Fuel Cells

Fuel cells are a promising and sustainable clean energy technology.  A fuel cell directly converts chemical energy into electricity with high efficiency (hydrogen and oxygen are converted to electricity + water).  There are virtually no emissions (CO2, NOX, or SOX).   Challenges facing fuel cell research and development involve electrochemical processes and materials. CWRU’s strength in electrochemistry, combined with capabilities in materials characterization and synthesis, position CWRU researchers to make contributions to innovation.  The University’s fuel cell capabilities include:

• One of the first modern fuel cells was built at CWRU in the early 1950s
• The Electrochemical Engineering and Energy Laboratory (EEEL) fuel cell facilities
• Interdisciplinary and multimillion dollar research programs in materials characterization and polymer research
• Expertise in Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) and Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology
• Novel materials approaches for membranes and electrodes, which increase reliability, conversion efficiencies, energy, and power densities – all significant cost drivers
• Experience in materials lifetime and degradation processes
• Individual faculty who are world-renowned experts on fuel cell technology and the underlying science