On the occasion of the Sixth Session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic and Technological Cooperation, wishing to reaffirm their mutual commitment to the expansion and acceleration of the scientific and technical cooperation in the field of conversion of advanced defense technologies, Minatom of Russia and the Department of Energy of the United States announce their intent to create a Russian American Consortium on fuel elements.

This Consortium will advance the scientific and technical cooperation between our countries with the view to develop environmentally­benign, highly efficient, reliable and low­cost fuel cell power sources capable of finding their application in the Russian and American markets.

The main goal behind the creation of the Consortium is to perform joint research and development on critical technical challenges identified by the manufacturers and consumers of the fuel cell technology. In order to accomplish this, the Consortium will:

• coordinate research and development efforts in fuel cell technology that will result in a cost­effective application of the research and financial capabilities of the participants;

• fund priority fuel cell R&D to solve critical technical challenges and exchange the results in order to accelerate commercialization of fuel cell power sources;

• encourage the regime of nuclear non­proliferation through redirection of nuclear weapon expertise toward peaceful research in fuel cell technology;

• promote interaction between participants, pursue business contacts with consumers, stockholders and consortium members in order to identify and exchange information on the following issues: development of fuel cell technology, critical technical challenges, and technical capabilities to address those challenges in both countries.

In order for the Consortium to begin its operation as soon as possible, the Russian and American sides have identified top priority tasks on the following subjects:

1. Insulation materials for high­temperature fuel cells

The task is to develop effective insulation materials that can bond different materials (e.g. metals and ceramic) and resist high­temperature and corrosion environments.

2. Improved fuel processors

The task is to develop new materials and catalysts for hydrogen generation. New concepts for hydrogen generation from conventional fuel supply are needed in order tn expand fuel cell application (e.g. automotive industry).

3. Fuel cell metal corrosion

The Consortium will focus on studying the process of corrosion in a fuel cell.

SECRETARY OF ENERGY

OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
 
 
 

Signed By Hazel R. O'Leary

MINISTER OF THE RUSSIAN

FEDERATION FOR ATOMIC ENERGY
 
 
 

Signed By Viktor N. Mikhailov
 

Source: URL: http://www.eia.doe.gov/gorec/gcc20.html

Comments or questions? Contact Cristina Chuen at MIIS CNS: Cristina.ChuenATmiis.edu

This material is produced independently for NTI by the Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2002 by MIIS.

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