Fuel cells

Description

The focus of the MFCIC, is advanced materials for fuel cells. The University requires a suite of modular low power fuel cells units (PEM, SOFC, etc.) which can be used to test our materials and to conduct condition-monitoring experiments. A suite of cells and associated hydrogen generation facilities will also be required. These units will also be used in our teaching/training activities. A wide range of liquid and gaseous fuels can be reformed into hydrogen. The generic specifications for the acoustic emission spectroscopy (AES) system. An integrated atomic force microscopy (AFM) that can provide physical sample information on the nanometer scale, including topography, hardness, adhesion, friction, surface potential, electrical and thermal conductivity, temperature and piezo response (among many others), near-field optical techniques (SNOM or NSOM), Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM), tuning fork techniques (Shear-force and Normal-force imaging modes), electrochemistry, all together with the chemical information obtained from Raman spectroscopy. A comprehensive sample characterization for the fast simultaneous co-localized measurements and Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (TERS). The Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre laboratory requires detection equipment for various gases associated with combustion. The detection will be carried out either using a Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) or a conventional Gas Chromatograph (GC). MMU would like suppliers to quote for either or both options and will choose the system that is most suitable for its needs having reviewed all offers. The CVD Graphene Rig is used to deposit thin films of graphene onto metal foil or film substrates. These graphene layers will be used in the construction of novel fuel cell elements. MMU already has much of the equipment required to build a unit in-house that can achieve the desired outcome, and therefore requires only the microwave plasma delivery system, which can be integrated by MMU itself following installation and training from the successful bidder. Electrolysers convert water into H2 and O2 using electricity. The electrolyser will be responsible for meeting the hydrogen demand of MMU’s new fuel cell testing lab. The lab is located on the 5th floor of a tower, into which transportation of H2 cylinders is not feasible. Up to 6 cells will be used at once in the laboratory, with an estimated maximum simultaneous power output of 3 kW. The magnetron sputtering rig is used to deposit thin films of metals, oxides and nitrides on a variety of substrates. These layers will be used in the construction of fuel cell elements. MMU requires a 3D printer capable of printing large objects from a variety of plastic filaments. This tender may be fulfilled with an existing product however it is anticipated that the printer may need to be a bespoke unit constructed from an “off-the-shelf” robotic arm and one or more print heads that are integrated into a single system by the supplier. An automated high precision screen-printer for producing conductive surface. A complete screen-printing platform for quick, reliable and high precision with stencils and screens. Will be required to print fuel cell conducting anode and cathodes and highly accurate and reproducible electrochemical platforms. A complete XPS system suitable for surface characterisation and depth profile analysis of layers. The system will be capable of high resolution, monochromated XPS, small area XPS, XPS line scans, XPS chemical mapping, and depth profiling from conductors and insulators. A number of test stations are required to determine the performance of fuel cells that will be fabricated and tested at the new Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre (MFCIC). MFCIC, anticipates that a range of different sizes of fuel cells and stacks will be tested, from less than 1 W, up to 100 W. Different constructions of fuel cells will also be tested, including: Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM), Intermediate Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (ITPEM), and Solid Oxide (SOFC). The proton exchange membrane (PEM) test station is used to determine the performance of PEM fuel cells. This test station will be used for testing cells up to 2.5 kW in size.