Fuel Cell R&D

at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland

VTT
Fuel
Cells

Fuel cells can be applied anywhere where electricity is

needed. Typical applications are replacement of batteries
in the W-power range, back-up power in the 1 kW100
kW range, power for transport and speciality vehicles, and
power production, from 1 kW residential to the stationary
power of several MW. It is therefore expected that a major
new industrial sector will emerge in the coming decades
around fuel cells and their application. The technology is
nevertheless complex, and requires both research and
development work in order to reach maturity with regard
to durability and cost.
fuel cell research supports
the industrys product
development by maintaining a
development platform comprising a large
pool of know-how, a broad selection
of research facilities and a range of
advanced modelling tools. The work is
encompassing a variety of technologies
throughout the business chain.

We also undertake research projects,

in which industrial enterprises are
encouraged to participate. These research
projects are mostly co-funded by the
Finnish Funding Agency for Technology
and Innovation, the European research
programmes, industry and VTT. At present
more than 30 different companies are
involved in the various projects.

Networking with industry is performed

through contract work involving
consultation and technology development.

VTT participates actively in European

projects and European and international
networks. Thus a large network involving

VTT

Jari Kiviaho
Chief Research Scientist
Tel. +358 20 722 5298
jari.kiviaho@vtt.fi
2

universities, research organisations and

industry within Finland and Europe can
be utilised to convene research groups
of high competence to solve different
problems.
The main research areas today are
SOFC system research
SOFC stack development
PEMFC and hydrogen quality
PEM materials and components
Enzyme catalysed & printed fuel cells

SOFC system research

The purpose of SOFC system research at VTT is to provide
novel technological solutions, tools and know-how for industrial
companies in support of the development and application of
products based on SOFC technology.
The activities include research, development, experimental
evaluation and modelling of SOFC stacks and cells, balance-ofplant (BoP) components and complete proof-of-concept SOFC
systems.
Modelling know-how and tools enables steady-state and
dynamic system modelling and simulation at both component
and system level. Modelling is applied to process design and
optimisation, control system design and testing, failure analysis,
and state estimation. The reliability of the modelling is verified
by comparing the results to other, more detailed models, and
particularly to the experimental data obtained from in-house
experimental facilities. The large-scale dynamic system models
prepared at VTT can be operated in real-time or faster using
standard PCs. This enables, for example, the screening of the
behaviour of the studied processes and real-time based control
hardware testing.

SOFC cell and stack research is focused on understanding the

limiting conditions in system operation with respect to lifetime
and reliability. VTT is capable of conducting long-term testing
under well defined gas atmospheres, including controlled
addition of fuel and oxidant impurities. Measurement facilities
enable both in-situ degradation and contamination assessment,
as well as post mortal cell analysis. VTT can provide reliable and
neutral performance data for cell and stack developers.
VTT has the capability and facilities to conduct in-house
development, prototyping and evaluation of BoP components
for SOFC systems. Additionally, components from partners or
third parties can be evaluated experimentally to assess their
applicability for SOFC system use. Endurance testing and
performance characterisation of the components is possible in
automated test stands that can simulate SOFC system relevant
operating conditions.
VTT has the required know-how and research infrastructure
to design, simulate, assemble and test complete proof-ofconcept SOFC systems. Research is conducted to investigate
the performance, durability and reliability of the SOFC stack and
BoP components in a real system environment.
VTT can provide reliable services and partnership for stack and
BoP component developers and SOFC system integrators.

SOFC Demonstration Unit

Research Facilities at VTT

Matias Halinen
Senior Scientist
Tel. +358 20 722 6590
matias.halinen@vtt.fi
3

Fuel Cell R&D at VTT

SOFC stack development

SOFC stack development at VTT started in 2007. Since 2010
stack development has been carried out as contract research,
where the aim is to develop a stack structure suitable for different
power ranges and for mass production. Stack development is
based on the project partners high performance cells and VTTs
innovations on flow geometry, protective coatings and sealings.
Global comparison reveals the electrical performance of VTTs
current stack design to be comparable or superior to state-ofthe-art SOFC stacks.

