University of Delaware (UD)

The University of Delaware (UD) will develop a direct ammonia fuel cell operating near 100°C that will efficiently convert ammonia to electricity for electric vehicles and other applications. The team will develop new materials, including low-cost, high-performance hydroxide exchange membranes (HEMs) that can maintain stability near 100°C and novel ammonia oxidation catalysts. Proton exchange membranes are traditionally used in fuel cell applications, but HEMs have a number of advantages when ammonia is used as the direct fuel source including reduced side-reactions, prevention of ammonia crossover, and enabling of the use of lower cost catalysts. Finally, the team will target new developments in the full membrane electrode assembly structure and metal hardware fuel cell stack design, optimizing the system's operating conditions for effective water management and minimized fuel crossover. The goal is an ammonia-fed, cost-competitive fuel cell generating high power density, with rapid start-up enabled by the low operating temperature.