UK companies Intelicoat Technologies and Johnson Matthey are working on a joint project to develop renewable resources within the automotive industry.

With the help of a £3.2 million Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) grant, the companies are combining forces to develop and assess new approaches to manufacturing polymeric membranes in regard to their design, materials and production processes, reports the EE Times.

Polymeric membranes are an essential component in the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells, which convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity to power vehicles.

According to head of Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells Jack Frost, the MEA is a vital component of PEM fuel cells.

"Developing the catalyst and materials technology embodied in this critical component is the key to making fuel cell cars a commercial reality," he said.

Fuel cell technology is one way of mitigating climate change, as vehicles using it produce only water as an emission.

It is hoped that the companies' collaboration will result in a higher life expectancy and improved lifetime for PEM fuel cells as well as reduce production costs, which would make them more commercially viable.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd