Panel: Advancing the Potential for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are highly efficient, scalable, and fuel-flexible devices that can generate electricity and thermal energy for homes and business. To advance the viability of SOFCs, researchers are investigating ways to reduce system costs, improve cell durability and performance, and potentially hybridize SOFCs with gas turbines and renewables. In a three-year project funded completely and only by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Carnegie Mellon University researchers elicited experts' assessments of the current and anticipated future costs and durability of SOFCs, barriers to improving SOFC cost and performance, and recommended government R&D levels. In the present panel discussion, experts in the field weigh in on the opportunities and challenges facing SOFCs and strategies to achieve wider adoption.
Moderator:
Jay Whitacre - Trustee Professor in Energy, Engineering and Public Policy, Materials Science and Engineering; Director, The Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation | CMU
Panelists:
-Shailesh Vora - Technology Manager, Fuel Cells | NETL
-Paul Salvador - Professor of Materials Science and Engineering; Director, Energy, Science, Technology & Policy Program | CMU
-Scott Swartz - Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder | Nexceris
-Michael Whiston - Postdoctoral Research Associate, Engineering and Public Policy | CMU
Introductions by Pauline Murray, Research and Innovation Coordinator, Renewable Engine, Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), University of Strathclyde; organizer of the Ireland Institute delegation co-located with CMU Energy Week 2019
Learn more about the conference at cmuenergyweek.org.

[@mundymorningreport3137]

Advanced materials... that is most likely to be the single swiftest improvement that will revolutionize this technology. The high heat of steam reforming and activating reactions in the FC itself is a dead end. Already it is possible to more directly influence these critical energy exchanges more directly and efficiency if the FC researchers can get out of their own sandboxes. Party on Dudes, be good to each other.

[@mundymorningreport3137]

I retract that previous comment. Plasma reforming is possible and demonstrated using CIV IONIZATION AND Z PINCH PLASMA GAS MANIPULATON to generate ions for fuel cells or impulse electricity directly for power. The CIV ionization with Z pinch can also produce self regenerating reactions that produce electricity without consuming matter. Forgettabout hoarding materials in the future. Party on dudes, be good to each other.

[@bradmcclure4945]

availability of high purity methanol is a limiting factor

[@davidwilkie9551]

Fuel Cells and Flow Batteries, Super Capacitors, membrane technologies, all very interesting.

[@PhysicsViolator]

Don't forget fusion ;)

[@haliax8149]

@72 degree pyramid technology Suppressed patents No

[@bradmcclure4945]

need a sofc that produces 200kw using amonia as fuel