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next Generation AutomotIve membrane electrode Assemblies

Project description

The next generation of fuel cells for the transport sector is coming around the bend

Fuel cells are promising energy-conversion devices that convert the chemical energy in hydrogen gas or another fuel into electricity without combustion. They could make a significant contribution to our transition away from fossil fuels to cleaner and more sustainable energy forms. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are one type of particular interest for both stationary and mobile applications. The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is the workhorse of PEMFCs. The ambitious EU-funded GAIA project will enable significant enhancements to the MEA that will lead to reduced costs, increased power density, and greater durability while accommodating higher operating temperatures.

Objective

GAIA has the overall aim of developing high power and high current density automotive MEAs well beyond the current state of the art up to TRL5. This project, encompassing OEMs, leading industrial and academic/research organisation/research institute partners with long expertise in fuel cell science and technology, and building on best developments from the FCHJU, will not only provide significantly higher performance MEAs but will also ensure the designs satisfy the cost, durability and operational targets set by the call.

Accordingly, the specific objectives of the project are to:
- Develop world-leading components (electrocatalysts, membranes, gas diffusion and microporous layers) and improve the interfaces between them to minimise resistances;
- Realise the potential of these components in next generation MEAs showing a step-change in performance that will largely surpass the state of the art by delivering a beginning of life power density of 1.8 W/cm2 at 0.6 V;
- Validate the MEA performance and durability in full size cell short stacks, with durability tests of 1000 h with extrapolation to 6,000 h;
- Provide a cost assessment study that demonstrates that the MEAs can achieve the cost target of 6 €/kW for an annual production rate of 1 million square metres.

Coordinator

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Net EU contribution
€ 478 367,50
Address
Rue michel ange 3
75794 Paris
France

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Region
Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
€ 569 177,50

Participants (12)