Bipolar plates for mobile fuel cell applications

Fuel cells have the potential to play a decisive role in shaping the mobility of the future. However, in order to fully exploit this potential, manufacturers must overcome a key challenge: the development of corrosion-resistant and highly conductive bipolar plates with a low material thickness and long service life. Although the currently established metallic bipolar plates offer high conductivity, they are prone to corrosion and are expensive to manufacture. To circumvent these problems, corrosion-resistant composite bipolar plates from established processes such as injection molding, hot pressing, extrusion or compression molding are used. However, they also reach their limits because these processes are often associated with high production costs and restrictions in terms of design flexibility. In addition, they often result in higher material thicknesses, which has a negative impact on the specific power density of the fuel cells. Limited production speed and high energy consumption are further obstacles that make efficient and scalable production more difficult.

The ultra-thin, thermally and electrically conductive composite bipolar plates from Fraunhofer UMSICHT offer a cost-efficient and durable alternative that is specially optimized for mobile applications:

• They can be produced cost-effectively in a continuous powder-to-roll process.
• This innovative production method results in resource-saving production with low material thicknesses (0.1 - 1.0 mm).
• A wide range of input materials (thermoplastic binder polymers and conductive fillers) enables application-specific optimization of the materials.
• The physical and electrical properties as well as the material thickness are adjustable and qualify the material for various applications.
• Due to their formability, laminability and weldability, they offer the possibility of designing the fuel cell stack individually and flexibly.

There are various ways of working with us:

• Direct order 
  You can commission us directly to develop solutions for your bipolar plate issue. Together, we will clarify the framework conditions and how we can successfully advance your company with our expertise and infrastructure. This is followed by the preparation of an offer and iterative material development including characterization in close cooperation with you.
• Collaborative project
  We can also work together with several partners on a solution to your challenge – usually within the framework of public funding. To this end, we have access to a large network from industry, research, society and the Fraunhofer Institutes. We are experienced in the selection of funding programs as well as in project applications, bring innovative impulses into the process and then shape the transfer to the market together with you and other partners.
• Licensing
  The granting of licenses to our property rights can take place in various ways and is always individual. We will discuss the appropriate steps for you in person and agree the framework conditions for your business model and product on a company-specific basis.