Sept. 30, 2025

Applications

• Camping 
• Backyard power generation for LED lighting and mobile device charging
• Produce power while cooking

Advantages/Benefits

• On-demand as opposed to solar lanterns
• Better performance than Biolite
• Uses propane, which is the most common camping fuel

Background

Off-grid and outdoor activities frequently necessitate portable power for lighting and charging personal devices, yet existing solutions present notable challenges. A primary hurdle for flame-based power generation systems is the inability to simultaneously cook and produce electricity, as placing cookware on a stove often obstructs oxygen access to the power-generating components, leading to a significant reduction or complete loss of electrical output. There is a need for technologies to mitigate this issue. 

Technology Overview

Scientists at Berkeley Lab have developed a portable device that integrates a stack of metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs) with a commercial camping stove burner to simultaneously generate electricity and cook. The stove’s flame heats the MS-SOFCs to their operating temperature and supplies fuel gases to their anodes, while the cathodes access fresh air. A microelectronic control circuit manages the electrical power generated by the MS-SOFCs, which is then directed to a light source and at least one USB port.

This device vertically orients the MS-SOFC stack around the burner, which enables power generation of up to 2.7 W and LED light of 4500-7000 lux while simultaneously cooking. 

For More Information

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S036031991830990X

Inventor

Michael C. Tucker

Status

Issued US Patent: US11525581B2