IRTT Develops New Metal PEM Power Stack

Fuel Cells Today, Oct 7, 2003

Farmingdale State University of New York's Institute for Research and Technology Transfer (IRTT) recently announced it has developed new lightweight, low-cost, non-corrosive metal bipolar plates "with excellent manufacturability and high electrical and thermal conductivity."

According to IRTT, the metal plates, which were tested for more than 1,500 hours "with no indication of power degradation caused by corrosion," provide "at least a 12-percent savings in hydrogen consumption in comparison to graphite because of the lower ohmic resistance of these metallic plates than graphite."

IRTT also said its new reactant flow field designs "simplify the water management of the stack and allow for the use of dry gases up to [70 degrees Celsius] without [membrane electrode assembly (MEA)] dry-out."

"We are excited about our new and innovative metal power stacks and dry reactant flow field technologies and intent to transfer them to fuel cell manufacturers for both stationary and mobile applications," said IRTT director Hazem Tawfik.

Contact: Hazem Tawfik, IRTT, phone 631-420-2307, e-mail tawfikhh@farmingdale.edu.

(EIN STAFF: 9/22)

Copyright (c) 2003 by EIN Publishing, Inc.