Project

 

Methodology and Structure

 

Improved materials are the key to high performance, low cost MEAS. Within the project improvements in the following key MEA components are intended:

Polymer Electrolyte Membranes

Gas Diffusion layers (GDL)

Catalyst particles

Catalyst layers

 

Component testing under steady state and highly dynamic conditions as encountered in automotive applications will be done by industry and the research organizations.

Comprehensive data analysis will give insight into degradation processes and help to improve modelling and simulation tools.

Experimental and modelling results will guide material improvement and the development of operating strategies to mitigate degradation effects.

Experimental validation and demonstration of improvements will be done on a single cell and finally on a stack level.

BILD

 

Schematic of the concept work flow to improve durability of low-loaded MEAs

 

 

IMPACT also provides a cost analysis and an evaluation of the technical feasibility for large scale utilization of the achievements.

The project is organized in the following work packages

 

Bild

 

Schematic representation of the structure of IMPACT illustrating the critical path of the work activities and the interaction of the work package

 

 

The scientific understanding, strategies and recommendations are communicated to industry, the scientific community and the general public.

 

Application and Impact

 

The project aims at both, providing results directly applicable by industry, thereby also generating further momentum for the market introduction of fuel cell vehicles in Europe, and extending scientific knowledge.

The results expected are initially the understanding of the individual degradation processes with focus on MEAs with ultra-low precious metal loadings. If furthermore all objectives are attained, a superior MEA with low Pt loading and sufficient stability for the automotive application will become available. Thus, the European companies in the consortium will directly profit from the project, secure their intellectual property, and will be able to use the results for their products.