Dana Incorporated announced the development of metallic bipolar plates specifically engineered to maximize the performance and accelerate the commercialization of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers used to produce H₂ fuel.

The bipolar plates will leverage Dana's more than two decades of design-to-manufacturing experience with similar components for fuel cell stacks used in mobile applications.

Dana's integrated bipolar plates are made of steel or titanium with various coating options used as surface treatment of the active area. They also improve stack efficiency through better flow field design and reduced electrical losses, and they feature integrated molded sealing to prevent permeability at operating pressures of up to 50 bar.

Currently in prototype testing with global manufacturers of electrolyzers and electrolysis stacks, the bipolar plates will be ready for commercial production by the end of 2023.

"Dana is committed to developing innovations that are helping to propel the energy transition," said Antonio Valencia, president of Dana Power Technologies and Global Electrification. "These new bipolar plate designs for H₂ electrolyzers demonstrate how we can readily adapt our portfolio of advanced technologies to serve new markets and applications."