Manufacturing Process of Catalyst Coated Membrane (CCM) for Fuel Cell

The catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) is a critical stack component in the fuel cell stack where the bulk cost of the fuel cell stack lies.  Current industry processes are complicated and involve multiple steps, which result in defects and material wastage.  Critical processing steps associated with the CCM manufacturing process and catalyst formulation, particularly those steps for optimal fuel cell performance, are closely guarded industry secrets.  In this project, defects and catalyst wastage issues are addressed by simplifying the manufacturing process of CCM through directly applying the catalyst layer onto the membrane surface and expanding its capability by optimising the catalyst formulation.

Automated Assembly Manufacturing of Single Cells for Fuel Cell

The Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) in a single cell is the core component of a fuel cell that produces the electrochemical reaction to generate electric power.  A fuel cell stack requires a large number of single cells.  Currently, single cell production is still largely a manual process that limits production scale.  Automating the single cell assembly process improves single cell production by assuring product quality, throughput, and yield.  An automated assembly process in advanced manufacturing with industrial robots, machine vision systems, and Internet of Things (IoT) is used in the single cell production of continuous wet lay-up processes together with catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) cutting.

Flow Reactor System for Spent Lithium-Ion Battery (LIB) Materials Recycling

With rising demand for LIBs in electric vehicles, portable electronics, and large-scale stationary electric energy storage, there is an ever-increasing need to improve the technology to recycle these spent LIBs before they go to waste.  However, current recycling methods such as pyrometallurgy and chemical leaching in hydrometallurgy cause a lot of pollution.  This green and cost-effective method to recycle lithium-ion battery (LIB) materials involves developing an energy-efficient oxygen depolarised cathode integrated with the flow reactor system.  Using redox reaction, the presence of regenerative electrolyte in the system breaks down spent battery materials to form reusable products to make new batteries.

Fast Charging Solutions for E-scooter

This systematic fast charging solution allows e-scooters to be fast-charged in areas with or without grid power access.  It includes re-designing the current battery pack with a fast chargeable super capacitance battery, developing a specific fast charger for places with grid power, and a fuel cell powered mobile charger in parking areas without a grid power network.  A mobile fuel cell charger has also been developed to provide sufficient power to charge the super capacitance battery within 30 minutes.

Smart Battery Power System for Underwater Inspection Systems

This Smart Battery Power System addresses the safety concerns for divers who perform under hull dock block inspections in shipyards.  With the smart battery power system to increase the effectiveness of remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the usage of the ROV not only aids the inspection process but also improves safety for the diver.  This project involves the development of a 230Wh Li-ion battery power system comprising a smart battery management system, an energy balancing and thermal management system, and a communication system.  It includes innovative solutions such as the SOC&SOH prediction technology and the battery cells scalability technology.

Configurable Smart Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Battery Power System for Materials Handling Equipment

Jointly developed with an industry partner of lead-acid battery systems for forklifts, this lithium battery system provides higher power density and longer lifetime, and is a cleaner energy course.  The Centre and its industry partner aims to commercialise this lithium battery power system as a solution for materials handling equipment.

Long Flight Endurance Drone with AI and Analytics-Enabled Detection Capabilities

This project involves the integration of a world-leading fuel cell from a local company to significantly increase the flight-time of a drone, which is used to inspect pipeline reserves or to check on and diagnose specific issues.  To equip the drone platform with stable monitoring and accurate diagnosing capabilities, a small and lightweight sensory and communication system, together with the back-end deep analytics by an AI algorithm, are integrated into the system.  This project is under the National Research Foundation’s Competitive Research Programme.

Smart Self-Disinfecting Lift

This project provides an automated disinfecting solution for passenger lifts and confined spaces using UV-C light to kill pathogens and disinfect the air and surfaces inside a lift periodically.  As UV-C may be harmful to living things, the UV-C light is automatically switched off when smart sensors detect someone entering the lift.  The disinfecting process resumes when the lift is empty.  The project, funded by the National Research Foundation, is a part of TP's contribution to Singapore's effort in managing the current COVID pandemic through our technology capabilities and our commitment to improving the community around us.

SmartDB for Elderly Wellness Monitoring and Habit Detection 

This project involves the use of a single device (SmartDB) plugged into the household electrical circuit, to monitor electricity usage patterns of electrical appliances in the home.  The data can be used to monitor the behaviour of the elderly living alone in the house.  Machine learning algorithms are developed to understand lifestyles and behaviours and identify abnormal events and habits of the elderly, without compromising on their privacy.  

Industrial Switchgear Status Monitoring System          

This is a smart monitoring system that allows real time monitoring and alert capabilities for industrial usage.  Traditional meter readings, moulded case circuit breaker statuses and temperature points can be read reliably and displayed in web applications.  Usage insights, patterns and alerts are provided to the end user for enhanced facility management and decision making.