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29 Sep New H2MARINE Publication | Advancing Fuel Cell Durability for Maritime Applications

How can we ensure that PEM fuel cells withstand the demanding and dynamic operating conditions of maritime transport?

A new open-access scientific publication in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, developed by researchers from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and CERTH, presents a high-throughput methodology for evaluating PEM fuel cell degradation under maritime-relevant operating conditions.

What makes this approach different?
By combining a multi-single-cell setup with a multichannel potentiostat, researchers can test up to eight membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) simultaneously, significantly accelerating durability testing while maintaining consistent operating conditions.
The study provides important insights for future maritime fuel cell operation:
– 0.825 V was identified as a practical upper potential limit for the investigated catalyst system, helping limit accelerated platinum degradation during idling conditions.
– Frequent stops and starts matter. The results show that the frequency of voltage transients can have a stronger impact on catalyst degradation than the time spent at the higher operating voltage.
– Operational strategies can make a difference. Optimised idling, short-stop and shutdown protocols can help reduce degradation and contribute to longer-lasting maritime PEM fuel cell systems.

The findings bring us another step closer to developing durable, reliable and efficient fuel cell solutions for zero-emission shipping.

Publication: A high-throughput method for quantifying degradation in maritime PEM fuel cells using a multichannel potentiostat
Published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy.

You can read more here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2026.157810