Flaw sensitivity limits applications of ceramics in several structural applications. majority of failures originate from surface flaws introduced during service. enhanced resistance to contact-induced damage should significantly increase application of ceramics. three layer composites consisting of… More

Researchers are investigating the application of low temperature solid oxide electrolytes in fuel cells. there are numerous oxygen ion conductors with conductivities greater than zirconia. however, their utilization does not occur in fuel cells due to the high level of electronic conductivity.… More

The objective of this work is to determine the best possible polycrystalline zirconia from the standpoint of properties and cost for applications in storage heaters. Our prior work has shown that highly stable tetragonal t'-zirconia with domain structure containing (

Na-beta-alumina is the solid electrolyte membrane used in sodium-sulfur batteries with applications in load leveling, electric automobiles, and satellite communications. the state-of-the-art electrolytes are fabricated by green-forming followed by sintering at ~1540 degrees centigrade. encapsulation… More

Development of a computer code for simulating the progressive damage and failure of fiber-reinforced composites is described in this Phase I Small Business Innovation Research Proposal. The computer code will combine a fracture mechanics treatment of the stable growth of partially-bridged surface… More

Filament wound carbon-carbon (C-C) composites exhibit excellent strength and thermal conductivity, routinely exceeding 160 watts/mK. In addition, by depositing carbon by CVD, the C-C composites can be made impervious. High thermal conductivity and stability of C-C composites in highly corrosive… More

41046 Materials and Systems Research, Inc. Generation of electrical energy by fuel cells is an important are of energy conversion technology. The principal impediment to achieving high power densities is the lack of efficient electrodes. The objective of this project is to further enhance the… More

This proposed project addresses the feasibility of using dual mixed ionic-electronic conductor (MIEC) and Ag membrane for high flux atomic oxygen generator. The high chemical reactivity of atomic oxygen flux has caused substantial degradation of materials on the Space Shuttle. An atomic oxygen… More

Not Available Dynamics Technology, Inc. will develop a mixed resolution modeling (MRM) framework that supports the consistent computation and use of JETARS intel/surveillance/reconnaissance (ISR) information across variable levels of aggregation. This framework transfers information between… More

This proposal by Materials and Systems Research, Inc. (MSRI) is on the fabrication of Na-beta

This proposal is on the demonstration of a portable, thermally self-sustaining, Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC)-based power module, delivering 25 W at ~70% efficiency, continuous power operating on liquid hydrocarbon fuels, with energy density > 1300 Wh/liter(>2000 Wh/kg. for a 72hr. operation),… More

60716 Intermediate temperature (

60716 Intermediate temperature (

70437 Lowering the operating temperature of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) to 600¿C would have important benefits including higher efficiency; the use of lower-cost metallic materials, for instance, the use of stainless steel as opposed to expensive superalloys for interconnects; and lower… More

70437S02-II Increasing the power density of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) can substantially reduce the costs of SOFC technology by decreasing the stack size, which in turn decreases the amount of materials necessary, reduces the size of the balance of plant, and decreases the size and amount of… More

70437S02-II Increasing the power density of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) can substantially reduce the costs of SOFC technology by decreasing the stack size, which in turn decreases the amount of materials necessary, reduces the size of the balance of plant, and decreases the size and amount of… More

75976-In the rechargeable lithium batteries that are targeted for use with electric and hybrid electric vehicles, the use of lithium metal directly as the anode could provide higher voltage and higher capacity. However, the principal impediment using these lithium metal anodes is the occurrence of… More

The development of an effective coating technology is proposed to be applied for planar SOFC stacks. In Phase I, a short stack with coated interconnects will be tested and compared to an identical stack with uncoated interconnects. Several coating methods will be evaluated. With the proposed… More

This project will develop technolgy for integrating a high-temperature (400 to 700ºC), high-efficiency (greater than 90%) secondary battery with a 3 to 10 kW solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system. The battery will be based on an alkali-metal-ion-conducting, highly refractory, beta alumina solid… More

Proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) offer advantages over SOFCs based on oxygen ion conductors. Proton-conducting SOFCs are comprised of thin electrolyte films, supported on anodes without the use of noble metals, and are capable of operating on hydrogen between 400 and 700oC. Water… More

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I proposal from Materials and Systems Research, Inc. (MSRI) and University of Utah (subcontractor) seeks to fabricate single-phase, polycrystalline yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) with a density greater than 99.95% and a mean grain size less than 1… More

This project will develop a high temperature electrochemical device to produce hydrogen directly from a coal fuel. The device will build upon the concept of the coal-assisted steam electrolyzer (CASE), which is comprised of an anode mixed with solid carbon fuel, a solid oxygen ion-conducting… More

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase-I project involves the design and fabrication of highly selective, fast response, miniaturized gas sensors using micro-fabrication techniques wherein the sensing response is related to lattice absorption as well as surface adsorption of a given species… More

The overall objective of the Phase II effort is to demonstrate a solid oxide fuel cell stack to power unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs). We will use established and proven solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology developed at MSRI to achieve this objective. Based on the success of Phase-I effort, a… More

This Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Phase I proposal from Materials and Systems Research, Inc. (MSRI) and University of Utah (research institution) seeks to fabricate single-phase, polycrystalline KZr2P3O12 (KZP) and Al2-x(HfMg)x(WO4)3 ceramics with densities greater than 99.95%… More

The objective of this proposal is to demonstrate the feasibility of producing a hybrid thermoelectric (TE) - solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) portable generator to achieve high conversion efficiency by applying the applicant's expertise in SOFC technologies and the development of an improved high… More

