Thesis/Research project: Analysis of topography and electrochemical influence of cracks in PEM FCs

Call for applications for the field of study, such as: Automation Technology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Cybernetics, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, Mechatronics, Physics, Control Engineering, Software Design, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Technology Management, Surveying Engineering / Geodesy, Industrial Engineering and Management. Enrolled student in a technical or natural science program, beside the study programs above it may also include e.g. Renewable Energies, Computer Science, Chemistry or similar.

The integration of hydrogen into further industrial processes and the energy sector is considered one of the key strategies for decarbonization and the comprehensive reduction of greenhouse gases. However, the establishment of hydrogen technologies, particularly fuel cells in the energy market, is lagging behind expectations. Several factors contribute to this, including volatile legal frameworks and high product costs. A precise definition of manufacturing tolerances for quality critical product parameters to define Good and Bad parts is a tool for optimizing manufacturing processes as well as product quality and reducing costs. Thus, tolerance analysis and the definition of tolerances is required to support the establishment of fuel cells in the market.

Be part of change

In this student project you will investigate the topographical behaviour and electrochemical influence of cracked gas diffusion layers (GDLs) of PEM fuel cells to contribute to defining the tolerance definition of this defect.

Literature review on relevant topics for the research work

Identification of relevant topographical parameters for the measurement of cracks

Preparation of anode-GDLs with reproducible crack patterns

Conditioning of a cell with modified GDLs in a test stand setup

Topographical measurement of the crack images before and after conditioning

Microscopy analysis and evaluation of the influence of FC operation on the crack topography

Analysis of the conditioning process with different crack patterns

Systematic evaluation and interpretation of measurement data