Pacific Fuel Cell (PFCE) has announced that it has completed the development of its prototype nanostructured Membrane Electrode Assembly (nanoMEA), which reduces the amount of platinum needed in fuel cells.

The new technology has shown good early signs of efficiency and productivity and Dr Yushan Yan, a member of PFCE's board of directors, explains that the new carbon nanomaterial-based MEAs use 75 per cent less platinum than current MEAs for methanol fuel cells.

According to Dr Yan, the new nanoMEA can be used in either hydrogen or methanol fuel cells, with the nanomaterials being used as the support for platinum or platinum alloy catalysts.

The carbon nanomaterials also have the advantage over current MEAs that they do not corrode as easily or quickly as carbon black and therefore have a longer lifetime.

PFCE is now looking for partners to develop its nanoMEA from a prototype to take the concept into full production as a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to current MEAs.

George Suzuki, PFCE president, commented: "We hope to start taking sample orders by the time we exhibit at The Fuel Cell Seminar in Palm Springs, California [in November]."


Ÿ Adfero Ltd