ROMNET-ERA
ROManian Inventory and NETworking for Integration in ERA-
Contract No. 510475, financed by European Commission (2004-2006)

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Previous issues are available on the project website: www.romnet.net
Flash News No. 6, April 6, 2005
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NMP-2004-3.4.5.1 - Basic materials and industrial process research on functional materials for fuel cells

The objective is to develop highly efficient, low cost multi-functional materials, in particular nano-structured materials, and processes for reducing fuel cell stack and system costs, and improving specific performance and durability.
Activities should involve fundamental materials research on proton and ion conducting electrolytes (polymer and ceramic), gas diffusion layers, non-noble catalysts, and related technologies, including in-situ characterisation and modelling to improve inter alia understanding of gas and water transport and degradation mechanisms. Research is also needed on high performance nano-structured materials, capable of being produced at large scale and low cost, for bi-polar plates and electrode sealing. The suitability for scaling up to mass manufacture, supported by necessary studies and value analysis, must be taken into account.
The expected STREPs should focus on research at the frontiers of knowledge, aiming at radically new multifunctional materials for fuel cell electrode/electrolyte materials for “high temperature” (130-200°C) PEMFC and “low temperature” (ca. 600°C) SOFC applications.