Powered by hydrogen, fuel cells convert chemical energy into electrical energy up to 60 percent more efficiently than combustion engines convert gas to power. And because hydrogen simply emits water during the conversion process, carbon dioxide and other health-harming emissions are eliminated. The final equation is efficient, petroleum-free transportation and cleaner air. 

But challenges such as sustainable low-cost hydrogen generation, an effective hydrogen infrastructure, and fuel cell cost, performance, and durability limit widespread deployment of fuel cells. That’s why DOE’s Fuel Cell Technologies Office—which manages PNNL’s fuel cell research—focuses on research, development, and innovation to advance hydrogen and fuel cells. This office also stewards the H2@Scale vision, which explores the potential for wide-scale hydrogen production and use across the nation. 

PNNL supports these missions by exploiting the interplay of hydrogen and electrons. To this end, PNNL’s hydrogen and fuel cell researchers focus in these key research areas: 

• Hydrogen Materials. Hydrogen compatibility depends on materials characteristics in the hydrogen environment. In addition to testing and developing polymer materials for use in hydrogen applications, PNNL leads the development and dissemination of best practices for polymer materials hydrogen compatibility testing, as well as the publication of data on its test results.  

• Hydrogen Safety. PNNL’s hydrogen materials work connects with the Hydrogen Safety Panel, a coalition of hydrogen experts committed to the safe and timely transition to hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. It also feeds the Hydrogen Tools Portal, which provides key information about hydrogen properties, handling, and safety. 

• Hydrogen Storage. PNNL researchers involved in the Hydrogen Materials Advanced Research Consortium help develop advanced characterization tools and materials to advance hydrogen storage. PNNL is exploring new ways to store hydrogen in liquid organic carriers for safe, economic and efficient hydrogen transportation from central production plants to refueling stations.  

• Hydrogen Liquefaction. PNNL is developing technology that will double the efficiency of the hydrogen liquefaction process while lowering capital cost. A novel approach based on magnetocaloric refrigeration is being developed by PNNL and partners; it could replace the entire process and reduce the cost of liquefying hydrogen by 25 percent or more. 

• Hydrogen Production. PNNL is a leader in hydrogen production and reforming. PNNL is developing high-temperature electrolysis that requires a third less electricity than traditional low-temperature electrolysis. PNNL has also developed catalysts, reactors, and systems which efficiently convert renewable and conventional hydrocarbons to hydrogen. For example, a new process under development directly converts natural gas to hydrogen and solid carbon, eliminating greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, PNNL is developing processes for electrochemical and biological hydrogen production from waste, converting waste streams into money makers.  

• Fuel Cells. The Institute for Integrated Catalysis at PNNL fosters the development of new electrocatalysts, free of precious metals, for low-temperature polymer exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and electrolyzers. This approach increases catalyst durability while maintaining high reactivity. In addition, for more than two decades PNNL has been the lead lab for development of solid-oxide fuel cells. These fuel cells operate at high temperature, eliminating the need for costly platinum and other precious metals used in low-temperature PEM fuel cells. In addition, PNNL is using Solid Phase Processing capabilities to develop the next generation of low-cost, manufacturable advanced bipolar plates. 

Imagine driving several hundred miles without worrying about running out of gasoline.  Imagine a smog-free environment thanks to zero-emission technology. That clean, energy-efficient future is coming thanks in part to the fuel cell research community.