Solid Oxide Fuel/Electrolyzer Cells

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) use a solid oxide material as the electrolyte and are predominantly used for generating electricity typically through the electrochemical oxidation of H₂ via oxygen ions conducted to the anode side. SOFCs are modular, scalable, efficient, and use a variety of hydrocarbons as fuel and tolerate some degree of common fossil fuel impurities, such as ammonia and chlorides. Alternatively, a solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) consumes electricity to generate molecules e.g. conversion of water or CO₂ to produce H₂ or CO, respectively with all of the advantages of an SOFC.

ISEE conducts both process simulation and materials research in a host of SOFC/SOEC applications. The research group predominantly is interested in the application of SOFC technology for process intensification for conversion of hydrocarbon feedstocks into valuable fuels and chemicals. ISEE recently was awarded a U.S. DOE project (DE-FE031709) to convert hydrocarbons and CO₂ into fuels and chemicals. In addition, the team recently worked with the U.S. Navy to assess repowering of unmanned aerial vehicles using SOFC simulation tools developed by ISEE. Currently, ISEE is utilizing in-house additive manufacturing in coordination with industry to develop new manufacturing techniques that improve performance while reducing manufacturing energy consumption