USC, Korea Institute of Energy Research sign agreement for fuel cell research collaboration

The University of South Carolina announced an agreement Friday (June 17) to collaborate with one of Korea's most prestigious research institutes on fuel cell research.

The agreement, signed by Dr. Ik-Soo Choi, president of the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER), and USC President Andrew Sorensen, paves the way for USC and KIER to exchange scientific knowledge and encourages joint research programs in fuel cell technology and other energy initiatives.

Choi said the collaboration is a natural fit between two institutions, both of which have international reputations in fuel cell and energy research

"KIER is the only institute in Korea specializing in energy research. As such, KIER plays a crucial role in developing new technologies to support Korea's national energy policies," he said. "USC's College of Engineering and Information Technology is home to the National Science Foundation's only Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Fuel Cells.

"This collaboration will strengthen the fuel cell research under way at each institution and provide additional opportunities for our top scientists to conduct research that will benefit our nations' energy needs," Choi said.

Because the institutions already are recognized individually for their fuel cell research, the agreement underscores the growing importance of partnerships to further research in critical areas of need, including fuel cells and energy, health sciences, the environment and nanoscience, Sorensen said.

"USC is committed to forming partnerships with other institutions that have similar research strengths and goals. By bringing together the talents and resources of top scientists, we will enhance the research missions at each of our institutions and pave the way for discoveries in fuel cell technology," Sorensen said.

Scientists from KIER and USC will work on several areas of fuel cell development:

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), considered a possible replacement for internal combustion engines used in cars and other forms of transportation;

Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), which can be used for battery replacements in small, portable consumer products, including cell phones and lap top computers;

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), which could be used in residential power systems, auxiliary power units for vehicles or large utility power systems.

The agreement allows for a scientist exchange program between USC and KIER and also establishes guidelines for any patents and intellectual property rights developed through the institutions' research efforts.

The USC fuel cell group includes Drs. John Van Zee, Woo-Kum Lee, Branko Popov and Sirivatch Shimpalee, researchers from USC's College of Engineering and Information Technology.

USC houses the nation's only fuel cell research center that is funded by the National Science Foundation. The center fosters collaborative research among its industrial partners, who contribute nearly half a million dollars annually to the fuel cell research center. Among the partners are CD adapco Group, BASF AG, Bulk Molding Compounds Inc., DANA Corp., DuPont Fuel Cells, Eastman Chemical Co., Entegris Inc., FINNCHEM USA Inc., General Motors Corp., John Deere ePower Technologies, Plug Power Inc., Westinghouse Savannah River Co. LLC, Scribner Associates Inc., Showa Denko Carbon Sales Inc. and W.L. Gore & Associates Inc.