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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Quantification of [MTBD][beti] loading and its effects on Pt/HSC electrode performance in hydrogen fuel cells

High surface area carbon-supported platinum catalysts (Pt/HSC) are widely used in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells but often suffer from limited proton and oxygen transport within porous domains. To address these challenges, we integrate the ionic liquid [MTBD][beti] into Pt/HSC catalyst layers using two deposition methods-one-pot and sequential deposition-to tune IL distribution within micropores and mesopores. A combination of ex situ and in operando techniques were employed to elucidate electrode structure-performance relationships across a range of IL loadings. Sequential deposition achieved more efficient pore filling and higher IL retention at lower IL:C ratios, enabling enhanced proton conductivity and protection of active sites. Compared to the IL-free Pt/HSC, IL-modified electrodes demonstrated up to 28% improvement in mass activity and enhanced high-current-density performance under low relative humidity, while maintaining comparable performance under humidified conditions. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and CO displacement experiments reveal that improvements are linked to reduced ionic resistance and lower sulfonate adsorption on Pt sites, rather than changes in electrochemical surface area. However, excessive IL loading leads to mass transport losses. These results highlight the importance of selective pore filling and efficient IL distribution in achieving kinetic gains without compromising ionic and gas transport.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2023

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Bus (FCEB) Evaluations in US Public Transit Service

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory focused on renewable energy and energy efficiency. NREL has evaluated alternative fuel and advanced propulsion transit buses for DOE and the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA). These evaluations are focused on determining the status of fuel cell systems and the corresponding infrastructure in transit applications to help DOE and FTA assess the progress toward technology readiness. For the last 19 years NREL has evaluated FCEBs in service around the United States and in Canada. The results of these evaluations have been published in numerous reports that compare FCEB performance to conventional technology as well as document the implementation experience and lessons learned by the transit agencies and their demonstration teams. Currently, 70 fuel cell buses are in active service in the US and 66 FCEBs are in development. NREL is evaluating a subset of the active FCEBs that includes three transit agencies demonstrating 25 fuel cell electric buses in California. One bus has exceeded 35,000 hours in service and 12 have exceeded 25,000 hours. Fuel economy for the current generation of FCEBs has improved 35% over the previous generation and is double that of conventional buses. Maintenance cost for FCEBs is equivalent to diesel and BEBs. The most up-to-date performance results will be presented, including fuel economy, availability, reliability, and operational costs.

bus↗
DOE OSTI2024

MV Sea Change: Fuel Cell, Emissions, and Hydrogen Fueling Performance

The Sea Change Project, managed and financed by SWITCH Maritime, produced the first zero-emission 100% hydrogen fuel-cell powered commercial ferry in the world. The MV Sea Change is a 70-foot catamaran equipped with a 360-kW fuel cell powertrain and a 250-bar 246 kg capacity hydrogen storage system. The 75-passenger vessel began public passenger service in July 2024 as part of the San Francisco Bay Ferry system. Summarized here are aspects of the design of the vessel, its construction, and vessel bunkering with high-pressure hydrogen. Results from a fuel cell performance analysis are also presented, along with estimates of the greenhouse gas (GHG) and criterial pollutant emissions assuming different sourcings of hydrogen. Lessons learned from the project will be briefly reviewed.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2023

Safety of Mobile Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Applications: An Investigation by the Hydrogen Safety Panel

Safe practices in the production, storage, distribution, and use of hydrogen are essential for the widespread acceptance of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. A significant safety incident could damage public perception of hydrogen and fuel cells. Recent incidents involving multi-cylinder hydrogen transport vehicles in the United States have brought attention to the potential impacts of mobile hydrogen storage and transportation. Road transportation of bulk gaseous hydrogen presents unique hazards that can be very different from those for stationary equipment, and new equipment developers may have less experience and expertise than seasoned gas providers. In response to the aforementioned incidents, and in support of hydrogen and fuel cell activities in California specifically, the Hydrogen Safety Panel (HSP) has investigated the safety of mobile hydrogen and fuel cell applications (mobile auxiliary/emergency fuel cell power units, mobile fuelers, multi-cylinder transport vehicles, unmanned aircraft power supplies, and mobile hydrogen generators). The HSP examined the applications, requirements, and performance of mobile applications that are being used extensively outside of California to understand how safety considerations are applied. This report discusses the results of the HSP’s evaluation of hydrogen and fuel cell mobile applications along with recommendations to address relevant safety issues.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2022

Nickel catalysts for affordable fuel cells

Hydrogen oxidation reactions in hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells have slow kinetics. Further, switching from platinum group metal (PGM) electrocatalysts to those that are PGM-free is a challenging task as the latter are prone to oxidation. Now, stable and active nickel–molybdenum–niobium catalysts are introduced for this type of fuel cell.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Michigan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Deployment Plan: H2 FCEV Roadmap 2022

