(April 10, 2015) Scientists
from South Carolina's leading public universities—the University of South
Carolina and Clemson University—have made a discovery that could dramatically
improve the efficiency of batteries and fuel cells.
The research, which is published in the journal Nature
Communications, involves improving the transport of oxygen ions, a key
component in converting chemical reactions into electricity. The team studied a
well-known material, gadolinium doped ceria (GDC), which transports oxygen ions
and is currently in use as a solid oxide fuel cell electrolyte. Through the use
of additives and a "smart" chemical reaction, they demonstrated a
greatly enhanced conductivity in GDC. The result is a faster and more efficient
conversion into electricity.