Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP
Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP

Electrolysis and Fuel Cells

Overview of Key Topics and our Services 

  • Cross-scale material and microstructure analysis for defect diagnostics, degradation and loss mapping (MEA/CCM, PTL, BPP)
  • New methods for quality control in production and operation
  • Supporting the development and optimization of materials and processes

Example Topics

  • Leaching tests for metal ions from BoP components
  • Mechanical and chemical testing of gasket materials
  • Mapping of proton conductivity and contact resistance
  • Identification of material gradients and interdiffusion of elements
  • Catalyst degradation, Ostwald ripening 
  • Identification of impurities
  • 3D imaging of MEAs 

Research Infrastructure

  • Microstructure diagnostics: SEM, FIB, TEM, CT, SAM
  • Material analysis: XPS, ToF-SIMS, TEM-EDX, SEM-EDX, XRD, XRF
  • Multiphysical analysis: optical + spectroscopic methods, magnetic field analysis, lock-in thermography, electrical characterization

Reference Projects

 

H2Giga - FRHY

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H2Giga - StacIE

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H2Mare - H2Wind

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Defect Diagnostics Elektrolyzer & Fuel Cell

What went wrong?
 
  • Identification of defect causes and defect mechanisms from "large to small"
  • Triad: large-area analysis methods (MFI), optimized target preparation and high-resolution diagnostics

Supporting the Development of Optimized Materials and Processes

Microstructure and Materials by Design
 
  • Accelerate development processes through more targeted product and material design
  • Development of an in-depth understanding of relevant material and process parameters

Quality Control in Production and Operation

Will it go wrong?

 

  • Development and testing of new inline and in-situ methods (e.g. MFI, spectroscopy)
  • Establishment of production-accompanying material and microstructure diagnostics