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Inorganic Oxide Supported Biomimetic Membranes with Ion Channels for DMFC Application

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Army
Contract: W911NF-13-C-0095
Agency Tracking Number: A2-5428
Amount: $375,000.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: A11a-T013
Solicitation Number: 2011.A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2011
Award Year: 2013
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2013-09-27
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2014-09-30
Small Business Information
2501 Earl Rudder Freeway South
College Station, TX -
United States
DUNS: 184758308
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Mahesh Waje
 Scientist II
 (979) 764-2200
 mahesh.waje@lynntech.com
Business Contact
 G. Hisaw
Title: Sr. Contracts Administrator
Phone: (979) 764-2218
Email: renee.hisaw@lynntech.com
Research Institution
 Cornell University
 Mora Harris
 
373 East Hill Plaza
Ithaca, NY 14853-0001
United States

 (607) 255-1050
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

Methanol crossover of commercial Nafion membranes is a major issue that results in lowering of the efficiency of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). A biomimetic approach for the membrane design using either proton conducting nanochannels and/or nanothin barrier layer can produce DMFC membranes with highly selective and fast proton transfer. In the Phase I project, Lynntech demonstrated the feasibility of both proton nanochannel and nanothin biomimetic barrier layer approaches for producing DMFC membrane with ~ 14 fold lower methanol crossover compared to Nafion membranes. Performance and mechanical stability of DMFC membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) with 15 M methanol were also demonstrated. In the Phase II project, Lynntech in collaboration with Prof. Giannelis from Cornell University proposes to optimize the performance of the biomimetic membranes and fabricate and design prototype DMFC stacks and systems with high energy density. The improved membranes have the potential to provide DMFC systems with energy densities as high as 1500 Wh/kg which is significantly better than state-of-the art systems.

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

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