2 Electrochemical Cells and Microstructures

Fuel cells are a prime example of electrochemical cells. They convert fuels such as hydrogen, natural gas or methanol into electrical energy and heat. Fuel cells can be used as a battery replacement in portable electronic devices, for combined production of heat and electricity in households and as electricity source in vehicles. Due to their flat design, fuel cells are easily scalable by connecting them in series to form stacks. Electrical efficiencies over 60% are feasible which is much higher compared to other decentralized electricity generation technologies. Redox flow batteries are considered as a promising energy storage technology. These batteries are highly efficient and they provide an energy storage solution for fluctuating energy from wind mills and photovoltaic cells.

The ICP supports the progress in the research and development of electrochemical cells by multiphysics computer models. In general, modeling helps to better understand the coupling of chemical, thermal, electrical, mechanical and fluidic processes with the goal to detect weaknesses of the system and provide design improvements. Often these models rely on detailed information about the microstructures of the investigated materials. Hence the characterization of gas diffusion layers and electrolyte micro-structures in 2D and 3D is an integral part of our modeling efforts.

In addition to fuel cells, we also do research on novel hydrogen production techniques. For example, we model photo-electro-chemical cells (PECs) which use solar energy to split water and thus produce hydrogen fuel. Most research projects are conducted in collaboration with our strategic partners Hexis AG in Winterthur (SOFC), Paul Scherrer Institut in Villigen (PEFC), EPFL (hydrogen generation) in Lausanne and Universität Ulm (virtual microstructures).

D. Bernhardsgrütter R. Herrendörfer G. Mourouga

R. Schärer J. Schumacher J. Wlodarczyk