Machine Design
  • Resources
  • Members
  • Directory
  • Webinars
  • WISE
  • CAD Models
  • Advertise
    • Search
  • 3D Printing & CAD
  • AUTOMATION & IIOT
  • Robotics
  • Motion Systems
  • Materials
  • Video
  • Data Sheets
  • Topics
    Industry Markets3D Printing & CADAutomation & IIoTFastening & JoiningMaterialsMechanical & Motion Systems Medical DesignRobotics
    Resources
    Machine Design ResourcesWISE (Workers in Science & Engineering)Company DirectorySearch Data SheetsContributeDigital Edition ArchivesCSIA Exchange
    Members
    ContentBenefitsSubscribe
    Advertise
    https://www.facebook.com/MachineDesignMagazine/
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/10998894
    https://twitter.com/MachineDesign
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXKEiQ9dob20rIqTA7ONfJg
    1. Home

    Is there a “yttria stabilized zirconia” fuel cell in your future?

    Feb. 24, 2010
    If you happened to catch the 60 Minutes show on CBS Sunday night, you saw a segment on a new start-up that has developed a new kind of fuel cell called the Bloom box. The company seems to most notable because VC firms have invested over $100 million in ...
    Lee Teschler

    If you happened to catch the 60 Minutes show on CBS Sunday night, you saw a segment on a new start-up that has developed a new kind of fuel cell called the Bloom box. The company seems to most notable because VC firms have invested over $100 million in it so far, considered a huge investment in those kinds of circles.

    As I write this, the formal unveiling of the cell is today. The new development has it's share of skeptics. There is a nice piece about it at physorg.com and a HUGE comment section at the end. A writer at Wired Online looked up the patents taken out by inventor K.R. Sridhar.

    I watched the 60 Minutes segment. What was troubling was that Sridhar said his Bloom box could take natural gas as a fuel (actually it could take almost anything as a fuel) but he didn't give any kind of conversion efficiency figures. So it is hard to judge what kind of development this really is. His whole presentation on the show boiled down to a, "Sam tried it and he thinks it's great," type argument wherein he named some of the firms that have installed prototypes at over $700,000 a piece.

    Perhaps we'll all know more about this today.

    UPDATE: Well, after the unveiling, it seems the big claim to fame of the Bloom box is its elmination of precious metal ceramics in its construction. The founder says you might see one of these things in your home in "about a decade."

    Another plus: "Bloom servers are 60 percent cleaner than coal-fired power plants....." Well, I'm sure they are, but most new electric generation facilities are going to natural gas fuel sources which are themselves quite clean. Anyway, more coveage of the announcement and a lot of kibitzing in the comment section can be found here:

    http://www.physorg.com/news186246027.html

    Here is the Physorg.com piece: http://www.physorg.com/news186123245.html

    And here is the piece over at Wired: http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/02/is-bloom-energy%E2%80%99s-secret-ingredient-zirconia/

    ---------------

    Continue Reading

    Changemakers: Expanding our Understanding of the STEM Field

    5 for Friday: The Power of Collaboration; a Collaboration Around Power; and the Cost of Designing for Reliability

    Sponsored Recommendations

    Schmersal Product Demo: SLC BLE

    Oct. 31, 2023

    Safety Light Curtain Alignment 101

    Oct. 31, 2023

    Schmersal on Machine Safety: Manual Reset

    Oct. 31, 2023

    Please update your browser

    Oct. 31, 2023

    Voice your opinion!

    To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!

    I already have an account

    New

    Custom Machine Builder Develops Automation Solution That Increases Production Capacity Four-Fold

    The Future of Connected Worker Technology and Its Impact on Industrial Training

    Brushed vs Brushless Motors: Which is Best for your Application?

    Most Read

    How Much Should a Bolted Joint be Tightened?

    Cobots Double Weld Grinding Efficiency Without Replacing Human Know-How

    Digitally Transforming Data and Processes With Product Lifecycle Management

    Sponsored

    Schmersal Product Demo: SLC BLE

    The Altech Full Line of Terminal Blocks

    Altech Miniature Circuit Breaker Busbar Systems

    Machine Design
    https://www.facebook.com/MachineDesignMagazine/
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/10998894
    https://twitter.com/MachineDesign
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXKEiQ9dob20rIqTA7ONfJg
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Do Not Sell or Share
    • Privacy & Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Service
    © 2023 Endeavor Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
    Endeavor Business Media Logo