PEM R&D assessments

Initial evaluation of performance and a first indication of stability. Suitable for screening new materials, validating design modifications, and identifying relevant performance and degradation trends.

Standard test scope (approximately 1 week)

• Conditioning
• Beginning-of-test characterisation (polarisation curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS))
• Multi-day durability test at constant temperature and a defined operating condition
• End-of-test characterisation

This assessment is designed as an initial durability test and provides a solid foundation for further investigation.

Starting from: €9.000 *

* starting from price is calculated with a Dutch SMEs rate.

Simulation of longer-term operational use to enable a more detailed assessment of lifetime behaviour, performance stability and degradation trends. Suitable for material evaluation and supporting R&D decisions towards industrial application.

Standard test scope approximately 4 weeks

• • Conditioning
  • Beginning-of-test characterisation: polarisation curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)
  • Multi-week durability test at constant temperature and a defined operating condition
  • Interim characterisation at fixed intervals
  • End-of-test characterisation

This assessment provides deeper insight into durability and degradation behaviour compared with short-term testing and forms a strong basis for extended lifetime analysis.

Starting from: €24.000 *

* starting from price is calculated with a Dutch SMEs rate.

PEM Accelerated testing

Accelerated testing intentionally applies selected stressors to trigger and accelerate relevant degradation mechanisms. The field uses various terms, such as accelerated stress test (AST) and accelerated lifetime test (ALT), with fluid, often interchangeable definitions; in TNO, we distinguish two main categories of accelerated testing protocols based on their starting point and design logic. These are the component-specific accelerated test and the use-case specific accelerated test.

Component-specific accelerated test

This test starts from the targeted component, identifying its degradation mechanisms and selecting stressors to trigger them. This test aim to isolates and accelerates degradation in a specific cell component, making it suitable for component development and comparing material variants.

Standard test scope (1000 hours)

• Conditioning
• Beginning-of-test characterisation (polarisation curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS))
• Stressor block: a repeated duty cycle applying the targeted accelerated stress, combined with periodic/cycling in situ monitoring
• End-of-test characterisation

The test duration of 1000 hours, which can be adapted upon request, represents a trade-off between prediction capacity and short optimisation iteration cycles, enabling expedited screening.

Targeted stressor blocks accelerate degradation in key components such as the catalyst, BPP, PTL and membrane, with optional ex situ characterisation to support deeper failure analysis

Use-case specific accelerated test

This test applies a compressed real-world load profile, for example, derived from the load distribution of an offshore wind use case in the Netherlands. Other use cases can be developed specifically on request. This assessment is suitable for evaluating electrolysers under realistic, application-representative operating conditions.

The overall test structure mirrors the component-specific accelerated test: conditioning, a stressor block built from the compressed load profile (1000 hours), and in situ characterisation (beginning-of-test, periodic monitoring, end-of-test).

To align on the scope, feasibility and indicative pricing, you can schedule an intake meeting with our business developer via the contact form.