Dive Brief:
- A closed-loop process capable of recycling fuel cells commercially is getting closer to reality. Fuel cells are devices that transform chemical energy into electricity.
- Researchers at Axion Consulting created a process with Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells and Technical Fibre Products that uses advanced techniques to recover "a high-value polymer from fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies," reports Environmental Leader. Innovate UK co-funded the work.
- Roger Morton, the director at Axion, said the process has three large benefits: "economic recovery of valuable and critical materials; preservation of resources for reuse in new fuel cell products and elimination of the technical challenges and cost of tackling harmful emissions," according to Environmental Leader.
Dive Insight:
Researchers are in the process of evaluating a take-back system for end-of-life fuel cells. Potential products include fuel cells from electric cars, forklift trucks, cell phone towers, and portable power packs for laptops and other items.