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National Science Foundation (NSF)
officials and some of the nation’s top researchers in fuel
cell technology are meeting with USC researchers June
10–11 at the Adam’s Mark Hotel to discuss fuel cell
research and ways in which USC’s fuel cell research
initiatives can help commercialize the technology.
As a leader in fuel cell research, USC has been selected
by the NSF to be the nation’s first Industry/University
Cooperative Research Center for fuel cells.
The meeting will focus on launching the center, fostering
cooperative research between industry and the university,
and developing potential commercial applications. It
results from the Department of Chemical Engineering's
receipt of an NSF Planning Grant.
"Our role is to assist industry in moving toward the
commercialization of fuel-cell technology and in training
well-qualified engineers and scientists," said John Van
Zee, the principal investigator on the grant. "USC has
strong, well-established faculty and research facilities
in electrochemical technology, catalysis, and hydrogen
storage suitable for fuel-cell development."
For the past five years, faculty in the Department of
Chemical Engineering have conducted more than $6 million
in research for the U.S. Department of Energy and
industrial partners, including W.L. Gore, John Deere, and
BASF, to improve fuel cell components and systems.
Fuel cells may be important not just for vehicles, power
tools, or laptop computers, but also because of spin-off
technologies yet to be developed.
Van Zee said the center could have enormous economic
implications for the state, including relocation of
corporate research groups or the construction of
manufacturing, distribution, and assembly facilities.
Fuel cell research has been designated a high priority by
the Bush Administration. Just this week,
Daimler/Chrysler’s hydrogen-powered car, the NECAR 5,
completed a cross-country trip.
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