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CENTER FOR CLEAN ENERGY ENGINEERING
Presentation Announcement
Seminar Topic:
PEM Electrolysis Technology
Presented By:
Dr. Kathy Ayers, Director of Research ,
Date:
Proton Energy Systems
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Time:
10:00 AM (refreshments will be available at 9:45 am)
Location:
C2E2 Room 104
Abstract: Pure hydrogen is used in a variety of industrial applications, including acting as a cooling
fluid for power plant turbine generators, a reducing atmosphere for heat treating and semiconductor
processing, and as a carrier gas for spectroscopic applications such as gas chromatography. Proton
exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis produces very pure hydrogen, with none of the typical catalyst
poisons that may be found in hydrogen produced from reforming. PEM electrolysis has been known
for over 50 years, starting from GE technology, and is cost-competitive with delivered hydrogen for
these applications. However, interest in hydrogen for energy applications has increased the need to
decrease capital cost and increase efficiency of electrolysis and other generation methods. Proton
Energy Systems is currently the world leader in manufacturing of PEM hydrogen generation products
using electrolysis, with over 1300 units in the field. This seminar will discuss recent progress and
current limitations in cell stack materials, component design, and system operation for Proton’s
electrolysis technology.
About the Author: Dr. Katherine Ayers is the Director of Research at Proton Energy Systems. She
is responsible for developing the long term research direction for improvements in performance,
reliability, and cost of Proton’s commercial electrolysis cell stacks as well as high pressure cell stacks
and regenerative fuel cells. She has served as Principal Investigator on multiple SBIR projects for the
National Science Foundation and Department of Energy, and was recently awarded an ARPA-E grant.
Dr. Ayers joined Proton Energy Systems in July 2007. Before joining Proton Energy Systems, she
served as Staff Technology Engineer and team leader for 10 years at Energizer Battery Company. Dr.
Ayers holds a Ph.D. from Caltech and B.S in Chemistry/Chemical Physics at the University of
California, San Diego.
Contact:
Dr. Prabhakar Singh
Director, Center for Clean Energy Engineering
UTC Endowed Chair Professor in Fuel Cell Technology
Center for Clean Energy Engineering
44 Weaver Road, Unit 5233
Storrs, CT 06269-5233
Email: [email protected]