The aim of the OptiCold research project – Assessment of the cold start capability of PEM fuel cells and development of optimisation strategies for component design is to improve the cold start capability of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEM fuel cells) at low ambient temperatures down to -25°C.
Materials, cell designs and operating strategies are to be optimised so that repeated frost starts are possible reliably and without damage, even under extreme conditions – especially for mobile applications in the heavy-duty sector.
The project focuses on identifying and understanding frost-induced damage mechanisms in fuel cell components. Based on this, materials, cell architectures and operating strategies will be further developed in a targeted manner. This includes the development of suitable material combinations (including PFAS-free membrane alternatives), the optimisation of the flow field design and adapted shutdown and flushing procedures to minimise residual water and ice formation.
OptiCold is being carried out jointly by The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Center GmbH (ZBT) and the Chair of Alternative Vehicle Drives at Chemnitz University of Technology (TUC). The findings will help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular to develop robust, durable and practical PEM fuel cell components for use in real-world conditions.
The project started on 1 July 2025 and will run for 30 months.
