Fuel cells are a promising technology for converting hydrogen into electrical energy and water. An important component of fuel cells are bipolar plates, whose contact resistance has a significant influence on the performance of the cells. When the contact resistance increases, the performance of the fuel cells decreases. This resistance changes mainly as a result of corrosion processes caused by reaction with oxygen. However, little is known about exactly how and under what conditions these corrosion processes occur.

The Corromap project aims to close this knowledge gap by investigating corrosion processes in fuel cells ‘in situ’ – i.e. directly in the functional cell. To this end, special sensors are being developed and integrated into the fuel cells. Under laboratory conditions, various corrosion factors such as hydrogen oversupply or undersupply, humidity and temperature are varied. The decisive step is the installation of the sensors in fuel cell stacks that can deliver the power required for applications such as car engines.

The long-term goal of the project is to develop high-performance fuel cell technology that will play a central role in a future increasingly geared towards a hydrogen economy. The aim is not only to make fuel cells more efficient, but also to find solutions to prevent corrosion and the associated performance losses in fuel cell production. To this end, the operating conditions of fuel cells will be monitored and controlled, for example by means of temperature control such as preheating, in order to minimise corrosion. Another approach is to optimise the materials and coatings used, for example by using stainless steel with a gold coating, even if this is expensive.

The testing technology used will provide crucial insights that can contribute to improving fuel cell technology and the competitiveness of production. The Corromap project is supported by an interdisciplinary team of scientists and companies. In addition to the ZBT – Centre for Fuel Cell Technology, companies from the metal industry are also involved, contributing their expertise to the project.

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection is funding the Corromap project with around 500,000 euros as part of its Industrial Collective Research programme. The South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences and the ZBT are each contributing 50 per cent of the funding.

Project duration:

01 Nov 2023 – 31 Oct 2026

Funding provider:

Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz

Project management:

PtJ – Projektträger Jülich

Funding code:

03EI3079B

Source:

https://www.fh-swf.de/de/ueber_uns/presse/article_detail_preview_4249.php

Electrochemical Components Department