General Motors LLC: Automotive Fuel Cell Material and Manufacturing Development: Cooperative Research and Development Final Report, CRADA Number CRD-14-00539

Modification 0: This CRADA encompasses joint R&D work involving resources from GM and NLR, focused on efforts to accelerate the reduction of automotive fuel cell stack cost. 1. Electrode Materials – NLR and GM will develop and test electrocatalyst active and support materials that offer improved performance, durability, and/or cost. 2. Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) Performance Diagnostics – Using test stands from GM installed at NLR and drawing on previous GM and NLR experience, the teams will further develop and implement test methods for characterizing fuel cell kinetics and mass transfer. These methods will be applied to state-of-the-art electrode materials of potential commercial interest. Technologies can include both proton and hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells. 3. Contamination Fundamentals – NLR will use advanced analytical capabilities to identify potential contaminants leached from fuel cell structural plastics and sealants. NLR and GM will develop and implement tests to determine the impact of these contaminants on fuel cell performance. 4. Manufacturing Method Development – NLR will develop on-line detection methods for MEA manufacturing, using application guidance provided by GM. Modification 11: This research project will focus on development and demonstration of a thermal scanning system (TSS) that runs at increased speed which is comparable with current fabrication rates. This technology is targeted to improve manufacturing quality checks of hydrogen fuel cell coatings.