Achievement

Over the past year, mechanical engineering student Casey Hoffman has continued his research on spray deposition methods for the manufacture of fuel cell electrodes. Non-contact spray deposition methods such as two-fluid air nozzles and ultrasonic atomizers have been shown to be viable methods for fuel cell electrode manufacturing. The flexibility and scalability of these methods make them excellent options for mass production of electrodes. Hoffman’s research studies how various manufacturing parameters such as catalyst ink preparation, ultrasonic nozzle frequency and power, and drying method ultimately effect electrode properties and cell performance. His work focuses on low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) utilizing Nafion membranes and a supported platinum on carbon catalysts. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of electrodes is provided by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging and x-ray fluorescence (XRF) in addition.