The transportation system is a major source of emissions of carbon dioxide. Fuel cell vehicles operating on renewable generated hydrogen is one of ways to remove carbon from the transportation system. The main barriers for adoption of this technology is cost and hydrogen infrastructure. The life cost of fuel-cell systems can be addressed by making the fuel cell more durable. Specific challenges for fuel cell development are examined.
Bio-sketch: Tom Fuller is a Professor at the of the Georgia Tech Research Institute and the School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering with a research program in fuel cell and battery technology. Prior to his academic career he was Director of Engineering at United Technologies, and an officer in the U.S. Navy.
His current research program includes:
- Analysis and mathematical modeling of electrochemical systems for energy conversion and storage
- Investigating durability of batteries and fuel cells, particularly for transportation applications, with the objective of predicting life and developing mitigation strategies for specific failure mechanisms
- Applying concentration solution theory to measure and correlate transport properties of electrolytes used in fuel cells and batteries
- B.S. 1982, University of Utah
- Ph.D. 1992, University of California, Berkeley
- Fellow of the Electrochemical Society
- Research Award of the Energy Technology Division of the Electrochemical Society, 2008.
- Awarded Navy Commendation Medal in 2001