The students will learn the basics of in-situ testing of electrochemical, thermochemical and catalytic hydrogen utilization/production technologies. The students will be able to select the appropriate testing setup and apply various electrochemical techniques (polarization (I-V), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV)) for the characterization of fuel cells and electrolyzers. Students will be able to select the appropriate setup and apply the measurement techniques for the performance characterization of catalysts for hydrogen-based fuel synthesis (eg. methanation) and oxygen carrier materials for thermochemical cycles. Learning outcomes: • Understanding and application of testing techniques for PEM electrolysis at cell level (I-V, EIS, CV) • Understanding and application of testing techniques for PEM fuel cells at cell level (I-V, EIS, CV) • Understanding and application of testing techniques for SOC at cell level, both in electrolysis and fuel cell mode (I-V, EIS, CV) • Understanding and application of testing techniques for the characterization of the performance of oxygen carriers in thermochemical cycles (micro-reactor measurements, basics of TGA analysis) • Understanding and application of testing techniques for the characterization of the performance of catalysts for hydrogen-based fuels synthesis (eg. methanation) (micro-reactor measurements)

Students must possess preliminary knowledge of thermodynamics, chemistry and electrochemistry. It is recommended to have attended the courses of Polygeneration and advanced energy systems and Electrochemical power sources.

The course will be subdivided in 5 topics: 1) Electrochemical hydrogen production by low-temperature electrolysis (PEM): fundamentals and application of PEM electrolysis cells testing (lessons 2h) (lab 4.5h) 2) Hydrogen utilization in low-temperature fuel cells (PEM): fundamentals and application of PEM fuel cells testing (lessons 2h) (lab 4.5h) 3) High-temperature Solid Oxide Cells (SOCs) for electrolysis and fuel cell: fundamentals and application of Solid Oxide Cells testing (lessons 3h) (lab 3h) 4) Chemical-looping hydrogen: fundamentals and application of oxygen carrier materials testing in micro-reactor in thermochemical cycles for hydrogen production (lessons 3h) (lab 3h) 5) Catalytic processes for fuels synthesis from hydrogen: fundamentals and application of catalysts testing in micro-reactor (e.g. methanation) (lessons 2h) (lab 3h)

The course will be delivered onsite, in English: - 12 h theoretical lessons - 18 h laboratories A project (home assignment) will be developed by the students on a topic assigned during the course.

The teachers will provide copies of the slides used during the lessons, covering all the topics. Suggested books (not compulsory, only for consultancy): • Advances in Medium and High Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Technology https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-46146-5 • Solar Fuels via Two-Step Thermochemical Redox Cycles https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-15-4246-6_3 • Hydrogen production: by electrolysis https://www.wiley.com/en-gb/Hydrogen+Production%3A+by+Electrolysis-p-9783527676521 • PEM Fuel Cell Testing and Diagnosis https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780444536884/pem-fuel-cell-testing-and-diagnosis#book-info

Lecture notes; Lab exercises;

Exam: Compulsory oral exam; Individual project;

The exam consists in the evaluation of the project developed by the students on a specific topic (written report and oral presentation of the project), followed by a mandatory oral exam.

In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.