Hydrogen Conversion Enhancement for PEMFC through Innovative Design in Materials and Membrane-Electrode-Assembly - HEROES

Project summary

HEROES offers solutions to a clean energy transition through materials innovation in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) targeting medium/heavy duty vehicles (MHDVs) and power stationary applications. By addressing PEMFCs’ low efficiency and high-cost issues, HEROES strives to develop a high performance-to-cost ratio PEMFCs capable of high-voltage and high-current density operations reaching up to 60% low heating value cell efficiency., HEROES will focus on reducing the critical materials by utilising low-PGM oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts, substituting the PGM-based ORR catalysts with more sustainable ones, enhancing ORR in PEMFCs by using novel co-catalyst, and reducing the graphitic bipolar plates (BPPs) materials budget through the development of the lightweight. The potential impact and benefit are high; up to 60 % PEMFCs low heating value efficiency, up to 30 % cell weight reduction, and 20 % more economical cell.