University of Bergen

The Department of Physics and Technology offer Bachelor and Masters degrees as well as research projects aimed at PhD degrees in physics, process technology and nanotechnology, all relevant for the energy conversion industry, including hydrogen-related energy technology. Research in hydrogen-related technology is within the field of fuel cells, particularly solid oxide fuel cells but expanding into other types. These activities are in collaboration with CMR Prototech AS.

The research has been concentrated in two areas:

A range of oxide nanoparticles relevant for ceramic fuel cells have been produced using a new, patented concept of the sol-gel process.  These particles have been sintered to produce functional materials, specifically electrolytes and anodes. Both powders and functional materials have been characterized using a range of analysis techniques. Work is now in progress to produce thin layers for a new concept of planar solid oxide fuel cells.

A comprehensive numerical model for an SOFC cell combining CFD with modelling of the chemical reactions and heat flows has been built. The working of a variety of solid oxide fuel cell concepts has been investigated using this model. Another modelling effort concentrates on building a molecular model for the working of solid oxide fuel cell electrolytes. The influence of the configuration of the material, particularly the arrangement of the dopant ions and the effect of realistic grain boundaries, on the ion conductivity of the material is being investigated in this way.

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