fuel cell is estimated to reach $11 billion by 2013, and the automotive engine application looks particularly promising.
As a potential substitute for the combustion engine, fuel cells have already demonstrated the ability to convert chemically stored energy directly into electricity with two to three times greater efficiency than the traditional combustion engine converting fossil fuels (gasoline) into power.  Furthermore, a fuel cell running on hydrogen and air creates water as the only byproduct (the hydrogen and oxygen molecules combine to provide the electricity).

Challenge
The key to making a fuel cell work is a catalyst, which is a metal that facilitates the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. The most common but expensive catalyst is platinum. Currently, the amount of platinum catalyst required per kilowatt to power a fuel cell engine is about 0.5 to 0.8 grams, or .018 to .028 ounces. At a cost of about $1,500 per ounce, the platinum catalyst alone would cost between $2,300 to $3,700 to operate a small, 100-kilowatt two- or four-door vehicle – a significant cost given that an entire 100-kilowatt gasoline combustion engine costs about $3,000. To make the transition to fuel cell-powered vehicles possible, the automobile industry needs something better and less expensive.

Solution
An alternative catalyst solution that demonstrates great promise is using lower cost metals at the nanoscale to replace platinum.  Palladium is a first example, as it resembles platinum chemically, is extracted from copper-nickel ore, and is already used as catalyst material in the catalytic converters of automobiles.  It is 75% less expensive than platinum, and when used at the nano scale in direct methanol fuel cells, palladium has demonstrated an increased power density of 45%. This power enhancement is due to the improved selectivity of the palladium catalyst and the additional surface area in nano scale materials--more particles are on the surface that can chemically interact, translating to a dramatic efficiency improvement of the catalytic reaction.  Thus, using nano scale palladium is both less expensive and leads to better performance.  Additionally, work is underway with Cobalt and Nickel, each of which can potentially achieve these results at even lower costs.

QSI is among a handful of leading companies that can currently manufacture commercial quantities of high purity, narrow distribution, nano metals and alloys used as catalyst materials in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies (MEA).  QSI’s patented manufacturing process is proven, automated, and scalable to meet industry needs today and in the future.  In addition to palladium, QSI manufactures iron, cobalt, nickel, manganese and other metals and alloys at the nano scale that can be used in a variety of other catalytic applications.  Using QSI nano metals in fuel cell electrodes significantly increases catalytic surface area, enhances durability, extends life cycles, and leads to a reduction in device size.  Thus, QSI’s nano materials are fundamental to enabling next generation fuel cell technology.



Methanol Fuel Cell / Hydrogen Fuel Cel

QSI nanometals can be used in electrodes of various fuel cell types. The cost reduction for these fuel cells comes as a result of two things:

QuantumSphere's nanometal alloys will replace platinum as the main catalytic material in the electrode assembly and it is currently 80% less expensive (based on current platinum prices) - even at the nanoscale.

Due to enhanced catalytic activity of QuantumSphere's nanometal alloys, both electrical efficiency and fuel efficiency will be improved.

QuantumSphere is the only company currently manufacturing commercial quantities of high purity, narrow distribution, metallic nanopowders and alloys for a variety of catalyst applications.

Methanol Fuel Cell

(1) Methanol and water enter.
(2) Methanol reacts with anode catalyst, releasing electrons and protons.
(3) Electrons flow through the circuit producing energy.
(4) Protons move through fuel cell membrane.
(5) Air flows in. Oxygen combines with protons and electrons on cathode catalyst to form water.
(6) Catalyst contains QSI-Nano® metals, reducing the need for expensive platinum by 30-50%, while increasing power.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell



This animation shows the process that goes on inside an individual hydrogen proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The red Hs represent hydrogen molecules (H₂) from a hydrogen storage tank. The orange H+ represents a hydrogen ion after its electron is removed. The yellow e- represents an electron moving through a circuit to do work (like lighting a light bulb or powering a car). The green Os represent an oxygen molecule (O₂) from the air, and the blue drops at the end are for pure water - the only byproduct of hydrogen power.