VTT is focusing on stack design, modelling, characterisation,

and post-analysis. Cells, coatings and sealings are developed
together with strategic partners. All manufacturing methods
and materials are chosen for their suitability for up-scaling with
a view to mass-production. Stack design is strongly supported
by CFD, mechanical, and thermal modelling to optimise stack
structure. Performance and life-time tests are conducted under
realistic operating conditions. Stack characterisation is combined
with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and microscopy
post-analysis to obtain detailed information on degradation
mechanisms.

Stack design is strongly supported by modeling modelled

temperature profiles with different flow configurations

Average cell voltage at 650 C, measured with synthetic steam

reformate

Stacks installed in a test bench

Assembled short stack

Olli Himanen
Senior Scientist
Tel. +358 20 722 5346
olli.himanen@vtt.fi
4

Fuel Cell R&D at VTT

PEMFC and hydrogen quality

The polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell research
at VTT is conducted in close collaboration with partners
from universities and industry. The PEMFC group at VTT is
researching both PEMFC and high temperature PEMFC (HTPEM or PBIFC). The main focus in PEM research is on system
development, and in PBIFC on material and stack development.
The main goal of our work is to support industry in applying fuel
cell technology in their products and to help develop systems,
components and software solutions in this field. In the long term
VTT intends to become the expert organisation in Finland for
offering engineering and research services to both domestic and
international partners.
The main domestic areas of focus has been identified as the
application of fuel cell technology in industrial working machines,
such as material-handling vehicles. Another emerging market is
the utilisation of by-product hydrogen from industry.
Present research activities at VTT can be divided into three
main categories: 1) development of PEMFC power sources
for systems research purposes, supported by laboratory
testing facilities, 2) development of materials and components
for fuel cells and stacks and 3) organisation of technology
demonstrations in various suitable application areas.

A 8kW PEMFC system based on commercial stack

Competences in fuel cell and hydrogen safety and reliability have

been accumulated. The future goal is to develop new knowledge
on fuel cell and hydrogen safety and reliability in order to be
the main independent provider for fuel cell system safety and
reliability analysis in Finland.
The aim of research activity into LT-PEM (low temperature)
systems has been to increase the expertise in power source
design, construction and hybridisation. PEMFC systems up to
16kWe scale have been constructed as part of a hybrid system
field demonstration and research platform on forklift application.
Integrated research platforms, laboratory testing facilities and
tools to aid system design and optimisation are developed
according to customer needs.
VTT offers world class experimental facilities for experimental
studies of PEM fuel cells from cell level to large scale stacks
and from BoP components to fuel cell hybrid systems. Our
knowledge and experience in system design, optimization and
control is considerable and our mission is to ensure success to
domestic and global industries aiming to commercialize fuel cell
technology.

Test driving Kalmar ECF-55 forklift with in-house developed

16 kW PEMFC hybrid system

Jari Ihonen
Principal Scientist
Tel. +358 20 722 4217
jari.ihonen@vtt.fi
5

Fuel Cell R&D at VTT

PEM materials and components

In addition to stack and system design VTT has development
programmes for all major PEMFC stack components except
the membrane, i.e. catalysts, gas diffusion layers, bipolar plates,
end plates and current collectors. The main drivers behind
these developments are the improvement of durability and the
decrease in cost of PEMFC stacks. The work has recently been
extended to PEM water electrolysis cells.
The key competencies applied in the development work are
molecular modelling of catalyst structures, production of metallic
and oxide nanoparticles, development of polymer fillers and
compounding processes, and surface treatment and corrosion
protection of different metals and alloys.
As PEMFC catalyst supports, carbon nanotubes and nanofibers
have recently been shown to have superior stability over
traditional carbon blacks. Graphite composite bipolar plates
have been developed for high temperature operation at 200 C,
and CrN coated stainless steel plates for low temperature
operation at 80 C.
Advanced ex-situ and in-situ characterisation methods including
the multisinglecell are used to verify material properties and the
electrochemical performance.

