Dentium has announced that its joint research initiative on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) with China's Zhejiang University has entered its main development phase. Following the successful completion of the initial single-cell research stage, the two institutions are set to expand the scope of their collaboration to focus on the development of multi-layer cell stacks.

The three-year project, running from September 2024 to August 2027, aims to realize a next-generation power system with enhanced energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. The research is focused on advancing all aspects of the core technology, including material composition, electrode and electrolyte manufacturing processes, and cell stack structural design.

Dentium has previously established a strong foundation in SOFC research by leading international joint projects with renowned European institutions. In its collaboration with Zhejiang University, Dentium is leveraging its proprietary zirconia powder to concentrate on in-depth technological development, with a primary focus on high-temperature stability and cell stack structural optimization.

Zhejiang University, a leading national university located in Hangzhou, is a prestigious research-oriented institution with world-class competitiveness in engineering and science. The university actively operates a robust industry-academia collaboration system designed to translate research achievements into technological and industrial applications, spearheaded by its Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center.

The Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center

The Center serves as a strategic platform led by Zhejiang University, concentrating strategic technologies and research talent. It acts as a forward base for exploring the industrialization potential and application scalability of advanced technologies. It plays a pivotal role in connecting the university's high-level technical and human resources with the industrial sector and maintains a framework for close cooperation with leading domestic and international research institutions and corporations.

The potential for industrialization is further heightened by the project's leadership. The head of the research team at Zhejiang University's College of Energy Engineering also took on the role of Director of the Hangzhou Innovation Center in June of this year. In this joint study, this team is leading the subsequent research phase to enhance cell stack performance, building upon the foundational single-cell study.

The project is structured in two main phases. Phase 1, which is now complete, centered on foundational research, including the development of a single-cell prototype, material design for the electrolyte and electrodes, and ensuring thermal stability in high-temperature environments. This stage concluded with key technology reviews and electrochemical performance evaluations at the cell level. Phase 2 will now expand to a stacked cell structure, where performance reviews will focus on ensuring structural precision and stability.

A representative from Dentium stated, "Our collaboration with Zhejiang University is a strategic partnership that goes beyond simple technology exchange to jointly explore academic research and practical applications. The university's research team has a high degree of international credibility, and the initial cell development has progressed very smoothly." They added, "We are confident that Dentium's expertise in material development and precision manufacturing will play a substantive role in the SOFC field."