Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) are the electrochemical heart of electrolysers and fuel cells. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg is the only research institute worldwide that has industrial-scale MEA production facilities—including microstructural analysis and characterization of MEAs on test benches. This enables the industry to rapidly transfer technology from the laboratory to industrial production. Research at Fraunhofer ISE focuses on scalable manufacturing processes, as the demand for MEAs is rising rapidly with the ramp-up of hydrogen technologies, the transformation of industry, and the electrification of heavy-duty and commercial vehicle transportation.

In the new H2 MEA-TEC production laboratory, Fraunhofer ISE is researching the entire value chain: from catalyst powder to the fully characterized MEA. Production lines, test benches, and microstructure analysis, all bundled under one roof, support this effort. For the development of new production processes, H2 MEA-TEC features industry-standard roll-to-roll (R2R) systems for catalyst coating, layer transfer, and MEA manufacturing. These are complemented by industry-scale production and customization of catalyst inks. This enables the evaluation and comparison of new production processes and materials, as well as the manufacturing and quality assurance of components for prototypes and demonstrators for industrial customers. The comprehensive digitization and data-driven analysis of production processes also allows for targeted optimization toward stable, efficient, and scalable manufacturing solutions.

At HANNOVER MESSE 2026, the Freiburg-based researchers will showcase various MEA designs in laboratory and full scale for electrolysis and mobile fuel cells using commercially available materials.

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