Arne Watson Ballantine

Arne Ballantine, a prolific inventor based in Palo Alto, CA, has contributed greatly to the field of fuel cells and energy systems. With an impressive 82 patents to his name, Ballantine's latest inventions include a fuel cell stack with witness marks and an inspection method, as well as a fuel cell system with electrical control of fuel utilization.

The fuel cell stack is designed to include fuel cells arranged in a stack, with interconnects between them. Each fuel cell has a witness mark on one side of the electrolyte, which is visible from outside the stack when the cathode faces the adjacent interconnect. The interconnects include ribs that define oxidant and fuel channels. The inspection method involves analyzing the witness marks to detect any defects or abnormalities within the fuel cell stack.

Ballantine's fuel cell system, on the other hand, features a column with terminal plates connected to electrical outputs and fuel cell stacks in between. An electrical connection ensures uniform fuel utilization across the column, resulting in increased efficiency.

Over the course of his career, Ballantine has worked with notable companies such as Bloom Energy Corporation and the Ohio State Innovation Foundation. He has also collaborated with fellow inventors Ranganathan Gurunathan and Jessica Mahler.

His innovative contributions to the fuel cell industry have not gone unnoticed, with Ballantine receiving numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. His continued research and development in this field positions him as a leading figure in alternative energy solutions.