The University of Florida is seeking companies interested in commercializing fuel-cell technology with improved range of use. Fuel cells combine oxygen and fuel to chemically generate electricity without combustion. The domestic market for this innovative energy source could grow to $975 million by the year 2012 according to some studies. Of the many existing fuel-cell technologies solid-oxide fuel cells have the distinct advantage of being able to use fuels other than hydrogen allowing for greater flexibility.

Background: Currently there is a surge in interest in fuel cell research as companies across the globe race to take advantage of the high energy capacity that fuel cells provide in comparison to other portable electrochemical systems. Many approaches to fuel cell technology use strong acid electrolytes. Such systems suffer from corrosion problems which limit their functional life. Despite significant research in the area there remains a need for higher-performance proton carriers for use in fuel cells.

Background: Fuel cells are promising energy sources with higher theoretical energy densities than batteries. Despite the significant effort invested in the development of micro-scale fuel cells by numerous institutes and companies active fuel-cell systems below a few centimeters in size have not been reported. Most existing miniature fuel cells are passive systems with poor fuel utilization.

A large rail track length globally is not electrified since electrification of these routes in many cases is not economically viable. On such routes, the dependence on diesel-powered engines continues which has implications for CO2 emissions as well as local air pollution. Using fuel cell that use hydrogen to drive the trains on such routes can result in reducing the CO2 emissions (especially if hydrogen production is done using sustainable approaches) and local pollution.