NexTech Materials, Ltd., a leading provider of technology solutions to the solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) market, has signed an agreement with Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited, a leading developer of high efficiency and low emission distributed electricity generation systems, to commercially offer protective interconnect coating solutions based on CFCL's patented formulations. SOFC developers and integrators can now obtain form NexTech an integrated solution combining CFCL's patented interconnect coating technology and NexTech's materials synthesis and deposition expertise.
NexTech has demonstrated aerosol spray deposition of SOFC interconnect protective coatings through a flexible, high volume process that can cost effectively apply protective layers to a range of interconnect geometries and features. The company has implemented a pilot-scale manufacturing line in its Lewis Center, Ohio facility to coat hundreds of interconnects per day, as large at 40 x 45 cm. The technology is also suitable for the coating balance of plant components.
The CFCL-patented material composition, a patented manganese cobalt oxide spinel, provides a coating particularly well-suited to preventing chrome volatilization and poisoning of SOFC cathodes. NexTech has demonstrated aerosol-deposited coatings of this material provide an effective barrier against Cr diffusion for thousands of hours. Ongoing research at NexTech seeks to continue to optimize process economics and demonstrate coatings in a variety of designs.
The agreement between the two companies provides SOFC OEMs open access to proven materials and processes with the option to directly purchase coated components from NexTech. Further, process optimization services are available which provide the professionalism and discretion that are hallmarks of NexTech Commercial Services. NexTech is seeking opportunities to partner with developers to optimize the process for specific manufacturing approaches.
This joint announcement provides evidence of the growing SOFC supply chain in the State of Ohio providing cutting edge technology to developers on the world stage. NexTech's CEO, William Dawson, stated, "We are very pleased to be working with the team at CFCL who are world leaders in implementation of fuel cells for highly efficient combined heat and power systems". Dr Karl Föger, Chief Technology Officer of CFCL remarked upon the agreement as well, stating, "We are delighted to licence our patented coating technology to NexTech. We are confident NexTech will find a growing market among many solid oxide fuel cell developers."