Technology promises longer-lasting fuel cells

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jun 2, 2005

A new technology for membrane electrode assemblies promises to enable direct methanol fuel cells with improved overall power performance and longer run-times.

DuPont Gen IV is a new fuel cell technology for membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) components.

It enables direct methanol fuel cells with improved overall power performance and longer run-times.

DuPont Gen IV MEA technology requires significantly less catalyst loading than previous generations, whilst still delivering an approximate 20% increase in power density and a more than doubling of durability and reliability.

This in turn leads to more cost-effective fuel cell systems.

The new technology facilitates the development of direct methanol fuel cells by original equipment manufacturers.

Such fuel cells provide portable power in consumer electronic applications, including laptops and cell phones, as well as in larger units for recreational, military and industrial use.

"Our new Gen IV technology demonstrates strong advantages for DMFC (direct methanol fuel cell) system developers", said Richard Okine, Technology Director, DuPont Fuel Cells.

"DuPont is committed to continuing its leadership in fuel cell technology development, putting science to work to respond to the needs of our customers and getting the best technologies out into the marketplace to enable cleaner, more convenient and sustainable energy".

DuPont Fuel Cells is a technology and market development organisation enabling the advancement of fuel cell technology and products with leading players in the industry.

By driving the technology to make fuel cells a commercial reality in the near and long term, its mission is to become the leading global supplier of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell membranes and components, to power automobiles, electronics and residences.