Multiscale Renewable Energy System Laboratory

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are a class of fuel cells characterized by the use of a solid oxide material as the electrolyte.  SOFCs use a solid oxide electrolyte to conduct negative oxygen ions from the cathode to the anode. The electrochemical oxidation of the hydrogen, carbon monoxide or other organic intermediates by oxygen ions thus occurs on the anode side. More recently, proton-conducting SOFCs (PC-SOFC) are being developed which transport protons instead of oxygen ions through the electrolyte with the advantage of being able to be run at lower temperatures than traditional SOFCs.

A solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) is a solid oxide fuel cell that runs in regenerative mode to achieve the electrolysis of water (and/or carbon dioxide) by using a solid oxide, or ceramic, electrolyte to produce hydrogen gas (and/or carbon monoxide) and oxygen. The production of pure hydrogen is compelling because it is a clean fuel that can be stored, making it a potential alternative to batteries, methane, and other energy sources (see hydrogen economy). Electrolysis is currently the most promising method of hydrogen production from water due to high efficiency of conversion and relatively low required energy input when compared to thermochemical and photocatalytic methods.

Nanostructured thin films containing metal or compound conductors are scientifically intriguing and technologically important. Their optical properties are linked to applications such as spectrally selective solar absorbers, solar control glazing, angular selective filters, optical biosensors and decorative paints. Film and coating morphologies discussed include nanograined thin metal layers; cermets and polymers containing metal, oxide and boride conductor nanoparticles; oblique nanometal columns in oxide; clusters and arrays of conducting nanoparticles; nanoholes in metal, and thin metal layers on nanostructures.