Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | EP/X023656/1 | |
| Title | Rational Heterogeneity of Membrane Electrode Assemblies for Next-Generation Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells (HETEROMEA) | |
| Status | Started | |
| Energy Categories | Hydrogen and Fuel Cells(Fuel Cells) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Basic and strategic applied research 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Dr T Miller No email address given Chemical Engineering University College London |
|
| Award Type | Standard | |
| Funding Source | EPSRC | |
| Start Date | 01 September 2023 | |
| End Date | 31 August 2026 | |
| Duration | 36 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £651,895 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Energy | |
| Region | London | |
| Programme | Energy and Decarbonisation | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Dr T Miller , Chemical Engineering, University College London (99.999%) |
| Other Investigator | Dr D Brett , Chemical Engineering, University College London (0.001%) |
|
| Industrial Collaborator | Project Contact , Intelligent Energy (0.000%) Project Contact , National Physical Laboratory (NPL) (0.000%) Project Contact , Horiba UK Ltd (0.000%) Project Contact , Ceimig Ltd (0.000%) |
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| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | ||
| Abstract | Fuel cell technologies suffer from key cost, efficiency and degradation issues that must be resolved before they can reach their full commercial potential. Unfortunately many of the limitations of current polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) technologies are introduced, or exacerbated, by the current design of their membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). Homogeneously constructed MEAs (i.e. the industrially standard) suffer from heterogeneity in the distribution of current, pressure, reactant concentration, water distribution and temperature, leading to numerous unintended gradients across the fuel cell which act to heterogeneously utilise, and therefore degrade, catalysts, their supports and ion conducting membranes.In HETEROMEA, we will characterise and understand the impact of intrinsic heterogeneity on MEA performance and durability. This understanding will be used to inform the design and implementation of material heterogeneously within next-generation MEAs, to 'smooth out' inefficient gradients and produce a homogeneous distribution of current, water, reactant partial pressure in operational PEMFCs; i.e. we will produce MEAs where the constituents (including e.g. Pt, ionomer, porosity, membrane) are intelligently distributed inhomogeneously, mitigating performance and durability losses. This will be enabled via the utilisation of robotic ultrasonic spray printing, a tool that allows flexible but precise control over material loading and distribution. HETEROMEA will therefore deliver a significant improvement in catalyst utilisation, mass transport resistance, charge transfer resistance and flooding, while using a standard range of industry-relevant fuel cell materials (e.g. commercial catalysts). | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 20/09/23 | |
