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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/K80006/01
Title: SOFC POWERED CAR TO CHALLENGE THE WORLD FUEL CONSUMPTION RECORD
Principal Investigator: Kendall, Professor K
Other Investigators:
Darling, Dr J Copcutt, Dr R Kilbride, Dr I
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Sch of Chemistry & Physics
Organisation: Keele University
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 November 1995 Ends: 31 October 1996 Value (£): 60,008
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Electrochemical Science & Eng. Energy Efficiency
Fuel Cell Technologies
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The challenge is to build an SOFC powered car to break the world record for consumption of petrol and/or diesel. Success would demonstrate the enormous potential of SOFCs that is not yet fully recognised even among some people working in the field. The main thrust of the research will be to improve the stack of tubular cells that Dr Kilbride has already built. He has demonstrated that 2 to 3 mm diameter zirconia tubes are extremely robust and that stacks built with them can produce a high power density from a range of fuels including petrol. A large number of ideas for improving performance and reducing costs are already being pursued by 10 researchers working at Keele. These will be developed and used to build a highly efficient petrol or diesel powered stack under this proposal. Our work has shown that heat insulation of the stack will be a challenge but vacuum thermal barriers may provide sufficient insulation. A lightweight streamlined car chassis will be built with the help of local schools, and a pupil will drive the car.
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.keele.ac.uk