THE SOL-GEL GROUP

Manuel A. Alvarez, Ph.D. (Resume)

"Design of a Multilayer Electrochemical Device for Use as an Oxygen Generator or Solid Oxide Fuel Cell"

  SOFC’s are presently under development for power generation. These devices are capable of providing 250kW distributed power plants. The principle can be used for generation of electrical energy or concentration of oxygen.  In the second case, a current is imposed between the electrodes and pure oxygen (99%) is collected on the anodic side.  Oxygen generators can be used for  medical purposes,  as well as in defense technology.  In this new device, each part (cathode, anode and electrolyte) is made through the sol-gel process.

• This method leads to interconnected layers: all the surface at the interface is used for the electrochemical reaction.

• The layers are very thin, which allows miniaturization.

• The sol-gel process permits preparation of the electrochemical device in different geometries.

  The oxide used at the cathode is La1-xSrxMnO3. The anode is  either    La1-xSrxMnO3 (oxygen generator application) or a cermet nickel-stabilized zirconia (fuel cell application). The electrolyte material is usually yttria stabilized zirconia.

This page is maintained by Manuel A. Alvarez.
Last updated March 28, 2002.
For any comments or questions please send e-mail to: solgel@rci.rutgers.edu