NXCT fuel cell project: Four-dimensional in situ visualization of fuel cell degradation

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Hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles offer a clean, quiet, and low-emission solution for transportation systems in Canadaand worldwide. Depending on the source of hydrogen, these vehicles can reduce C02 emissions by 60-100% versusincumbent gasoline and diesel internal combustion engine technology, while offering similar driving performance,comfort, and range. Fuel cell vehicles enable a true zero-emission profile at the point of use, producing only clean wateras end product, and enable a near zero-emission profile on a well-to-wheel basis where a renewable fuel source isemployed. Ballard fuel cell technology has pioneered the global market for fuel cell transit buses and warehouse lifttrucks since the early 1990's. The 6th generation heavy duty technology is presently deployed for a 20-bus fleet inWhistler, B.C. and thousands of Ballard fuel cell powered lift truck engines have been deployed around the world. Inorder to proceed to the next level of deployment, the priority for Ballard is to drive down the capital cost of fuel cellmodules, while simultaneously extending product lifetime to meet or exceed that of incumbent combustion engines.The NXCT (read: "next") Fuel Cell project will develop fundamental understanding and technology required for nextgeneration Ballard fuel cell products. With APC support, a novel Nano X-ray Computed Tomography (NXCT) based fuelcell testing facility will be constructed. This facility will be unique in the world, and enable exciting research advancesthat were previously not possible. The NXCT x-ray instrument combined with customized hardware will allow theresearchers to scan the internal structure of the fuel cell 'in situ' during operation. Similar to x-ray and CT scansperformed on the human body, the present technique is non-intrusive and ·non-destructive, and can be utilized for 3-Dvisualization without damage to the specimen under study. The present research will however go one step further andvisualize the fuel cell in four dimensions, including the time domain, to establish a detailed fundamental understanding ofthe degradation phenomena that occur during fuel cell operation in automotive systems. The program brings together acohesive research team of complementary, multidisciplinary expertise from Ballard Power Systems and Simon FraserUniversity with close interaction between academia and industry. The NXCT Fuel Cell project is timely as it will advancethe durability and value proposition of next generation fuel cells products, providing growth of existing markets as well asenabling new emerging markets for Made-in-Canada clean energy fuel cell solutions.