Impact of MEA non-uniformities on membrane durability through X-ray computed tomography (XCT) characterization

通过 X 射线计算机断层扫描 (XCT) 表征 MEA 不均匀性对膜耐久性的影响

• 批准号: 542590-2019
• 负责人: Kjeang, Erik
• 金额: $ 11.49万
• 依托单位: Simon Fraser University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Collaborative Research and Development Grants
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=720673
• 关键词: Impact; MEA; non; uniformities; membrane

The hydrogen and fuel cell industry is currently gaining significant momentum worldwide due to the increasingly urgent need for zero-emission transportation systems across all sectors. As fuel cell commercialization and manufacturing ramp up, increased understanding of material variations as input into quality control and design approaches is becoming critical to enable simultaneous manufacturing cost reductions and product durability enhancements. A detailed understanding of potential failure initiation points, termed non-uniformities, is therefore essential. The research objective addressed in this proposal is to identify membrane electrode assembly (MEA) non-uniformities at the subcomponent level, as well as at the component interfaces, and suggest mitigation routes to increase fuel cell durability. This work leverages an international university-industry supply chain partnership between Simon Fraser University (SFU), Ballard Power Systems, and W.L. Gore. Novel results and findings will be achieved by utilizing X-ray computed tomography to visualize microscopic features of interest during fuel cell operation, with the aim to capture the required understanding leading to enhanced lifetime. All results will be shared with Ballard and Gore and depending on the specific outcomes, MEA design strategies to mitigate and improve fuel cell performance and durability will be suggested. The benefits to Canada will be accrued in several ways; most notably through knowledge and technology transfer to Ballard, a world leader in fuel cell development and manufacturing that has the capacity to exploit the project outcomes across worldwide markets for zero-emission mobility. By the inclusion of Gore, a global leader in fuel cell membrane design and production, the project outcomes will benefit the entire fuel cell manufacturing supply chain from membrane, electrode, and MEA components to fuel cell stacks and systems. The anticipated research tools and outcomes are also important for SFU to support its new Sustainable Energy Engineering programs. The outcomes will also aid Canada's ambitions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by enhancing the value proposition of fuel cell electric vehicles.

由于所有部门对零排放运输系统的需求日益迫切，氢和燃料电池行业目前在全球范围内获得了显著的发展势头。随着燃料电池商业化和制造业的发展，对材料变化的理解，作为质量控制和设计方法的输入，对于同时降低制造成本和提高产品耐用性变得至关重要。因此，详细了解潜在的故障起始点（称为不均匀性）是必要的。本提案的研究目标是确定子组件级别以及组件界面的膜电极组装（MEA）不均匀性，并提出缓解途径，以提高燃料电池的耐久性。这项工作利用了西蒙弗雷泽大学（SFU）、巴拉德电力系统和W.L. Gore之间的国际大学-产业供应链合作伙伴关系。在燃料电池运行过程中，利用x射线计算机断层扫描可视化感兴趣的微观特征，将获得新的结果和发现，目的是获得所需的理解，从而提高寿命。所有结果将与巴拉德和戈尔共享，并根据具体结果，提出MEA设计策略，以减轻和提高燃料电池的性能和耐久性。加拿大将从几个方面获益；最值得注意的是，通过将知识和技术转移到巴拉德，巴拉德是燃料电池开发和制造的全球领导者，有能力在全球市场上利用项目成果实现零排放移动。戈尔是燃料电池膜设计和生产领域的全球领导者，该项目的成果将使整个燃料电池制造供应链从膜、电极、MEA组件到燃料电池堆和系统受益。预期的研究工具和成果对SFU支持其新的可持续能源工程项目也很重要。该结果还将有助于加拿大通过提高燃料电池电动汽车的价值主张来减少温室气体排放的雄心。