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Technical University of Munich
Technical University of Munich

Ongoing Project in PEM-FC Research

MORELife - MATERIAL, OPERATING STRATEGY AND RELIABILITY OPTIMISATION FOR LIFETIME IMPROVEMENTS IN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS

In MORELife, common degradation issues based on real life heavy-duty application data are identified in order to develop specific accelerated stress tests, with the aim to obtain reliable lifetime projections for the required 30,000h of operation. These will be will applied to guide key improvements at the materials and operation strategies level that are consistent with the requirements for heavy-duty applications.

Funding: The MORELife project has received funding from the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking (JU) under Grant Agreement No 101007170. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and Hydrogen Europe and Hydrogen Europe Research.

Partner:

 

Duration: September 01, 2021 – February 28, 2025

Website: https://morelife-info.eu/

Contact: Franziska Hnyk, Nhat Long Tran Pham

 

In collaboration with Robert Bosch GmbH, this research project investigates the feasibility of employing Pt-alloy cathode catalysts in PEM fuel cells for heavy duty vehicle applications. Large freight trucks require exceptional fuel efficiency and system lifetimes (> 30,000 hours) to minimize total cost of ownership and would thus profit from the increased oxygen reduction reaction activity of Pt-alloy catalysts. However, dissolution of the alloying element leads to premature performance decay at odds with the high lifetime requirements for such systems. This project scope includes method development to study Pt-alloy catalyst degradation, accelerated stress testing and mitigation concepts.

Funding: Robert Bosch GmbH

Duration: November 01, 2022 – October 31, 2025

Contact: Markus Schilling, Vivian Meier

 

The H2Sky project comprises the development of a hydrogen fuel cell stack for use in the main propulsion system for aviation applications. Through the collaboration of participating project partners, concepts for the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), the bipolar plate, and other stack materials are being developed and tested for the fulfillment of aviation requirements. The work at our chair focuses on the evaluation of degradation processes for aviation-relevant MEAs and the development of durability testing protocols and electrochemical diagnostic tools.

Funding: The H2Sky project has received funding from the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (Funding Code: 03B10706).

Partners: 

Duration: March 2022 – February 2026

Contact: Markus Pietsch, Konstantin Weber, Carla Harzer

 

In collaboration with Symbio, this research project investigates GDL and MPL material optimization for high temperature fuel cell operation. Increased operational temperatures enhance electrochemical kinetics, simplify water management and cooling, leading to an increased weight-specific energy density and total energy efficiency. However, higher temperature conditions are a challenge for durability. Furthermore, the project scope includes development of measurement methods to track water and thermal management within the fuel cell.

Funding: Symbio

Duration: April 01, 2023 – March 31, 2026

Contact: Noémie Sorrentinella

 

Improved Diffusion Media for PEM Fuel Cells

The main aim of the project Impedia is to develop and characterize diffusion media (DMs) with improved properties for water transport. This includes microporous layer (MPL) development and characterization of DMs perforated with micro-holes produced via a pulsed laser radiation method. Besides investigation on laboratory scale results are supposed to be transferred to an industrial scale in collaboration with other project partners by creating a DM production line including MPL coating, laser perforation and quality control.

Funding: The Impedia project has received funding from the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport as part of the “National Innovation Program for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell  Technologies Phase II” (Funding Code: 03B11045A).

Partners:

  • TUM (Instituts für Werkzeugmaschinen und Betriebswissenschaften, iwb)
  • Jülich Research Centre (FZJ)
  • TRUMPF
  • SGL FCC
  • Dr. Schenk
  • EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies GmbH

Duration: January 01,2024 – December 31,2026

Contact: Sebastian Langer

 

The focus of the e-conversion project is to advance the development and characterization of catalyst systems that demonstrate improved selectivity in hydrogen oxidation. This is essential for mitigating the adverse effects of start-up and shut-down (SU/SD) degradation. The improved selectivity is achieved by using a metal oxide interlayer and taking advantage of the strong-metal-support-interaction (SMSI). This process covers the catalytically active platinum particles with a thin metal oxide overlayer to act as a selective diffusion barrier.

Funding: This work is part of the e-conversion cluster, supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) under Germany's Excellence Strategy (EXC 2089/1 –390776260).

Duration: June 16, 2022 – June 15, 2025

Contact: Corbinian Grön

 

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