Fuel Cell Nanomaterials Center,
University of Yamanashi

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Outline of the Center
Towards the dramatic expansion of fuel cell utilization
Fuel cells are expected to play a central role in the use of hydrogen energy, whose position
was emphasized in Japan's “Basic Energy Plan (Fifth).” In 2018, the New Energy andIndustrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) released the “NEDO Fuel Cell /Hydrogen Technology Development Roadmap” (hereinafter referred to as the “NEDO
Technology Map”), which organizes technical issues in chronological order, and the importance of working on technological development by industry, academia and government
collaboration was shown there. In order to achieve this, there is a strong demand fromindustry for the practical application of low-cost, high-eﬃciency, high-output, andhigh-durability fuel cells through innovative research and development of fuel cell materials. It is necessary to carry out the research and development by the best use of high-level collaboration between industry, academia and government.

This center was established in April 2008 with the tremendous support of Yamanashi
Prefecture and related ministries and agencies with the aim of contributing to thefull-scale deployment of fuel cells. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, NEDO
commissioned a project “Development of basic materials for high-performance cells that
integrate deterioration mechanisms and nanotechnology” (abbreviation: HiPer-FC
Director,project, 2008-2014), and a project “Creation of materials concepts related to cell stacks /Fuel Cell Nanomaterials Center,
Concept creation of high output, high durability, high performance fuel cell materials”
University of Yamanashi(abbreviation: SPer-FC project, 2015-2019). In these projects, through the fusion ofknowledge related to the mechanism of reactions and deterioration and advanced
technologies such as nanotechnology (HiPer-FC project), the creation of new catalysts,
support materials and electrolyte materials, and the evaluation and analysis of catalyst
Akihiro Iiyama
layers that maximize their functions, we have worked to improve output performance,
reduce the amount of precious metals used, and improve durability and have achieved the goal of improving performance by about a factor of ten
based on the overall eﬀects (SPer-FC project).
Currently, in order to enable the dramatic expansion of the use of fuel cells, we are developing innovative materials technology that realizes
technologies such as high-eﬃciency power generation, high-load operation, high-durability start-stop operation, and prevention of deteriorationin extreme environments, (NEDO consignment project, named the ECCEEDʼ30-FC project). Also, we are working on the creation of a new polymer
electrolyte membrane concept and catalysts with ceramic support technology concept that can operate even in high temperature and low humidity
environments (NEDO consignment project, named the ECCEEDʼ40-FC project). Furthermore, with the support of various national projects, we areworking on the research and development of non-precious metal catalysts and anion exchange-type electrolyte materials to realize low-cost,highly eﬃcient and highly durable anion exchange-type fuel cells and water electrolyzers. We would like to contribute to the dramatic expansionof hydrogen and fuel cell use by making the results of these research and development eﬀorts widely available to everyone in the industrialized
world.
In this way, this Center makes full use of the worldʼs top-level advanced equipment and a team of versatile researchers, so that it can respond toa full-scale hydrogen-based society that makes dramatic use of fuel cells and, at the same time, joint research between industry, academia andgovernment. We are also actively involved in graduate school education, creating cutting-edge research results and developing researchers andengineers who will lead the green energy ﬁeld.

TO

RY

We look forward to your continuous warm support and guidance.

H

IS

History of the Center■2001.4～ Clean Energy Research Center■2008.4～ Fuel Cell Nanomaterials Center■1978.4～1988.3 Laboratory of Electrocatalysis for Fuel Cells■1989.4～2001.3 Laboratory of Electrochemical Energy Conversion
1978

2001

2008

2015

2020

2025

NEDO
NEDO

SPer-FC Project

1978
Lab.
of Electro-catalysis
for Fuel
Cells(MEXT)

2001
Clean
EnergyResearchCenter(MEXT)

Fuel Cell Nanomaterials Center ・New concept creation
・Cathode catalyst and electrolyte
・Anode durable catalyst
NEDO

HiPer-FC Project・Degradation Mechanism
・Catalyst & membrane
・MEA for automobile

Ene. & Env.Adv. Pj.
2018～2020

2030

2040

Midterm Exam.

