EU-funded project INSPIRE for the development of fuel cell technology in the automotive sector launched
SGL Group responsible for the development of “gas diffusion layers” based on carbon fibers
Dr. Gerd Wingefeld, Chief Technology Officer at SGL Group: “Participation in INSPIRE emphasizes our claim to shape developments in the megatrends of mobility and energy supply”
Wiesbaden, December 1, 2016. SGL Group is a development partner in the joint development project INSPIRE, that has been funded with a € 7 million award from Europe’s Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) and will run for three years. The aim of INSPIRE is to develop a new generation of fuel cells with higher performance and longer lifetime, which will play a major role in the electromobility of the future. At the same time, the commercialization of hydrogen-powered vehicles is set to be accelerated, since they represent an alternative to cars with solely battery-based electric propulsion.
SGL Group brings its long-established expertise as a component developer to the project, and is responsible for the development of the gas diffusion layers (GDL), which will be manufactured based on carbon fibers. The GDL allows a steady supply of gas to the catalyst layers, which are located on both sides of the ion exchange membrane and which convert hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy and water.