Long-Life MEAs and Catalysts for PEM Electrolyzers/Fuel Cells

Nanostructured Thin Films (NSTF), used as substrates for catalysts, have proven to be highly active for oxygen reduction in fuel cells. This improvement in activity is expected to transfer to electrolyzer technology as the NSTF substrate layer, with a ruthenium oxide based catalyst, is used for oxygen evolution. Slow anode kinetics in electrolysis provide the bulk of the cell overpotential. An increase in anode catalyst activity and decrease in mass-transfer effects, as seen with the thin NSTF catalyst layers and ruthenium oxide based catalysts, would mean an increase in overall efficiency for the electrolyzer systems. In fuel cells, the catalyst layer thickness has been reduced by a factor of 20 compared to the state of the art, and specific activity has increased by an order of magnitude. An additional benefit is that the substrate manufacture, catalyst coating and MEA production are done via a roll-good process, ensuring consistency of product for high reliability.

Lunar and space stations, satellites, high altitude aircraft

Fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen filling stations, chlor-alkali process

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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