STTR Phase II: Low-Cost Manufacturing of Fuel Cell Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEAs) with Highly Dispersed Catalyst

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This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project will advance the development of the high frequency pulse/pulse reverse electrodeposition process for the catalyzation of membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The Phase II objectives/research tasks include: (1) fabrication and testing of a Betascale reel-to-reel manufacturing line which will be used to catalyze full-size gas diffusion electrodes; (2) optimization of the electrode structure and the deposition process on full size gas diffusion electrodes; and, (3) characterization of the MEA performance and relationship to the catalyst size and location and deposition process parameters. The anticipated results of the Phase II program are a marketable manufacturing process in the form of a Beta-scale reel-to-reel manufacturing line incorporating the pulse/pulse reverse catalyzation process.This STTR Phase II project addresses the needs of the emerging fuel cell industry, enabling the cost-effective manufacture of a critical component of PEM fuel cells. More specifically, this process enables production of MEAs with specific cost-performance targets for a range of applications. This product/process technology is enabling to PEM fuel cells for the automotive, portable and stationary power markets.