Potential non-NASA applications for this OER catalyst are energy storage for use with intermittent renewable sources such as solar, tidal, and wind power, hydrogen and oxygen generation for residential and stationary applications, efficient generation of hydrogen fuel using off-peak electricity, O2 generation for medical applications such as hospitals, deployed field hospitals and portable O2 concentrators. In addition, mixed metal oxide catalyst can have immediate use for gas sensing applications to detect numerous toxic, poisonous and otherwise harmful gases.
Some of the potential NASA applications for the advanced OER catalyst are listed below. The advanced OER catalyst developed in this project can replace the current state-of-the-art anode catalysts in the following applications: 1. Electrolyzers in regenerative fuel cell systems for storing energy in the form of hydrogen and oxygen via water electrolysis (lunar and planetary fixed base energy storage, recharge of lunar rovers, portable power fuel cells, etc.). 2. PEM electrolyzers systems for oxygen generation (for environmental control, crew life support, replenishing the oxygen for cabin, pre-breath oxygen delivery unit prior to space walking, propulsion for in-space maneuvering, in-space science activities, etc.). 3. Electrochemical oxygen concentrators (oxygen concentration from cabin air for medical emergencies, portable back-up oxygen storage, etc.).
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