Fuel cell systems

The research focuses on investigations on component degradation in order to increase the life span of low-temperature fuel cells. The research is done on purpose-built polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Single cells, stacks, segmented cells for locally dissolved current density measurement, single cells with reference electrodes and half cells are available and used for research. In order to minimize the degradation of operational fuel cell stacks, the scientific basics for an on-line monitoring method have been developed. This method differs fundamentally from traditionally used systems (single cell voltage monitoring) with usual unfavourable operating conditions like the undersupply of gas or blockades of parts of the flow field by water. Within the material research of the laboratory, a technique for the production of carbon nanofiber electrodes has been generated, which leads to clearly higher electro-chemical corrosion resistance.