Accelerated 3D-printed hydrogen-generating fuel cell, capable of powering lighter aircraft, unveiled
The Technical University of Denmark has unveiled a groundbreaking new design for a fuel cell, the Monolithic Gyroidal Solid Oxide Cell (The Monolith), which promises to revolutionize the energy and aerospace sectors. This innovative fuel cell, developed in collaboration with Bosch, offers a simplified manufacturing process, increased efficiency, and exceptional durability.
The conventional solid oxide cell stacks require dozens of steps and use multiple materials that degrade over time. In contrast, the Monolith's architecture allows gases to flow freely, improving heat distribution and increasing mechanical stability. This design innovation significantly reduces the complexity of the manufacturing process, eliminating heavy metal components and fragile seals.
One of the key advantages of the Monolith fuel cell is its versatility. It can be used in various applications, such as hydrogen cars, hospitals, data centers, and ships, as well as in space missions, making it an ideal candidate for NASA's Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment (MOXIE). The new fuel cell design could perform the same task as MOXIE at a weight of just 800 kg, drastically reducing the cost of a space launch.
The Monolith fuel cell is exceptionally powerful for its weight, producing over one watt per gram. Venkata Karthik Nadimpalli, a senior researcher and corresponding author, stated that the new fuel cell design changes the way electricity-based energy conversion is viewed for aerospace applications.
The new Monolithic Gyroidal Solid Oxide Cell (The Monolith) fuel cell demonstrates impressive durability by withstanding extreme conditions, including temperature swings of 100°C. When used in electrolysis mode, the new Monolith fuel cells are capable of producing hydrogen at a rate nearly ten times faster than standard models.
The Monolith fuel cell is designed using a mathematically optimized structure called a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS), specifically a gyroid. This design, reminiscent of a coral-like structure, is created in just "five steps." No structural failure was noticed when the team repeatedly switched the fuel cell between power-generating and power-storing modes.
Venkata Karthik Nadimpalli also noted that the system can be further improved using thinner electrolytes, cheaper current collectors, like silver or nickel, and even more compact designs. The findings of this research were published in the journal Nature Energy.
The Monolith fuel cell's ability to generate power, store energy through electrolysis, and its lightweight, high-performance design make it a "game-changer" for various industries, including aerospace applications. The potential of this new fuel cell design is immense, and it is poised to reshape the energy and aerospace sectors in the coming years.
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