LEWISTON – Dr. Daniel Stasko of Lewiston-Auburn College was recently awarded a grant from the Maine Space Grant Consortium for his research titled “Borane and carboran based electrolytes for fuel-cell and battery applications.”

Stasko’s research is focused on addressing the growing energy demands of consumer electronics and mobile applications through the development of new materials for battery and fuel-cell systems.

One component of many newer batteries is special highly conducting membranes.

The work that Dr. Stasko’s group will focus on is the incorporation of a newly discovered anion system into these membranes.

The work will hopefully lend chemical stability at higher temperatures while improving the conductivity of the membrane.

This should allow for thinner, lighter devices and higher power output.

His initial work will focus on materials for fuel-cell electrolytes through the incorporation of unique boron compounds.

Stasko believes this will meet the dual goals of keeping with NASA’s ongoing efforts to improve power generation capabilities and Maine’s key research and development goals of new materials and environmental technology.

Stasko, who lives in Lewiston, is an assistant professor of natural and applied sciences.

He earned his Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Wyoming. Prior to joining the faculty at USM/L-A, he taught at the University of Toledo in Ohio. He teaches courses in chemistry, organic biochemistry and natural science topics.