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Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research at SRI International
• Nanostructured films with high
surface areas to safely store
hydrogen in systems that will meet
Department of Energy (DOE) energy
storage targets
SRI also has the expertise and capa-
bility to evaluate the performance,
stability, and safety of hydrogen
storage materials and devices.
Hydrogen Safety
Clients work with SRI to under-
stand how hydrogen can be used
From ensuring the safety of hydrogen
infrastructure to developing new
fuel cell systems, SRI research
enables fuel cell commercialization.
Hydrogen Production and Storage
Emerging market needs for portable
power and transportation applica-
tions are creating opportunities to
develop novel hydrogen production
and storage systems. SRI works
with clients to address needs in
research areas such as
• High-temperature membranes
to produce hydrogen via water
electrolysis
• Chemical systems to produce
hydrogen and oxygen through the
reaction of aluminum and peroxides
or other chemistries, including novel
chemical hydrides
• Green production processes for
high-energy density hydrogen
storage materials
This barrier wall response experiment is one of many hydrogen safety tests conducted by SRI.
Nickel-chrome (NiCr) belt and delaminated nano-grain, free standing aluminum film for hydrogen storage.
SRI enables fuel cell commercialization by leveraging expertise in hydrogen safety, materials science, fuel cells, and technology scale-up.
SRI International
safely in current or emerging
applications. Our hydrogen test
facility is located on a remote
480-acre site equipped to conduct
large-scale experiments, including
deflagrations and detonations in
open or confined spaces. Clients
use data from the experiments to
validate numerical models; develop
codes and standards; investigate
potential accident scenarios
involving vehicles, production, or
storage facilities; and identify risk
mitigation approaches.
Hydrogen can embrittle materials
and lead to their premature failure.
SRI offers unique tools, such as
Fracture Surface Topography
Analysis (FRASTA), to understand
how and why materials fail.
FRASTA uses a confocal microscope
to produce topographic maps of
fracture surfaces, manipulates
the conjugate topographs, reveals
the details of crack formation
and growth processes, and relates
them to fracture surface features
and microstructures. Through
FRASTA, researchers gain a detailed
understanding of factors contribut-
ing to hydrogen-assisted fracture
mechanisms.
Fuel Cells Fuel cells offer the promise of
producing clean energy at high
efficiency. SRI has been involved
in the design, construction, and
testing of fuel cells and semi-fuel
cells, reformation systems, and
components for more than 40
years. Recent work includes
• Membranes for use in high-
temperature fuel cells and direct
methanol fuel cells
• Microbial fuel cells that run on
wastewater. The cells operate with
novel oxidizers and cell structures
to enhance the power outputs
This coiled, high-purity nanostructured film is under development to address DOE hydrogen storage targets of 7.5 wt% hydrogen.
Physical vapor deposition system for making hydrogen-absorbing free-standing films.
SRI has performed numerous experiments to assess the consequences
of large-scale hydrogen releases and deflagrations in contained spaces,
including specific accident scenarios. The above images show exterior and
interior views from an experiment that simulates conditions in a vehicle tunnel.
SRI’s remote test facility in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• High-temperature fuel cells that can
use carbon or hydrocarbons directly
as fuel
• Fundamental research to explore
the effect of impurities on solid oxide
fuel cells
Advantages of Working with SRI
Commercial, government, and
international agencies seek SRI’s
expertise to work on complex,
multidisciplinary efforts. Recent
projects include studies for the U.S.
Department of Energy, Japan’s New
Energy and Industrial Technology
Development Organization, and the
International Energy Agency.
Benefits of working with SRI include
• Expertise in hydrogen and
infrastructure safety
• Experience with multiple fuel cell
technologies
• Multidisciplinary teams
• Excellent turnaround in taking
concepts from the lab to pilot scale
SRI research has yielded technol-
ogy that has been incorporated
into commercial products and
insights that have been included
This high-temperature membrane can be used in fuel cells or electrolyzers operated at temperatures higher than 100°C.
in a master’s degree program in
Hydrogen Safety Engineering by the
European Union’s HySafe organiza-
tion. SRI’s capabilities include an
experienced staff of more than
1,600 scientists with multidisci-
plinary backgrounds, specialized
facilities, industry expertise, and
an established record of bringing
complex projects to successful
completion.
Microbial fuel cell operating on effluent from a water treatment plant.
FRASTA helps establish the cause of structural failures and aids in the development of new, fracture-resistant materials (image on far right).
Hydrogen release experiment in full-scale model of a single-car garage.
About SRI International
Silicon Valley-based SRI
International, a nonprofit research
and development organization,
performs sponsored R&D for govern-
ments, businesses, and foundations.
SRI brings its innovations to the
marketplace through technology
licensing, new products, and spin-off
ventures. Commemorating its 65th
anniversary in 2011, SRI is known
for world-changing innovations in
computing, health and pharma-
ceuticals, chemistry and materials,
sensing, energy, education, national
defense, and more.
Headquarters: Silicon Valley
SRI International 333 Ravenswood Avenue
Menlo Park, California 94025-3493
650.859.2000
Washington, D.C.
SRI International 1100 Wilson Blvd., Suite 2800
Arlington, Virginia 22209-3915
703.524.2053
Princeton, NJ
SRI International Sarnoff 201 Washington Road
Princeton, New Jersey 08540-6449
609.734.2000
Additional U.S. and international
locations
www.sri.com
SRI International is a registered trademark of SRI International. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Copyright 2011 SRI International. All rights reserved. 02/11
S
Contact Us
Barbara Heydorn
Director
Center of Excellence in Energy
SRI International
333 Ravenswood Avenue
Menlo Park, CA 94025
650.859.5717
www.sri.com
Chris Lantman
Director
Commercial Business Development
Physical Sciences Division
650.859.5725
Image on front cover shows hydrogen jet fire experiment in visible, IR, and UV representations.