Degradation of the cathode catalyst has been identified as one of the major challenges to achieving the cost and performance targets for Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), for both automotive and stationary power applications. The degradation is manifested in the forms of detachment,… More

This project aims to develop an advanced, thermally and electrically self-sustaining hydrogen generation system for small petroleum refineries application. The hydrogen generation system involves the development of a viable means for converting the chemical energy of petcoke to hydrogen at a low… More

In planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) modules, separation of anode and cathode side gases are achieved by hermetic seals. These seals may be rigid, compressive, or compliant. However, the design of improved sealing materials must address two major challenges: (1) mechanical stability of the seals… More

In the transition from current gasoline-based vehicles, hydrogen home fueling systems will play an important role in the market adoption of hydrogen-based vehicles. This project will investigate the development of such a system for the tri-generation of hydrogen, electricity, and heat. The… More

This small business innovation research is intended to develop a simple processing concept based-on an advanced direct carbon fuel cell (DCFC) technology enabling directly converting plastic trash into life support consumables (such as H2, CO2 and H2O) and electricity simultaneously, for supporting… More

Temperature sensors that can monitor temperature directly on various locations in gas turbine engines are necessary for prognosis and diagnosis of engine conditions during operation. However, reliable temperature sensors working under the harsh conditions of jet propulsion are not currently… More

Hydrogen has been widely used by petroleum refineries in upgrading processes necessary to facilitate the hydrotreating/catalytic hydrocracking of heavy hydrocarbon molecules and the reduction of sulfur content. However, the building of the infrastructure needed to transport hydrogen from central… More

In planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC), separation of the anode and cathode side gases are achieved by hermetic seals. These seals may be rigid, compressive, or compliant. However, the design of improved sealing materials must address two major challenges: (1) mechanical stability of the seals… More

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) will play a key role in a highly efficient, near-zero-emission coal-based power generation system. To achieve the target system efficiency, SOFC anodes must be able to tolerate or mitigate the effect of certain coal contaminant compounds such as hydrogen sulfide,… More

A viable approach is needed to economically and efficiently produce pure hydrogen. This project will develop a ¿4-in-1¿ device to thermally consolidate the water-gas-shift reaction by combining hydrogen separation, purification, and compression processes. This device will be built upon a… More

This small business innovation research is intended to develop and proof the concept of a highly efficient, high temperature rechargeable battery for supporting Venus exploration missions. The proposed battery will be built upon a tubular, alkali metal ion-conducting, highly refractor,… More

This Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Phase II proposal from Materials and Systems Research, Inc. (MSRI) and University of Utah (research institution) seeks to fabricate single-phase, polycrystalline tungstate ceramics with densities greater than 99.95% and a mean grain size of… More

Efficient production of hydrogen from abundant fossil fuel reserves along with effective CO2 sequestration processes can lead to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and elimination of dependence on foreign oil. Currently, hydrogen production via water-gas shift (WGS) reaction of either a… More

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is on the development of a planar, highly compact, sodium-beta rechargeable battery using sodium-ion conducting beta alumina solid electrolyte disc (Na-BASE) sandwiched between a liquid sodium and a nickel chloride salt, (p-ZEBRA… More

This small business innovation research is intended to develop a long-life, highly efficient O2-CO cogeneration system to support NASA's endeavors to pursue extraterrestrial exploration (Moon, Mars, and Asteroids/Phobos). The cogeneration system will be built using a Tubular, Negative… More

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology promises to provide an efficient method by which electricity can be generated from coal-derived syngas, biofuels, and natural gas, while increasing energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The large capital costs attributed to the cathode low… More

The materials and structures for fusion reactors must function for a long time in a uniquely hostile environment that includes combinations of high temperatures, reactive chemicals, high stresses, and intense damaging radiation. Manufacturing of components, particularly joining of materials, has… More

ABSTRACT: Highly reliable power supply technologies are needed for future arming and fuzing system designs. These power supplies should be able to operate after a long dormant period of up to twenty years. A novel battery power supply is proposed for this purpose. The proposed battery utilizes a… More

The sulfur content of JP-8 fuel varies in a wide range up to 3000 ppm and it is detrimental to a fuel cell based auxiliary power units. The concentration of sulfur must be closely monitored to allow the APU to fully function within specification. A highly selective solid-state electrochemical sensor… More

This small business innovation research is intended to develop a long-life, highly efficient O2-CO cogeneration system to support NASA's endeavors to pursue extraterrestrial exploration (Moon, Mars, and Asteroids/Phobos). The cogeneration system will be built using a Tubular, Negative… More

SOFC technology promises to provide an efficient method by which electricity can be generated from coal-derived syngas, biofuels, and natural gas, while increasing energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The large capital costs attributed to the cathode low performance and long-term… More

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project is to develop a planar, highly compact, sodium-beta rechargeable battery using sodium-ion conducting beta?- alumina solid electrolyte (Na-BASE) sandwiched between liquid sodium and nickel chloride-based salt, (a p-ZEBRA battery). The… More

Sodium beta-alumina batteries are one of the most promising large-scale electrical energy storage technologies due to their high energy density and excellent cycling capability. Despite many advantages, the sodium batteries have several barriers for successful commercialization, mainly related to… More

Sodium beta-alumina batteries are one of the most promising large-scale electrical energy storage technologies due to their high energy density and excellent cycling capability. Despite many advantages, the sodium batteries have several barriers for successful commercialization, mainly related to… More