1. Title : Membranes for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

2. Speaker : Dr. Dirk Henkensmeier (Senior Researcher, KIST)

3. Date : April 12 (Mon), <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />5:00~6:15 P.M.

4. Venue : Building 302, Room 720

5. CV :

1994 - 1999          B.S. / M.S. (Diploma), Hamburg University

1999 - 2003          PhD, Hamburg University

                           (Synthesis and characterisation of carbohydrate modified polydimethylsiloxanes)

2005.03 -             Scientific staff, Hamburg University

2007.03 -             LG Chem / Research Park, Korea (fuel cell membranes, 2 years)

2007.12 -             Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH, Germany (filtration membranes, 8 months)

2009.04 -             Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Switzerland (fuel cell membranes, 14 months)

2009.04 -             Senior Researcher, KIST (fuel cell membranes, 1 year)

6. Abstract :

In the 1960s, polystyrene based membranes were used for the Gemini space project. The life time of these membranes was very limited. Later, Dupont’s Nafion was used successfully in Fuel Cells, and was considered to be the best material available for FC membranes, the only drawback being the high price, which might be reduced dramatically if Nafion is produced in large scale. However, soon other limitations of Nafion were recognized. In order to improve the performance of fuel cell membranes, the thickness of Nafion membranes was reduced, and chemical and mechanical degradation became a major problem. Especially, Nafion does not reach the drive cycle life time of 5000 hours demanded by the DOE for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV), which is one of the reasons membrane research is still needed these days. Another import goal dictated by the car industry is a working temperature of about 120°C, which is difficult to achieve with current standard sulfonic acid based membranes without the need for excessive humidification.

A general introduction to polymer electrolyte fuel cells and the trends in fuel cell membrane research will be given, highlighting some of the materials discussed as Nafion alternatives.

7. Contact : Prof. Jyongsik Jang (☏880-7069)