Technology

CellEra’s ground-breaking core technology enables the development and fabrication of Platinum-Free Membrane (PFM) fuel cells that retain many of the advantages of PEM fuel cells while eliminating the high price tag.

As in the PEM fuel cell, the “heart” of CellEra’s fuel cell is a catalyzed, solid polymer electrolyte. However, as this new form of polymer electrolytes conducts OH- (hydroxyl) ions as opposed to H+ ions (protons), the chemical environment in PFM cells is mildly alkaline as opposed to the highly acidic environment in PEM cells. Accordingly, the use of low-cost transition-metal based catalysts instead of platinum is enabled. The mildly alkaline environment further allows for the use of light aluminum hardware, without risk of corrosion, enabling, in turn, cost-effective manufacturing even at initialy low volumes, as well as improved thermal management. Finally, the OH- ion conducting membrane itself is made of a less expensive polymer.

While the membrane is conducting hydroxyls (OH-), CellEra’s fuel cell technology is significantly different than a liquid electrolyte, alkaline fuel cell. There is no aqueous KOH in the system, and the only liquid is de-ionized water. The CO2 challenges encountered in alkaline fuel cells have been resolved by CellEra via an innovative, patent-pending approach which does not involve the use of any liquids scrubbing.

1. The Problem: Mainstream Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEM) cost barriers

• PEM's proton exchange membrane creates a highly agressive chemical environment
• This creates a bill-of-material-based cost barrier – up to 90% of stack cost
• The use of platinum in the the PEM electrodes introduces high cost volatility - recent platinum price fluctuated between $500/Oz and $2,500/Oz

2. The trigger: a new type of fuel cell membrane

A new type of cell membrane providing the potential for dramatic fuel cell cost cuts came into the industry's attention, but was accompanied by substantial skepticism. CellEra took advantage of this great opportunity

3. Platinum is eliminated in the fuel cell electrodes and replaced with base-metal catalysts

4. Stack hardware is made of a light metal, substantially lower in cost and easier to manufacture than graphite or stainless steel bipolar plates used in PEM

5. Thermal conductivity of stack hardware is an order of magnitude higher than graphite or stainless steel, thus facilitating thermal management

6. Overall, up to 70% cost savings as compared to PEM can be achieved