Magnetically Modified Metals and Metal Alloys for Hydride Storage
- Detailed Technology Description
- Thistechnology uses a magnetic micro-particle coating to improve solid statehydrogen storage material. Commercially available magnetic micro-particles werecovered in a thin silane coating to make them chemically inert while still ableto generate a magnetic field. These particles were then applied to the surfaceof a palladium electrode to aid the transfer of hydrogen at the surface. This modification lowered the amount ofcurrent required to electrochemically store hydrogen in an electrode, therebylowering the energy cost of the system. This technology also showedimprovements in the rate of hydrogen adsorption and discharge, making it betterthan non-modified electrodes in storing hydrogen for full cell technologies.While this technology was applied to a palladium electrode, it is predictedthat this technology can be applied to other metal hydrides that are morewidely used.
- *Abstract
-
UIRF #12059– Magnetically modified metals and metal alloys for hydride storage
Patentpending: US61/617,508
Background Information
The most compact mode of storing hydrogen for fuel cellsis the use of solid state metal alloys which can create chemical bonds tohydrogen, effectively storing it for later use. However, due to the nature ofthis bonding, the kinetics of discharge and rehydration are unfavorable. Therate of these processes are limited at atmospheric pressure and the advantageof higher hydrogen storage compared to gaseous or liquid systems is lost duethe high energy cost of discharge and rehydration. Because of this, findingways to effectively store and utilize hydride ions in metal alloys isinvaluable. This is especially true due to projected sales growth of solidstate hydrogen storage technology and the U.S Department of Energy’s desire tofind more environmentally friendly ways to store energy. New research has beenconducted that shows that the use of magnetic fields can aid the major problemof kinetics and energy cost in solid state storage systems
Technology Summary
Thistechnology uses a magnetic micro-particle coating to improve solid statehydrogen storage material. Commercially available magnetic micro-particles werecovered in a thin silane coating to make them chemically inert while still ableto generate a magnetic field. These particles were then applied to the surfaceof a palladium electrode to aid the transfer of hydrogen at the surface. This modification lowered the amount ofcurrent required to electrochemically store hydrogen in an electrode, therebylowering the energy cost of the system. This technology also showedimprovements in the rate of hydrogen adsorption and discharge, making it betterthan non-modified electrodes in storing hydrogen for full cell technologies.While this technology was applied to a palladium electrode, it is predictedthat this technology can be applied to other metal hydrides that are morewidely used.
Advantages
· Improves the rate of hydrogen absorption and discharge insolid state systems
· Decreases the energy cost required for storage ofhydrogen
· Technology can be applied to many types of metal hydridesand is not limited to palladium
- *Licensing
- ShannonSheehan, Ph.D., M.B.A.Senior Licensing Associate |University of Iowa Research Foundation112 N. Capitol Street | IowaCity, IA 52242-5500shannon-sheehan@uiowa.edu |319-335-4605
- Country/Region
- USA
