Sustainable Recycling of Fuel Cell and Electrolyser Membrane Electrode Assemblies: Scalable Solutions for a Circular Hydrogen Economy
Project ID: 2531bd1632
(You will need this ID for your application)
Research Theme: Energy and Decarbonisation
Research Area(s):
Materials for energy applications
Fuel cell technology
Materials engineering - composites
UCL Lead department: Chemical Engineering
Lead Supervisor: Thomas Miller
Project Summary:
Why this research is important
Fuel cells and electrolysers are vital net-zero energy systems. However, their core components - membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) - pose a growing sustainability challenge. MEAs contain valuable platinum group metal catalysts and fluorinated polymer membranes, which are difficult to recycle and potentially harmful if discarded improperly. As deployment scales up, so does the volume of end-of-life MEAs, creating an urgent need for circular solutions that recover and reuse these critical materials.
This project will develop sustainable recycling processes that reduce environmental impact, improve resource security, and support the long-term viability of hydrogen technologies. It will also define scalable pathways for circular reuse of MEA components, supporting innovation in clean energy manufacturing. ______________
Who you will be working with
You will join a collaborative research environment in UCL Chemical Engineering, working with Thomas Miller, Panagiota Angeli and Federico Galvanin. The project is part of a broader initiative focused on sustainable materials recovery. Your work will be based in the Electrochemical Innovation Lab (EIL) and Advanced Propulsion Lab (APL), which host state-of-the-art facilities for electrochemical testing, materials processing, and advanced characterisation. ______________
What you will be doing
You will develop and optimise hydro/solvothermal processes to recover ionomers and catalysts from real-world MEAs. These recovered materials will be reintegrated into second-life fuel cells and electrolysers, which you will fabricate and test using standardised accelerated stress protocols. You will explore membrane stabilisation strategies and use advanced characterisation techniques - including electrochemical techniques and X-ray computed tomography - to assess performance and degradation. ______________
Who we are looking for
We welcome applicants from chemical engineering, materials science, or related disciplines. You should be enthusiastic about experimental research and sustainability. You will be supported to develop technical expertise and transferable skills in communication, project management, and industry engagement.