Sandia and Sharp symbiosis

and Sharp Corporation recently signed a Co-operative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to work together on renewable and alternative energy technologies, including advanced fuel cells for portable power applications.

Jeff Nelson, Sandia manager of the CRADA, says the agreement is one of Japanese electronics giant Sharp’s first interactions with a US laboratory.

Nelson says Sandia, a US National Nuclear Security Administration laboratory, brings novel membrane and catalyst capabilities to the fuel cell project while Sharp brings extensive system and application-level experience.

“Our hope is that we’re successful and that success could expand our collaboration into solar photovoltaics and other areas,” he says.

The broader partnership between Sandia and Sharp will focus on energy technologies, specifically photovoltaics and fuel cells. It will involve research and development of Sharp’s solar photovoltaic technologies, including tests and improvements on reliability, durability, calibration of solar modules, inverters, and other advanced applications.

Sandia’s immediate focus is on portable power applications, such as the use of direct methanol fuel cells to power consumer electronics like laptops, mobile phones, and PDAs.