12-02 :: February/March 2012

nanotimes EU-Projects

The project team studied degradation processes and identified new materials to include in the devices. Working closely with researchers and industry, REAL- SOFC considered novel cost-effective materials, pro- tective coatings, low-cost components and improved manufacturing processes. It also worked on standar- dising test procedures as well as dissemination and training initiatives regarding the latest SOFC techno- logy in order to raise public awareness on the topic.

At the end of the project, the team made signifi- cant headway in different areas related to SOFC. It outlined state-of-the-art components necessary to advance SOFC, including the powders for cathodes, anodes and interlayers within the cells. The team op- timised cathode materials, produced dense yet thin internal layers to improve the cells and identified the most ideal conductive steels for them. These advan- ces in technology and several other developments will help propel SOFC research much further and bring industry much closer to producing much more efficient fuel cells.

Contact:RobertSteinberger-Wilckens,FZJuelich,Germany, Phone: +49-2461-615124: http://www.real-sofc.org

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waves. HF welding uses this property to soften the plastics for joining. To update the technique based on modern technology, give better energy efficiency and decrease electromagnetic radiation, the EU funded the project ‘New technique for radiation free energy saving and more versatile high frequency welding’ (Energy Saving Weld).

The overall aim was to develop a new technique with reduced electromagnetic radiation and energy consumption, while broadening the spectrum of materials that can be welded and enhancing the pro- ductivity of welding equipment.

Project partners developed a technical specifica- tion of a solid state HF generator with a theoretical energy efficiency of well over 70% compared to the efficiency of today‘s vacuum tube generators that seldom reach over 50%. The solid state HF genera- tor was much smaller than conventional HF welding machines emitting about 40% less electromagnetic radiation. Also, the energy consumption was reduced by 80% making this new machine more cost effec- tive.

Furthermore, the consortium tested several new ma- terials which were found to be HF weldable, along- side others that required manipulation and additives such as HF active films or coatings.

High Frequency Welding Becomes Highly Efficient

A European consortium improved high frequency (HF) welding by developing a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective machine. Certain plastics with chemical dipoles, such as PVC, polyamides (PA) and acetates can be heated with HF electromagnetic

Contact: Björn Jönsson, Fiab HF Aktiebolag Lysekil, Swe- den, Phone: +46-523-15040: http://www.fiabhf.se