The multisingle setup for in-situ evaluation of PEMFC materials

Graphite composite plates for HT-PEM

Pertti Kauranen
Principal Scientist
Tel. +358 20 722 3575
pertti.kauranen@vtt.fi
6

Coated stainless steel inserts for the multisingle cell

Fuel Cell R&D at VTT

Enzyme catalysed & printed fuel

cells
Printed electronics with an integrated power source has
remarkable market potential in several mass-marketed
consumer products, e.g. as package-integrated functionalities.
There is also an emerging market in more specific disposable,
electronics-equipped applications, such as smart patches
and drug delivery systems in medicine, advanced inventory
and luggage tracking, active brochures, and other information
carrying materials. The power supply development also aims to
meet the demands of active RFID tags.
For many applications the power source should be
biodegradable or made suitable for incineration along with
normal household waste. The production costs should also be
reasonable. As an alternative power source, the miniaturised
biological fuel cell has the potential for development to meet
these demands. We have developed a printable, fully enzymatic
biofuel cell (BioBattery) based on the use of enzymes as a
catalyst on both cathode and anode electrodes.

The low peak current capacity of an enzymatic fuel cell can be

improved by integrating the cell with a printed supercapacitor.
The structure of the printed supercapacitor is designed for easy
manufacture on the same printing substrate as the enzymatic
fuel cell. The environmental requirements of the power source
are also taken into account in the supercapacitor materials
choice. The development of printed biofuel cells is studied in
the Tekes-funded project Printed Enzymatic Power Supply
with Embedded Capacitor on Next-generation Devices
being carried out by VTT in collaboration with Aalto University,
Tampere University of Technology and bo Akademi, the latter
acting as coordinator. This project aims at further improvement
in the performance of the BioBattery developed earlier, and
at demonstrating its feasibility, both from an application and
commercial viewpoint, by optimising the power supply for use
in selected applications with varying demands for power and
operation time.

This BioBattery can be stored prior to use in dry state even for
weeks or months, while in use it is able to generate power for
several days. We have demonstrated the R2R processability
(including drying) of the biologically active materials and the
manufacturing of anodic and cathodic layers by rotary screen
printing using VTTs ROKO pilot scale printing line.

VTTs ROKO pilot scale printing line

Printed enzyme catalysed fuel cell powering a digital

thermometer

Maria Smolander
Principal Scientist, Team Leader
Tel. +358 20 722 5836
maria.smolander@vt.fi
7

FINLAND

Additional Information
VTT Fuel Cells
Jari Kiviaho
Chief Research Scientist
Tel. +358 20 722 5298
jari.kiviaho@vtt.fi

SOFC System Research

Matias Halinen
Senior Scientist
Tel. +358 20 722 6590
matias.halinen@vtt.fi

PEM Materials and Components

Pertti Kauranen
Principal Scientist
Tel. +358 20 722 3575
pertti.kauranen@vtt.fi

Enzyme Catalysed & Printed Fuel Cells

Maria Smolander
Principal Scientist
Tel. +358 20 722 5836
maria.smolander@vtt.fi

SOFC Stack Development

Olli Himanen
Senior Scientist
Tel. +358 20 722 5346
olli.himanen@vtt.fi

PEMFC and Hydrogen Quality

Jari Ihonen
Principal Scientist
Tel. +358 20 722 4217
jari.ihonen@vtt.fi

www.vtt.fi/fuelcells

VTT TECHNICAL RESEARCH CENTRE OF FINLAND

www.vtt.fi
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Espoo 31.1.2012

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P.O. Box 1000
FI-02044 VTT, Finland