Anode Catalysts with Radical
Reduction and Fuel starvation
Innovative Materials for High Eﬃciency,
High Power and High Durability PEFC
Advanced Material Concepts for Wide
Temperature and Humidity Operated PEFC
Highly Eﬃcient, Durable andReversible Operating SOFC

R&D forCommercialization

Practical
Development

Commerc-ialization

Com
-mer
-ciali-zati-on1998 JST-CREST High temp. DMFC
2003 MEXT leading Pj. Next gen. FC

MEXT

Regional Innovation/
Eco-system Formation PJ

・2006 City Area Program 2006
・2007 Special Education Program on Clean Energy
・2008 Graduate School Education GP

2011 JST-ALCA SOEC/SOFC

Commercialization
FC System
Separator w/GDL
ES coater

Creation of『Yamanashi Fuel Cell Valley』

・2011 Special Program for Leading Graduate Schools

2012 JST-CREST Anion Electrolyte

1998

2003 2006 20072011 20122018 WISE Pg. (Doctoral Pg. for World-leading Innovative & Smart Education)2017 2018

2021

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Organization of the R&D
The University of Yamanashi has become a representative for collaborative research being carried out by Panasonic Co., Ltd., Tanaka
Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K, Nihon Kagaku Sangyo Co., Ltd., Nissan Arc, Tohoku University, Osaka University, Toray Research Center, Nikki
Universal Co., Ltd., Rigaku, and the Tokyo University.

ECCEED’30-FC

ECCEED’40-FC

Research on Innovative Materials
for High Eﬃciency, High Power and High Durability PEFCs

Manufacturers,
Fuel Cell
Product
Development

University of Yamanashi

Panasonic Corp.
New catalyst layers that can be
mass-produced, construction ofdesign and molding processes

Mobile,Stationary, etc.

Research and development
for high eﬃciency,
high power and high durability(1) Catalysts,(2) Electrolytes,(3) Catalyst layers

Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K
Construction of mass production
technology for new
electrocatalysts

Problem Sharing andDevelopment ofResearch Results

Nihon Kagaku Sangyo Co., Ltd.

Collaborative Research

Construction of mass production
technology for ceramic supports

Nissan Arc, Ltd.

Compatible withwide temperatureand humidity
operation,
construction ofceramic substratesynthesis andmass production
technology

Toray Research Center, Inc.

Recommissioning

Nikki Universal Co., Ltd.
Selective loading of platinum
onto a novel linkage structure
carbon support

Tohoku University

Tokyo University of Science

Adsorption behavior analysis ofhydrocarbon ionomers

Licensing,Technology Transfer

Nihon Kagaku
Sangyo Co., Ltd.

Achieve PEFCs operatingover wide range oftemperature and humidity(1)Polymer Electrolytic
Membranes(2)Catalysts

Analysis of Material Structures and Degradation
Mechanisms Using the Latest Technology

State-of-the-art characterization
making full use of synchrotron
radiation X-rays, etc.

Manufacturers,
Research
Institutions

Achieve PEFCs Operating Over a
Wide Range of Temperature and Humidity

Osaka University

Structural regulations based on
mass production, synthesis ofplatinum nanoparticles

Backcast analysis of catalyst
layer structure and reaction
transport pathways

Advanced structural analysis
with X-rays

External
Cooperating
Organizations,

Rigaku Corporation

Overseas
Research
Organizations

FCCJ, etc.

