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Author

Shimshon Gottesfeld

Other affiliations: Los Alamos National Laboratory
Bio: Shimshon Gottesfeld is an academic researcher from University of Delaware. The author has contributed to research in topics: Membrane & Anode. The author has an hindex of 52, co-authored 113 publications receiving 19813 citations. Previous affiliations of Shimshon Gottesfeld include Los Alamos National Laboratory.


Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, an isothermal, one-dimensional, steady-state model for a complete polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) with a 117 Nation | membrane is presented, which predicts an increase in membrane resistance with increased current density and demonstrates the great advantage of a thinner membrane in alleviating this resistance problem.
Abstract: We present here an isothermal, one-dimensional, steady-state model for a complete polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) with a 117 Nation | membrane. In this model we employ water diffusion coefficients electro-osmotic drag coefficients, water sorption isotherms, and membrane conductivities, all measured in our laboratory as functions of membrane water content. The model pre.dicts a net-water-per-proton flux ratio of 0.2 H20/H § under typical operating conditions, which is much less than the measured electro-osmotic drag coefficient for a fully hydrated membrane. It also predicts an increase in membrane resistance with increased current density and demonstrates the great advantage of a thinner membrane in alleviating this resistance problem. Both of these predictions were verified experimentally under certain conditions.

3,013 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the diffusion coefficient and relaxation time of water in the membrane and the protonic conductivity of the membrane as functions of membrane water content were measured, and the ratio of water molecules carried across the membrane per proton transported, the electro-osmotic drag coefficient, was determined for a limited number of water contents.
Abstract: Water uptake and transport properties of Nafion[reg sign] 117 membranes at 30 C are reported here. Specifically, the authors have determined the amount of water taken up by membranes immersed in liquid water and by membranes exposed to water vapor of variable water activity. Transport parameters measured are the diffusion coefficient and relaxation time of water in the membrane and the protonic conductivity of the membrane as functions of membrane water content. The ratio of water molecules carried across the membrane per proton transported, the electro-osmotic drag coefficient, also was determined for a limited number of membrane water contents. The drag coefficient is contrasted with the experimentally determined net water transport across an operating PEM fuel cell.

1,412 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Pulsed field gradient spin-echo 1 H NMR measurements of 1 H intradiffusion coefficients at 30 o C in hydrated Nafion membranes are reported in this paper.
Abstract: Pulsed field gradient spin-echo 1 H NMR measurements of 1 H intradiffusion coefficients at 30 o C in hydrated Nafion membranes are reported. The dependence of the 1 H self-diffusion coefficient on membrane water content was a central part of this investigation. 1 H diffusion coefficients ranged from 0.6×10 −6 to 5.8×10 −6 cm 2 /s for the range of membrane water content 2-14 water molecules per sulfonate

951 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the Pt/C catalyst layer of polymer electrolyte fuel cell electrodes have been developed that substantially increase the utilization efficiency of the catalyst, and the performance of fuel cells based on the thin film catalyst layers are comparable with those of gas diffusion electrode designs that utilize several times as much platinum, thus the specific catalysts in the new structures are significantly higher.
Abstract: New structures for the Pt/C catalyst layer of polymer electrolyte fuel cell electrodes have been developed that substantially increase the utilization efficiency of the catalyst. Fabricating the catalyst layers and gas diffusion backings separately makes it possible to formulate each structure with the properties that are most suitable for its function. In the case of the catalyst layer, the optimal properties are hydrophilicity, thinness, uniformity, and the proper ratio of ionomer and supported catalyst. The catalyst layers are cast from solution as thin films that utilize the ionomer itself as a binder. The thin films are hot pressed directly onto the ionomer membranes, and the hydrophobic gas diffusion backings are inserted when the cells are assembled. The performances of fuel cells based on the thin film catalyst layers are comparable with those of gas diffusion electrode designs that utilize several times as much platinum, thus the specific activities of the Pt catalysts in the new structures are significantly higher.

848 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe recent advances in the science and technology of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) made at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and describe a new type of DMFC stack hardware that allows to lower the pitch per cell to 2 mm while allowing low air flow and air pressure drops.

701 citations


Cited by
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TL;DR: This work has shown that combination of pseudo-capacitive nanomaterials, including oxides, nitrides and polymers, with the latest generation of nanostructured lithium electrodes has brought the energy density of electrochemical capacitors closer to that of batteries.
Abstract: Electrochemical capacitors, also called supercapacitors, store energy using either ion adsorption (electrochemical double layer capacitors) or fast surface redox reactions (pseudo-capacitors). They can complement or replace batteries in electrical energy storage and harvesting applications, when high power delivery or uptake is needed. A notable improvement in performance has been achieved through recent advances in understanding charge storage mechanisms and the development of advanced nanostructured materials. The discovery that ion desolvation occurs in pores smaller than the solvated ions has led to higher capacitance for electrochemical double layer capacitors using carbon electrodes with subnanometre pores, and opened the door to designing high-energy density devices using a variety of electrolytes. Combination of pseudo-capacitive nanomaterials, including oxides, nitrides and polymers, with the latest generation of nanostructured lithium electrodes has brought the energy density of electrochemical capacitors closer to that of batteries. The use of carbon nanotubes has further advanced micro-electrochemical capacitors, enabling flexible and adaptable devices to be made. Mathematical modelling and simulation will be the key to success in designing tomorrow's high-energy and high-power devices.

14,213 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Two important future research directions are indicated and summarized, based on results published in the literature: the development of composite and nanostructured ES materials to overcome the major challenge posed by the low energy density.
Abstract: In this critical review, metal oxides-based materials for electrochemical supercapacitor (ES) electrodes are reviewed in detail together with a brief review of carbon materials and conducting polymers. Their advantages, disadvantages, and performance in ES electrodes are discussed through extensive analysis of the literature, and new trends in material development are also reviewed. Two important future research directions are indicated and summarized, based on results published in the literature: the development of composite and nanostructured ES materials to overcome the major challenge posed by the low energy density of ES (476 references).

7,642 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
15 Nov 2001-Nature
TL;DR: Recent progress in the search and development of innovative alternative materials in the development of fuel-cell stack is summarized.
Abstract: Fuel cells convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy with high efficiency and low emission of pollutants. However, before fuel-cell technology can gain a significant share of the electrical power market, important issues have to be addressed. These issues include optimal choice of fuel, and the development of alternative materials in the fuel-cell stack. Present fuel-cell prototypes often use materials selected more than 25 years ago. Commercialization aspects, including cost and durability, have revealed inadequacies in some of these materials. Here we summarize recent progress in the search and development of innovative alternative materials.

6,938 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
24 Jun 2011-Science
TL;DR: This work synthesized a porous carbon with a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area, a high electrical conductivity, and a low oxygen and hydrogen content that has high values of gravimetric capacitance and energy density with organic and ionic liquid electrolytes.
Abstract: Supercapacitors, also called ultracapacitors or electrochemical capacitors, store electrical charge on high-surface-area conducting materials. Their widespread use is limited by their low energy storage density and relatively high effective series resistance. Using chemical activation of exfoliated graphite oxide, we synthesized a porous carbon with a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of up to 3100 square meters per gram, a high electrical conductivity, and a low oxygen and hydrogen content. This sp 2 -bonded carbon has a continuous three-dimensional network of highly curved, atom-thick walls that form primarily 0.6- to 5-nanometer-width pores. Two-electrode supercapacitor cells constructed with this carbon yielded high values of gravimetric capacitance and energy density with organic and ionic liquid electrolytes. The processes used to make this carbon are readily scalable to industrial levels.

5,486 citations