[ materials ]
PEM electrolyzer stack . Image © H-TEC SYSTEMS
Towards high-performance MEA : lessons from fuel cell technology
In the pursuit of efficient electrochemical technologies , developers encounter familiar obstacles , particularly in material selection . Having seen greater commercial adoption and extensive research , fuel cell technology offers valuable lessons for electrolyzer developers . Drawing insights from fuel cell advancements , this article navigates the intricate landscape of MEA technology , shedding light on crucial material selection and design optimization factors for technology development .
By Edyta Rynkowska , Expert PEM / CCM , H-TEC SYSTEMS
Lesson 1 : It ’ s a game of trade-offs
You may have heard this : fast , cheap , or good . Pick any two . Also called a project triangle , the triple constrains of a project that create the development ‘ trillema ’. Commercialization of electrochemical technologies has been no different . Challenged to improve cost and reliability over desired device ’ s lifetime , fuel cell developers often strive to innovate ( and make compromises ) under very constrained project timelines .
If that wasn ’ t enough , the deeper dive into the technology nuances shows that one of the biggest decisions to make for the technology development
18 Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 15 | April 2024