| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/L59207/01 |
| Title: |
NOVEL COMPOSITE-POLYMER-MEMBRANE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLIES FOR LOW COST FUEL CELLS |
| Principal Investigator: |
Lovell, Mr KV |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Materials & Medical Sciences |
| Organisation: |
Cranfield University |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 January 1998 |
Ends: |
31 December 2000 |
Value (£): |
139,486
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
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| Energy |
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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A previous EPSRC programme has resulted in the production of novel candidate copolymers by two entirely different synthesis routes; (i) Bulk Polymerisation. In this process the polymer is produced from a mixture of monomers whereby the molar ratios of each component can be varied independently to allow the properties of the final polymer to be controlled; hence separately defining hydraulic and electrical properties of the resulting polymer. Crosslinked materials so formed are defined by the shape of the process container. They are ideally adapted to the production of Composite MEAs where the membrane polymer is required to conform to and interpenetrate the structure of the adjacent electrode, making intimate contact without additional process stages. (ii) Graft Copolumerisation. Here a pre-existing polymer is used as the structural basis of the system and suitable ionic sites (sulphonic or carboxylic) are grafted to the polymer. This process has been successfully applied to the production of thin uniform membranes and has produced cell-compatible materials of high performance. This technology can be extended to produce precursor powder of slurry copolymers able to provide intimate contact with the electrodes. It is therefore proposed to develop porocesses (i) and (ii) to enable Composite MEAs to be fabricated.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.cranfield.ac.uk |