Researchers at the University of Delaware (UD), the United States, are working on extending the life of membranes in hydrogen fuel cells by equipping them with similar self-healing powers. To keep the fuel cells running smoother for longer, the UD team developed a membrane that would be able to make those spot repairs on its own.
It works on the same principle as other self-healing polymers, concrete and paints that contain microcap-sules designed to break open under stress to plug holes as they form. In this case, those tiny bubbles are full of Nafion. The research has been published in the Journal of the Electrochemical Society.
After more than 220 hours of durability testing, the researchers found that adding the microcapsules greatly improved the lifespan of the membrane. That should help bring down some of the barriers facing these fuel cells, including not only the service life but the overall cost of these devices.
Title
Self-healing membrane for fuel cells
VATIS UPDATE Part
Article body
Source