Microreactor to Produce Hydrogen (Technology #: 121903-01)

Lehigh University Office of Technology Transfer
posted on 04/22/2009

Description:

Lehigh University has developed a microreactor for carrying out methanol reforming for hydrogen production.

The microreactor has parallel micro-channels with a particle filter fabricated on a silicon substrate. This allows for on-chip heating and temperature sensing, trapping of catalyst particles, flow distribution, microfluidic interfacing, and thermal isolation. It also consists of radial flow configuration for carrying out reactions between gases. The microreactor can produce hydrogen for up to a 25 Watt fuel cell, and multiple microreactors can be used simultaneously for higher power capacities.

This technology is protected by United States patent 7,541,007 B2.

The Market:

There are many different markets in which hydrogen and hydrogen production is used. Hydrogen is said to be environmentally friendly, and scientists hope that someday it will replace oil and natural gas. The U.S. Department of Energy has said that hydrogen production is a priority for research and development, dedicating billions of dollars each year on such efforts.[1] The U.S. hydrogen market, including production and storage, was estimated to be $368 million in 2005, and it is expected to grow to over $1.6 billion in 2010.[2]

The Opportunity:

Lehigh is interested in licensing this technology.

About Lehigh University:

Lehigh University is a leading research university with an enrollment of approximately 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

For More Information on this Technology Contact:

Yatin S. Karpe, Ph.D.
Associate Director

Office of Technology Transfer
Lehigh University
354 Whitaker Laboratory
5 East Packer Ave.
Bethlehem, PA 18015

Phone: (610) 758-5841
Fax: (610) 758-5888 fax
Email: yatin.karpe@lehigh.edu
Web: http://www.lehigh.edu/ott html

Claire Casola

Licensing Coordinator

Foresight Science & Technology

Phone & Email: 401-273-4844 ext. 17; claire.casola@foresightst.com

http://www.foresightst.com/index.html

[1]"Hydrogen Market to Nearly Double To 1.5 Billion By 2008." 2004. Future Energies web site. http://www.futureenergies.com/modules.php? op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=806 (accessed September 23, 2010).

[2]"Hydrogen Market, Hydrogen R&D and Commercial Implication in The U.S. and E.U. to their offering." 2005. Research & Markets. A to Z Materials web site. http://www.azom.com/News.asp?NewsID=3376 (accessed September 23, 2010).

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Advantages

PEM fuel cells have potential energy storage densities of about 7 to 8 times that of the state-of-the art rechargeable batteries.

Innovation Details

Detailed Description

Portable electronic devices are constantly increasing in functionality, and thus continue to require increased amounts of power to maintain operation. Although rechargeable batteries have been instrumental in running laptops, cellular phones, digital cameras, and handheld computers, their charge carrying capacity is quickly approaching the theoretically maximum. Consequently, proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, with potential energy storage densities about 7 to 8 times that of the state-of-the art rechargeable batteries, have become a viable alternative to the battery as a portable power source. The given technology offers a working microreaction system for use as a sustained source of hydrogen fuel for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells through catalytic steam reforming of methanol.

File Number: 121903-01

Web site: http://www.lehigh.edu/ott

Other Information: A U.S. provisional patent and utility patent application have been filed. *Inventors:*
"Mayuresh Kothare":http://expert1.cc.lehigh.edu/LehighE... Faculty R. L. McCann Associate Professor Chemical Engineering Ashish Pattekar Researcher Palo Alto Research Center Licensing Opportunities: ● Exclusive ● Non-exclusive ● Research Sponsorship ● Product Development Partnerships (PDP) Contact Information: Office of Technology Transfer Lehigh University 354 Whitaker Laboratory 5 East Packer Ave. Bethlehem, PA 18015 Phone: (610) 758-5841 Fax: (610) 758-5888

IP Protection

Patent Number(s):	2004/0179980

License Online

This innovation currently is not available for online licensing. Please contact Yatin Karpe at Lehigh University Office of Technology Transfer for more information.

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