Eleven Year 11 students from two Duisburg secondary schools recently took a look at the world of nanoparticles in fuel cell and electrolysis technology at the ZBT - Center for Fuel Cell Technology. They came over to us as part of an event organized by the NanoSchoolLabs "Insights into the nanoworld" at the University of Duisburg-Essen to experience the application of nanoparticles for themselves in the ZBT laboratories.
The so-called membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is the electrochemical heart of a fuel or electrolysis cell. Nanomaterials are used primarily in the field of catalysts. The students learned about the process chain for manufacturing the MEA and carried out practical experiments themselves.
Nanotechnology at its best
In wet chemistry, the students were able to weigh catalyst powder, pipette solvent and ionomer and disperse the whole thing in an ultrasonic bath to produce a dispersion. Catalyst layers were then sprayed in the coating laboratory. Finally, the self-built MEAs were tested in the electrolysis cell in the test bench laboratory. At each station and during all activities, the ZBT scientists explained the underlying physical and chemical principles.
The NanoSchoolLab offers day courses, project courses and teacher training on nanotechnology topics from the fields of physics, engineering and chemistry. The offer is aimed at courses in grades 8 to 13 at grammar schools, comprehensive schools, secondary schools and vocational colleges. Visiting the NanoSchoolLab is free of charge.
