Membrane-compatible electrode ink for fuel cell stacks
This technology covers a specialized ink made from sulfonated polysulfone polymers that can be used to print or coat the electrode layers directly onto a fuel cell membrane. The key insight is that the ink's solvent mixture is carefully chosen so it coats the membrane without dissolving or damaging it — a common problem with conventional polymer inks. The result is a complete membrane electrode assembly (the core sandwich of a hydrogen fuel cell) built from chemically compatible materials. This approach could simplify fuel cell manufacturing and potentially reduce costs by enabling direct fabrication rather than separate electrode preparation steps.
What you could build
A drop-in electrode ink formulation for fuel cell manufacturers enabling direct membrane coating during cell assembly; primary buyers would be fuel cell stack manufacturers and automotive OEMs developing hydrogen powertrains.
Who in Virginia should care
Defense contractors and naval propulsion programs in Virginia (e.g., Newport News shipbuilding ecosystem) exploring hydrogen fuel cells for vessels or auxiliary power would be plausible interested parties.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- James E. McGrath, Michael Hickner
- Granted
- September 7, 2010
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 7790314
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.