United States Patent number 7,534,519 was issued May 19 on Symmetrical, Bi-Electrode Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC). The patent is for a novel design of fuel cells, where the fuel and air are fed into the fuel cell by tiny micro-channels in the electrodes, rather than by large, heavy metal plates. This allows removal of the large heavy plates which account for most of the weight and volume in planar SOFCs.
The NASA SOFC design, called the “BSC” for bi-supported, is all ceramic. Tests on the cell have shown excellent performance, including in the regenerative mode of operation where the cell runs in electrolysis mode. The superior electrolysis capabilities of this design have been confirmed by an independent group at the DOE Idaho National Laboratory, where they are producing hydrogen from the hot steam exiting nuclear reactors.
Work to prototype this SOFC design is being conducted by the Ceramics Branch at NASA Glenn Research Center. A second patent, on the stack of cells, is expected to be granted in the next couple months. Two companies are interested in the patent rights and GRC is actively submitting proposals with both companies to increase research funds.
