Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells that use methanol as fuel offer enormous potential for transitioning consumers to electric cars, while leveraging the advantages of a familiar liquid fuel infrastructure. Such fuel cells, however, depend on a separate reformer to extract the hydrogen from the methanol. Now, a joint research team from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the University of Southern California (USC) has developed a direct methanol liquid feed fuel cell (DMLFFC) that not only doesn't require a reformer, it actually produces more energy from a mixture of 97% water and 3% methanol than from methanol or hydrogen alone. The secret lies in the addition of 50% ruthenium to the normally platinum-only anode catalyst. The carbon-to-hydrogen bonds in the methanol/water solution are broken in the presence of the catalyst, resulting in hydrogen ions (protons) and electrons--the output current. The protons migrate through the membrane and combine with oxygen from the air to produce water. This water is remixed with the methanol fuel so that only methanol has to be added to the cell. To date, prototypes have run for more than 200 hours continuously and for more than 3,000 hours intermittently, without loss of performance. FAX (818) 354-4537.
By refining topologies and using new fluid technology, Moog's new peak sine drive controller increases available power without increasing controller volume.
Two new introductions in the world of motion drives for automation are moving toward use of standard Ethernet communications, eliminating the use of custom hardware.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 3
Early in my career, I worked as a draftsman and remember the days of drawing on vellum with numbered pencils and Mylar with plastic lead. This was a fun experience in the sense that I ...
I've been using workstations for more than 10 years and love finding ways to get more performance from my system. With demanding professional applications that require more power each ...
A lasting memory from my first job as an engineer in an auto assembly plant is standing on hard concrete at six in the morning, vending-machine coffee clutched in hand, listening to ...
A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
To save this item to your list of favorite Design News content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
3 
