New Chemicals for fuel cells

The requirement came from a SME company who are working to develop a novel fuel cell technology.

They were looking for help to further develop some of the molecules used in their novel fuel cell and thereby improve the performance of the fuel cells.

The approach agreed with the company was to carryout a desk-top study to identify suitable molecules and to select the best route for the synthesis of the chosen chemicals. The desk-top study was followed by the synthesis of gramme quantities of the chemicals for evaluation in the company’s novel fuel cells. A number of the molecules gave encouraging results.

Based on this first project the interaction with the company had grown and further collaboration has been achieved through consultancy, a knowledge transfer partnership and an Industrial CASE PhD studentship.

Feedback from the company has been positive and we are continuing to explore options for how the KCMC can help support the research and development work in the company.