| Task | Approach | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Catalysts/ Electrodes |
• Optimize electrode design and assembly • Develop electrocatalysts and electrodes with reduced platinum group metal (PGM) loading, increased activity, improved durability / stability |
• Argonne National Laboratory: Tailored High Performance Low- PGM Cathode Catalysts • Brookhaven National Laboratory: Platinum Monolayer Electrocatalysts |
| Membranes/ Electrolytes |
• Develop / identify electrolytes and membranes/matrices with improved conductivity over the entire temperature and humidity range of a fuel cell and increased mechanical, chemical, and thermal stability, with reduced/eliminated fuel cross-over • Fabricate membranes from ionomers with scalable fabrication processes, increased mechanical, chemical. |
• Colorado School of Mines: Advanced Hybrid Membranes for Next Generation PEMFC Automotive Applications • FuelCell Energy: ‘Smart’ Matrix Development for Direct Carbonate Fuel Cells • Los Alamos National Laboratory: Advanced Materials for FullyIntegrated MEAs in AEMFCs |
| Membrane Electrode Assemblies, Cells, and Other Stack Components |
• Integrate membranes, electrolytes and electrodes • Expand MEA operating range, addressing temperature and humidity range, improving stability, and mitigating effects of impurities • Test, analyze, and characterize MEAs |
• 3M: High Performance, Durable, Low Cost Membrane Electrode Assemblies for Transportation • Advent Technologies: Facilitated Direct Liquid Fuel Cells with High Temperature Membrane Electrode Assemblies |
| Fuel Cell Performance and Durability |
• Improve component stability and durability • Improve cell performance with optimized transport • Develop new diagnostics, characterization tools, and models |
• Fuel Cell Performance and Durability Consortium (FC-PAD): Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. |