INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ITALY-CANADA (QUEBEC) RESEARCH ACTIVITY 2014 DEVELOPMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURED CATALYSTS FOR THE CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY IN FUEL CELLS (R.E. 96/14)

The development of energy conversion systems with high efficiency, low cost and stability is vital to meet the challenges derived from global warming due to greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of conventional systems and to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels. More efficient novel nanostructured materials and with lower cost than conventional ones are required in the research in this area to meet the requirements posed by new technologies in terms of performance and durability. The overall objective of the present activity is the development of new nanostructured catalysts at low cost, not containing precious metals, for fuel cells at low temperature. This collaboration aims to combine the scientific expertise developed on the new generation of catalysts by the Canadian group with those of integration in electrochemical devices of the Italian group. A second objective is to train young researchers through their involvement in other ongoing projects under the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community and projects in the region of Quebec.