Revolutionizing Hydrogen Fuel Cells: Thinner Membrane Reduces Costs and Environmental Impact
Key Ideas
  • Norwegian researchers at SINTEF have unveiled a groundbreaking membrane technology for hydrogen fuel cells, reducing costs and environmental impact.
  • The new membrane prototype is 33% thinner than the current standard, cutting membrane costs by up to 20% and reducing harmful fluorinated polymers by 33%.
  • Researchers also achieved a 62.5% reduction in platinum content within the catalyst, addressing the global challenge of platinum supply and sustainability.
  • This innovation paves the way for sustainable transport by potentially cutting greenhouse gas emissions in heavy transport, maritime, and aviation sectors.
Norwegian researchers at SINTEF have introduced a revolutionary new membrane technology for hydrogen fuel cells, with the potential to significantly reduce costs and environmental impact. The new membrane prototype is a remarkable 33% thinner than the current standard, measuring only 10 micrometers in thickness. This reduction not only cuts membrane costs by up to 20% but also decreases the presence of harmful fluorinated polymers by 33%, addressing environmental and health concerns. Additionally, researchers achieved a substantial 62.5% reduction in platinum content within the catalyst, aiming to tackle the global challenge of platinum supply and sustainability. The innovative approach of slimming down critical components of fuel cells opens doors for sustainable transport solutions, offering a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in sectors like heavy transport, maritime, and eventually aviation. While hydrogen fuel cells are known for their efficiency and clean emissions, high costs have hindered their widespread adoption. This new membrane technology holds the promise of making powerful PEM fuel cells more affordable and sustainable, potentially revolutionizing the clean energy sector.
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