Project description
Tackling fuel cell limitations in transportation
Fuel cell technology is advancing rapidly, providing energy saving solutions in a wide range of applications including transport and mobility. However, there are limitations in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies (MEA, the core component in the electrochemical reaction) that must be overcome in order to improve performance. The EU-funded CAMELOT project is a consortium of research institutes and universities, MEA suppliers and transport original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that aims to investigate ultra-thin and ultra-low loading layers required by the future MEAs. The project will combine numerical modelling with innovative in situ characterisation to develop a scientific understanding of the limitations of advanced MEAs. In addition, an open source model will make all scientific developments accessible to the global fuel cell community.
Objective
The CAMELOT proposal brings together highly experienced research institutes (SINTEF, IMTEK), universities (TUC), fuel cell MEA suppliers (JMFC) and transport OEMs (BMW, FCP) to improve understanding of the limitations in fuel cell electrodes.
Based on previous FCH2JU projects, the consortium is uniquely positioned to investigate ultra-thin, ultra-low loading layers needed for the next generation of MEAs. CAMELOT will use a combination of numerical modelling and advanced in situ characterisation to build a scientific understanding of the limitations on state of the art MEAs. Camelot will update an open source simulation tool (FFC) to accurately describe the charge, mass and heat transport mechanisms in SOA materials with the latest MEA designs. This tool will enable the partners to investigate the impact of new MEA designs at the single repeat unit level, providing guidance on the next generation of MEA enabling the performance required by the 2024 MAWP.
The presence of two OEMs and an MEA manufacturer will ensure that the modelling results are validated on the latest generation of fuel cell hardware and are directly exploitable by the industry. Dissemination will also play an important role thanks to the use of an open source model, meaning that the scientific developments in the project will be easily available for the global fuel cell community to exploit.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
7034 Trondheim
Norway