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Hydrogen Peroxide Based Fuel Cell for High Energy Density Space Application

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency 		Award ID:
68749 		Program Year/Program:
2005 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
03SB2-0504 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
NPL ASSOC., INC.
912 W. Armory Drive Champaign, IL 61821-4537
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 2
Fiscal Year: 2005
Title: Hydrogen Peroxide Based Fuel Cell for High Energy Density Space Application
Agency / Branch: DOD / DARPA
Contract: FA9453-05-C-0084
Award Amount: $750,000.00
 

Abstract:

The objective of this Phase II project is to demonstrate the engineering feasibility of a high power, unitized, regenerative fuel cell that uses sodium borohydride (NaBH4) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) directly at the fuel cell (FC) electrodes. Such a Regenerative Fuel Cell (RFC) is ideally suited for the demanding Unconventional Space Power requirements set forth by DARPA. The engineering prototype proposed would be a kW-class unit, based on the scale-up of the highly successful NaBH4/ H2O2 fuel cell demonstrated by NPL Associates in Phase I. This cell, termed I-CHARGERTM, uses aqueous solutions of NaBH4 and H2O2 directly at the anode and cathode, respectively. This direct process, as shown in experiment, results in >30% higher voltage output compared to ordinary H2/O2 fuel cell, and consequently a 30% higher efficiency. Also the unique combination of the fuel and oxidizer, both being in aqueous form, paves the way for a unique unitized design which is inherently compact compared cells that use gas phase reactants, such as the conventional H2 and O2 fuel cell. Thus I-CHARGERTM is uniquely suited for space power applications, and that is the primary focus of the Phase II development.

Principal Investigator:

Nie Luo
Scientist, PI
2172444947
nluo@uiuc.edu

Business Contact:

George H. Miley
President
2173333772
georgehm@aol.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

NPL ASSOC., INC.
912 W. Armory Ave. Champaign, IL 61821

EIN/Tax ID: 371406175
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No