Fuel cells are considered a clean method of generating electricity. However, many components of fuel cell stacks are manufactured using petroleum or other energy-intensive or problematic materials. The flagship technology project Bio-based Fuel Cells (FC_Bio) investigated how conventional, petroleum-based materials in fuel cell technology could be substituted with renewable raw materials.
For the past three years, ZBT, in collaboration with partner institutes, has been working on innovative materials to make fuel cells even more sustainable. The FC_Bio project is now nearing its conclusion, and significant progress has been made. The project’s advisory committee convened last week for its final meeting to review and consolidate the results.
The overall Bio-based Fuel Cells project was divided into four sub-projects, whose results were presented – and even celebrated a little – at the final meeting:
- Sub-project 1 - Joint and Function: At ZBT, numerous stack tests were conducted to validate the developed bio-based fuel cell components.
- Sub-project 2 - Wooden Endplate: In close collaboration with partner WKI, innovative endplates for fuel cell stacks based on wood materials were developed and successfully validated in stack tests at ZBT.
- Sub-project 3 - Compound and Filler: Bio-polymer and natural graphite-based bipolar plates were manufactured and tested in other sub-projects, including on the fuel cell test bench.
- Sub-project 4 - Adhesives: Project partner IFS developed various types of bio-based adhesives (including conductive variants) for bonding bipolar plates, which were extensively tested at ZBT.
- Additionally, the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of bio-based components in PEM fuel cells was completed on schedule at the end of the project. This analysis was carried out in collaboration with LCS Life Cycle Simulations during the project period, and LCS presented the results at the final meeting.
To achieve the overarching goal of a greener fuel cell, the three participating research institutions pooled their core competencies: The Institute of Joining and Welding (IFS) at TU Braunschweig (project coordinator) focused on adhesive and joining technology, the Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research, Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut (WKI) concentrated on material development of bio-based materials, and ZBT took the lead in material development as well as measurement and testing techniques in fuel cell development.
Not all fuel cells will become "bio" overnight. However, we have made significant progress on the path to sustainably produced bio-based fuel cells. The future is green!
IGF project numbers: 01IF00044E; 01IF00045E; 01IF00046E; 01IF00047E
Project duration: 1 November 2021 - 30 April 2024, extended to 31 December 2024
Project partners:
- Institute of Joining and Welding (IFS) at TU Braunschweig
- Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research, Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut (WKI)
- ZBT - Centre for Fuel Cell Technology – Department of Fuel Cells and Stacks
