Analysis of the Technological Diffusion of Ethanol-Based Fuel Cells

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.9771/cp.v19i2.64425

Keywords:

Patents, Fuel Cells, Ethanol.

Abstract

Ethanol-based fuel cells, which use biofuel either directly or as an input for hydrogen generation, have attracted attention in recent years due to their potential for high efficiency combined with low environmental impact. This study seeks to map the development stage of this technology with support from the Orbit platform, through the analysis of patent documents and the development of mathematical models that depict an overview of innovation diffusion in this field. Analyses were conducted to examine the overall historical trends of patent filings related to this type of fuel cell, as well as specific subtypes like DEFCs and SOFCs. The models developed suggest that high-temperature fuel cells have promising medium-term market insertion prospects, while DAFCs are at an earlier maturity stage, requiring additional research efforts to address challenges related to their structural aspects and cost-effectiveness.

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Author Biographies

Fabricio Costa Silva, Federal University of Bahia

Master in Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer for Innovation from the Federal University of Bahia (2025).

Cristina M. Quintella, Universidade Federal da Bahia

DPhil in Molecular Sciences, University of Sussex (UK), 1993.

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Published

2026-04-01

How to Cite

Silva, F. C., & Quintella, C. M. (2026). Analysis of the Technological Diffusion of Ethanol-Based Fuel Cells. Cadernos De Prospecção, 19(2), 403–415. https://doi.org/10.9771/cp.v19i2.64425

Issue

Section

Prospecções Tecnológicas de Assuntos Específicos