Elmarco and advancing innovation and research in EU-funded projects
Elmarco is playing a pivotal role in driving innovation and research through its involvement in significant projects which were funded by European Union. Let's take a closer look at three latest projects and the contributions of Elmarco to their success.
ONGOING PROJECT: Highlander Fuel Cell Project
Grant agreement No.: 101101346
Duration: 01/2023 - 12/2025
Consortium: 8 members
Website: https://highlander‑fuelcell.eu/#top‑b
The Highlander Fuel Cell project aimed to develop membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for Heavy‑Duty Vehicles (HDV) with disruptive, novel components, targeting stack cost and size, durability, and fuel efficiency. The project will design, fabricate, and validate the HDV MEAs at cell and short stack level against heavy‑duty relevant accelerated stress test and load profile test protocols. Materials screening efforts will be supported by the development and use of improved predictive degradation models bridging scales from reaction sites to cell level. HIGHLANDER aims to bring about a significant reduction in stack cost and fuel consumption through improvement of fuel cell performance and development of a new, lower cost single‑layer gas diffusion layer. Its intention is to achieve the 1.2 W/cm² at 0.65 V performance target at 0.3 g Pt/kW or below and to meet a lifetime target of 20,000 hours.
Elmarco's Nanospider® technology, with its ability to produce nanofiber materials with exceptional precision and scalability, will contribute in manufacturing high‑performance fuel cell membranes. These membranes are vital components that separate the reactants and facilitate the electrochemical reactions within the fuel cell. By refining the production process, Elmarco contributed to enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of the fuel cell system.
FINISHED PROJECT: GAIA Fuel Cell Project
Grant agreement ID: 826097
Duration: 01/2019 - 06/2022
Consortium: 10 members
Website: https://www.gaia‑fuelcell.eu/
GAIA aims to developing a high performance automotive MEA that provides the materials and designs that satisfy the cost target by providing high power density at high current density, while also attaining the other essential objectives of durability, reliability and high operation temperature. Fuel cells are a promising alternative to conventional power sources, offering clean and sustainable energy generation.
Intention of the project is to:
- Realise the potential of these components in next generation MEAs showing a step‑change in performance that will largely surpass the state of the art by delivering a beginning of life power density of 1.8 W/cm2 at 0.6 V;
- Validate the MEA performance and durability in full size cell short stacks, with durability tests of 1,000 h with extrapolation to 6,000 h.
- Provide a cost assessment study that demonstrates that the MEAs can achieve the cost target of 6 €/kW for an annual production rate of 1 million square metres.
Elmarco provided essential support to optimize the fabrication of fuel cell components. Through our cutting‑edge Nanospider® technology, we enabled the precise engineering of nanofibers used in the fuel cell electrodes. This breakthrough significantly improved the performance and durability of fuel cells, bringing us one step closer to widespread commercial adoption of this eco‑friendly energy solution.
FINISHED PROJECT: Biocombs4Nanofibers Project
Grant agreement No.: 862016
Duration: 10/2019 - 09/2022
Consortium: 6 members
Website: https://www.jku.at/en/biocombs4nanofibers/
BioCombs4Nanofibers is a pioneering project aimed at revolutionizing the handling of nanofibers by drawing inspiration from nature. Nanofibers possess unique properties that make them desirable for various applications, but their adhesive nature due to van der Waals forces has hindered their efficient processing and usage. Inspired by the calamistrum found in cribellate spiders, the project aims to create antiadhesive bionic comb structures on technical surfaces, enabling better nanofiber handling.
By introducing antiadhesive properties to technical materials, Elmarco's involvement promises to advance the field, enabling the efficient and widespread use of nanofibers in various industries, including medical devices and implants, thus promoting sustainable and innovative solutions for the future.
