Cy Fujimoto

Sandia researcher Cy Fujimoto demonstrates his new flexible hydrocarbon polymer electrolyte membrane, which could be a key factor in realizing a hydrogen car. (Photo by Randy Montoya)
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Sandia researcher Cy Fujimoto demonstrates his new flexible hydrocarbon polymer electrolyte membrane, which could be a key factor in realizing a hydrogen car. (Photo by Randy Montoya)
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Sandia researcher Cy Fujimoto has developed a PEM using a different material that appears to be as durable as current PEMs but which also operates well in both dry and humid environments, unlike current PEMs.

"The findings have been quite intriguing and may impact the future of hydrogen cars," Fujimoto said.

In recent tests, the Sandia polymer outperformed current state-of-the-art fuel cells in two categories. The new Sandia PEM material evolved from an earlier generation Fujimoto and former Sandian Chris Cornelius developed five years ago that operate at elevated temperatures.

The early Sandia fuel cell material, however, was not specifically designed for automotive applications. Fujimoto is making adjustments so that it will suit automakers' needs, which include high proton conductivity at high temperature and at low water content.

Fujimoto anticipates that the new materials he developed over the past year and a half will make the Sandia PEM perform better at low relative humidity.
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Fujimoto compares the current state of PEMs to a path in a park.
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Working through Sandia's Intellectual Project Management, Alliances & Licensing Department, Fujimoto is collaborating with a consortium of automobile manufacturers to build the better PEM. He says a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) and possible licensing of the technology are forthcoming.

Before the collaboration can proceed much further, he says, he needs to come up with a way to "scale up the chemistry" so the membrane can be mass-produced at a low cost.

"We have to get the cost of manufacturing the membrane below $25 per square meter for the method to be practical for cars," Fujimoto says.

SANDIA RESEARCHERS Cy Fujimoto, left, and Chris Cornelius hold a test micro fuel cell with the Sandia membrane.
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Next to Fujimoto is a micro fuel test station. (Photo by Randy Montoya)

Researcher Cy Fujimoto of the Sandia National Laboratories is developing a new type of polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cells.

Graduate student Cy Fujimoto was purifying benzene by heating it in a distillation device and, according to the investigation, a pressure buildup within the system forced hot benzene vapor to escape the flask.

The actual cause of the pressure buildup and the source that eventually ignited the benzene vapor to explode are still unknown, the report stated.

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Fujimoto suffered first- and second-degree burns on his face, neck, leg and right arm but has fully recovered by now, according to UCI officials.

The report stated that wearing "an appropriate lab coat and gloves may have reduced the extent and severity" of the graduate student's burns from the incident.

But the report also noted that the university's practice of safety training for all laboratory workers and periodic inspections enhanced the general safety of laboratory activities.

The lack of sprinklers in most of Reines Hall ‚ except for the basement ‚ does not violate the fire code, according to the report and to campus officials.

Of the new SPEA material that Cornelius and Sandia researcher Cy Fujimoto developed, Cornelius says, "Validation of this material as a Nafion alternative would be a significant achievement, an accomplishment we strongly desire."

Graduate student Cy Fujimoto was adjusting equipment during a chemistry experiment involving a sodium compound and benzene when the chemicals exploded and the fire broke out.

At least two windows facing the University Club and overlooking the loading dock were blown out in the blast and fire.

Other windows were knocked out by firefighters to draw the smoke from inside the building.

Fujimoto, 28, suffered second-degree burns on his face, arms and one leg, but was able to walk out of the building.He has since fully recovered.About 100 people were evacuated from Reines Hall.

The laboratories will be ready for use by spring.

The city is planning to annex a huge swath of land in the northern end of Irvine.

Of the new SPEA material that Cornelius and Sandia researcher Cy Fujimoto developed, Cornelius says, "Validation of this material as a Nafion alternative would be a significant achievement, an accomplishment we strongly desire."

The fire started on the second floor of the east wing of Reines Hall when graduate student Cy Fujimoto was purifying benzene, a flammable liquid.The experiment exploded when the equipment broke and oxygen mixed with the volatile chemicals.
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Fujimoto, a student of Evans', suffered second-degree burns on his face, right arm and right calf.
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Fujimoto received his doctoral degree in November and is working at Sandia National Laboratory in New Mexico.Besides the area where Fujimoto and other students were working, smoke and water damaged an adjacent lab on the second-floor lab and rooms below, including Chancellor Ralph J. Cicerone's lab.Cleanup costs were $1 million.