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Bio-Inspired Copolymer Membranes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Army 		Award ID:
 Program Year/Program:
2011 / STTR
Agency Tracking Number:
A11A-013-0078 		Solicitation Year:
2011 		Solicitation Topic Code:
A11a-T013 		Solicitation Number:
2011.A
Small Business Information
Giner, Inc.
89 Rumford Avenue Newton, MA -
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Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2011
Title: Bio-Inspired Copolymer Membranes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
Agency / Branch: DOD / ARMY
Contract: W911NF-11-C-0232
Award Amount: $99,997.00
 

Abstract:

Implementation of new technologies for soldier survivability often requires lightweight and reliable power sources. Direct-Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs) are attractive both in military and consumer electronics applications where their energy density, power output, and lifetime make them ideally suited to address weight and power limitations. DMFCs have been slow to materialize especially due to drastic reduction in fuel efficiency caused by membranes with high methanol permeability. A novel approach to design a new generation of membranes is much needed to overcome the current drawbacks. This program proposes to develop a novel biomimetic composite membrane consisted of block copolymer vesicles functionalized with biological transmembrane proteins such as gramicidin-A. When hosted within a mechanically stable secondary support structure, these membranes are expected to exhibit high proton conductivity and reduced methanol permeability due to the highly selective protein channels formed and aligned within polymer vesicles. The stability and functionality of polymer vesicles will be investigated at methanol concentrations as high as 15M. As a proof-of-concept, the DMFC performance of optimized membranes will also be evaluated using an air-breathing, single cell configuration. The unique processing method combined with the judicious selection of vesicle/protein pairs will make this bio-inspired membrane an attractive component for DMFCs.

Principal Investigator:

Avni A. Argun
Senior Program Scientist
(781) 529-0581
aargun@ginerinc.com

Business Contact:

Anthony B. LaConti
Chief Executive Officer
(781) 529-0501
alaconti@ginerinc.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Giner, Inc.
89 Rumford Avenue Newton, MA -

EIN/Tax ID: 042529800
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
Research Institution Information:
University of Cincinnati
Spon Research Services Office
P.O. Box 210222
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0222
Contact: Diane Sparks
Contact Phone: (513) 556-5885