Information Exchange
and Sharing

External sample testing and discussion

Information Exchange

M

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BE

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PEFC Evaluation and Analysis Platform(FC-Cubic)

Members of the Center
Under the direction of the Center, we are engaged in research in four departments: metals research, ceramics research, polymer
research, and research planning. In addition, we are supported by the Fuel Cell Research Center Support Oﬃce and the Hydrogen /Fuel Cell Technical Support Oﬃce, which have been set up in the Research Promotion and Social Cooperation Organization of the
University of Yamanashi. The number of faculty members is 14, including 5 faculty members who also serve in the Clean Energy
Research Center. Furthermore, we are promoting research in close cooperation with researchers in Japan and overseas.
Center Director, Professor

Organization for the Promotion of Research and Social Collaboration

Akihiro Iiyama

Metals Research Division
Manager, Professor/
Makoto Uchida
Professor/ Donald A Tryk
Professor/ Toshihiro Miyao
Research Associate/
Hanako Nishino
Researcher/
Toshio Iwataki
Researcher/ Kayoko Tamoto
Researcher/
Hiroko Yamazaki

Polymer Research Division
Manager, Professor/
Kenji Miyatake
Professor/ Junji Inukai
Research Associate/
Teppei Kawamoto
Researcher/ Ryugai Sato
Researcher/
Hiromichi Nishiyama
Researcher/
Akinobu Matsumoto

Ceramic Research Division

Research Planning Division

Administration Ofﬁce

Manager, Professor/
Katsuyoshi Kakinuma
Research Associate/
Guoyu Shi
Researcher/
Takayuki Asakawa
Researcher/Takashi Kuriyama
Researcher/
Hitoshi Taniguchi
Researcher/ Tetsurou Tanou
Researcher/
Miho Yamaguchi

Professor/ Kiyoshi Yoshizumi
Visiting Professor/
Shigehito Deki
Visiting Professor/
Takeo Kamino
Visiting Professor/
Tomio Omata
Visiting Professor/
Kazutoshi Higashiyama
Visiting Professor/
Shoji Tange
Visiting Professor/
Osamu Tajima
Visiting Professor/
Yuji Nagata
Visiting Professor/
Noboru Hashimoto
Visiting Professor/
Hidemi Onaka
Visiting Professor/
Mitsuru Wakisaka
Visiting Professor/
Hiroshi Yano

Manager/ Toshitaka Horiuchi
Assistant Manager/
Mitsumoto Harashina

Manager/ Akihiro Iiyama
Deputy Manager/
Takashi Kanda
Professor,Senior Advisers/
Masahiro Watanabe
Associate Professor,
Coordinator/ Yoshihiro Oka
Researcher/
Tomio Sugiyama

Cooperating organizations

Clean Energy Research Center
Professor/ Kenji Miyatake
Professor/ Junji Inukai
Associate Professor/ Shinji Nohara
Associate Professor/ Junpei Miyake
Associate Professor/ Akiyoshi Kuzume

Hydrogen/
Fuel Cell Technology Support Center

Ochanomizu University
Kobe University
Tokyo Institute of Technology
Toyama Prefectural University
Nagoya University
Fukuoka University

High Energy Accelerator Research Organization
Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research InstituteComprehensive Research Organization for
Science and Society
Japan Atomic Energy Agency

Boston University
Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry
National Sun Yat-sen University
National University of Malaysia
Paul Scherrer lnstitut
Technische Universität Braunschweig

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Metals Research Division

Makoto Uchida          
We are carrying out various evaluations for PEFCs according to the actual operating conditions by making the best use of advanced analysis
equipment and cell evaluation equipment. We are constructing catalyst layer technology by clarifying the catalyst layer structure that maximizes thecharacteristics of various developed materials, the interaction between various materials, the inﬂuence of the interface state and the deterioration
mechanism, and these are fed back to the material technology development.

  

Fuel cell evaluation system(standard and gas exchange)

Fuel cell evaluation system(sub-zero temperature environment）

   Established evaluation equipment for material development andmembrane-electrode assembly of alkaline fuel cells and water electrolyzers. We are aiming to achieve dramatically higher eﬃciency andhigher output of non-precious metal catalysts, anion membranes, andcatalyst layers.

