University of California

Robert Boschgmbh

U.S. Department of Energy

Michael C Tucker

Craig P Jacobson

Adam Z Weber

Steven J Visco

Paul Albertus

Edward Knudsen

Kyu Taek Cho

Lutgard C De Jonghe

Lutgard C DeJonghe

Ruofan Wang

Emir Dogdibegovic

Grace Y Lau

Fengyu Shen

Robert Jonson

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to metal-supported proton conducting solid oxide electrochemical devices. In one aspect, a method includes forming an electrode on a metal support of a device with a first proton-conducting ceramic. The metal support comprises an iron-chromium alloy. The first proton-conducting ceramic is in a powder form. An electrolyte layer is formed on the electrode and on the metal support of the device with a second proton-conducting ceramic. The second proton-conducting ceramic is in a powder form. The device is thermally treated at about 1200° C. to 1550° C.

Fabrication processes for metal-supported proton conducting solid oxide electrochemical devices

Compositions and methods for the fabrication of electrode and porous lithium-garnet electrolyte scaffolds for use in solid state batteries and other devices are provided. The methods produce porous structures using phase inversion or high shear compaction processes to fabricate a solid-state battery electrode material from LLZO electrolytes. Engineered electrode structures with a porous scaffold of solid electrolyte material provide lower interfacial resistances and a mechanical support for a thin solid electrode layer improving performance.

Methods of fabricating porous ceramic electrodes for solid state battery applications

Slurry compositions, tape casting binder systems and fabrication methods for the fabrication of lithium-garnet electrolyte scaffolds for use in solid state batteries and other devices are provided. Slurry compositions may be optimized mixtures of LLZO powder, a dispersant, a lithium salt, a wetting agent a binder, a plasticizer and at least one solvent. The optimized ceramic slurry compositions may include MgO as a sintering additive to improve density and ionic conductivity of the doped-LLZO sheets and produce a fine-grained microstructure. Sintering protocols for cast slurries of commercially available doped LLZO powders eliminate the requirement of mother-powder coverings or externally applied pressure. An environmentally friendly water-based system using methylcellulose as a binder is also provided producing green tape and final properties comparable to those obtained with organic solvent-based systems.

Binder systems and methods for tape casting lithium garnet electrolytes

A flow battery system includes a first tank including a hydrogen reactant, a second tank including a bromine electrolyte, and at least one cell including a first electrolyte side operably connected to the first tank and a second electrolyte side operably connected to the second tank. The battery system further includes a direct connection line directly connecting the first tank and the second tank and configured such that the hydrogen reactant passes between the first tank and the second tank.

Hydrogen/bromine flow battery in which hydrogen is freely exchanged between two cell compartments

One or more embodiments relates to a portable, personal device for providing cooking and power and adapted for use with a burner, the device including a plurality of metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs) coupled together; a microelectronic control circuit connected to at least the MS-SOFCs; a light source coupled to at least the microelectronic control circuit; and at least one USB port coupled to at least the microelectronic control circuit; whereby the device is able to simultaneously provide light and power a personal device.

Personal power using metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells operated in a camping stove flame

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to electrode structures. In one aspect, a method includes: providing an electrode layer comprising a ceramic, the ceramic being porous; providing a catalyst precursor, the catalyst precursor being a cathode catalyst precursor or an anode catalyst precursor; infiltrating the catalyst precursor in a first side of the electrode layer; after the infiltrating operation, heating the electrode layer to about 750&#xb0; C. to 950&#xb0; C., the catalyst precursor forming a catalyst, the catalyst being a cathode catalyst or an anode catalyst; infiltrating the catalyst precursor in the first side of the electrode layer; after the infiltrating operation, heating the electrode layer to about 300&#xb0; C. to 700&#xb0; C., the catalyst precursor forming the catalyst, the catalyst being the cathode catalyst or the anode catalyst.

