Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC)
The PEMFC program at NRC-IFCI is aimed at increasing reliability and durability, while improving performance, manufacturability, operational flexibility and decreasing the costs associated with PEMFCs. The program provides leadership in the design of the Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEA), device and unit cell design, fuel cell catalysis and fuel cell characterisation.
The PEMFC program consists of the following three platforms:
 High Performance – Low Cost PEMFC Platform
The key focus of this research is on improving performance in a wider range of operating conditions (e.g. temperature and humidity) and reduced dependence on noble metal catalysts. Key projects in this platform include:
- High Performance Engineered MEA using modelling and numerical simulation to determine desired nano-structure and advanced materials and processes to achieve the same;
- Emerging Materials and Fabrication Technologies for MEA evaluating new materials and processes;
- Active Flow Field Plates which regulate distribution of the fuel and oxidant in response to required power;
- Diagnostic Modelling Cell to advance the science of fuel cell diagnostics using a combined modelling and experimental approach;
- Redox Fuel Cells to explore different fuels and oxidants systems that can be regenerated conveniently in order to reduce the cost and the complexity while improving the performance of the fuel cell;
- Non-Noble Metal Catalyst focusing on reducing the cost of catalyst while improving performance.
High Temperature PEMFC
It is recognised that higher operating temperatures could improve water management, thermal management and tolerance to impurities in fuel. This platform consists of two key projects aimed at:
- Polymer-based PEMFC operating below 120°C focusing on high temperature polymer membrane materials;
- Proton Conducting Ceramics-based PEMFC operating above 120°C focusing on using ceramic membranes instead of polymeric membranes to achieve even higher temperatures. This project is an example of how our fundamental understanding of ceramics from the SOFC program allows us to crossover into the PEMFC domain.
Direct Fuel PEMFC
Liquid fuels carry more energy and are generally easier to handle than gaseous hydrogen, but typically require reforming. The direct fuel platform is an example of a longer-term research that NRC-IFCI supports in collaboration with universities. The key focus of this platform is currently on direct methanol and propane.
For more information on the PEMFC program at NRC-IFCI, please contact us.
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