Alfred University (AU) recently announced that will collaborate with Solid Cell, Rochester, N.Y., on a state-funded project to improve solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is funding the work, which will include development of ceramic interconnects and innovative ceramic circuits for SOFCs. Having completed a ceramic interconnect proof-of-concept research project during the summer of 2011, Olivia Graeve, associate professor of materials science in the Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering at Alfred University, is heading up the research project.

Solid Cell came “to AU because of our internationally recognized expertise in ceramic technology,” said Matthew Hall, director of the New York State Center for Advanced Ceramic Technology (CACT) at AU. The CACT facilitates industrial-academic collaborations.

Graeve and her team will receive $70,000 from Solid Cell to work on ceramic interconnects for solid oxide fuel cells. The state funding will be matched by $14,000 from the CACT, according to Hall. This will be a one-year project with one graduate student.

For more information, visit www.alfred.edu.