Research TrendsArray MEAs for high-throughputscreening of DMFC anode catalystsA high-throughput screening device for fuel cellelectrocatalysts was developed incorporating fuelcell design features. State-of-the-art MEA fabri-cation methods permitted catalyst testing withrealistic reactant exposure histories and steady-state reaction conditions. Results are reported fortesting of several DMFC anode catalysts.R. Liu and E.S. Smotkin: J. of ElectroanalyticalChemistry 535(1/2) 49–55 (1 November 2002).

Link between power and energydensity in DMFCsDMFC performance data were used to model acontinuous loop mode, clarifying the impact ofparameter variations on energy and powerdensity. Compromises are required for reasonableenergy and power densities to be simultaneouslymaintained in DMFCs using Nafion™ 117.B. Gurau and E.S. Smotkin: J. of Power Sources112(2) 339–352 (14 November 2002).

Hybrid compressive mica SOFC sealsThermal cycling was conducted on compressivemica SOFC seals at 800°C in air for plain andhybrid designs. The hybrid adds two glassinterlayers, for greatly reduced leakage. Themuscovite mica in the hybrid could yield a fuelleak of ~0.9% of the total for a 60-cell stack.Y.-S. Chou and J.W. Stevenson: J. of PowerSources 112(2) 376–383 (14 November 2002).

Micro fuel cell array with ‘flip-flop’interconnectionThis design for integrated series connection ofPEMFCs in a planar array is particularly favorablefor miniature fuel cells, and has been prototypedusing etch and deposition techniques. The ‘flip-flop’ configuration gives the advantage of acontinuous electrolyte with no interconnectingbridges across or around the membrane.S.J. Lee, A. Chang-Chien, S.W. Cha, R. O’Hayre,Y.I. Park, Y. Saito and F.B. Prinz: J. of PowerSources 112(2) 410–418 (14 November 2002).

DMFC with small back-up batteryThis hybrid cellphone power supply comprises aDMFC and parallel backup Li-ion battery. In talkmode, 10–50% of the full current (100 mA) isprovided by the DMFC and the remainder by thebattery. In standby, the DMFC module supplies10 mA, with the excess recharging the battery.J. Han and E.-S. Park: J. of Power Sources 112(2)477–483 (14 November 2002).

Metal-membrane 25 kW methanolfuel processor for FCVA 25 kW on-board methanol fuel processor hasbeen developed, comprising a steam reformer andtwo metal-membrane modules to clean the gasmixture to high-purity hydrogen. The operatingcondition of the reformer and metal membranemodules is nearly identical, for simple operationand a compact system by eliminating extensivetemperature control of intermediate gas streams.J. Han, S.-M. Lee and H. Chang: J. of PowerSources 112(2) 484–490 (14 November 2002).

Membrane-electrode-gasket assembly(MEGA) technology for PEMFCsThis novel PEMFC membrane-electrode-gasketassembly (MEGA) was prepared by sealing anMEA in a molded gasket, with a silicone-basedliquid mix injected into the MEA borders. Thetechnology offers reduced fabrication time, qualitycontrol and substitution of failed elements.A. Pozio, L. Giorgi, M. De Francesco, R.F. Silva,R. Lo Presti and A. Danzi: J. of Power Sources112(2) 491–496 (14 November 2002).

Water balance in a PEMFC systemThe amount of water lost from a system as exhaustwater vapor is be very sensitive to system pressureand ambient temperature, while the amount ofwater produced in the system depends on fuelcomposition. Fuels with a high hydrogen/carbonratio allow operation with net water productionunder a range of operating conditions.S. Ahmed, J. Kopasz, R. Kumar and M.Krumpelt: J. of Power Sources 112(2) 519–530(14 November 2002).

Combined water vapor exchanger/exhaust gas diffusion barrierFuel cells operating on hydrocarbon fuels requirewater vapor injection into the fuel stream. Thispassive approach eliminates the need for aseparate water source, pumps and actuators,reducing parasitic thermal losses. A capillarypump recovers exhaust water vapor, and providesa diffusion barrier that prevents exhaust gasesfrom entering the fuel stream.R.E. Williford, B.K. Hatchell and P. Singh: J. ofPower Sources 112(2) 570–576 (14 Nov. 2002).

RESEARCH TRENDS

12Fuel Cells Bulletin May 2003

fuel cells with integrated hydrogen storage; anddevelopment of components for direct methanolfuel cells.

Zentrum fürBrennstoffzellenTechnik (ZBT)The ZBT in Duisburg was established in 2001 for development, system integration andcoordination across stationary, automotive andportable fuel cell systems. Its R&D portfolioranges from prototype assembly to small seriesproduction.

The institute links basic research atuniversities and its industrial application. Itsactivities are focused in four divisions: Gasprocess and hydrogen technology; Materials andcomponents for fuel cell stacks; Systems andApplications; and Simulation and integration.

In particular its researchers are working oncompact PEM hydrogen generators, stackcharacterization for various manufacturers,development of its own stacks, and integratinghydrogen technology and fuel cells into powersupply systems.

New members welcomeEven with more than 230 members already, theFuel Cell Network is keen to recruit newmembers with expertise that is needed for thedevelopment of fuel cell systems. In particular, itwould welcome approaches from companiesfrom industrial branches of chemistry, materials,mechanical, chemical or electrical engineeringthat could play an important role as systemintegrators or suppliers.

Membership – and inclusion in the ‘IndustriesAtlas’ – is free, and is necessary for participationin the working groups. Application forms can befound on the website.

The Network offers various services:

• Information and communication (e.g.conferences, a newsletter, working groups).

• Cooperative and individual projects.• Qualification (e.g. workshops, round-tables,

company visits).• Internationalization (e.g. participation in

delegations and trade fairs, contacts withinternational fuel cell initiatives).

• Settlement (e.g. consultancy in cooperationwith regional industrial assistance, andacquisition of companies willing to relocateto NRW).

• Public relations (e.g. a website including amembers-only area, an online ‘industriesatlas’, technical publications).

For more information on the Fuel Cell NetworkNRW, contact: Dr-Ing Frank Koch or Dr-Ing ErnstKugeler, Fuel Cell Network NRW [Kompetenz-NetzwerkBrennstoffzelle NRW], c/o NRW State Initiative onFuture Energies [Landesinitiative Zukunftsenergien NRW],Haroldstrasse 4, D-40213 Düsseldorf, Germany. Tel: +49211 86642-16 (Dr-Ing Koch) or -15 (Dr-Ing Kugeler), Fax:+49 211 86642-22, Email: brennstoffzelle@energieland.nrw.de (or koch@energieland.nrw.de or kugeler@energieland.nrw.de), Web: www.fuelcell-nrw.de orwww.brennstoffzelle-nrw.de

For more information on the projects orproject funding, contact the executive body ofthe ‘REN Programme’: Forschungszentrum JülichGmbH, Projektträger ETN, D-52425 Jülich, Germany.Tel: +49 2461 690601, Fax: +49 2461 690610, Email:info@pt-etn.tz-juelich.de, Web: www.kfa-juelich.de/etn