Novel Structured Metal Bipolar Plates for Low Cost Manufacturing Award Number: DE-EE0007732 CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6 Fuel Cell Technologies Office Date: 3/1/2017 Location(s): NJ Office(s): Golden Field Office
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March 15, 2017
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Novel Structured Metal Bipolar Plates for Low Cost Manufacturing
Award Number: DE-EE0007732
CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6
Fuel Cell Technologies Office
Date: 3/1/2017
Location(s): NJ
Office(s): Golden Field Office
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide federal funding to TreadStone Technologies, Inc. (TreadStone) to further develop the manufacturing process of TreadStone’s doped bipolar plates for use in proton exchange membrane hydrogen fuel cells. This project builds on work completed as part of a previous DOE project (DE-EE0000463). This project work would occur within the same laboratory where work was completed for the previous award, TreadStone’s leased research and development facility in Princeton, New Jersey. Testing would occur at both the TreadStone facility and the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute at the University of Hawaii.
Proposed project activities are designed to optimize TreadStone’s physical vapor deposition coating process, characterize the effectiveness of the optimized process, and evaluate the coating process on stamped 304 stainless steel bi-polar plates in operating fuel cell tests. All activities would take place in existing facilities designed for this type of research; therefore no modifications, new permits, additional licenses and/or authorizations would be necessary. No ground disturbing activities, no changes in operation of existing facilities, and no installation of equipment outdoors would occur at facilities involved in the project. Project facilities are equipped and outfitted for hydrogen fuel cell research and there are safety and handling protocols in place for handling hydrogen gas and other laboratory scale chemicals, gases, and compounds. These policies and procedures include safety programs, OSHA requirements for chemical hygiene, hazardous communications protocols, respiratory protection, and personal protective equipment. Handling and disposal of all waste (hazardous and non-hazardous) would be managed in accordance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations. DOE does not anticipate any impacts to resources of concern due to the proposed activities of the project.