Fuel cell technologies

SmarTap has been developing a new technology for the next generation of thermostatic electronic faucets. This technology enables the user to monitor and control the water consumption in his property in real time. Shower systems based on this technology offer a unique shower experience combined with safety features and water and energy monitoring and saving capabilities. The systems supply water at the desired temperature and flow without wasting it: the shower will discharge water only at the desired temperature and flow.

As a government-funded research institute under the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning of the Republic of Korea, the mission of Korea Institute of Materials and Science KIMS is to comprehensively facilitate R&D, test, evaluate and provide technical support in order to promote innovative technology and industrial development. Important research achievements related to climate technology include Plasma-Treated Albaca fiber reinforced composites for industrial application.

The Energy Research Centre is a research and academic type of institution established in 1989. The institution provides thought leadership and research on key issues related to climate change mitigation in developing countries under the following key focal areas:  Energy- Environment and Climate Change, Energy- Poverty and Development, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Energy Systems Analysis & Planning. 

Global demand for climate technologies is growing fast and every region is keen to drive local economic development and grow local industries that can meet a portion of this demand both locally and for exports.

Fuel cells are used to produce electricity. They are considered a promising technology to replace conventional combustion engines in vehicles. Fuel cells may also replace batteries in portable electronic equipment. The most widely used types of fuel cells for mobile devices are Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells (PEM FC) which are often used in vehicles, and Direct Methanol fuel cells, used in portable applications. PEM fuel cells use hydrogen or certain alcohols such as methanol as fuel.

Hybrid technology systems combine two or more technologies with the aim to achieve efficient systems. Possible combinations are: wind-solar photovoltaic (PV) hybrid systems, wind-diesel hybrid systems, fuel cell-gas turbine hybrid systems, wind-fuel cell hybrid systems, etc. (see the short descriptions below). Hybrid systems combine numerous electricity production and storage units to meet the energy demands of a given facility or community (Solar Energy Technologies Program, 2006).

Description of the project

This technology provides materials and methods for the production of activated carbons from biochar where such activated carbons have specific area and pore volume characteristics. The activated carbons may be used for any purpose necessitating the need for them such as water purification air-cleaning solvent recovery catalyst supports and as an energy storage form. They may also be useful in the production of a super anode for a super capacitor or battery.

Background: Currently several approaches are available for the preparation of ordered structures at different length scales most notably the nanoscale. Despite a wide variety of efforts in nanostructuring materials the fabrication of hierarchically ordered structures at multiple length scales has remained an experimental challenge. Hierarchically ordered structures can be observed in some natural systems such as diatoms and materials of this nature are important for the study of structure-property relations as well as applications in various technologies.

Background: The International Energy Agency and the European Union estimates that more than 10% of the electricity used in homes and offices are wasted by devices that are simply plugged into outlets. If the trend continues with this so called “Vampire-energy” use the wasted energy will rise to 49 terawatt hours by 2014.