Prototype of Conductive Thermoplastic Composite Laminate Sheet for Precursor of Bipolar Plates

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Proton-exchange-membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is a device that converts hydrogen, which can be generated from**renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, into electrical energy for use in various applications. In recent**years, PEMFC has received growing attention as a potential solution in green-house gas reduction, particularly in**the automotive sector. Hydrogenics Corp. (Hydrogenics), an Ontario-based manufacturer of PEMFC, is looking**to produce thinner and more defined bipolar plates for PEMFCs. Such requirements are critical for high volume**production and for penetration into the light-duty vehicle (LDV) market. It is necessary to develop a process and**material that can produce bipolar plates with thin and defined shapes, while still maintaining its structural**integrity and electrical conductivity. The main objective in this study is to develop a prototype thin conductive**sheet as precursor for manufacturing thinner and lighter bipolar plates for PEMPC in a similar concept of metallic**bipolar plates. Such precursor is beneficial for compression moulding process of the bipolar plates. Success of this**project has the possibility of opening a new market sector to Hydrogenics and helps Hydrogenics to strive for a**share in the fuel cell LDV market as well as create more jobs in Ontario. The project also has potential to provide**cutting edge trainings to the HQP involved in the area of fuel cell, materials design, and polymer processing and**manufacturing.