DEWSBURY, UK, 11. October 2022—Parker Hannifin’s Engine Mobile Filtration EMEA Division (EMFE) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Microengineering and Microsystems (IMM) today announced a partnership to further develop and test new proprietary hollow fibre membrane technology designed for fuel cell humidification applications.

Parker has thorough experience developing membrane filtration solutions for a variety of applications, including fuel cells. The company first introduced membrane fibres for gas separation in the 1980s and is now leveraging this knowledge to develop the next generation of fuel cell humidifiers.

“We are delighted to launch this partnership with the Fraunhofer IMM, a world leader in applied research,” said Jonathan Griffith, General Manager of EMFE at Parker.

“Fuel cell technology is key to helping reduce emissions worldwide. We are confident that with Fraunhofer’s development assistance and the support of Parker’s EMFE R&D site in Stuttgart, Germany, among others, we will continue to improve our hollow fibre membrane technology, extend the service life of fuel cell humidifiers, and increase efficiency for our customers.”

The partnership is expected to run for up to two years and covers:

• Efficiency evaluations of existing Parker-designed fuel cell humidifiers
• Development and use of a specialized test rig
• Performance simulations to identify the effects of fibre length, diameter, and permeability on the humidifiers.

“Fraunhofer IMM has extensive knowledge and experience in handling and conditioning gases for applications including fuel cells, fuel processors and more,” said Dr. Gunther Kolb, Head of Energy Division, Fraunhofer IMM.

“We understand the importance of improving fuel cell technology as the world transitions to cleaner sources of energy. Fraunhofer researchers are looking forward to working with Parker’s engineering experts to create a new generation of fuel cells.”

About Parker Hannifin

Parker Hannifin is a Fortune 250 global leader in motion and control technologies. For more than a century, the company has been enabling engineering breakthroughs that lead to a better tomorrow. Learn more at www.parker.com or @parkerhannifin.

About Fraunhofer

The Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, based in Germany, is the world’s leading applied research organization. Prioritizing key future-relevant technologies and commercializing its findings in business and industry, it plays a major role in the innovation process. A trailblazer and trendsetter in innovative developments and research excellence, it is helping shape our society and our future. Founded in 1949, it currently operates 76 institutes and research units throughout Germany. Over 30,000 employees, predominantly scientists and engineers, work with an annual research budget of €2.9 billion. Fraunhofer generates €2.5 billion of this from contract research. https://www.fraunhofer.de/en/about-fraunhofer.html

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