Trade Fair and Congress

Visit the Fraunhofer Hydrogen Network in Hall 11, Booth B67, at the European Hydrogen Week from November 20-23, 2023, in Brussels, Belgium for an informative exchange about Fraunhofer research and expertise in the field of hydrogen. Together with eight other Fraunhofer Institutes, Fraunhofer ISE will present pioneering innovations and solutions for the sustainable energy supply of the future.

PEM and AEM Electrolysis – Development of Novel Designs and Component Characterization

Green hydrogen is considered a climate-friendly alternative to conventional energy sources and is key for replacing fossil fuels in the long term. To produce green hydrogen, water is split into hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis using renewable electricity.

In order to produce market-competitive electrolysis stacks in large quantities in the near future, innovative steps are required in both design and production. At our booth, you may view, for example, the half-cell composite developed at Fraunhofer ISE. This component combines the functionality of the individual components found in conventional designs, such as the surround, sealing element, channel structures for media supply and porous transport layer, in just one unit – without requiring additional frame parts.

The advantages of using the half-cell composite are manifold: It can lower material and manufacturing costs, reduce the number of components, and thus simplify assembly. In addition, this offers new possibilities such as area scaling, automated manufacturing processes and simplified quality inspection of half-cell composites before assembly.

Another topic presented at the booth is the characterization of electrolyzer components. We offer scientific characterization of new cell components and stacks for PEM and AEM water electrolysis.

With our 4cm² electrolysis reference cell, we offer investigations on performance and degradation mechanisms of cell and stack components in PEM or AEM electrolyzers. Various working groups worldwide are already using the reference cell for numerous measurement tasks.

With an operating pressure from 0 to 6 bar and an operating temperature from 20 to 90°C, the test cell provides uniform reference hardware and standardized, scientifically based test protocols and therefore ensures international comparability of test results.

We look forward to welcoming you at the Fraunhofer Hydrogen Network booth during the European Hydrogen Week!

Participating Fraunhofer Institutes:

• Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC
• Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS
• Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP
• Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology IISB
• Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP
• Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT
• Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT
• Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Systems IEG