The direct conversion of chemical energy in a fuel cell has been one of the most challenging technological problems since a simple hydrogen/oxygen fuel cell was first demonstrated 150 years ago by Groves at the London Institution. Aqueous electrolyte fuel cells have been successfully used in space to power electrical equipment in the Apollo spacecraft and in the space shuttle, but terrestrial applications have been principally limited to a few specialized military and telecommunication applications.

In the original concept of a fuel cell, a primary fuel (e.g., hydrogen, hydrocarbon) is reacted with oxygen in an electrochemical cell incorporating an acid electrolyte, namely:

so as to convert the free energy of oxidation (ΔG°) of the fuel to carbon dioxide and water directly into electrical energy.

Fuel cells are attractive in that theoretical thermodynamic energy/fuel conversion ratios given by the appropriate value of ΔG°/ΔH° (free energy change/enthalpy change) can be very high (e.g., ~95% for H2/O2 reaction at 298 K) compared to the limitations imposed on heat engines by the Carnot cycle efficiency, (T2−T1)/T2. However, in practice it has proved difficult to realize the high electrical/fuel conversion efficiencies promised by fuel cell systems. This is caused by problems associated with the electrochemical kinetics and/or the requirement that in the Faradaic reaction both mass and electron transfer must occur in a spatially restricted region where an electrode, an electrolyte, and one of the reacting phases (usually a gas) are in intimate contact. This region is often referred to as the three-phase boundary.

The main concept of intelligent materials processing systems is to have online control during processing. Successful implementation of on-line control of materials processing from the total manufacturing point of view involves full integration of design, procurement, control of incoming components, manufacture, assembly, handling, packaging, and distribution.

There are three primary concerns if on-line control of materials processing is to be successful:

1. Definitive understanding of the process. Process models need to be developed which will bring forth an understanding of the processing variables.

2. Sensors that can interrogate the processes in a manner that allows for process control. Sensing is needed throughout the processing steps so that one can determine and measure various indices and the significant parameters … as borne out by physical and mathematical modeling.

3. Armed with the above, process controls are established to compare the on-line feedback obtained from sensors with the process models. When deviations are observed, measures are taken to change the processing variables so that the operation will yield a “quality” product. Intrinsic to process control is a clear definition of the properties required at the end of individual steps and the relation of the intermediate properties to those specified for the material when the total processing is completed. In fact, only in the light of a definition of the properties and the processes is it possible to define the parameters that can be monitored for on-line control.

The Division of Applied Physics of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization performs research in the physical sciences to benefit Australian industry and also staffs the National Measurement Laboratory, underpinning the Australian measurement system. CSIRO is the major government-funded research organization in Australia, employing approximately 7,000 people, based in 30 divisions, and whose interests range from the agricultural and livestock areas through prospecting, mining, and manufacturing to information and communication technologies. The general mix of work in the divisions includes a proportion of basic science and a significant involvement in contract research with relevant Australian industries.

The Division of Applied Physics is one of the oldest divisions and celebrates its 50th Jubilee in 1988. This year is also the 200th anniversary of European settlement in Australia and the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Australian Institute of Physics. It was a busy year for the laboratory!

Materials science research in the Division developed from the needs of the standards research program, passed through a period of primarily basic research, and now concentrates on industrial research and the underlying basic research. Four areas which exemplify this progression toward applied research and development are described in this article.

Thin film research started in the Division in the 1950s to produce optical coatings, driven by the requirements of a developing standards research program, and the needs of an astronomy program to study the surface of the sun spectroscopically.

The Interuniversity Microelectronics Center, Leuven, Belgium (IMEC) is one of the world's largest independent research centers for microelectronics. It was established in 1984 by the Flemish government as a part of a comprehensive program to promote high technology in Flanders, Belgium. Benefiting from existing experience available mainly at the University of Leuven, IMEC moved into its present facilities in 1986 (Figure 1).

The Center covers a wide range of research topics in the microelectronics domain—VLSI systems design methodologies, advanced semiconductor processing, materials, packaging, and more.

About 50 people work on computer-aided design, developing a series of “true” silicon compilers: CATHEDRAL. With this software, ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) design becomes extremely attractive, since CATHEDRAL covers design from the high system level down to layout.

INVOMEC, the training division of IMEC, supports universities in ASIC design. It trains people for both educational institutes and industry in chip design, makes available the necessary software, and has a well-established Multi Project Chip—Multi Project Wafer service.

The Processing Technologies and Materials Divisions involve about 200 people and have a 3,600 m2 clean room at their disposal. The clean room consists of a 20% class 10 area with a fast-turnaround prototyping line and an 80% class 1000 area.

IMEC's objectives are: to perform research in the microelectronics field, supporting both industry and universities, and to stimulate the microelectronics industry in Flanders.

IMEC performs research on both silicon and III-V technologies.

The State University of Mons was established in 1965, at the heart of an old industrial region of South Belgium. Since that time, the role of the University emerged as a source of new ideas for the region. The Department of Materials was founded in 1988, developing from the identification of various groups and their expertise in the materials science field. The goal of the Department of Materials is “to arrange and promote researches in this field. The Department will also work at improving education in Materials Science.” The Department will continue existing contacts and promote new contacts with regional, national, and international industries, and its experimental facilities are accessible to all interested researchers.

The members of the Department of Materials belong to the Faculties of Science and Medicine of the State University of Mons. They form an interdisciplinary group, including physicists, chemists and biologists—experimentalists and theoreticians.

Although some research activities involve more than one group, they can be arranged according to either the nature of materials (thin films, polymers, surfaces, quasi-one-dimensional conductors, bio-materials) or methods of preparation (laser irradiation, chemical vapor deposition, electron evaporation) and characterization (electron and x-ray diffraction, spectrophotometry, FTIR, micro-Raman, electrical conductivity, surface analytical techniques).

Most great technological advances initially required finding a solution to materials problems, a fact that is not very often recognized. The development of nuclear energy is no exception to this rule. The fuel in the reactor core, cladding of the fuel, and structures which support the core or which carry the coolant are, indeed, subjected to extreme conditions of radiation flux, temperature, pressure, and corrosion. In order to achieve safe, industrial reactors, the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) had to build an enormous program in materials research and development from the ground floor. At present, CEA has reached a very high level of knowledge and expertise through excellent scientific teams and exceptional equipment.

In its present industrial phase, the French Nuclear Program still requires considerable effort in research, but it does enable the nation's industry to take advantage of the CEA's materials capabilities. In accordance with its mission to facilitate the utilization of research results, the CEA launched research and development programs in different non-nuclear industries where its research could find new applications.

Since its creation in 1955, the Grenoble Nuclear Research Center (CEN-G), one of the five civilian centers of the CEA, has concentrated a great part of its research on basic (solid-state physics) and applied aspects (nuclear metallurgy). This double orientation, in which basic research is used as a basis for applied research, is an original feature of the CEN-G.