Infrastructure and Services

Fuel cell systems are becoming an increasingly important technology, in stationary systems as well as mobile applications. PSI offers independent validation and characterization of stacks and systems up to a power of 35 kW based on customer designed protocols. With our partly commercial, partly specifically developed test benches we are able to carry out complex characterization and long-term durability tests.

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X-ray computerized tomography (CT) is a powerful tool to characterize the microstructure of electrochemical devices and its components. Our GE nanotom-m micro-CT system is equipped with a 15 W / 180 kVp microfocus X-ray tube, a 7.2 Mpixel flat panel detector and provides resolutions in the range from 1 to 100 µm. It is well suited to analyze GDL fine structure to complete 18650 lithium ion battery cells or even larger samples.

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Fluoride as decomposition product of perfluorosulfonic acid membranes can be analyzed in the product water of PE fuel cells by ion chromatography. Our Metrohm 882 Compact IC plus has a detection limit of <1 -ppb. The machine is configured for anion analysis, multi-Ion-Standards are used to quantify Fluoride, Chloride, Nitrate, Phosphate and Sulfate concentrations in the range up to hundreds of ppm.

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Multicell high throughput measurement setup

High throughput fuel cell performance analysis (multi-cell test rig)

Our multi-cell test rig allows the simultaneous operation of up to 6 differential cells (1 cm2 active area). This allows high throughput measurements for the comparison of different materials such as gas diffusion layers (GDLs), catalysts and membranes.

Neutron radiography of a full size automotive fuel cell at the NEUTRA beam line

Neutron imaging of water distribution in full size automotive fuel cells

The high penetration of neutrons through large thicknesses of metals (e.g. > 10 cm of aluminum) allows imaging the water distribution in single fuel cells of full size design, even between the thick compression bodies requested to ensure enough flatness over a large area. For the single cell to have thermal boundary conditions similar to those of a cell integrated in a stack, the compression bodies are heated and a specific temperature gradient is applied to mimic the temperature gradient in the cell itself.