OpenSource Platform
OSS 1.0
Open Source Stack OSS 1.0
The initial development of an open-source fuel cell stack, designed to facilitate communication with partners and interested parties, illustrates the various components. Furthermore, the diverse challenges facing the different components are clearly presented, inviting discussion on possible solutions.
Setup:
research projects:
The OSS 1.0 was developed as part of the HZwo:STACK - Großserientaugliche PEM-Brennstoffzellenmodule project
OSS050
Open Source Stack OSS050
The OSS050 open-source stack is the second stack developed by the department, designed for medium current densities of up to 2 A/cm². With an active area of 50 cm², it is ideally suited to fundamental investigations into material properties, flow field structures, membrane analyses and the influence of manufacturing methods.
The structure is based on Dr. Nico Keller’s doctoral thesis, which can be consulted at the university library.
Basic cell properties:
- active Area: 50 cm²
- max. cell count: 60
- max. power: 1 kW
- max. current: 150 A
Setup:
Research projects using the OSS050:
OSS100
Open Source Stack OSS100
With an active area of 100 cm², the OSS100 open-source stack represents the first scaling stage following the OSS050 in the research platform’s modular system. The increase in active area and the associated rise in maximum stack output extend the range of applications to include, for example, energy systems and light motor vehicles. The simple modular design allows new manufacturing processes and materials to be tested; unlike the OSS050, however, greater consideration can be given to scaling the technology to series production. The OSS100 thus facilitates the transition from basic research to the industrialisation of PEM fuel cells.
Basic cell properties:
- active area: 100 cm²
- max. cell count: 120
- max. power: 10 kW
- max. current: 250 A
Research projects using the OSS100:
OSS300
Open Source Stack OSS300
The OSS300 open-source stack, with an active area of 300 cm², provides a scalable and flexible test platform, specifically designed for the development and validation of application scenarios involving high electrical currents. Particularly noteworthy is the targeted optimisation of the stack design for thermal analysis. This feature makes the OSS300 a valuable tool for investigating the cold start behaviour of fuel cell systems – a crucial challenge when operating in cold climates or following prolonged periods of inactivity.
Furthermore, the OSS300 serves as an ideal platform for the systematic optimisation of cold start processes. The ability to test various start-up strategies, pressure conditions and humidity management methods under controlled and reproducible conditions enables valuable insights to be gained. These insights facilitate significant improvements in the efficiency, service life and reliability of fuel cell systems.
Like all components in the OS family, the OSS300 is modular and can be adapted to the user’s individual requirements. This makes it suitable not only for research and development, but also for a wide range of applications in industry and prototyping.
Basic cell properties:
- active Area: 300 cm²
- max. cell count: 40
- max. power: 25 kW
- max. current: 800 A
Research projects using the OSS300:
OSSys
1 kW test system
Open Source 1 kW test system
The 1 kW OSSys fuel cell test system was developed with the aim of investigating and comparing different system topologies and components of PEM fuel cell systems under reproducible conditions. The starting point was the wide variety of possible applications and the associated differing requirements in terms of performance, efficiency, service life and system integration. Based on the Open Source Stack (OSS) platform, a modular overall system was created for this purpose, enabling flexible adaptation of the anode, cathode and other balance-of-plant components. This allows different components, interconnections and operating strategies to be experimentally investigated within a largely consistent test environment. A particular focus of development lies on the analysis of different hydrogen recirculation concepts and their interactions within the overall system. The OSSys thus provides an open and expandable research platform for the systematic further development of PEM fuel cell systems.
Basic system characteristics:
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current: 0 - 200 A
- voltage: 0 - 80 V
- flow anode: 8 - 34 Nl/min (with active recirculation)
- flow cathode: 5 - 250 Nl/min
- cell voltage monitoring up to 72 cells
System setup:
research projects:
Das Testsystem wurde im Projekt HZwo:SuSyMobil entwickelt.
OSSEL
electrolysis cell
Open Source Electrolysis Cell
A PEM electrolysis cell is currently under active development, driven mainly by student research projects. Based on the clamping system of the OSS050, the cell is designed for operating pressures of up to 8 bar and is characterised by a high degree of flexibility. The aim is to create a robust test system that enables the evaluation of various electrolysis components – including membranes, electrodes, transport layers and bipolar plates. Thanks to its modular design, new materials and concepts can be efficiently tested and optimised. The cell provides a valuable platform for research, teaching and innovation in the field of PEM electrolysis.
