Super-lattice materials and fuel cell performance
U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory on July 31 that a kind of new materials with specific properties is expected to help people get more efficient fuel cells. Research articles published in the July 31 issue of "Science" magazine.
The new results from the combination of two crystals, can be greatly improved under the conditions close to room temperature ionic conductivity of the super-lattice material, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Materials Science and Technology Researchers Maria Warui pull and Sidifenpan what makes it completed the structural characteristics of this new material determination.
Typically, the solid oxide fuel cells require oxygen ions allows movement to the anode from the cathode ion conduction material (or solid electrolyte). However, the ion is much greater than the electron, atomic-level space is still not large enough, the smooth conduction of the material allows ions. Meanwhile, the other fuel cell materials force ions often through narrow channels, rather than ions jump from one hole to another hole, so transmission efficiency is low.
The researchers used to determine the structural properties of new materials is the main equipment 300 Oak Ridge National Laboratory Perspective kV Z-contrast scanning electron microscopy, the resolution of close to 0.6 Amy aberration correction. Obtained by the electron microscope images, the researchers reveal new material has super-ionic conductivity is due to the unique crystal structure of layered materials. Varela said that through the microscope, "we can see the close-packed but still ordered interface structure, this structure provides a broad ion conduction channel."
Varela said that the two materials with different crystal structure form a layered combination of new materials to solve the problem of ion channels. The reason is the mismatch of two crystal structures led to its junction deformation of the atomic arrangement has not occupied much space, resulting in a smooth transfer to ion channels. In the past, fuel cell materials are usually ionic conductivity at high temperature to the new materials under conditions close to room temperature, they have the ability to maintain the ionic conductivity. The researchers said that, in fact, the development of high temperature fuel cell technology, a major obstacle.
The new material, including the University of Madrid, including by the two researchers at the University of Spain joint research and development, new materials, they observed excellent ion conductivity, but with such a super-ionic conductivity structure of the material is not very clear. Oak Ridge National Laboratory personnel perspective using Z-contrast scanning electron microscope to help them get the answer.
Power Management Semiconductor Information
Power | Regulators management semiconductor company may have to comply with the "Innovation or death" credo, to an increasingly competitive market, to maintain survival.
Although power management semiconductors to maintain a healthy short-term growth projections for 2008 sales growth of 5% to about 27.7 billion U.S. dollars, but the longer-term prospects remain bleak.
Several quarters, iSuppli said the company constantly faced with the power management market turbulence, some companies more successful than other companies. iSuppli Corporation that the predatory power management market growing, some companies grow significantly – partly because industry growth, but mainly because the product's popularity, as well as OEM and ODM to start a fruitful cooperation.
At the same time, iSuppli predicts that some of the early introduction of innovative products, suppliers will be able to win from the hands of other vendors market share. Although many existing providers have been investing in the development of semiconductors for power management, new design, but some companies also face the emerging challenges in the design of the company. The design of these emerging market company has a great attack strategy, and away from competitors of existing business relationships.
For example, the switching regulator supplies the next five years will be difficult to maintain strong growth momentum in revenue, the only way out is the old company to increase its functionality and improve product quality, and the measures taken can not be smaller in Taiwan and mainland Chinese suppliers easily copied.
The prospects for the remainder of the year remains bright
Although the outlook uncertain, but the current situation of power management semiconductor market remain optimistic about the first quarter of 2008 decreased by only 1.6%, fell less than iSuppli's initial forecast of 3.5%, thanks to Japanese suppliers with good results for the fiscal year ending . Second quarter of 2008 demand is expected to grow, sales will increase 2.5% over the first quarter. Suppliers low inventory levels are close to seven years, but the number remains high, and continue on the average selling price (ASP) have a negative impact.
As for the second half of this year, iSuppli predicts third-quarter power management semiconductor market grew by 3.6% decline in fourth-quarter growth rate, estimated at 0.4%.
Data processing will be the most powerful application of the 2008 market, is expected to power management semiconductors will grow 9.5% a. iSuppli predicts Intel Montevina platform, driven by notebook PC power management will contribute to this year's 26.4% growth. On the contrary, cable communications platform will be the weakest performance in 2008, power management semiconductor market is expected to decline 1% this year.
U.S. consumer confidence index is an important factor affecting the market, the index in June together with the EU's confidence index fell to many people worried about the prospect of power management industry. As the current bleak economic outlook and rising oil prices are expected consumer confidence this year or in 2009 is unlikely to significantly change occurred.
Outlook brighter in 2009, the power management market is expected to increase by 6% compared to 2008. Switching regulator and low voltage power MOSFET in the next five years, rapid growth, iSuppli predicts the strongest growth will occur in the data processing field, the field is expected to reach 10% compound annual growth rate. The next five years will drive the growth of the power management market, including notebook computers (up 18.7%), LCD / Plasma (PDP) TVs (up 19.8%), automotive safety and control (13.3%) and mobile infrastructure equipment and home electrical appliances (up 9.5%). The above figures are compound annual growth rate.
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