Advancing Fuel Cell Vehicles Through Paving Innovation

Hydrogen is emerging as a promising fuel alternative, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles, due to its environmentally friendly nature. Vehicles powered by hydrogen produce only water vapor as exhaust, making them a clean option for transportation. Moreover, when hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources, it becomes entirely free of carbon dioxide emissions. Unlike electric vehicles that rely on the electricity grid, hydrogen-powered vehicles offer the advantage of being able to produce and store hydrogen when electricity is abundant and inexpensive.

Some hydrogen-powered vehicles utilize fuel cells for propulsion. However, a drawback of hydrogen fuel cell technology is its limited lifespan. Components within fuel cells, such as electrodes and membranes, degrade over time, affecting the overall performance of the vehicle. Addressing this issue, researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a novel method to study the aging process of fuel cells in detail.

By dismantling and analyzing an entire fuel cell at regular intervals, the research team at Chalmers has been able to track the degradation of the cathode electrode within the cell. Using advanced electron microscopes, they have observed how specific areas of the electrode degrade during the operational cycles of the fuel cell. This approach differs from previous studies that focused on half-cells, providing insights that more closely resemble real-world conditions.

"Contrary to previous assumptions, our study revealed that disassembling and analyzing the fuel cell in this manner did not significantly impact its performance," explains Björn Wickman, the research leader and Associate Professor at the Department of Physics at Chalmers. This unexpected finding underscores the importance of studying fuel cell degradation at a comprehensive level to enhance understanding and improve longevity.

The researchers at Chalmers have delved into the nano and micro-level degradation of materials within the fuel cell, identifying precise locations and timings of degradation. This detailed analysis offers valuable insights for the development of next-generation fuel cells with extended lifespans. Doctoral student Linnéa Strandberg at Chalmers emphasizes the significance of their research, stating, "By tracking individual particles within specific areas, we have gained a deeper understanding of the degradation processes. This knowledge is crucial for designing new materials or optimizing fuel cell control mechanisms."