3D打印轻质燃料电池问世 首次达到航空航天应用所需的比功率指标

Core Insights - A research team from the Technical University of Denmark has achieved a breakthrough in fuel cell technology by developing a lightweight fuel cell using 3D printing and special geometric designs, meeting the power-to-weight ratio required for aerospace applications, potentially paving the way for green energy solutions in aerospace [1] Group 1: Fuel Cell Design and Structure - The new fuel cell is entirely made of ceramic and produced through 3D printing, addressing the weight limitations of traditional metal components, which account for over 75% of the system's total weight [1] - The design features a "triple periodic minimal surface" structure, commonly found in lightweight and high-strength structures in nature, such as butterfly wings, resulting in a robust and lightweight fuel cell with a surface area that maximizes output [1] Group 2: Performance and Efficiency - The new design exhibits outstanding operational performance, with a porous structure that enhances gas flow and heat distribution, significantly improving mechanical stability [2] - In electrolysis mode, the hydrogen production rate of this new fuel cell is nearly 10 times that of traditional designs, demonstrating its efficiency under extreme conditions [2] Group 3: Implications for Aerospace Applications - The resilience of the new fuel cell design is crucial for space exploration, as it can potentially replace bulky systems currently in use, such as NASA's Mars oxygen resource utilization experiment, which relies on over 6 tons of equipment [2] - The new design could achieve similar performance with a weight of less than 1 ton, significantly reducing launch costs and simplifying the manufacturing process, which requires only five steps and eliminates the need for metal components and sealing materials [2]