TransForum Vol. 5, No. 2

DOE Officials Visit Argonne's Transportation Facilities

Energy Secretary Samuel L. Bodman (right) tours the Advanced Powertrain Research Facility with Larry Johnson, director of Argonnes Transportation R&D Center. Johnson describes MATT HIL, Argonnes Mobile Automotive Technology Testbed Hardware-in-the-Loop.

Secretary Bodman listens to chemist Deborah Myers explain Argonnes fuel-cell research in front of a 30-kW polymer electrolyte fuel-cell stack.

Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman and Office of Science Director Ray Orbach visited Argonnes Advanced Powertrain Research Facility on May 6, 2005, after participating in a ceremony at the Laboratorys Center for Nanoscale Materials, which is currently under construction.

The centerpiece of Argonnes transportation research activities, the Advanced Powertrain Research Facility is the nations premier hybrid vehicle test laboratory, where the latest equipment and state-of-the-art transportation technology come together for development.

Bob Larsen, Director of Argonnes Center for Transportation Research, noted that Secretary Bodman aims to establish a stronger link between basic and applied science. "That bodes well for our work," Larsen remarked. "Were devoting ourselves to technologies that benefit the nation."

During the visit, Bodman rode in a Ford Hybrid Escape while mechanical engineer Michael Duoba ran the truck on Argonnes four-wheel-drive dynamometer. Throughout the drive, details of the vehicles hybrid operation could be observed in real time on a monitor as engine emissions and fuel economy data were collected.

Bodman and Orbach were each presented with an Advanced Test Vehicle Drivers License by Transportation Technology R&D Center Director Larry Johnson.

While in the APRF test cell, the guests witnessed the following equipment at work:

• The nations first hydrogen-capable four-wheel-drive dynamometer that can test diesel, gasoline, and electric vehicles up to 14,000 pounds;
• An extensive data acquisition system designed exclusively for testing fuel cell, hydrogen, hybrid electric, and electric vehicles; and
• One of the worlds most precise emissions testing systems for gasoline, alternative fuels, and diesel-powered vehicles, with the capability to measure exhaust emissions from "super-ultra-low" emissions vehicles (SULEV).

Engineer Steve Ciatti exhibited some of Argonnes recent advances in understanding diesel combustion. Using sophisticated tools, including a visioscope, thermophoretic sampling, and transmission electron microscopy, Argonne scientists explore engine combustion to improve efficiency and reduce emissions. Ciatti demonstrated Argonnes ability to perform real-time imaging of a 1.9-L Mercedes diesel engine. Researchers can see soot as it forms and decomposes during combustion. Argonne researchers pioneered the use of x-ray beams to penetrate diesel engine fuel injector sprays to improve combustion. The Transportation Technology R&D Center is working to develop cleaner and more efficient diesels to cut down on fuel imports and to further clean exhaust from these engines. Diesels are popular for use in automobiles in other countries and in power construction equipment, semi-trucks, and trains.

Chemist Deborah Myers explained Argonnes role in developing new materials for fuel cells to Bodman and Orbach. Argonne researchers, including Myers, are working on many aspects of fuel cells to reduce costs and improve performance, which will speed the development of fuel cells for stationary and transportation applications. Argonne is also working on low-cost catalysts to replace the expensive platinum currently used in polymer electrolyte fuel cells for automotive propulsion power. Argonne is developing polymer electrolyte membranes to operate at higher temperatures and under low-humidity conditions to reduce system cost, size, and complexity. The Laboratory is also developing a new design and fabrication process for solid oxide fuel cells that addresses the main issues facing the use of these cells (cost and durability), especially for portable applications. This novel design, dubbed "TuffCell," supports the cell on a rugged, inexpensive metal, rather than a brittle, expensive ceramic, and incorporates sealing of the fuel chamber into the single-cell fabrication process. The TuffCell design lowers the stack cost and improves the mechanical strength, thermal cyclability, and seal durability.

Funding of Argonnes transportation research and development work comes primarily from two programs in the U.S. Department of Energys Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: the FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies Program and the Hydrogen, Fuel Cells & Infrastructure Technologies Program.

Johnson described Argonnes transportation research program as the most varied in the national laboratory system, adding that "being in the Midwest, we are ideally located to work closely with the auto manufacturers, truck engine manufacturers, and the supplier industry."

November 3, 2005