Date: 30 September 2004
Membrane electrode assemblies are core components of polymer electrolyte fuel cells.
Although high temperatures create a hole in the firm's conventional material or tear it off, the new membrane electrode assembly is not prone to these problems.
The company targets applications of the material for automotive fuel cells, which need to withstand severe operating conditions.
The new material is a fluorine-based proton-conductive polymer composite.
The company has strengthened the molecular bonds by controlling molecular structures.
Asahi Glass tested the material at 120 C and 50% humidity, an environment close to those of automotive fuel cells. The material withstood more than 2,000 hours of continuous use, the company said. The conventional material degrades after 50 hours.
With the new product, Asahi Glass has effectively solved the durability problem.
It will now work to improve ionic conductivity and reduce production costs as well.
The company plans to commercialize the product within a few years.
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