(377c) Small Business/University Collaboration on a National Science Foundation Sttr Program on PEM Fuel Cell Manufacturing

Faraday Technology, Inc, the University of South Carolina, and Case Western Reserve University are collaborating on a National Science Foundation Small Business Technology Transfer Research program. The objective of the program is the development of a low-cost manufacturing process for membrane electrode assemblies for PEM fuel cells. The program combines the technical expertize in electrode structure and catalyzation at the University of South Carolina and the technical expertize in development and fabrication of novel membranes at Case Western Reserve University with the process development knowledge and pilot-scale capabilities at Faraday Technology, Inc. to create a successful process/product. This presentation will describe the technology being developed, and the need for and synergy of the team members involved in the program. The advantages of collaboration, and some of the potential difficulties, will also be addressed.