Single cell evaluation systems for AEMWE

Fuel cell evaluation system(High temperature & pressure and gas exchange）

         
Aiming to construct a catalyst
layer that maximizes the performance of catalyst materials andpolymer electrolyte materials, we
elucidated the coating state andinterface structure of catalyst
electrolyte materials and the ideal
form of oxygen and proton
diﬀusion pathways. We are investigating in detail the eﬀects of thepore structure and the distributions of both the Pt catalyst andthe coated ionomer on the performance and durability.

Schematic ORR models of a carbon-supported Pt catalys

Single cell evaluation systems
for AEMFC-WE  During power generation of fuel cells with the developed catalyst
layers, the physical/chemical parameters inside the cells in real timeand space are visualized. The information obtained will be used for the
improvement of materials and catalyst layers and for the optimizationof operation modes.

Schematic depiction of the variation of ionomer ﬁlm thickness
and diffusions of oxygen & proton within the catalyst layer

We are focusing on the development of new platinum-carbon-based
electrocatalysts with hierarchical nanostructure consisting of orderedmesoporous carbon nanoparticles forming a three-dimensional
network structure. This unique catalyst can achieve higher eﬃciency
and higher power generation in the PEFC system.

(L) Visualization of liquid water(R) Visualization of oxygen
partial pressure

Oxygen partial pressure measured
using optical probes with dye

Newly developed Pt/C-based electrocatalyst

XPS with a UHV oven chamber         
We are working on the electrostatic spray (ES) method as one of the methods to realizea catalyst layer structure that maximizes the characteristics of the materials. By
controlling the ionization mode, a uniform coating of the polymer electrolyte binder
and the porous catalyst layer are realized without individual drying processes, demonstrating a dramatic improvement in fuel cell performance and durability.

Steps of microparticle production by ES

Dependence of cell performanceon ionization mode

Multi-nozzle ES coating system (prototype)

C

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Image of Taylor cone

Ceramic Research Division 

Katsuyoshi Kakinuma         
    Highly durable and active Pt catalysts supported onhighly conductive ceramic nanoparticles with uniquefused aggregate network microstructure are being
invented in our Center. The original catalysts haveseveral advantages to overcome some of the issues of
conventional Pt catalysts supported on carbon.
Artistic concept of Pt/Pt alloy catalyst nanoparticles supported
on ceramic particles with a fused aggregate network microstructureHigh-resolution transmission microscopic
image of a PtCo alloy nanoparticle

     
   
     
Ceramic/metal composite catalysts for highly eﬃcient hydrogenproduction without using precious metals (Pt and Ir) are being invented by multi-scale design techniques.
Transmission electron microscopic imagesof ceramic support with fused aggregate
network microstructure

Speciﬁc surface area measurement
system for nanoparticle catalyst   Neutron reﬂectometry, grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering, and grazing incidence X-ray absorption spectroscopy are used to understand the structures of proton-exchange and anion-exchange polymers and binders from the atomic level to micrometer level.
For functional analyses, current-sensing atomic force microscopy, neutron quasi-elastic scattering, and nonlinear laser spectroscopy are used toelucidate the motions of ions and water molecules.
We feed this information back to the synthesis of new ionomericmaterials to further improve their performances.

Photon Factory, KEK

Measurement of oxygen partial pressureby optical probes

CARS spectroscopy inside electrolyte
membraneGrazing incidence small angle
synchrotron X-ray scattering­     
   
Our deliverables of ceramic nanoparticles/catalysts are generated actively by
low-cost and suitable mass production techniques through collaboration withseveral materials companies.

Highly durable ceramic nanoparticle support

Highly durable and conductive
ceramic nanoparticle support

Ceramic nanoparticle synthesis system    
   
   
The functional mechanims of ceramic/metal catalysts
are being eludated by use of the latest analyticalequipment at the world's highest level. The insights ofatomic-level surface/interface chatacterizations arebeing summarized, which introduce new discoveries forfunctions and chemical properties of new catalysts.

