At the Fraunhofer ICT, new materials are being developed from polymer mixes with electrically conductive fillers, for applications in energy and fuel cell technology, for example in bipolar plates for fuel cells (PEMFC).

The conductivity of the plates is achieved by the introduction of electrically conductive fillers such as graphite and carbon blacks into thermoplastic materials. Suitable laboratory kneaders and extruders are available at the Fraunhofer ICT for the development of conductive polymers and the introduction of fillers. The compound can be processed by extrusion, for example, or by hot-press moulding, where almost any shape can be achieved without additional treatment. The application of these processing methods in conjunction with thermoplastically processable materials with electrically conductive fillers enables the automated and cost-efficient manufacture of structured components.