30th Fuel Cell Seminar

This issue of the 2006 Fuel Cell Seminar, held in Honolulu, Hawaii in 2006, marks the 30th Anniversary of the seminar, and contains papers dealing with stationary fuel cell systems, technology development, demonstration, and commercialization of fuel cells. Major topic of discussions throughout the three oral sessions and poster sessions were stationary fuel cell systems, hydrogen systems, and their efficient use as backup systems. Their use as alternative energies and portable fuel cells were also discussed.

Fuel cells are expected to play a major role in the future power supply that will transform to renewable, decentralized and fluctuating primary energies. At the same time the share of electric power will continually increase at the expense of thermal and mechanical energy not just in transportation, but also in households. Hydrogen as a perfect fuel for fuel cells and an outstanding and efficient means of bulk storage for renewable energy will spearhead this development together with fuel cells. Moreover, small fuel cells hold great potential for portable devices such as gadgets and medical applications such as pacemakers. This handbook will explore specific fuel cells within and beyond the mainstream development and focuses on materials and production processes for both SOFC and lowtemperature fuel cells, analytics and diagnostics for fuel cells, modeling and simulation as well as balance of plant design and components. As fuel cells are getting increasingly sophisticated and industrially developed the issues of quality assurance and methodology of development are included in this handbook. The contributions to this book come from an international panel of experts from academia, industry, institutions and government. This handbook is oriented toward people looking for detailed information on specific fuel cell types, their materials, production processes, modeling and analytics. Overview information on the contrary on mainstream fuel cells and applications are provided in the book 'Hydrogen and Fuel Cells', published in 2010.

"This book is a one of a kind, definitive reference source for technical students and researchers, government policymakers, and business leaders. It provides an overview of past and present initiatives to improve and commercialize fuel cell technologies. It provides context and analysis to help potential investors assess current fuel cell commercialization activities and future prospects. Most importantly, it gives top executive policymakers and company presidents with detailed policy recommendations as to what should be done to successfully commercialize fuel cell technologies."--pub. desc.

This book reviews the state-of-the-art in fuel cells (low and high temperature) across all the types applied in the field today and assesses current trends in development. The main technology problems are discussed and current gaps to market success identified. The innovations covered in the book deliver new answers to pertinent problems and/or offer new opportunities, be it in operating conditions, application area, extension of lifetime, new fuels, exciting new diagnosis and analysis methods. The volume gives an insight not only to the key developments within the next few years, but also shows perspectives in the mid-term. Readers receive an overview of cutting edge, challenging research and development that can be used in future developments, both of personal careers, as well as in company technology planning.

There are many fuel cell technologies, entities, commercialization plans, and research and development activities at various states of maturity. The fuel cell efforts encompassed in this issue represents a major, international research and development and demonstration activity. Fuel cells are a topic of great interest and shall probably remain so for some time. The Fuel Cell Seminar and Exposition remains a major social, technical, and marketing forum for fuel cells. The Electrochemical Society, through its collaboration with the Seminar, is able to bring this issue of ECS Transactions, containing important contributions, to a broad technical audience.

The papers included in this issue of ECS Transactions were originally presented at the 2008 Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition, held in Phoenix, Arizona, October 27 to October 31, 2008.

A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts the chemical energy of a reaction (between fuel and oxidant) directly into electricity. Given their efficiency and low emissions, fuel cells provide an important alternative to power produced from fossil fuels. A major challenge in their use is the need for better materials to make fuel cells cost-effective and more durable. This important book reviews developments in materials to fulfil the potential of fuel cells as a major power source. After introductory chapters on the key issues in fuel cell materials research, the book reviews the major types of fuel cell. These include alkaline fuel cells, polymer electrolyte fuel cells, direct methanol fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells and regenerative fuel cells. The book concludes with reviews of novel fuel cell materials, ways of analysing performance and issues affecting recyclability and life cycle assessment. With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Materials for fuel cells is a valuable reference for all those researching, manufacturing and using fuel cells in such areas as automotive engineering. Examines the key issues in fuel cell materials research Reviews the major types of fuel cells such as direct methanol and regenerative fuel cells Further chapters explore ways of analysing performance and issues affecting recyclability and life cycle assessment