F R A U N H O F E R I N S T I T U T E F O R S O L A R E N E R G Y S Y S T E M S I S E
FUEL CELL SYSTEMSPROJECTS. PRODUCTS. PARTNERSHIPS.
RESEARCH FOR THE MARKET
Fuel cells supply electricity and heat with zero-emissions
and thus will be an important building block of a sustainable
energy economy. The Fuel Cell Systems group at the
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg
supports and advises customers with interdisciplinary know-
how and comprehensive services ranging from basic research
and development to product commercialization.
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Are you interested in efficient fuel cell systems?
Are you seeking an experienced partner for an active
dialogue to bridge research and the market? Make use
of our contacts and far-reaching network within an
established innovation pool. We are happy to offer
you assistance on scientific analysis of detailed pheno-
mena, the development of laboratory prototypes,
product optimization as well as characterization and
standardized tests.
Our understanding of the basic science and the many
years of practical experience in many areas enable us to
provide common solutions to your specific production
and markets. Make our expertise work for you to realize
membrane fuel cells out of graphite, polymers, metals
or ceramic materials.
Would you like more information? Tell us what we can
do for you. We will gladly assist you in the development
from the concept to the patented market-ready product.
PORTFOLIOWe develop powerful membrane fuel cell systems
based on future-oriented energy carriers as an alternative
or supplement to batteries.
Planar, air-breathing micro fuel cells and systems from
100 mWel up to 10 Wel (PEMFC, DMFC, DEFC)
Portable fuel cells and fuel cell systems for operation
with hydrogen and reformate from 10 Wel up to 5 kWel
(NT- and HT-PEMFC)
Are you interested in manufacturing fuel cells?
We can transfer our know-how to your production
line and qualify suitable suppliers.
Are you interested in a complete energy supply?
We can integrate our fuel cell systems into complete
energy solutions using batteries and other power
sources.
Are you interested in marketing your product?
We would be happy to license our technologies for
your own product development.
Depending on your needs, we can access the related ex-
pertise within our business area »Hydrogen Technology«,
from the »Hydrogen Generation« group, the »Chemical
Energy Storage« group, and expert groups on photo-
voltaics and electronics (all within the Fraunhofer ISE).
Moreover, we can also facilitate cooperative efforts with
our scientific and industrial partners.
www.h2-ise.comCaptions Gold pin
contacts for spatially
resolved measurements
in a segmented fuel cell
1 High-temperature
PEM fuel cell stack with
patented pressing device
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SERVICESCell and stack design for different materials
System development including hybridization and hydrogen generation
Characterization of components, stacks and systems under variable
operating and climate conditions
Modelling and simulation of fluid dynamics or thermal fluxes, from the
microscale up to the system level
Control strategies and power electronics
Safety technology and standardized tests of components and systems
as well as certification together with VDE-Institute
Field test monitoring, expert reports and scientific studies
EQUIPMENT50 channel impedance spectroscopy for the spatially resolved
characterization of single cells and stacks in real time.
Degradation investigations and exhaust analyses carried out on the basis
of gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy, cyclovoltammetry, ICP-MS
for element identification in product water or ESEM with EDX for analyzing
the membrane electrode assembly.
Test stands for low and high temperature PEMFC, DMFC, and DEFC ensure
the characterization of components and systems. Fuel cells are tested in
climate chambers from -40°C up to +80°C.
2 Current-controlled
voltage converter for
fuel cell systems
3 Portable power supply
with ethanol reformer
and PEM fuel cell
4 Passively operated
DMFC for an ECG device
5 Cargo bike with fuel
cell drive
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Mobile Communication
Industrial Sensor Technology
Medical Technology
Emergency Power Supply
Robotics
Consumer
Small Traction
Transportation and Safety Technology
Mobile Communication
Industrial Sensor Technology
Medical Technology
Emergency Power Supply
Robotics
Consumer
Small Traction
Transportation and Safety Technology
MARKETS»OUR SCIENTIFIC
ANALYSES GUARANTEE
RELIABLE RESULTS.«Dr. Dietmar GerteisenTeam Leader Characterization, Modelling, Simulation
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High energy density and long operation time, ease of
use and fast charging, reliable off-grid energy supply,
wireless and environmentally-friendly operation are
some of the characteristics that make fuel cells attractive
for many markets.