Fabrication processes for solid state electrochemical devices

The Ce&#x2014;Hredox flow cell is optimized using commercially-available cell materials. Cell performance is found to be sensitive to the upper charge cutoff voltage, membrane boiling pretreatment, methanesulfonic-acid concentration, (+) electrode surface area and flow pattern, and operating temperature. Performance is relatively insensitive to membrane thickness, Cerium concentration, and all features of the (&#x2212;) electrode including hydrogen flow. Cell performance appears to be limited by mass transport and kinetics in the cerium (+) electrode. Maximum discharge power of 895 mW cmwas observed at 60&#xb0; C.; an energy efficiency of 90% was achieved at 50&#xb0; C. The Ce&#x2014;Hcell is promising for energy storage assuming one can optimize Ce reaction kinetics and electrolyte.

Optimization of the cerium-hydrogen redox flow cell

A flow battery system includes a first tank having a hydrogen reactant, a second tank having a bromine electrolyte, at least one cell including a hydrogen reactant side operably connected to the first tank through an &#xbe; feed and return system and a bromine electrolyte side operably connected to the second tank, and a crossover return system. The crossover return system includes a vessel operably connected to the &#xbe; feed and return system and configured to receive an effluent containing a first portion of the hydrogen reactant and a second portion of the bromine electrolyte, the vessel configured to separate the first portion from the second portion. A first return line returns the first portion of the hydrogen reactant to the first tank and a second return line returns the bromine electrolyte to the second tank.

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The present invention provides electrochemical device structures having integrated seals, and methods of fabricating them. According to various embodiments the structures include a thin, supported electrolyte film with the electrolyte sealed to the support. The perimeter of the support is self-sealed during fabrication. The perimeter can then be independently sealed to a manifold or other device, e.g., via an external seal. According to various embodiments, the external seal does not contact the electrolyte, thereby eliminating the restrictions on the sealing method and materials imposed by sealing against the electrolyte.

Integrated seal for high-temperature electrochemical device

Several members make up a joint in a high-temperature electrochemical device, wherein the various members perform different functions. The joint is useful for joining multiple cells (generally tubular modules) of an electrochemical device to produce a multi-cell segment-in-series stack for a solid oxide fuel cell, for instance. The joint includes sections that bond the joining members to each other; one or more seal sections that provide gas-tightness, and sections providing electrical connection and/or electrical insulation between the various joining members. A suitable joint configuration for an electrochemical device has a metal joint housing, a first porous electrode, a second porous electrode, separated from the first porous electrode by a solid electrolyte, and an insulating member disposed between the metal joint housing and the electrolyte and second electrode. One or more brazes structurally and electrically connects the first electrode to the metal joint housing and forms a gas tight seal between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Sealed joint structure for electrochemical device

Tubular objects having two or more concentric layers that have different properties are joined to one another during their manufacture primarily by compressive and friction forces generated by shrinkage during sintering and possibly mechanical interlocking. It is not necessary for the concentric tubes to display adhesive-, chemical- or sinter-bonding to each other in order to achieve a strong bond. This facilitates joining of dissimilar materials, such as ceramics and metals.

Joined concentric tubes

A method of joining dissimilar materials having different ductility, involves two principal steps: Decoration of the more ductile material's surface with particles of a less ductile material to produce a composite; and, sinter-bonding the composite produced to a joining member of a less ductile material. The joining method is suitable for joining dissimilar materials that are chemically inert towards each other (e.g., metal and ceramic), while resulting in a strong bond with a sharp interface between the two materials. The joining materials may differ greatly in form or particle size. The method is applicable to various types of materials including ceramic, metal, glass, glass-ceramic, polymer, cermet, semiconductor, etc., and the materials can be in various geometrical forms, such as powders, fibers, or bulk bodies (foil, wire, plate, etc.). Composites and devices with a decorated/sintered interface are also provided.

Growing community of inventors

Piedmont, CA, United States of America

Michael C Tucker