Program:
REBELS
Award:
$3,699,230
Location:
Pasadena, California
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
10/01/2014 - 06/30/2018

Technology Description:

SAFCell is developing solid acid fuel cells (SAFCs) that operate at 250 °C and will be nearly free of precious metal catalysts. Current fuel cells either rely on ultra-pure hydrogen as a fuel and operate at low temperatures for vehicles technologies, or run on natural gas, but operate only at high temperatures for grid-scale applications. SAFCell’s fuel cell is utilizing a new solid acid electrolyte material to operate efficiently at intermediate temperatures and on multiple fuels. Additionally, the team will dramatically lower system costs by reducing precious metals, such as platinum, from the electrodes and developing new catalysts based on carbon nanotubes and metal organic frameworks. The proposed SAFC stack design will lead to the creation of low cost fuel cells that can withstand common fuel impurities, making them ideal for distributed generation applications.

Potential Impact:

If successful, SAFCell ‘s solid acid fuel cells (SAFCs) will be low cost, durable, and powered by natural gas which are ideal for distributed generation applications.

Security:

Enabling more efficient use of natural gas for power generation provides a reliable alternative to other fuel sources—a broader fuel portfolio means more energy security.

Environment:

Natural gas produces roughly half the carbon dioxide emissions of coal, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to existing sources of power generation.

Economy:

Distributed generation technologies would reduce costs associated with power losses compared to centralized power stations and provide lower operating costs due to peak shaving.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Grigorii Soloveichik
Project Contact:
Dr. Calum Chisholm
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
calum.chisholm@safcell.com

Partners

Northeastern University
California Institute of Technology

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Release Date:
11/25/2013