The Role of Co-Rotating Twin Screw Extruder In Manufacturing of Conductive Thermoplastic Composites for the Sustainable Energy Sector

同向双螺杆挤出机在可持续能源领域导电热塑性复合材料制造中的作用

• 批准号: 508824-2017
• 负责人: Vlachopoulos, John
• 金额: $ 1.82万
• 依托单位: McMaster University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Engage Grants Program
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2017-01-01 至 2018-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=639922
• 关键词: Role; Co; Rotating; Twin; Screw

Hydrogenics, a Canadian producer of hydrogen fuel cells, is looking to produce thinner and more definedbipolar plates which will result in the production of more efficient fuel cells used for low density energystorage produced by renewable resources such as wind and solar. The current technology and materials used tomanufacture the plates does not allow for the desired thickness or structure. As such it is necessary to develop amaterial that can be readily shaped while also allowing for fine definition of the plate structure and not add asignificant increase in cost, or loss of conductivity. Thus, the development of such a material presents manymajor technical challenges related to energy density, contact resistance, strength and formability to be solved; aportion of these challenges will be examined through this project. The main challenge handled in this study isthe high level yet not completely uniform dispersion of carbon filler for conductivity in a highly viscouspolymer matrix required to develop the required material. Conductivity requires pathways produced byaggregated 'chains' of fillers through the thickness of the part that are uniformly spread out in-plane. Thisrequires an atypical level of mixing control, complicated by the very high viscosity of the system. Anunderstanding of polymer chemistry, interfacial science, and polymer processing is required to systematicallyovercome these challenges.The goal of this six-month project is to develop examples of the desired material for Hydrogenics, for theproduction of highly conductive, lightweight bipolar plates. The goal will be met through a systematic study offiller to polymer ratio, looking at different fillers and compatibilizing additives. The resulting blend willincrease the economics of fuel cell production typically used for low density energy storage increasing theefficiency of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.

加拿大氢燃料电池生产商 Hydrogenics 正在寻求生产更薄、更明确的双极板，这将导致生产更高效的燃料电池，用于风能和太阳能等可再生资源产生的低密度能量存储。当前用于制造板的技术和材料不允许达到所需的厚度或结构。因此，有必要开发一种易于成型的材料，同时还可以精细定义板结构，并且不会显着增加成本或降低导电性。因此，这种材料的开发提出了许多需要解决的与能量密度、接触电阻、强度和可成型性相关的重大技术挑战；这些挑战的一部分将通过该项目进行研究。本研究面临的主要挑战是开发所需材料所需的高粘度聚合物基体中用于导电的碳填料的高水平但不完全均匀的分散。导电性需要由聚集的填料“链”产生的路径，这些路径穿过零件的厚度，并在平面内均匀分布。这需要非典型的混合控制水平，并且由于系统的粘度非常高而变得复杂。要系统地克服这些挑战，需要了解聚合物化学、界面科学和聚合物加工。这个为期六个月的项目的目标是开发 Hydrogenics 所需材料的示例，用于生产高导电性、轻质双极板。该目标将通过系统研究填料与聚合物的比例、研究不同的填料和相容添加剂来实现。由此产生的混合物将提高通常用于低密度储能的燃料电池生产的经济性，从而提高风能和太阳能等可再生能源的效率。