Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance (SECA)
Core Technology Program
The SECA Core Technology Program element, made up of universities, national laboratories, small businesses, and other R&D organizations, addresses applied technological issues common to all Industry Teams. The federal government management facilitates interaction between Industry Teams and the Core Technology Program and establishes technical priorities and approaches. This program structure, along with special intellectual property provisions (exception to the Bayh-Dole Act), reduces R&D cost by leveraging resources so that the Industry Teams do not engage in separate, redundant applied research programs, paying multiple times for the same technical solutions. Diligent DOE management of the Core Technology Program with this approach also ensures that only major issues are addressed.
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| 2010 SECA Core Technology & Other Partners (click image to enlarge) |
The Core Technology Program provides comprehensive applied research support in nine focus areas. SECA's goal is to raise the technology bar in large strides rather than small steps. Core Technology Program areas of research are also funded by special topics under DOE Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer, and Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCOR) solicitations. The Core Technology Program focus areas include the following:
| Focus Area |
Description |
| Cathodes |
Improve the stability and performance of fuel cell cathodes using state-of-the-art concepts and methodologies. |
| Anodes and Coal Contaminants |
Determine potential coal syngas contaminants and their impact on anode performance. |
| Interconnects and Contact Materials |
Develop stable, low-cost metallic interconnects and interconnect contact materials operating in the temperature range of 650 to 850°C with acceptably low area-specific resistance (ASR) and stability over the service lifetime. |
| Seals |
Develop materials and designs exhibiting adequate sealing performance with the requisite chemical and phase stability in long-term service. |
| Cross-Cutting Materials and Manufacturing |
Develop materials and manufacturing technologies that improve fuel cell reliability, performance, and ability to tolerate any fuel or air contaminants, and that achieve cost reductions. |
| Fuel Processing |
Develop fuel processing technologies that will meet application requirements such as zero water consumption, space and volume constraints, and transient capability. |
| Power Electronics |
Optimize efficiency and cost in conversion of fuel cell output to usable DC (direct current) and AC (alternating current) power. |
| Modeling and Simulation |
Create models to determine a reliable operating space and to guide manufacturing. |
| Balance of Plant |
Develop high-temperature heat exchangers and blowers to enable high system efficiency and low cost. |
Across the United States, SECA Core Technology Program participants are working on dozens of fuel cell projects, led by the brightest minds from leading universities, national laboratories and businesses. These competitively-selected projects provide vital R&D and testing in support of the Industry Teams.
List of SECA Core Projects
Cathodes
Anodes and Coal Contaminants
Interconnects and Contact Materials
Seals
Cross-Cutting Materials and Manufacturing
Fuel Processing
Modeling and Simulation
Balance of Plant
Innovative Concepts
Advanced Research
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