This report describes a roadmap for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles in the state of Michigan. This plan provides links to relevant information to assess, plan, and initiate hydrogen and FCEV deployment to help meet the energy, economic, and environmental goals for the State of Michigan. Policies and incentives that support hydrogen and fuel cell technology will increase deployment, thus increasing production and creating jobs throughout the supply chain. As deployment increases, an economy of scale will develop and manufacturing costs will decline, positioning hydrogen and fuel cell technology to compete more effectively in a global market without incentives. Policies and incentives to purchase and support the deployment of FCEVs, FCEBs, and hydrogen refueling can be coordinated regionally to maintain this advanced clean transportation sector as a global exporter for long-term growth and economic development. Overall, the execution of this plan will maintain Michigan's role as a global showcase for regionally manufactured transportation technology while reducing NOx and CO 2 emissions and as new jobs are created for businesses and industry.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2022

2020 Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Market Report

This report features summaries of relevant hydrogen and fuel cell activity in 2020, consistent with prior annual reports across applications and sectors. However, 2020 was no ordinary year. Despite pandemic hardships, the hydrogen and fuel cell industry not only stepped up to assist with humanitarian and healthcare efforts but saw continued momentum in several growing market sectors with numerous partnerships, initiatives, and investments. Using hydrogen and fuel cell technologies to provide an environmental and economic pathway to clean, reliable power was a key feature of world economic recovery and energy infrastructure plans. Today, hydrogen energy and fuel cell systems are being developed and deployed in a range of stationary power, portable power, and transportation applications around the world. Throughout 2020, there were significant achievements in each sector, building on years of research and development (R&D), field testing, large-scale demonstration projects, and real-world customer experience. The heavy-duty truck market in particular continued to make substantial gains, with new players entering the space and a coalition of companies pledging to produce and deploy more than 100,000 fuel cell trucks in the next two decades. To provide hydrogen for trucks and other end users, larger and larger electrolyzer projects were announced throughout the year. Collectively, there were more than 430 megawatts (MW) of electrolyzer systems either deployed, ordered, or proposed around the world. This 2020 report also provides special “Spotlights” on the collective industry response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as international commitments and hydrogen strategies, providing overviews of significant activity during and after the initial onset of COVID-19 around the world.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2023

The Port of Los Angeles Zero- and Near-Zero-Emission Freight Facilities Shore to Store Project

The City of Los Angeles Harbor Department (Harbor Department, Port of Los Angeles) partnered with Equilon Enterprises LLC (d/b/a Shell Oil Products US) (Shell), Toyota Motor North America (Toyota), and Kenworth Truck Company (Kenworth) partnered with the Port of Hueneme, United Parcel Service, Total Transportation Services Inc., Southern Counties Express, Toyota Logistics Services, Air Liquide, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Coalition For A Safe Environment, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District to introduce hydrogen fuel into the Southern California drayage truck market by demonstrating near-commercial heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks at and between freight facilities throughout the region, while continuing to lay the groundwork for battery-electric operations. The Shore to Store project built on project team experience to help realize our vision of zero-emission freight operations in the future. Ten Kenworth zero-emission Class 8 fuel cell electric trucks, integrated with Toyota’s fuel cell drive technology, were operated by United Parcel Service, Total Transportation Services Inc., Southern Counties Express, and Toyota Logistics Services in commercial service. The demonstration fleet fueled at the Shore to Store hydrogen fueling stations that were built in Ontario, California, and Wilmington, California. An additional station at the Port of Long Beach (Portal Station) was available for fueling the fleet. Portal Station was supported by grants from the California Energy Commission and South Coast Air Quality Management District and used as match funding for the Shore to Store project. The Port of Hueneme demonstrated two battery-electric yard tractors, and Toyota Logistics Services demonstrated two zero-emission forklifts at their warehouse facility, showcasing elements of the entire supply chain operating with zero emissions. This project showcased a snapshot of the zero-emission supply chain of the future, providing a model by which freight facilities can support zero-emission operations. The Shore to Store project: Demonstrated the technical feasibility of zero-emission hydrogen fueled Class 8 heavy-duty trucks and electric cargo handling equipment in rigorous goods movement operation throughout the Southern California region. Cumulatively completed 59,212 miles of zero-emission operation, with 21,650 miles driven in-service with the fleets, using hydrogen fuel cell electric Class 8 heavy-duty trucks. Operated zero-emission yard tractors for a total of 2,749.6 hours. Created direct localized emission reductions in designated disadvantaged communities, including those in zip codes 90220, 90247, 90248, 90731, 90744, 90802, and 91761. For the 59,212 miles of zero-emission operation, reduced emissions by an estimated total of 15.5 kg NOX (0.163 g/km), 1.01 kg SOX (0.0106 g/km), and 304.8 metric tonnes of CO2e (3.2 kg/km) compared to diesel baseline vehicles including both tailpipe emissions and the emissions from producing the fuel sources.

08 HYDROGEN↗