More about the programme
Future applications of high temperature fuel cells in addition to power generation, is an area of considerable excitement. There is growing interest in transport applications and the use of alternative fuels. High temperature fuel cells offer considerable promise for working with more complex fuels, such as biogas or reformed higher alkanes, as their high temperature of operation facilitates reforming engineering. Closely allied to these applications in fuel cell technology is the utilisation of electrochemical reactors for the industrially important electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons. In the long term solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology is foreseen to be a candidate for much more efficient electrolysis of steam and carbon dioxide.
It is, therefore clear that the high temperature electrochemical oxidation of hydrocarbons is an area of considerable strategic, environmental and economical importance. This programme should enable the participants to enhance their investigations of the processes involved in the solid state electrochemical oxidation of hydrocarbons and hence to develop new fuel cell materials and systems to meet the challenges of the new millennium. The aim of the programme is to facilitate exchange of ideas and development of common programmes of activity. This will be achieved by organising one workshop meeting each year, by regular exchange of personnel on short-term visits and by shared fellowships involving periods of research at two or more host laboratories.
