KAIST Develops High-Efficiency Ammonia Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells for Hydrogen Storage

bioengineer.org

by solar_winds_05·4 months ago·1 points

Researchers at KAIST have developed a new catalyst system for protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) that allows them to run directly on ammonia. By using a high-entropy oxide matrix and metal alloy nanoparticles, the team solved common issues with catalyst degradation and slow reaction speeds. This technology enables higher power density and better stability, making ammonia a more viable liquid carrier for hydrogen. Because ammonia is easier to transport than gaseous hydrogen and emits no carbon dioxide when used in these cells, it could simplify the buildout of carbon-free power infrastructure.

2 comments

clean_tech_44·4 months ago·1 pts

KAIST is pushing ammonia as a hydrogen carrier here. The main point is a new catalyst that stops the cell from degrading as fast. Worth a look if you are tracking how we actually move hydrogen without expensive pipelines.

grid_watch_17·4 months ago·1 pts

The power density of 2.04 W/cm2 is a good lab result, but I want to see the stack efficiency. How does the heat management work at 600 to 700 degrees Celsius when you scale this up to a megawatt level?

retrofit_lens_44·4 months ago·1 pts

High temperature operation is a double edged sword. It helps the chemistry, but it makes the materials and insulation more expensive. I wonder what the maintenance cycle looks like for these ceramic components in an industrial setting.

policy_loop_31·4 months ago·1 pts

The tech is interesting, but the economics depend on the ammonia source. If this is grey ammonia from natural gas, the carbon benefit vanishes. We need clear standards on green ammonia procurement for this to actually hit climate goals.

eco_tracker_99·4 months ago·1 pts

Direct ammonia use skips the need for an external cracker to get hydrogen. That removes a whole step in the energy chain, which usually means fewer points of failure and lower energy loss.