{"id":6902,"date":"2022-01-01T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-01T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prod.zbt.compositas.io\/projects\/schnell-und-stark-wie-der-kleine-kaffee-esspresso-graphitische-bipolarplatten-aus-der-presse\/"},"modified":"2025-08-21T08:50:55","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T08:50:55","slug":"esspresso","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/esspresso\/","title":{"rendered":"esspresso \u2013 graphite bipolar plates from the press"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Fast and strong like the small italian coffee: esspresso \u2013 graphite bipolar plates from the press<\/h1>\n
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The rapid production of graphite bipolar plates in high quality will be one of the decisive factors for a rapid market launch of fuel cell applications. To this end, the ZBT and partners are working on optimising the low-temperature pressing process.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In the “esspresso” research project, the ZBT and its project partners are developing a\u00a0low-temperature pressing process<\/b>\u00a0(NT pressing) for the production of large-area, thin\u00a0graphite bipolar plates<\/b>. The NT pressing process is intended to meet the perspective high demand for bipolar plates for fuel cell systems in heavy-duty applications through a\u00a0short cycle time<\/b>\u00a0with simultaneously\u00a0high component quality<\/b>\u00a0and thus further support the market launch of fuel cell trucks or buses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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The focus of the project is on the development of the pressing process in close connection with the associated tooling system for industrial scale and the graphite\u00a0compound material<\/b>\u00a0optimised for the process. The aim is to enable the process-safe,\u00a0large-scale production<\/b>\u00a0of graphite-polymer bipolar plates using NT pressing. A cycle time reduction compared to existing manufacturing processes is to be realised by the isothermal pressing process, the simultaneous pressing of several bipolar half-plates as well as the optimisation of the tool system and the pressing parameters.<\/p>\n

The energy transition will depend, among other things, on the rapid scaling of the production of graphite bipolar plates. The “esspresso” project is really stepping up the pace here.<\/p>\n

Funding Organisation: Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection
\nFunding period: 1 Jan 2022 to 31 Dec 2024
\nFunding code: 03EN5020<\/p>\n

Project partner:<\/p>\n