Strategic Analysis for a Not-for-Profit Research Institute

The National Research Council Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation (NRC-IFCI) (Vancouver, Canada) is a not-for-profit governmental institution. The NRC-IFCI is a leader in the research and development (R&D) of fuel cells, and maintains a leadership position in the Canadian fuel cell industry. The current economic recession has strongly affected the NRC-IFCI’s targeted fuel cell and battery markets, and has required a re-evaluation of strategies. This internal and external stra-tegic analysis provides alternatives for corporative development. The external analysis reviews such targeted markets as fuel cells and rechargeable batteries. The internal analysis evaluates fuel cell and battery development in terms of the resources, strengths and core capabilities in the value creation chain at NRC-IFCI. Alternatives are provided based on an evaluation of a modified re-search portfolio and external collaborations in order to increase NRC-IFCI business sustainability

Development of Nafion/Tin Oxide Composite MEA for DMFC Applications

International audienceNafion composite membranes containing either hydrated tin oxide (SnO₂•nH₂O) or sulfated tin oxide (S-SnO₂) at 5 wt.% and 10 wt.% were prepared and characterized. The structural and electrochemical features of the samples were investigated using X-ray diffraction, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, methanol crossover, and direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) tests. Highest conductivity values were obtained by using S-SnO₂ as filler (0.094 Scm^-1 at T=110°C and RH=100%). The presence of the inorganic compound resulted in lower methanol crossover and improved DMFC performance with respect to a reference unfilled membrane. To improve the interface of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), a layer of the composite electrolyte (i.e., the Nafion membrane containing 5 wt% S-SnO₂) was brushed on the electrodes, obtaining a DMFC operating at 110°C with a power density (PD) of 100 mWcm^-2 which corresponds to a PD improvement of 52% with respect to the unfilled Nafion membrane

Nanocomposite SPEEK-based membranes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells at intermediate temperatures

Novel nanocomposite membranes were prepared by infiltration of a blend of sulfonated PEEK (SPEEK) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), using water as solvent, into electrospun nanolibers of SPEEK blended with polyvinyl butyral (PVB). The membranes were characterized for their application on Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs) operating at moderate temperatures (>80 degrees C). An important role of the solvent on the crosslinking temperature for the SPEEK-PVA system was observed. A mat of hydrated SPEEK-30%PVB nanofibers revealed higher proton conductivity in comparison with a dense membrane of similar composition. Incorporation of the nanoliber mats to the SPEEK-35%PVA matrix provided mechanical stability, methanol barrier properties and certain proton conductivity up to a crosslinking temperature of 120 degrees C. Not remarkable effect of the nanofibers was found above that crosslinking temperature. The combined effect of the nanofibers and crosslinking temperature on the properties of the membranes is discussed. DIV1FC performance experiments concluded promising results for this new low-cost type of membranes, although further optimization steps are still required.This research has been funded by the R&D Support Programmes of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (project 24761) and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (project SP-ENE-20120718).Mollá Romano, S.; Compañ Moreno, V. (2015). Nanocomposite SPEEK-based membranes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells at intermediate temperatures. Journal of Membrane Science. 492:123-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2015.05.055S12313649

Manganese oxide catalysts for secondary zinc air batteries: from

An efficient, durable and low cost air cathode with low polarization between the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is essential for a high performance and durable secondary zinc-air battery. Different valence states and morphologies of MnxOy catalysts were synthetized via thermal treatment of EMD (generating Mn2O3 and Mn3O4) and acid digestion of synthetized Mn2O3 (producing a-MnO2) in order to develop an efficient Bifunctional Air Electrode (BAE). Change in the ratio H+ to Mn2O3 during the acid digestion affects the sample microporosity, the crystallographic plane distribution, as well as the physical and chemical adsorbed water which was related to defects, i.e. cation vacancies (Mn4+) and Mn3+. These characteristics were discussed and linked to the electrocatalytic activity. The best ORR performing catalyst was that with the higher surface water content (associated to material BET surface area) and a (310) surface as the 2nd more contributing plane (after 211). On the other hand, the catalyst with the higher structural water and with (110) and (200) crystallographic planes being the most intensity contributors (after 211) was the most OER active material. In this work, it was able to find a relationship between catalyst structure and air-efficiency through a volcano-like relationship between air-efficiency and surface water content. Air-efficiency (also take as round-efficiency discharge/charge in battery context) can be taken as a good descriptor of potentially good materials for Zn-Air secondary batteries technology. In this term, we were able to prepare a Bifunctional Air Electrode based on the selected a-MnO2 sample which demonstrated a roundefficiency of 53%, a DV around 1 V and a neglected loss of the charge potential (about 2.1 V) over the entire lifecycle test (more 200 cycles over 30 hours) with a capacity retention superior to 95%.European Commission H2020: Proyecto ZAS “Zinc Air Secondary innovative nanotech based batteries for efficient energy storage” (Grant Agreement 646186

New nanocomposite proton conducting membranes based on a core–shell nanofiller for low relative humidity fuel cells

New hybrid inorganic-organic proton conducting membranes containing a ZrTa nanofiller dispersed in a Nafion® matrix are described. The ZrTa nanofiller exhibits a "core-shell" morphology, where the harder ZrO2 forms the "core", which is covered by a "shell" of the softer Ta2O5. The hybrid membranes are thermally stable up to 170 °C. Interactions between the polymer matrix and the nanofiller increase the thermal stability of both the -SO3H groups and the fluorocarbon polymer backbone. In comparison with Nafion, the hybrid membranes have a lower water uptake (W.U.) that depends on the concentration of nanofiller. The residual water, which is approximately 4 wt%, is likely located at the Nafion-nanofiller interface. Infrared results indicate that the nanofiller does not neutralize all of the R-SO3H groups in the hybrid membrane and the small amount of residual water in the material does not cause the dissociation of the R-SO3H protons. Fuel cell tests show that the maximum power density yielded by the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) containing the hybrid membrane is better than that of the MEA containing Nafion, particularly at low values of relative humidity. The hybrid membranes require much less water to conduct protons effectively and are more efficient at retaining water than Nafion at low water activities

An overview of progress in electrolytes for secondary zinc-air batteries and other storage systems based on zinc

The revived interest and research on the development of novel energy storage systems with exceptional inherent safety, environmentally benign and low cost for integration in large scale electricity grid and electric vehicles is now driven by the global energy policies. Within various technical challenges yet to be resolved and despite extensive studies, the low cycle life of the zinc anode is still hindering the implementation of rechargeable zinc batteries at industrial scale. This review presents an extensive overview of electrolytes for rechargeable zinc batteries in relation to the anode issues which are closely affected by the electrolyte nature. Widely studied aqueous electrolytes, from alkaline to acidic pH, as well as non-aqueous systems including polymeric and room temperature ionic liquids are reported. References from early rechargeable Zn-air research to recent results on novel Zn hybrid systems have been analyzed. The ambition is to identify the challenges of the electrolyte system and to compile the proposed improvements and solutions. Ultimately, all the technologies based on zinc, including the more recently proposed novel zinc hybrid batteries combining the strong points of lithium-ion, redox-flow and metal-air systems, can benefit from this compilation in order to improve secondary zinc based batteries performance.Basque Country University (ZABALDUZ2012 program), and the Basque Country Government (Project: CIC energiGUNÉ16 of the ELKARTEK program) and the European Commission through the project ZAS: “Zinc Air Secondary innovative nanotech based batteries for efficient energy storage” (Grant Agreement 646186

Low Pt Loaded Pt-Ru-lr-Sn/C anode for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC)

NRC publication: Ye