Course: Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

Background

The Polymer Elektrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC) also known as Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is the one of the key technologies for the electromobility which can dramatically reduce the environmental impact of the petroleum-based transportation system and the peak oil problem. Another potential to use the high efficient properties of PEFC are stationary applications to cogenerate heat and power.

PEFC operate with a polymer membrane as electrolyte and today Nafion-based membranes achieve a power density up to 1 W/cm² active area. In the last 10 years the successful adoption of the PEFC in different prototypes could be demonstrated. For a market introduction a few “teething problem” like life-time and costs have to be solved.

Content

The WBZU Course 'Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells' gives a detailed introduction in PEFC-Technology, shows the state of the art of development and gives hints to present bottlenecks and suggested research/development directions.

Who should attend?

The course will be valuable to people who wish to achieve a quick working knowledge of fuel cells and utilize this information at their work. The course is structured to ensure that no prior knowledge of electrochemistry or fuel cell technology is required for participation.

This course is suitable for:

• scientists and engineers working in or entering the fuel cell industry

• employees of industries that have recently invested or plan to invest in fuel cell technology

• science and engineering graduate students desiring an understanding of FC technology

• science and engineering faculty whose expertise lie in other fields and are looking to enter

Lecture topics include:

• Electrochemical fundamentals of fuel cells
• Overview of fuel cell applications
• Fundamentals of electrocatalysis
• Properties of ion-conducting materials
• Polymer electrolytes
• Sealing and gasketing
• Porous media
• Membrane electrode assemblies
• Coating technologies
• PEFC at elevated temperatures
• Lifetime aspects of PEFC
• High temperature fuel cells
• Gas processing
• Testing of fuel cells

The course is split into theoretical lectures and practical training units. Training days provide two  blocks of lecture times in the morning. The afternoon will be devoted to practical training.
The instructors are trainers from WBZU and scientists from the “Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research (ZSW)” which is located next to WBZU. ZSW is a research centre on fuel cells and batteries and world-wide known for its work on PEFC-fundamentals, stack-developing and -testing and system engineering. The instructors also give lectures on fuel cell technology at different universities in Southern Germany.

Laboratory topics include:

• Electrochemical fundamentals of fuel cells
• Basic experiments with fuel cell kits
• Operation of a PEFC stack by pressure and gas composition
• Theoretical introduction by variation in humidification and temperature
• Manufacturing of a membrane electrode assembly by spray coating
• Manufacturing of a PEFC stack
• Operation of a fuel cell CHP
• Operation of a PEFC stack in hybrid systems
• Operation of a PEFC based uninterrupted power supply unit

Laboratory sessions will be conducted to reinforce important concepts covered during the presentations. The instructors will select a number of laboratory modules for the course from above named topics. At WBZU laboratories special test benches and demonstration units are installed to guarantee a practical training.

Sightseeing and common dinner

Ulm is primarily known for having the church with the tallest steeple in the world, the Gothic Minster and as the birthplace of Albert Einstein. Go through cobblestone streets with picturesque footbridges and large buildings from the late Middle Ages. It will give you an impression of daily life in former times.

Registration Fee

1590 EUR, 990 EUR (Non-Profit-Organisations), 690 EUR (Students)

For getting all information about the course please use the link "PDF" below.