The aviation industry has recently set a target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, which is an incredibly difficult challenge given the structure of the aviation industry and the energy density of jet fuel. The Aviation Climate Taskforce (ACT), the Seeker for this Challenge, was launched by 10 global airlines to accelerate breakthroughs across a portfolio of emerging decarbonization technologies by 10 years or more. One such technology is the use of solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOEC) to produce green hydrogen for the production of synthetic jet fuel. Although potentially more efficient than other electrolysis technologies, SOEC suffers from material degradation that make it expensive to maintain and operate. ACT is seeking solutions to mitigate degradation in SOEC.
The aviation industry is responsible for just 2% of global CO2 emissions but still amounts to nearly a billion metric tons of CO2 released. With increased electrification of other carbon sources, this percentage will rise unless action is taken. The aviation industry has set a target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 but considering the structure of the industry and the energy density of jet fuel this is an incredibly difficult challenge. The Aviation Climate Taskforce (ACT) was launched by 10 global airlines to accelerate breakthroughs across a portfolio of emerging decarbonization technologies by 10 years or more.
One route to decarbonization is the use of power-to-liquid synthetic jet fuel (Jet A-1) produced using syngas derived from green hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide. Green hydrogen is produced by the electrolysis of water typically using one of three electrolysis technologies: alkaline electrolysis, solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOEC), and polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolysis. SOEC is potentially more efficient than other electrolysis technologies but suffers from material degradation issues such as delamination at the anode and nickel sintering at the cathode that make it expensive to maintain and operate. ACT is looking for ideas and solutions to mitigate the degradation and corrosions that are common in SOEC. New designs or substitution of materials can both be considered. ACT is interested in supporting further research in this work and follow-on funding may be available for the most promising solutions.
Awards:- There is a guaranteed award. The award(s) will be paid to the best submission(s) as solely determined by the Seeker. The total payout will be $20,000, with at least one award being no smaller than $5,000 and no award being smaller than $2,500.
Deadline:- 12-12-2022