You can use our IP either within the framework of a
cooperation or by obtaining the licenses.
Many valuable impulses in the system technology have
matured through the intensive cooperation with the
University of South Carolina (USA), the National Science
Center for Fuel Cells as well as with the Fraunhofer
Center for Sustainable Energy Systems CSE (USA), a
joint venture of Fraunhofer ISE and MIT in Boston.
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REFERENCE PROJECTS
Miniature Energy Giants in Series Production
In cooperation with FWB Kunststofftechnik, we are
carrying out several bilateral and cooperative projects,
which include other partners from medium-sized
companies, industry and academia. The goal is to
develop competitive micro fuel cells for the industrial
series production.
The task: Develop a cost-effective DMFC in injection
molding with a power from 0,1 bis 10 Wel with high
energy density and a simple system technology
The technology: Planar fuel cells for air-breathing
operation, active and passive methanol supply
Range of services: Project planning and multi-stage
implementation, development of cell design and system
architecture, specification and selection of components,
conducting and analysing lifetime tests under varying
climate conditions
Milestones: start in 2005, commercialization planned
for 2011 in the markets of GPS-based container tracking,
off-grid sanitary devices and sensor technology
The basis of the development is the wide-ranging and
international patent portfolio of our Institute. The
Institute’s involvement in international standardization
committees as well as its cooperation with the VDE-
Institute for testing fuel cells provide the prerequisites
for product development according to international
standards.
International Researchon System Technology
Since 2009, and within the framework of an inter-
national consortium of five German and five Canadian
research institutes, we continue to improve the
understanding of the physical phenomena related
to water management in PEM fuel cells.
The task: optimizing the water management of
membrane fuel cells on the micro and macro scale
through new materials and designs as well as through
innovative operating strategies
Research content: Investigating the influencing
factors of the materials and surfaces in membranes,
electrodes, microporous layers, gas diffusion layers
and bipolar plates with respect to the diffusion,
convection and storage of product water
Milestones: start in 2009, building up a worldwide
unique scientific cluster, carrying out and documenting
experimental analyses and describing the physical and
thermodynamic effects
Founded on scientific expertise, improvements on
the components, the cell and stack design as well
as the operation are being continually carried out.
Thus, the reliability, efficiency and the lifetime of
the fuel cell system are constantly improved.
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»OUR STANDARDIZED
DEVELOPMENT AND THE
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
RIGHTS SECURE
YOUR MARKET.«Ulf GroosGroup Leader Fuel Cell Systems
Mobile power package for Medical Emergencies
Since 2008, we have been working together with the
partners DMTpe, bebro, Freudenberg and Chemetall on
the optimal design of a portable, off-grid power supply
for emergency medical devices.
The task: Development of a portable fuel cell system
with a power of 100 Wel for outdoor operation
The technology: Fuel cell stack with optimized assembly
for operation with hydrogen generation from chemical
hydrides or using a pressurized gas canister
Range of services: Specific research and development
services, including system technology, controls and
power electronics as well as hybridization and cold start
capabilities
Milestones: start in 2008, prototype development and
test phase up to the end of 2011, subsequently product
development and marketing
Independently of the application, we integrate
metal hydride storages or pressurized gas canisters
in the system or develop hydrogen generators or
micro reformers for liquid and gaseous fuels
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6 Planar, air-breathing
direct methanol fuel
cell in injection molding
technology
7 Water drops in a gas
diffusion layer, image
with ESEM
8 NT PEM fuel cell stack
with optimized assembly
and cooling elements
9 Well-structured
processes, transparent
project planning, concrete
milestones
INQUIRY PROJECT MEETING
AGREEMENT
PROJECT END
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SPECIFICATIONKICK-OFF
MILESTONES
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
Heidenhofstraße 2
79110 Freiburg
Phone +49 761 4588-0
Fax +49 761 4588-9000
www.ise.fraunhofer.de
www.h2-ise.com
Group Leader Fuel Cell Systems
Dipl.-Ing. Ulf Groos
Phone +49 761 4588-5202
Fax +49 761 4588-9202
Team Leader Characterization, Modelling, Simulation
Dr. Dietmar Gerteisen
Phone +49 761 4588-5205
Fax +49 761 4588-9000
Head of Department, Business Area Hydrogen Technology
Dr. Christopher Hebling
Phone +49 761 4588-5195
Fax +49 761 4588-9195