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Fuel Cells Research

General
Associated Center
Associated Faculty

Selected Research Profiles

• Increasing energy efficiency in solid oxide fuel cells. . .
• Micro/Miniature fuel cells improve military preparedness. . .
• Improving on the reform process. . .
  Efficient catalysts are needed for conversion of hydrocarbon fuels to hydrogen. Dr. Can Erkey is researching nanostructured catalysts prepared by sol-gel methods for autothermal reforming and hydrodesulfurization of petroleum derived fuels. Dr. Erkey is primarily focusing on reforming of diesel and investigating (1) ceria-zirconia supported precious metal catalysts for use in autothermal reforming of diesel and (2) carbon aerogel supported ruthenium catalysts for hydrodesulfurization of organosulfur compounds in diesel. Using state-of-the-art analytical methods, including nitrogen physisorption (BET), chemisorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD), he is studying the chemical and physical properties of the catalysts. He is testing the promising catalysts in laboratory scale reactors and determining the effects of temperature and feed composition on kinetics and product distribution. Dr. Erkey is also involved in developing nanostructured carbonaceous adsorbents to selectively remove organosulfur compounds from petroleum-derived fuels at ambient temperatures.
  
• Forging more efficient direct methanol fuel cells. . .