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Activated Reactants to Reduce Fuel Cell Overpotentials

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Army
Contract: W911NF-12-C-0005
Agency Tracking Number: A2-4591
Amount: $749,994.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: A10a-T011
Solicitation Number: 2010.A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2010
Award Year: 2012
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2012-06-14
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2013-06-13
Small Business Information
4700 Elmo Weedon Road, Suite 117
College Station, TX -
United States
DUNS: 832589456
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Jeremy Steinshnider
 Founding Partner
 (979) 703-1832
 jeremy.steinshnider@jsj-tech.com
Business Contact
 Sandra Withers-Kirby
Title: Founding Partner
Phone: (979) 703-1832
Email: sandra.kirby@jsj-tech.com
Research Institution
 Lamar University
 Jack Hopper
 
P.O. Box 10613
Beaumont, TX 77710-
United States

 (409) 880-5768
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

he current produced in electrochemical galvanic cells is primarily dependent on the rate of the electrode reactions where the cell's anode is less negative, supplying less energy than thermodynamically predicted, and the cell's cathode is less positive, supplying less energy than thermodynamically predicted. Reduction of electrochemical overpotentials in electrochemical systems has been the prime objective of physical electrochemistry. A number of alternative approaches exist to potentially activate the reactant entering a fuel cell with the intent to lower overpotentials. These approaches include microplasmas, ultrasound, photonic irradiation, or use of chemical additives that promote activation of the reactants. Of these approaches, microplasmas through Dielectric Barrier Discharge appears to be one of the most promising routes. The approach proposed here involves activation of reactants using Micro Dielectric Barrier Discharge (MBDB) integrated directly into the internal components of a fuel cell stack.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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