Novel Nanoscale Intermetallic Fuel Cell Catalyst Materials and Processing

75912-New, lower-cost materials will be needed before the wide-spread use of fuel cells becomes practical. In particular, novel ternary and quaternary intermetallic fuel cell catalyst materials offer the potential for significant cost savings compared to existing platinum-based compounds. However, these novel intermetallics are difficult to create as nano-particles. This project will develop technology for the production of new, lower-cost, nano-particulate, intermetallic, fuel cell catalyst materials. Specifically, new materials created by the Cornell Fuel Cell Institute will be converted into nano-particles suitable for use in fuel cells. Phase I will use small scale methods to accelerate the materials development process, and then larger scale methods will be used to determine commercial feasibility. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The new nanomaterial technology should enable the wide-spread use of fuel cells by dramatically lowering the cost of materials. Benefits to the nation include increased energy efficiency, reduced reliance on imported oil, reduced global warming, and cleaner air.