Modular Coating Device for Prototyping of Innovative Fuel Cells und Electrolyzer Cells (ProtoCell)

• Subject Area: Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials ; Coating and Surface Technology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 533205378

The German government's hydrogen strategy outlines how hydrogen can contribute to achieving climate goals in various sectors. In order to achieve decarbonization through the use of hydrogen, it must be so-called "green" hydrogen, which is produced by electrolyzing water with electricity from renewable energy sources. The hydrogen produced in this way can then be used to decarbonize chemical or steel production. To achieve decarbonization in mobility through hydrogen, it can be converted back to electricity in fuel cells. This technology is particularly suitable for electrifying heavy vehicles. Both the electrolyzer and the fuel cell rely on so-called membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs) as key components, where the electrochemical processes take place, and the efficiency of these technologies is determined. These are thin polymer films that are coated on both sides with electrodes. The materials used, layer thicknesses, and layer structures can significantly affect the performance of electrolyzers and fuel cells. Therefore, research must be conducted on new materials, layer systems, and cell architectures to optimize these technologies. Therefore, the "ProtoCell" project aims to procure a modular, flexible, and highly precise coating system for the prototype production of innovative fuel cells and electrolysis cells. This key investment is accompanied by necessary equipment peripherals, such as dispersers for ink production and a laminator for electrode transfer. The main research objectives to be achieved with the planned equipment are to increase the resource and energy efficiency of fuel cell and electrolysis technology. Additionally, the requested equipment enables accompanying research on the production technology of membrane-electrode assemblies. The equipment is suitable for producing faulty components (e.g., with coating errors) that can be used to develop quality assurance technologies for production. The latter have hardly been researched or developed so far. However, for a successful market launch, the parallel development of component efficiency and production technology and quality assurance is absolutely necessary. The equipment requested in "ProtoCell" is intended to help research suitable methods and technologies for this purpose.

• DFG Programme: Major Instrumentation Initiatives
• Major Instrumentation: Beschichtungsanlage ; Transferanlage
• Instrumentation Group: 0920 Atom- und Molekularstrahl-Apparaturen
• Applicant Institution: Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Kempten
• Leader: Professor Dr.-Ing. Matthias Klingele
• Co-Investigators: Professor Dr. Michael Layh; Professor Dr. Werner E. Mehr; Professor Dr. Bernd Pinzer; Professor Dr. Tobias Windisch