Fuel Cell Program


1 kW - PEM
Fuel Cell
Prototype

Mission

To generate scientific knowledge, innovation,
and the formation of human resources in the area of fuel cells,
aiming the improvement of the life quality of the Brazilian population.

Hydrogen is seen by many as a key energetic vector for the 21st century. Its utilization in fuel cells enables a clean and efficient production of electricity. The different ways of obtaining hydrogen and the different types of fuel cells application have called the attention and investment of developed countries. European Union, United States, Canada and Japan have important programs that establish tied goals for the utilization of fuel cells technology in transport and distributed energy. Aware of the importance of this technology for the energetic future of Brazil, ipen started some years ago the development of fuel cells for stationary and distributed energy applications. Previous studies were carried out at the Materials Research Center due to ipen expertise on nuclear materials development. Based both the good initial results and on the Brazilian Fuel Cell Program proposition by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT), ipen decided to organize an institutional program on the subject. The objectives and goals of the ipen program are based on the MCT national program. Since July 2003 the Fuel Cell Program has been formally established at ipen in order to contribute to the national development in this area. The Program is structured in a cross-cutting way involving human and infrastructure resources from ipen Technical Departments. Three main areas are being developed: PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane FUEL Cell); SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell); and REFORM (H2 production from reforming). More than 50 professionals have already engaged this new Program, although some in part time, including PhDs, MsC, and post-graduating students. Important scientific and technological results have been obtained, and the three areas have already established research laboratories. The main achievements can be observed by the submitted patents, the published international papers, the post-graduated courses given, and the graduate student's thesis advisory. In October 2003, we organized the first ipen Fuel Cell Meeting with participation of more than 150 attendees from ipen and from all over the country. It was considered a very important event in the national scenario for the fuel cell development.

Partnership with emerging enterprises from CIETEC (Incubator Center) led to advances and autonomous technological domain in PEMFC area. In 2004 the PEMFC Laboratory was transferred to a new site, improving its research capabilities, which includes catalyst preparation and fuel cell stack test up to 1 kW of power. The financial resources for the past three years were based on scientific funds from federal and state government (FINEP,FAPESP,CNPq). In 2004 the Program had 5 new research project approved by CT-ENERG funds. Due to the good developments achieved, ipen is considered as an important partner within the R&D networks recently established by the MCT-Brazilian Fuel Cell Program.

José Augusto Perrotta
Manager





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R&D activities





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