The MEAsureD project aims to revolutionize the durability and performance of high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs). Graz University of Technology (TUG) leads Work Package 2 (WP2), focusing on durability testing of newly developed HT-PEMFC materials.
TUG employs advanced electrochemical in-situ measurement techniques, including polarization curves recorded between 160 to 180 °C and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), complemented by ex-situ characterization methods such as scanning electron microscopy and exhaust gas analysis. TUG is also pioneering approaches for monitoring phosphoric acid leaching via effluent water analysis, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of material performance and durability.
In collaboration with Advent and supported by all MEAsureD partners, TUG developed a testing procedure for the parametrization of single-cell HT-PEMFCs, tailored for HDV applications. TUG is together with Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) generating an accelerated stress test (AST) profile that mimics real-life HT-PEMFC operation in HDVs. The AST profile is developed by considering standardized transport routes through Europe and the influence of critical HDV operating parameters such as temperature and stoichiometry on performance and degradation. This enables the assessment of the durability of new materials under typical HDV conditions, ensuring long-term reliability and robustness. The testing procedure and AST protocol will be made publicly available, supporting European efforts to harmonize testing procedures.
The project’s holistic approach, combining experimental data from TUG’s durability testing and simulations from the project partners AVL, UPV and University of Ljubljana (UL), aims to deliver cost-effective and high-performing MEAs tailored for the HDV sector. The advancements in HT-PEMFC technology, promise setting new standards in performance, durability, and cost-effectiveness for heavy-duty applications, supporting a more sustainable future in transportation.