1

1.Electrochemical X-ray
photoelectron
spectroscopic system
2.Environmental small
angle X-ray scattering
mesurement system
3.Rotating disk electrodesystem2

3

DFT calculation for oxygen reduction reaction mechanism on Pt surface

PO
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ER

Polymer Research Division

Kenji Miyatake     
High performance proton conductive membranes are being developed to achieve highly
eﬃcient, powerful, and durable fuel cells. The main subject includes hydrocarbon ionomer
membranes with thin ﬁlm-forming capability, gas impermeability, and stability under harshconditions. Furthermore, the proton conductivity at low humidity, mechanical strength, andinterfacial compatibility are also being improved.

Synthesis of proton conductive polymers     
Highly anion-conductive and chemically robust ionomer membranes are being
developed. The molecular design of the proton-conductive membranes is applied
to the anion-conductive membranes. Through the collaboration with industry, theemerging anion-conductive membranes are being investigated for alkaline fuelcells and water eletrolyzers.
Nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus (NMR)     
 
Polymerization reactions and membrane processing are being investigatedon a larger scale. The fabrication of ionomer membranes is scaled-up fromsolution casting to bar-coating and roll-to-roll processing to obtain optimum
ionomer membranes on the meter scale. Furthermore, hydrocarbon
ionomers are being reinforced with porous substrates to achieve ultrathin,robust membranes.

Rolled sample of hydrocarbon ionomer membrane   ionomerHigh performance ionomer materials are being
developed as electrode binders. For the proton oranion-conductive ionomers, mass transport
capability (hydrogen, oxygen, and water) andcompatibility with catalyst nanoparticles are
created. The properties of the ionomer materials
are being optimized according to each application.

watermolecules

catalyst

catalyst

supportionomer

Ionomer-coated catalysts

Ionomer powder samples

■ Center Layout

Fuel Cell Nanomaterials CenterNorth side passageway

1F
ChemicalStorage
Room

Laboratory
Joint
Laboratory 1

Joint
Laboratory 2
Joint
Laboratory 3

Meeting
Room103
TEM Room

Concurrent
Instructor Laboratory107
NMR Room105
SEM Room

Division Head
Oﬃce
Division Head
Oﬃce
Division Head
Oﬃce

101
TEM Equipment
Room

Seminar
Room

104
Fuel Cell
Assembly Room

Administrative
Oﬃce

102
Fuel Cell Evaluation Room

Electrical
Room

2F

201
Membrane Electrode
Synthesis RoomStorage Room2
Storage Room1

203
Catalyst
Synthesis
Room

Laboratory
108
X-ray
AnalysisRoom106
Catalyst Analysis
Room

Secretarial
Center Oﬃce
Directorʼs Oﬃce

202
Catalyst Evaluation
Room

204
Membrane ElectrodeEvaluation Room

RoomLevel 4Lasers207
Laser Room
205
Computer
Room
Clean Room
Entrance Room
206
Clean Room

EntranceOﬃce Wing（299 m ）Laboratory Wing（1291 m ）2Oﬃce Wing（299 m ）2■ Access Guide

2

University of Yamanashi Kofu Campus

Takeda Shrine

For Nagoya

Takeda Street

N

For Matsumoto

Kofu St.

Clean Energy Research Center

MotokonyaMiyamae

Mt. Atago

For Fuji

Atago Tunnel
Fuel Cell
Nanomaterials
Center

JR Kofu Station

For Tokyo

JR Chuo Line
Heiwa Street

For
Shinjyuku

Minobu St.

Hachiman Shrine

Yamanote Street

Chuo Expressway

Otsuki St.

Fuel Cell Nanomaterials
CenterTakedaJR Chuo Line

JR Minobu Line

University of Yamanashi
Kofu Campus

For Matsumoto

Laboratory Wing（1262 m ）2Maizuru Castle Park
Yamanashi Prefectural Goverment
Hydrogen/Fuell Cell
Technology Support Center

Fuel Cell Nanomaterials Center
University of Yamanashi

6-43 Miyamae-cho,Kofu 400-0021（20 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by taxi from Kofu Station）
TEL 055-254-7092

http://fc-nano.yamanashi.ac.jp/