CGFCC in the News

$2.3 million Federal Earmark

In June 2002, the Center received $2.3 million to develop an advanced portable fuel cell system for the U.S. Army. This multidisciplinary R&D effort, involves 14 engineering faculty members and one chemistry faculty member. The R&D efforts will be interwoven with product development activities to produce an advanced integrated direct methanol fuel cell power system capable of producing up to 150 watts.

In fulfilling this contract the team will address:

1. The development of new proton exchange membrane technologies and fabrication techniques designed to enhance fuel efficiency and conductivity. In addition, the team will produce, evaluate and optimize new materials and fluid flow designs for the bipolar plates to improve the thermal conductivity while decreasing overall size and weight.
2. The overall system requirements of a portable fuel cell power plant. To determine these requirements, the team will evaluate system controls, develop a computer aided model of the fuel cell, and develop thermal management and power management strategies and tools.