Fuel Cells and Hydrogen

Newcastle University is recognised as a world leader in hydrogen storage research. Our work covers the entire range of fuel cell technologies, from high-temperature hydrogen cells to low-temperature microbial fuel cells, and addresses some of the complex challenges which are slowing the uptake and impact of fuel cell technology.

Key areas of research include:

  • Biomineralisation;
  • Liquid organic hydrides;
  • Adsorption onto solid phase, nano-porous metallo-carbon complexes.

Major funding has been awarded for the development of fuel cells (Newcastle is a key member of the Supergen fuel cell consortium) for commercial application and this has led to both patent activity and highly-cited research. Significant developments have been made in fuel cell modelling, membrane technology, anode development and catalyst and fuel cell performance improvements.

Researchers are working in the following areas:

Novel Hydrogen Storage
  • Via liquid organic hydrides.
  • In solid form via nano-porous carbon structures - metal organic frameworks (MOFs). Challenge is to get good storage without such low temperatures.
  • Equipment: hydrogen adsorption capacity measurement.
  • Bio-mineralisation (e.g. using renewable electricity to convert H2 and CO2 into methanol or formic acid).
Hydrogen from Renewables
  • Electrolysis of steam using high-temperature polymer electrolyte systems.
  • Electrolysis of alcohols or sugars.
Other Renewable Fuels for Fuel Cells
  • Microbial fuel cells, running on waste water.
  • Link to water purification and effluent treatment plants.
  • Direct alcohol fuel cells – catalysts and membranes.  (Based on reforming to produce hydrogen, and aiming to drive up the energy conversion efficiency.  Run on bioethanol instead of methanol if suitable catalysts can be developed.)
  • Fuel cell running on diesel.
  • Novel fuel cell design – not plate and frame.
  • Fundamental research in anode catalysis.
  • Equipment: best FTIR system in the world.
  • Glycerol to liquid alkanes to fuels for direct alcohol fuel cells.
  • Polymicron systems for passive dehydration of bioethanol for fuel cells.
High Temperature Fuel Cell Technology
  • Hub of EPSRC Supergen Fuel Cell Consortium.
  • Solid oxide fuel cells and high-temperature PEM cells.
  • Dense ceramic membranes for high-temperature fuel cells – improving sulphur tolerance and long-term stability.
  • Membranes for CO2 separation and for O2/N2 separation.
  • Ion-conducting membranes.
  • Capture, storage and subsequent use of high-grade waste heat.
  • Fuel chemical conversion using oxide materials for high-temperature catalysis.
Microbial Fuel Cells
  • Draws upon expertise in electrochemistry, microbiology, environmental engineering, chemical engineering and materials science.
  • Linked to electrochemical cleanup of contaminated water.
  • Bacterial corrosion of electrodes.
  • Use of municipal waste water as a source of micro-organisms.
  • Research into better anode materials, cheaper cathode catalysts and cheaper membranes.
Hydrogen Uses
  • ICE running on hydrogen – Volvo engine.
Low Temperature Fuel Cells
  • Alkaline fuel cells.
  • Miniature fuel cells for medical use.
  • Oxygen reduction catalysts as alternatives to Platinum.
Other
  • Electrochemical technology for fuel cell catalyst production.