Technological goal : Develop high power output solid-oxide fuel-cells

1. Electrochemistry of Thin-Film Fuel-Cell CathodesSossina M. Haile, California Institute of Technology, DMR 0840365 • Technological goal : • Develop high power output solid-oxide fuel-cells • Combine the newly developed cathode material, Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-d (BSCF) with high stability zirconia • Necessary scientific advances: • Atomistic level understanding of: • defect chemistry, • structural chemistry • oxygen ion transport properties • Strategy: • Thin-film BSCF • Surface-reaction dominated • Achievements: • Conditions for PLD synthesis • Determined cubic/hexagonal phase change has major role on reaction rate and thereby interfacial polarization, RP High pO2 (160 mT) beam deflection yields non-uniform film composition Low pO2 (20 mT) uniform beam yields uniform film

2. Electrochemistry of Thin-Film Fuel-Cell CathodesSossina M. Haile, California Institute of Technology, DMR 0840365 Three undergraduate students led by one post-doctoral scholar carried out this research: Brienne Johnson, rising sophomore from Southern University (Baton Rouge), Aminy Ostfeld, rising junior from Brown University, Richard Wang, rising junior from Caltech, and Dr. Yong Hao. The group developed excellent skills in team research, and coordinated their research plan to maximize output. Both Brienne and Aminy have expressed interest in returning to Caltech for future summer research experiences. Brienne Johnson Aminy Ostfeld Richard Wang Dr. Yong Hao Research team, summer 2009