GREEN BAY, Wis. — Fuel cells generate electricity from hydrogen through an electrochemical process. Efficient manufacturing processes for fuel cells are a crucial topic. Optima Life Science, a specialist in the field of web processing technologies, is currently developing a test converter specifically for the development and testing of innovative manufacturing processes for fuel cells. Therefore, the company receives considerable funding from the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg.
Optima Life Science already offers production systems for fuel cells with a high output. Building on this experience, the company is currently developing a modular test converter. Innovative ideas and process optimizations, as well as product developments, can thus be implemented quickly and easily. In the future, production processes for fuel cells will first be verified in a development environment and then transferred to high-performance systems.
Test converter: Implement ideas, accelerate development
Further developments in fuel cell technology will foreseeably always require new structures and dimensions of the fuel cells and thus also of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The need for development and refinement of manufacturing processes is in high demand. The OPTIMA MTC (Modular Test Converter) is just designed for this purpose. The adaptable arrangement of the different processes, reconfiguration, and addition and removal of process steps become reality. Individual processes and complex process sequences, up to the finished MEA for the fuel cell, can be tested.
Another benefit is the reduced economic risk when product development and manufacturing process development can go hand in hand. Ideas for process and product optimization can also be implemented quickly and validated in the course of product development. The knowledge gained can quickly be implemented into production. Last but not least, sampling and small series production can take place on the OPTIMA MTC system.
Complex processes
The heart of the fuel cell is the membrane electrode assembly. Hydrogen and oxygen are present and electrical energy and water are produced in an electrochemical reaction. The individual components, such as membranes, frame material, and gas diffusion layers, are each fed from the roll in Optima systems. Individual parts are cut to size and assembled into the MEA in the complex, continuous web process. In order for the fuel cells to achieve the desired level of efficiency, all process steps require maximum precision.
In addition to the manufacturing technologies required for MEA production, Optima offers the traceability of each individual MEA with its digital solutions.
Experiences from projects that have already been implemented and inquiries from the hydrogen industry showed that there is an enormous need for product and process development. Optima Life Science responds to this request by developing and building the OPTIMA MTC test converter.
Funding from the “Future Program Hydrogen BW”
To exploit the full potential of production methods and to support the rapid growth of this future technology, Optima received funding from the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. As part of the "Future Program Hydrogen BW," the Ministry of the Environment, Climate Protection, and the Energy Sector has been funding a total of 20 projects of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies since the beginning of 2022. The state government is providing budgetary funds of 26.4 million Euros for the development of this technology. For more information, visit https://www.optima-packaging.com/en-us/life-science.
