Diane S Erickson

Title: Celebrating the Innovations of Inventor Diane S. Erickson

Introduction: Diane S. Erickson, an accomplished inventor based in Chicago, IL, has made significant contributions to the field of fuel cell technology. With a total of two patents to her name, her innovations reflect a deep understanding of materials and manufacturing processes that enhance fuel cell components.

Latest Patents: Diane's latest patents include groundbreaking methods of producing porous metal alloy fuel cell components. The first patent, titled "Methods of manufacturing porous metal alloy fuel cell components," describes a novel technique for integrating separate tape casting and pack cementation processes. In this method, particles of a base metal and a master alloy are suspended in a liquid medium containing a binding agent and a halide activator. The suspension is then cast into the desired shape, typically through tape casting, and heated to remove the liquid, leaving a flexible green cast structure. This process not only burns out the binder but also forms a coherent porous metal structure crucial for high-temperature fuel cells.

The second patent, "Method for forming porous oxide dispersion strengthened carbonate fuel," focuses on creating anode structures with enhanced creep resistance. This invention outlines a multi-step process involving the formation of an alloy powder and its conversion into a porous anode structure by sintering. Through specific conditions that cause internal oxidation of the alloy metal, Diane's method forms oxide particles within the anode structure, thus improving performance in molten carbonate fuel cells.

Career Highlights: Throughout her career, Diane has demonstrated exceptional expertise in fuel cell technology. Her innovative methodologies not only address existing challenges in fuel cell manufacturing but also pave the way for advancements in energy efficiency and sustainability.

Collaborations: Diane has worked alongside notable colleagues such as Estela T. Ong and Leonard G. Marianowski. Collaborations with professionals in the field have allowed her to further refine her inventions and contribute to comprehensive solutions within the energy sector, particularly through her involvement with the Electric Power Research Institute.

Conclusion: Diane S. Erickson's contributions to fuel cell technology exemplify the importance of innovation and collaboration in advancing energy solutions. With her patents, she has laid the groundwork for future developments that promise to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of fuel cell systems. As she continues to push the boundaries of research and development, her work will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the industry.