Success Stories

WWE Receives Patent License for Suite of ORNL Inventions

On October 6, 2009, Worldwide Energy, LLC, (WWE) President Paul Torgerson and UT-Battelle Director of Partnerships Tom Ballard signed a patent license agreement for a portfolio of inventions related to the development and manufacturing of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) for production of electricity and solid oxide electrolyzers for production of hydrogen. In addition to licensing this portfolio of intellectual property, which includes many inventions arising from research and development in ORNL’s Inorganic Membrane Technology Laboratory, Worldwide Energy has also funded work in the Inorganic Membrane Technology Laboratory under work-for-others and CRADA contracts with UT-Battelle.   

An SOFC is an electrochemical conversion device that produces electricity directly from oxidizing a fuel. Fuel cells are characterized by their electrolyte material, and as the name implies, the SOFC has a solid oxide, or ceramic, electrolyte. Advantages of this class of fuel cells include high efficiencies, long-term stability, fuel flexibility, low emissions, and low cost.

Signing the license agreement with WWE are (seated l to r) Paul Torgerson, president of WWE, and Tom Ballard, director of ORNL Partnerships. Standing are (l to r) Dave Stinton, ORNL; Bryan Bischoff, WWE; Beth Armstrong, ORNL; Malcolm McDonald, WWE; Michele Buchanan, ORNL; Bob Poteat, ORNL; and Russ Miller, ORNL.